Upper Moreland Township passed an ordinance last week which will restrict the proliferation of retail businesses which sell tobacco-related products and accessories, township manager Patrick Stasio told Glenside Local in an email.
The ordinance was passed during a public hearing on Monday, October 7. It amends the township’s existing zoning ordinance to enact regulations and set the permitted zoning districts for “Significant Tabacco Retailers” which devote 10% or more of floor/display areas or maintain 20% or more of total merchandise for the sale of tobacco and/or vape products.
From the hearing’s description:
Over the past few years the Township has seen an increase in retail business which specifically deal with tobacco related products and accessories. Commissioners have asked Township staff to look into regulations which could be applied to such retail operations.
In related news, a second public hearing was held on October 7 regarding a Conditional Use Proposal submitted by KRE Group, which manages 2405 Maryland Road Property Owner, LLC and 2425 Maryland Road Property Owner, LLC.
Stasio said no decision was made regarding the proposal and will be tabled until a later date.
The proposal calls for the construction of an apartment building adjacent to the existing apartment building known as Willow Pointe, located at 2405 Maryland Road in Willow Grove.
According to the township’s memo, new amenities will be provided on both the existing and proposed building along with site improvements including landscaping and stormwater management.
The original plan, submitted in July, called for the redevelopment of the 10.6-acre 2425 Maryland Road property with a new apartment building with 53 units and 80 parking spaces.
The new plan reduces the number of units and expands the amenities area along with “significant upgrades to the existing Willow Point apartment building and the existing outdoor amenities and common areas on the property,” township solicitor Alex J. Baumler wrote.
More details on the project can be found here.
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