Media eyes B & B rules and medical marijuana sites
MEDIA » Council held two brief public hearings prior to the legislative session. They set the stage for approval of ordinances which expand business uses.
The borough will now permit the operation of Bed and Breakfast facilities with some regulations. B&Bs will be a use “by right” in the office district which includes the area bordered by Monroe, Olive, Front and Fourth streets. They will also be permitted in Historic Resource Districts by special exception through application to the Zoning Hearing Board.
The ordinance spells out a number of factors for use and approval, including parking availability; number of guest rooms permitted and number of guests per room; meals that can be served; and signage. The ordinance, No. 1126 of 2017, will be posted on the borough website.
Three residents spoke during the hearing, all with positive comments which reflected the suitability of such use in the borough. Councilman Paul Robinson said while he had concerns about the impact on locations which were in exclusively residential areas, he was in favor of taking the “baby steps” through the ordinance.
Though it has been premature for any formal application until approval of the ordinance, the borough is likely to see one or more entrepreneurs come forward. As with many situations within the borders of the .75-square mile borough, residents take an active role in sharing information.
Council also unanimously approved an ordinance which amends the zoning code for regulating the location of medical marijuana dispensaries and growing facilities. Any such businesses will be located in the industrial district at the west end of the borough.
Council President Brian Hall was quite clear that council’s action was “our way of getting ahead of this matter. We can’t say ‘no’ if the state says ‘yes.’ We must find a place or (potentially) face a zoning challenge.”
Among the important regulations, a facility cannot be within 1,000 feet of a school, church or child care center. Given the borough’s make up, very few locations would meet this requirement.
Licenses are issued by the state. Thus far, a few communities have been granted licenses, and some have been denied.
No public comment made on this issue. was
In one other board action, authorization was given for the borough solicitor to hire an appraiser for easements needed for the second left turn lane (eastbound) from Providence Road onto Baltimore Avenue. The roadway change was included in the planning/design of the Wawa at that corner, which is scheduled to open by the end of July.