An applicant seeking to open a women's boutique at 5921 Westfield Avenue presented to the Pennsauken Township Committee, and township staff said they will connect the applicant with planning staff to begin the change-of-use process.

Attorney Matt Sable, representing applicant Melvin Guerrero, told the committee the proposed lease space is 19 by 78 feet and that the owners "only anticipate five customers at the most at any given time." Sable said the space was zoned P-1 and that the applicant would need to seek relief from the zoning board for the proposed retail use.

The committee discussed practical issues including parking and deliveries. Sable said the business, to be called Leidys Fashion Store, would have two employees, rely on street parking, and handle deliveries via the owners' personal residence rather than on-site storage. The proposed hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday; no Sunday hours were proposed.

Economic development staff introduced the item and said staff will connect the applicant with Daniella (planning staff) and begin the application process. Committee members said they had no objections to the applicant beginning the formal zoning process but reiterated that any change of use requires zoning-board review and any applicable permits.

No formal vote by the committee was taken; the committee's action was procedural direction to have staff assist the applicant in filing the zoning application. The applicant was instructed to appear before the zoning board for any required use variance or change-of-use approval.

The committee advised the applicant to follow the township's zoning process and obtain necessary permits and sign-offs before occupying the space.