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Abington adopts medical marijuana zoning rules and eases process for construction on nonconforming lots
Summary
After public hearings and debate, the Board adopted ordinances setting where medical marijuana dispensaries and grower/processors may locate and removing a special‑exception requirement for construction on nonconforming lots; the meeting also recorded multiple other approvals by voice vote.
The Abington Township Board of Commissioners on Aug. 14 adopted two zoning ordinance amendments after public hearings: one defining where medical marijuana dispensaries and grower/processors may operate in the township, and another changing the rules for construction on legally nonconforming lots.
Solicitor Clark told the board that state law makes medical marijuana a permitted use in Pennsylvania and that, absent local zoning standards, “every piece of ground in the township could have a medical marijuana dispensary or the other aspects of medical marijuana.” The ordinance the board adopted (Ordinance No. 22‑32) restricts dispensaries to Business‑Commercial (BC) districts and permits grower/processors only in the SI district, and includes parking requirements. Clark said the draft was revised following recommendations from the Montgomery County Planning Commission.
Several residents urged stricter limits during the hearing. Joe Rooney said the ordinance seemed contradictory and told commissioners that “marijuana is a blight on every community.”…
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