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Board refers zoning change request for personal service businesses and authorizes hearing for church conditional use
Summary
The board voted to refer a request to allow personal service establishments in the IRD zoning district to the planning commission and authorized advertising a Sept. 2 public hearing on a conditional-use application from Access Church at 2171 Sandy Drive; staff said the conditional-use filing included a traffic study and proposed shared parking.
At the Aug. 19 meeting, the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors voted to advance two land-use matters to staff and the planning commission: a citizen’s request to amend zoning to permit personal service establishments in the Light Industrial Research & Development (IRD) district, and a conditional-use proposal from Access Church for 2171 Sandy Drive.
Assistant township manager summarized the July 7 request from Tom Songer asking that personal service establishments—businesses providing hygiene or appearance services such as salons, spas and massage therapy—be allowed as a principal use in the IRD district under conditions: the establishment must be owned and operated by a Pennsylvania-licensed professional and operate by appointment only to limit walk-in traffic. Staff recommended creating a specific definition for the use, adding licensing and appointment restrictions, and referring the request to the planning commission for formal review. "The proposal appears compatible with existing IRD uses and supportive of surrounding employees and residents," staff said.
The board voted to refer the amendment request to the planning commission. Supervisor Patterson moved the motion and Supervisor Strickland seconded.
Separately, Planning & Zoning Director (Speaker 13) said the conditional-use application from a tenant listed as Access Church included a traffic index study and would not propose exterior changes or new parking on site; staff noted agreements for shared parking could provide up to 200 additional spaces to serve peak Sunday-morning needs. Pastor Zach, speaking as an applicant representative, described difficulties securing long-term parking contracts but said multiple property owners were willing to work with the church on a memorandum of understanding for Sunday services. The board authorized legal advertisement for a Sept. 2 public hearing and referred the application to staff and the planning commission for review at their Aug. 25 meeting.
The board’s actions move both items into formal review; staff and planning commission hearings will address detailed parking arrangements and any recommended ordinance language if the zoning amendment proceeds.
