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Ephrata council refers zoning text amendment on smoke shops and short‑term rentals back to committee
Summary
Council voted unanimously Feb. 2 to refer Ordinance No. 1603 (a zoning text amendment covering smoke shops and short‑term rentals) back to committee for additional information; the agenda was approved and an executive session on potential litigation was scheduled.
At its Feb. 2 work session, the Ephrata Borough Council voted unanimously to refer Ordinance No. 1603, a proposed zoning text amendment addressing smoke shops and short‑term rentals, back to committee for further review and inclusion of missing information.
Council Member Kory Musser moved to refer the ordinance and Council Member Chad Ochs seconded; the motion carried unanimously. The meeting minutes list the action under development activities and record the result as "Motion carried unanimously." The minutes do not record individual roll‑call votes.
Earlier in the meeting Borough Manager Karen Gerhart confirmed the agenda had been posted at least 24 hours; Council Member Timothy Barr moved to accept the agenda as posted and Vice President Victor Richard seconded; that motion also carried unanimously. The agenda and committee listings included Resolution No. 2026‑07 (Disposition of Records), Resolution No. 2026‑08 (exonerating the borough from paying 2026 real‑estate taxes on borough‑owned parcels), an appointment to fill a Planning Commission vacancy, multiple land‑development items and a Conditional Use application for a winter shelter at 409 North State Street; the minutes record these items as listed but do not include extended discussion or votes on them during the work session.
Committee items noted in the minutes also included a PennDOT traffic‑signal application for the SR 0272/Dutchland Avenue/Weis Markets intersection, a ParkMobile service agreement, a K9 program agreement, stormwater facility dedication and a recommendation for award of Bid #25‑7 for electric line maintenance. Personnel items listed included employee handbook amendments and a memorandum of agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 1600, regarding a water‑department apprentice position.
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM. Borough Manager Karen Gerhart announced an executive session would immediately follow adjournment to discuss potential litigation; the executive session began at 8:17 PM and ended at 9:25 PM, according to the minutes.
