Acting Chairman Gary Lefever convened the February 11, 2009 meeting of the Warwick Township Zoning Hearing Board at 6:30 p.m. Present were Board Members Gary Lefever, Scott Goldman, Dane St. Clair, Mark Will and Kenneth Kauffman. Also present were Township Manager Daniel L. Zimmerman, Zoning Hearing Solicitor Neil Albert, Ron Rook, Sr., Gary Longo and Don Henry.

MINUTES APPROVAL: The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the December 10, 2008 meeting as submitted.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2009: The Acting Chairman opened the nominations for Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Zoning Hearing Board. On a motion by Goldman, seconded by St. Clair, the Board voted unanimously to close the nominations and re-elected Gary Lefever as Chairman of the Zoning Hearing Board. On a motion by Lefever, seconded by Kauffman, the Board voted unanimously to close the nominations and re-elected Scott Goldman as Vice-chairman of the Zoning Hearing Board.

Chairman Gary Lefever conducted the remainder of the Zoning Hearing Board meeting.

POSTING, PROOF OF PUBLICATION AND NOTICE: The Township Manager confirmed the posting, notice and proof of publication of the case to be heard at this evening's hearing.

HEARING PROCEDURES: For the benefit of those present, the Zoning Hearing Solicitor explained the procedure to be followed for the evening's hearing.

CASE #730, GARY LONGO, JR. - SPECIAL EXCEPTION: The Chairman read the zoning notice for the application from Gary Longo, Jr., 510 Providence Court, Lititz, PA 17543. The applicant is the equitable owner of the property located at 1639 Rothsville Road owned by Ronald & Dana Rook, 420 Yummerdall Road, Lititz. The applicant is seeking a Special Exception to the Warwick Township Zoning Ordinance under Section 340-113, pertaining to Substitution of a Nonconforming Use in the Mixed Use Zoning District. The applicant would like to relocate a non-alcoholic beverage business within the existing building that recently housed a cleaning supply business that had received zoning approval on September 10, 1997 (Case #484).

Gary Longo was sworn in. He explained that he would like to lease the building at 1639 Rothsville Road for storage. He explained that the facility would be used for storage of bottled specialty drinking water. He noted that the use might include incidental retail sales of products stored at the building. He explained that the site would have limited tractor trailer deliveries (approximately 3 per month), and added that UPS deliveries would also occur at the property. He noted that UPS is primarily used for shipping and tractor trailers provide deliveries (as well as UPS). Longo explained that the building has a loading dock, so the roadway would not be blocked by delivery vehicles.

Ronald Rook, Sr. was sworn in. He stated that he and his wife own the property and added that they had weekly tractor trailer deliveries. He noted that when the business was operated, they had approximately 7-10 retail customers per week. Rook stated that the business hours of operation were Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. He noted that they might have been at the building occasionally on Saturday or Sunday for office work.

Longo testified that his operating hours would be similar to the previous business; however, he might operate on Saturdays between 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. He added that he might have incidental retail sales, but he does not anticipate more than the previous business. He explained that the building would be used for storage and distribution.

Longo stated that due to the nature of the business, they would not operate continually during the days and time stated since they would only need to be at the building to prepare and ship products when orders are processed. He noted that they would be at the building during the times stated.

The Township Manager inquired whether the business currently has employees. Longo stated that one or two employees could be hired in the future. He added that sufficient parking exists on the property to accommodate employees and walk-in traffic (8 parking spaces). Rook testified that he had as many as 7 employees as part of his business. Longo testified that there would be no outside storage of products.

The Chairman inquired whether anyone present wishes to comment on the case. No one present indicated their desire to comment on the case.

On a motion by Lefever, seconded by Goldman, the Board voted unanimously to grant a Special Exception under Section 340-113, as requested, based on the testimony provided this evening, and the applicant’s letter dated January 6, 2009 which was submitted with the zoning application.

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR LANCASTER EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH: The Board reviewed the request. On a motion by St. Clair, seconded by Goldman, the Board voted unanimously to grant a 6-month extension of time for the Lancaster Evangelical Free Church.

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Daniel L. Zimmerman
Township Manager