Controversial Warehouse Appeal Vote Delayed In Hatboro

HATBORO, PA —The future usage of a warehouse property is still up in the air.

Borough officials had announced that the Borough Council would be voting on the matter of an appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board decision for the property located at 14 E. Moreland Avenue at Monday's meeting.

But the vote is delayed as the borough awaits a decision and order being issued.

The zoning officer had issued a notice of violation to the applicant that determined the property was being used as a warehouse space, which is not permitted in the RC-2 Retail Commercial Zoning District.

The applicant appealed the violation, saying the property is used for Retail Auctions, and that the use constitutes retail sales, which is permitted in the RC-2 Retail Commercial District.

The applicant sought a determination from the Zoning Hearing Board that the current use is consistent with the RC-2 Retail Commercial District Use regulations.

The hearing was closed and the ZHB members determined that the use of the property by the applicant is retail sales and the appeal from the decision of the zoning officer was granted.

The parking lot where the applicant was storing business-related items is required to remain open as outlined in the approved parking plan from the former owners, Impact Thrift, from their application in 2001, which was included in testimony during the hearing.

The Decision and Order of the Board is final and any appeal of it must be filed with the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County within 30 days following the copy mailing date set forth on the decision and order.

Once the Borough has the Decision and Order, the council can then place the issue on its agenda for discussion and a vote to appeal or not.

Borough Council will hold its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 22.

For more information on this matter, see the borough's website at www.myhatboro.org, or the borough's Facebook page @Borough of Hatboro for updates.

Borough Staff will provide updates as to when this matter will come before the council.

Anyone with questions should contact Borough Manager Diane Hegele at 215-443-9100 or email at dhegele@myhatboro.org.