Tesla Dealership Approved, Construction To Begin In Warminster

WARMINSTER, PA —Drake Motors Partners is ready to put its Tesla dealership in gear now that Warminster Township supervisors have given the green light to the project.

Supervisors unanimously approved the project for 700 York Road following conditional use and land development application hearings at Thursday night's meeting.

The Tesla dealership would be the first in Bucks County. Tesla has dealerships in King of Prussia, Devon, and Lawrence, N.J.

"This might be the fastest land development agreement ever," said Attorney Amee Farrell of Kaplin Stewart Attorneys at Law in Blue Bell, who represented Drake Motors at the hearing. "We hope to break ground in the next two weeks."

Drake Motors plans on converting the old Pathmark property on 700 York Road into a Tesla dealership and service center. The Tesla dealership and repair garage service center could add 30-40 local jobs.

Farrell said she's working with staff and negotiating land development agreements with a closing on the property expected on March 13.

She said the deal with Tesla was contingent on getting the dealership completed and open by the end of the year.

"There will be a grand opening before you know it," Farrell said.

Township officials said they hoped that local contractors would be used for the project and Farrell assured them that would be the case. Per Councilman Mark McKee's request, the fencing for the sound barrier will be changed from wood to plastic to make it more aesthetically pleasing.

Drake owner John Houser had previously said that the project would cost between $6-8 million.

The 56,000-square-foot building sits on 9 acres.

The property, across the street from Archbishop Wood High School and near Street Road, had been considered by Lidl for another grocery store.

Tesla, the car company led by CEO Elon Musk, models itself on clean energy and designs and manufactures electric vehicles, battery energy storage from home to grid-scale, solar panels, and solar roof tiles.

"It's great to have the last large parcel fitted out for the future," Township Supervisors Chairman Kenneth Hayes said. "We hope Tesla keeps their promise to be a good neighbor and community partner."