Tesla Pitches Plans For Dealership, Service Center In Warminster

WARMINSTER, PA —Tesla presented plans to Warminster Township Supervisors about its plans to build a dealership and service center at the old Pathmark property on York Road.

In a two-hour land use public hearing before the board last week, Tesla representatives outlined how the car company known for its electric vehicles would convert the "dilapidated" Pathmark property at 700 York Road into one that has a "sleek, modern and fresh look."

Amy Ferrell, an attorney representing Drake Motor Partners, appeared before supervisors for a conditional use application for Tesla to set up shop at the property, which has been home to Pathmark and a farmer's market.

The property, across the street from Archbishop Wood High School and near Street Road, had been considered by Lidl for another grocery store but those redevelopment plans fell through, she said.

Tesla would develop a dealership and repair garage service center that could add 30-40 local jobs, representatives said.

Drake owner John Houser said that the project would cost between $6-8 million with hopes that construction could start in March and completion before year's end. He said a contractor is already in place.

"Tesla wants to be a great neighbor," Houser said. "We've doubled the size of the storefront's glass to give it a sleek, modern, and fresh look. We didn't skimp. We will create great-paying jobs and a nice tax base. We're taking a pretty ugly building and making it spectacular."

Ferrell said that Drake Motor Partners received approval for the Tesla operation from the zoning board recently, thus marking its appearance before supervisors.

She said the building would undergo no major modifications and that no new buildings would be constructed. She said there would be "substantial cosmetic work" on the property, including improvements to existing lighting and a "substantial amount" of landscaping.

"The building has fallen into disrepair," she said. "We can all agree there needs to be an upgrade of the building."

Matt Kearse, a civil engineer, said the 56,000-square-foot building sites on 9 acres.

"It's a sea of asphalt that's really created an eyesore," said Kearse, presenting supervisors with pictures of the building that showed overgrown vegetation, a broken-down loading station, vines growing on the building's walls, and poor conditions that led to a property that "got out of hand."

Tesla would hire 30-40 employees for maintenance and sales. Representatives said those employees would be local hires.

Its operating hours would be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and closed Sunday.

There would be a service area with space for two rows of parking, an alignment center, a storage area for tires, windshield wipers, fluids, and other auto supplies.

The front would feature a waiting area and showroom featuring two Tesla vehicles people can examine, a car wash area, and two loading areas for deliveries.

Kearse said that service and repairs would happen in the building by appointment only. The repair area would have 18 lifts.

He also said that vehicles would be purchased online with appointments made for pickup.

"This is not a body shop," he said. "This isn't your standard dealership with 100 cars in the parking lot. Tesla has set the standard with how cars are purchased."

Exterior changes would include a "very nice facelift," with the addition of vertical panels, windows, and Tesla colors. ADA ramps would be added along with other site improvements, including LED lighting.

"We want an overall, desirable look," Kearse said. "We want it to stand out and fit into the community."

Township Solicitor Scott Holbert and Engineer Craig Kennard asked numerous questions throughout the proceeding and Tesla representatives said they would comply with all township standards.

"We're willing to work together with you," Kennard said.

Another hearing has been scheduled for 7 p.m., Feb. 2, in the meeting room of the township's municipal building.