Ross withdraws proposal targeting tiny houses, takes aim at controlling vape shops

Ross commissioners are taking their sights off tiny houses and taking aim at vape shops.

A proposed ordinance that would have set a minimum 1,500-square-foot requirement for new and altered single-family homes was withdrawn, Commissioner Denise Rickenbrode said at Tuesday’s commissioners meeting.

The decision was made at an Aug. 12 community development/planning subcommittee meeting, where Rickenbrode and Commissioners Sarah Poweska and Chris Eyster were present.

According to a report on the subcommittee meeting, they discussed the pros and cons of moving forward with the ordinance, citing those noted by other commissioners and the public.

When the ordinance was introduced at the Aug. 4 commissioners meeting, Eyster said he believed the requirement would be unconstitutional because it was “arbitrary and capricious” and would infringe on people’s rights to freely use and enjoy their land.

Commissioner Joseph Muha expressed concern about what alterations would trigger the requirement. He also counted 66 homes in his own neighborhood smaller than 1,500 square feet.

A resident, Joe Aguglia, said the requirement could violate the federal Fair Housing and Americans with Disabilities acts.

The idea behind the proposal, according to Rickenbrode, was new neighborhoods not fitting in with existing ones and tiny houses bringing down property values.

Instead of setting a minimum size, Rickenbrode said the subcommittee opted for the township to rely on existing building codes.

Restrictions on vape shops discussed

Ross commissioners are considering restrictions on vape and smoke shops, using those recently applied to medical marijuana dispensaries as a guide.

In July, commissioners approved setting a 3,000-foot minimum distance between medical marijuana businesses.

Limited to C-1 commercial and I-1 industrial zoning areas, they also are not allowed to be within 1,000 feet of the property line of a school, day care center, park or church, or within 300 feet of any residential district.

With 10 vape shops already on McKnight Road, their proliferation was compared to spotted lanternflies.

“They just pop up overnight,” Commissioner Dan DeMarco said. “They’re out of control.”

While Rickenbrode said the marijuana dispensary storefronts are “aesthetically pleasing,” the vape shops were described as garish because of their bright signage.

While Ross has regulations on signs, it needs to be updated, said Dominic Rickert, director of community development. Also, there are no restrictions on the number of signs in windows.

Ross commissioners next meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15.