After approving regulations restricting where vape shops can locate in Ross, commissioners are now considering regulating massage therapy businesses.
Commissioners voted 8-0 March 16 to approve an ordinance governing vape, tobacco and smoke shops. Commissioner Pat Mullin was absent.
After discussion, commissioners removed language that would have prohibited neon signs, lights of any kind, or other devices in windows designed to draw attention to the businesses.
Commissioner Haley Warden-Rodgers was concerned that the signage provision was overly restrictive and could have prohibited “open” signs.
Commissioners were also unable to agree on an annual registration fee, the amount of which was not specified in the approved ordinance, which points to the township’s fee schedule.
While commissioners discussed fees ranging from $300 to $1,000, beginning at the higher end, township Solicitor P.J. Murray said the fee can’t be chosen randomly and has to be tied to the township’s actual cost. Determining that amount would require research so the fee can be supported, he said.
The regulations apply to new vape shops. Existing ones, even if they are not in compliance, would be unaffected but still required to register with the township.
Commissioner Dan DeMarco said Ross does not know how many vape shops are currently in the township, and, of those, how many would be classified as non-conforming with the new regulations.
Under the approved ordinance, vape, tobacco and smoke shops are allowed as a conditional use only in Ross’ C-1 commercial zoning district. They are prohibited in all other zoning districts.
They have to be at least 3,000 feet apart from each other, and cannot be within 1,000 feet of the property lines of schools, day care centers, parks or churches. They also cannot be within 300 feet of any residential zoning district boundary line.
They are not allowed to have drive-thru windows. The ordinance also requires parking for customers and employees.
Under the ordinance, a retail business is classified as a smoke or vape shop if more than 30% of its gross sales revenue comes from alternative nicotine products, or if more than 30% of its retail floor area or display space is used for them.
The requirements mirror those that commissioners approved last year for medical marijuana businesses, which are also allowed in the I-1 industrial area.
The regulations come after Allegheny County Police in January said they had found a large-scale illegal marijuana sales operation at two vape shops on McKnight Road.
An investigation was ongoing, and no one had been charged in connection with those searches as of March 16, county police spokesman James Madalinsky said.
Massage therapy regulations introduced
According to the proposed ordinance, concerns over prostitution and human trafficking have prompted Ross officials to consider regulating businesses offering massages or alternative therapy and that have the words “massage” or “spa” in their names.
The ordinance would require all massage therapy and alternative therapy businesses to register with and be licensed by the township. Massage therapy businesses would not be allowed to operate unless all of their massage therapists are licensed by the state, while alternative therapy technicians would need to be licensed by Ross.
The fee to be licensed as an alternative therapy technician is not specified in the proposed ordinance.
Hours of operation would be limited to between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. No one under 18 would be allowed inside the businesses or receive therapy unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Employees would be required to be fully clothed. Customers would not be allowed to remain on the premises for more than an hour after closing, and the premises could not be used as dwelling units.
Under the proposed ordinance, it would be unlawful for therapists to touch or massage sexual or genital areas, or to expose their own.
The township will advertise the draft ordinance and it will go before commissioners for a vote at their meeting on April 20, township Manager Jessica Crawshaw said.