Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Resident seeks permission to sell puppies in Ephrata Township
BY KIMBERLY MARSELAS, Correspondent

The owner of a small pet store in Earl Township is hoping to shift his business to Ephrata Township now that he has moved.

At a zoning hearing board meeting on Jan. 15, Landis M. Weaver asked township officials for a special exception that would allow him to sell puppies from his home at 601 Ridge Ave.

Accompanied by attorney James Thomas, Weaver described his pet store as a small operation meant to supplement his retirement income.

Weaver plans to build a 20-by-12-foot freestanding building near an existing house where he will shelter puppies, which he gets from local breeders. He testified that he keeps most puppies from about 8 weeks to 12 weeks of age, selling them online and by appointment only.

Weaver said he does not breed, train or kennel dogs.

Thomas said the business would be similar to the township's home business exception, but that Weaver would not be "producing" the dogs on site.

Weaver and his wife are the only employees of the store, which would be located on a nearly 3-acre plot. The dogs would not be allowed outside of the proposed heated and air-conditioned building.

Weaver said he would open the Ephrata Township store "as soon as I could get set up."

The zoning hearing board will issue a decision on his request at a Feb. 19 meeting.

Also during the meeting, the board re-elected its leaders.

The board reappointed Jack Echternach to serve as chairman and Donald Boll as vice chairman of the five-member body.

Other members are Scott Cover, Leon Roy Martin and Kevin Seibert.

For more Ephrata area news, visit:

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