Huntingdon to Rezone Cashsaver Property to Allow Beer Sales

HUNTINGDON (November 25) — In Tuesday night’s meeting, the Huntingdon Town Council voted in favor of two ordinances — amendments to the official Zoning Map of Huntingdon and the Huntingdon Municipal Code — that would allow Huntingdon Cashsaver to sell packaged beer for off-premises consumption.

The amendments followed a petition from Cashsaver store supervisor Jackie Streetman, who appeared before the council in August requesting their consideration to allow packaged beer sales at the Huntingdon grocery store.

At the time, the Town of Huntingdon’s municipal code prohibited businesses located within 1,000 feet of a school, church or public gathering place — including public playgrounds and parks — from selling beer for on- or off-premises consumption.

Cashsaver, situated across the road from Thomas Park and zoned as R-2 (Medium Density Residential), was legally unable to sell beer, causing a competitive disadvantage according to Streetman.

Following Streetman’s request, the council voted to review footage between the store and Thomas Park and consider amending the municipal code ordinance’s language.

Three months later, the council decided to amend the Alcoholic Beverages section of the municipal code, allowing issuance of a permit within 300-foot distance within B-1 (Neighborhood Business District) and B-2 (General Business District).

Upon review of the store, the council also discovered that the store was incorrectly zoned as a residential building. Only its parking lot was zoned B-1 (Neighborhood Business).

Tuesday night, the board agreed — upon first reading — to amend the official Zoning Map of Huntingdon to rezone a portion of James Realty (Cashsaver) property, located at 20150 Main Street, to B-1 zoning designation from its existing designation of R-2.

Both amendments will have a second reading and a final vote in Huntingdon Town Council’s next meeting Tuesday, December 16.