Mar 25, 2021 3 min read

Visitors to the new U.S. Post Office on Venetia Road in Peters Township may not yet have noticed the building’s lower level, which features several spaces for potential businesses.

Thanks to a zoning change, the type of businesses that are permitted has a wider variety.

On Monday, township council approved an amendment that designates personal services as a permitted use in the West Venetia Road Mixed-Use Corridor Zoning District. Requesting the change was Venetia Group LLC, owner and developer of Venetia Postal Plaza, where the post office recently opened.

“It is our belief, and it’s the belief of the Peters Township Planning Commission, that these uses are consistent with what the intent of the zoning district was,” township manager Paul Lauer said, noting at its March 11 meeting, the planning commission recommended the amendment for approval.

A memo to council members from planning director Ed Zuk lists personal services as including barber and beauty shops, dry cleaners, shoe repair, tailors, optometrist, catering, rental supplies and travel agencies.

“Personal service uses are low-impact, not high-traffic, generators and will provide convenient access to services for nearby residents,” the memo states.

What is permitted does not include services related to pets.

“The definition of personal services includes that specific language,” Zuk said at the council meeting.

The West Venetia Road district, which extends along the south side of the road from the Nottingham Township line east to Bebout Road, was established as part of a major overhaul of the township zoning ordinance in 2017.

“We were dealing with a lot of different new zoning districts and what uses were allowed in those districts, and it was just sort of an oversight to not let personal services be in this district,” Zuk said about the original list of permitted uses.

In a letter to Zuk, the Venetia Group’s Brian Rusciolelli addressed the request for the amendment, specifically with regard to Venetia Postal Plaza.

“We are currently working with a potential tenant who would like to operate an upscale beauty salon in a portion of the space,” the letter read. “We do not think such a business would be detrimental to the area. In fact, it might offer convenience for residents in the local neighborhoods.”

Council member Frank Arcuri said he recently spoke to a nearby resident about the zoning change.

“He brought this up to me, and he thought it was a very good idea,” Arcuri said.

Another council member, Monica Merrell, also reported positive feedback.