Wharton approves rezoning for Stone House
WHARTON TWP. — Supervisors voted on Tuesday to approve a resolution to rezone The Historic Stone House Restaurant and Inn from partially business and agriculture zoning, to strictly business.
Vice Chairman Jack Lewis said the change came in order to make the business in compliance with the township zoning ordinance. That way, he said, if the owners of The Stone House ever decided to expand their outdoor gazebo setting, it would be in compliance to do so.
The motion, which was made by Chairman Jim Means and seconded by supervisor Joe Henning, came after a public hearing on the matter.
About ten residents attended the hearing in favor of rezoning The Stone House, which sits along Route 40.
Carrie Morrison, secretary, said the agriculture part of zoning was where the gazebo sits.
“It makes more sense,” Lewis said. “Plus, there are other businesses around, so it’s not like its spot zoning.”
The Stone House owners submitted a petition to rezone on July 10 of this year, Lewis said.
On Aug. 13, the petition was approved to be in compliance with the planning commission’s comprehensive plan, he said.
The Stone House has been a tourist and hometown getaway since 1822, said Morgan Balsley, manager at the restaurant.
“We don’t have any plans to enlarge the outdoor area just yet, but we wanted the zoning to be changed for the future,” she said.
The next township meeting will be at 7 p.m., Monday Sept. 16 in the township municipal building.