Our beloved local business, Second Chance Plants, has been under constant and unwarranted scrutiny by the officials of Springettsbury Township.

It is my understanding the township is now trying to shut them down which would be a total shame!

This business, operating locally within the township, has not only enhanced the appearance of our Haines Acres neighborhood, but has also provided an invaluable service by making affordable plants accessible to neighbors, particularly those unable to drive. The harassment by the township is misplaced and distracts from issues that truly plague our community.

Second Chance Plants is key to our thriving community, more than just a local business. Its presence lowers noise levels and improves the local environment, contributing to the overall quality of life. The ceaseless harassment by the township has put our local gem in jeopardy. As residents of Haines Acres, we believe it is high time the township focused on resolving actual community problems instead of targeting a business that serves an integral role in our neighborhood.

In respect of the undeniable value that Second Chance Plants brings to our neighborhood, and in acknowledgment of more pressing issues that require the township's attention, we ask for the immediate cessation of all harassment against Second Chance Plants. Please sign this petition to support our local business and encourage the township to focus on real community issues.

Some additional background:

The establishment had applied for the appropriate permits and paid the required fees. Since then the township supervisor has thought it would be beneficial to daily harass the business requesting additional information to be filled out. Ultimately they sent a cease and desist letter. The business is currently fighting and needs out support.

Timeline of events (From the business):

• We contacted Springettsbury Twp by phone on Thursday, February 20th. We spoke to 2 individuals. The first told us that ’they don’t think’ we need a permit for this type of use, transferred us to another individual that told us ‘I’m not sure if we allow something like that’ who then transferred us to the voice mailbox of a person who just began working there that week. We left a message and did not hear back
•  Permits were never issued and we were not contacted about our requests until Monday March 24th when Ray Markey showed up and left his card.
•  We were contacted last week by Randall Heilman, the ‘Director of Community Development’ who told us that ‘His boss is really on his ass to shut us down’ and that he was unable to answer Justin when asked ‘Why we could not operate here’. 
• We filled out the application as requested. Our site plan was a picture of the parking lot, with a box where our check out shed was
• They waited 3 weeks to come back or say a word to us. Claiming we never filled out the application, though the person had it in his hand. He repeatedly told our one employee, " This is illegal, this is illegal"
• They then waited another week to issue us a cease and desist.

The businesses arguments:

• The township applies §325-131.A and a 60-day permit limit, but your 90-day lease and continuous operation align with a retail store (§325-35), not a temporary event. Second Chance Plants is a retail operation, exempt from §325-131 and the 60-day limit. The township’s event classification ignores your lease duration and retail nature.
• Ordinance: §325-35 permits “retail stores” in M-U by right, with no requirement for enclosed spaces. §325-131.A targets temporary sales events, not ongoing retail. Your 90-day lease and continuous operation suggest a retail store, not a short-term event.
• Ordinance: §325-131.A regulates “temporary structures” for outdoor sales, but §325-9 defines “structure” broadly without clarifying “temporary.” Your 68-square-foot movable structure (pallet jack-movable) may not qualify as a “structure” requiring permits, as it’s not fixed or permanent, similar to movable displays exempt in other contexts (e.g., §325-18 for yard sales).

Cease & Desist Letter from township:

Springettsbury Township staff has been made aware and has been on-site at the Haines Road Shopping Center, 1021 Haines Road where the flower & plant business (Second Chance Plants, LLC) has been set up in the Haines Road Shopping Center parking lot and been operational for over a month.  Township staff initially indicated the use may not be permitted and the proprietor should submit a permit application which was subsequently submitted but was incomplete.  During that time, the business continued to be operational without any Township approval or permit issuance.  The property is in the M-U, Mixed Use Zoning District, which does not permit the establishment of outdoor sales on a shopping center property with a non-affiliated business within the shopping center.     §325-131.A: "Erection and use of a temporary structure or outdoor sales areas not designated as such on an approved land development plan shall be in connection with a special sales promotion or event held by the occupant of the property only. Sales by parties, companies or agents of organizations unrelated to the normal activity on the site are strictly prohibited. Sales of unrelated merchandise, such as foodstuffs and/or craft or rummage items, are not permitted."  The plant sales is not in connection with a sales promotion or event held by the occupant of the property and does not meet the definition of a “Special Event”.   §325-131.G: "Parking for the event shall be provided in conformance with Article XXV." Under §325-131, any special event, festival, outdoor tent sales promotion requires a special event permit. You can find a copy of a special event permit application at www.springettsbury.com or at Springettsbury offices.  For any future special events on your property, please submit a special event permit to the Township. Additionally, no more than four events may be held during one calendar year by any one applicant and at any one location, providing that the cumulative events do     not total more than 45 separate days per §325-131. C. If this notice of violation is not complied with within a period of five (5) days per section §325- 189.C, the Zoning Officer or other   Township officer may take, in the name of the Township, any appropriate action or proceeding at law or in equity to prevent, restrain, correct or abate such violation or to require the removal or termination of the unlawful use of the structure, building sign and/or land in violation of the order or direction made pursuant thereto.   Please be advised that you have the right to appeal this Notice of Violation and Cease and Desist Order to the Springettsbury Township Zoning Board within 30 days of this notice.   Failure to correct the violation within the time specified above constitutes a violation of section §325-189 Enforcement, Penalty, and Remedy and may result in the issuance of citations where the District Magistrate may impose a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) plus all court costs, including the Township’s attorneys’ fees, incurred as result of such action.  Each day that the violation continues shall constitute a separate violation and may subject you to a daily fine.  The township may also institute other appropriate action at law or in equity which may be necessary to enforce the provisions of section §325-104.   Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please contact Springettsbury Township at 717-757-3521. Alternatively, if you wish to reach me directly, you may also do so via the email provided below.   Sincerely, Springettsbury Township