The Blankie Boutique Vs. Towamencin Township

4 Years ago, I started making blankets and accessories that I sold at local craft fairs. I came to love it so much that 2 years later I had an idea to open a store where I could sell items from other crafters too. My mom offered the portion of her house to me that they had built with hopes to someday have a business there, and what better business to open than your daughters? I knew nothing about township requirements to open a business, I just assumed that it was zoned that way and I would just set up shop. That I admit, was my mistake and I should have gone and acquired the appropriate permits, but as soon as this was brought to my attention, I immediately tried to do so. However, since that incident, it seems like the township has a personal vendetta against my mom and I and the property that she owns. When I have board members driving by to check on what I am doing or calling my number to hear my outgoing message, I feel like the township is just harassing me at this point and it has become evident that this is a personal issue. I have tried everything to abide by the township codes. I am halfway done getting certified in event planning. I intended to just “give up” and turn my store into my home office and make the crafts for custom orders since the code book says “home office” is an allowed usage. While looking into this, I was informed that the only things that qualify as a home office would be for example if you were an author who wrote a book in a room of your house, you could consider that an office. That is absolutely absurd. I could take my laptop down the street to starbucks and write a book for free why would I pay to get a permit for that? Anyone could do that and its rediculous to suggest a permit is needed in that situation. It seems like anytime we try to do something we are told we ARE “allowed” to have in one meeting, the rules suddenly change in the next. Its quite apparent that either no one knows what the rules really are, or they’re just making them up as they go to prevent us from doing anything.Therefore, I was never allowed to aquire  permits even after all the documents were supplied that proved I should be allowed. My parents bought a plot of land in an MRC district of Towamencin Township, PA. The land usage code of that land was 4100 given by Montgomery County which states a retail space is an allowed usage (provided permits are obtained). It wasn’t until years after building our house and attempting to open a business did we discover that the township took away our usage code without proper and required notification. Therefore when I tried to open my business, I wasn't allowed. This is after my parents already built their house with almost half the house being made for a store. and also after I put time and money into creating my personal storefront there. My mom lives alone and has no need for this huge house nor can she afford it unless a business is run here but shes stuck because at this point, she cant even sell it for what is owed on it. The planning commission has actually started a project to rezone the section of the street where my store is called "The Welsh Road Corridor Project." I went before the commission and asked if my ideas could be considered. They told me to come up with a  proposal for the next meeting so I spent my entire summer working on it only to be told "no" before I was even finished. All I am asking is for them to add "retail" to their plan, and they won't. When I ask them why, they say it is "in their opinion." They tell me that it "is in the best interest of all the residents." How?? I have brought a lot of the "other residents" to these meetings with me and they are all in support of my ideas. How is it in the best interest of anybody when my mom can't afford her property anymore or even sell it? It doesn't make sense.They have no real reasons. Without any other options, I just left all my things there and limited myself to selling things on etsy, facebook, and craft shows. but that is not the dream I had for my business and I refuse to settle for that. It seems that they’ve already formed their opinion of me and my business without knowing me and that’s fine, but there’s one more thing they should know about me: I am not a quitter. I do not give up. I never have and I never will. I stand up for what I believe in and for what is right and When I want something, I fight for it and I don’t stop until I make it happen. Up to this point, I have achieved everything I wanted for my life because I go and get it. This store is my dream and I will never ever give up on that. The township should know that now before this goes any further, because I am NOT going away. I am prepared to fight for this and I will fight everyday if I have to. I have a petition signed by many Towamencin residents and business owners. Not all signatures are from towamencin residents, but they are all either from people who live in Towamencin, patronize Towamencin commerce, or own businesses within Montgomery County.  Regardless of if they agree with us about the zoning even after I’ve provided documents and facts, All of the people on this list support my business think The Blankie Boutique should stay. They have supported me from the beginning and know that my business gives back to the community even where the community tries to run us out of town. We have donated products and time to many charities such as Susan G. Komen, the National MPS society, Cystic Fibrosis, and personally raised hundreds of dollars for a child with Leukemia. We’ve participated in community events year after year such as Concert for the Cure, and other various benefits. I am a stay-at-home mom who provides an opportunity for other moms to raise money to afford  things like football and dance lessons. (ALL of whom live within Lansdale, Hatfield, and Towamencin). My business does nothing but stimulate the local economy and give back to it every chance we get. Why wouldn’t the township want us here? It’s funny because I read an article published on the Lansdale Patch that Towamencin Township was forming a committee to recruit new small business but they can’t understand why no one is opening business there. Really? They have no idea? Look how we are treated! I wanted to go around Towamencin and get signitures from small businesses for this petition, and I was SHOCKED at the amount of empty commercial real estate that is sitting around this town. I could only find a handful of businesses that weren’t corporately owned. If they keep treating small business owners this way, soon there will be none left at all. I have already contacted lawyers and local media and I am prepared to take even further action if need be. If I have to go, I will not go quietly or without a fight. I want what is rightfully mine and I will not stop until I achieve that. The planning commission's plan gets presented to the zoning board in January. At that time, I can again voice my opinion in hopes that the zoning board will agree and set the plan back to be revised. However, after years of jumping through hoops, I can only assume that my cries will again fall on deaf ears and the plan will be pushed through as it is. In January (Date TBA), the plan will be presented to the zoning board and they will hear comments from the public. Please help us by attending this meeting in support of the blankie boutique :) www.theblankieboutique.com for more info about me and my business.