BEAVER TOWNSHIP Trustees to weigh ban on fireworks

NORTH LIMA -- Beaver Township trustees will meet this week to consider an area fireworks company's request to lift the township's ban on the sale of fireworks.
A public hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the township administration office. Trustees said they plan to vote on the request, made by the B.J. Alan Co., immediately after the hearing.
Earlier this month, the township zoning commission sent a recommendation to trustees to change the township's zoning ordinance to eliminate the prohibition of fireworks. If the change is made, it could pave the way for B.J. Alan, based in Youngstown, to rebuild in the township at a proposed site off Market Street Extension.
B.J. Alan's Phantom Fireworks store, a 3,000-square-foot showroom at state Routes 46 and 11, was destroyed by fire in September. The store was opened before the fireworks prohibition became part of the township zoning code.
B.J. Alan asked the township earlier this year to change zoning for the new facility, arguing the township prohibits fireworks while the state does not. The company has also argued it is nothing more than a retail store and therefore should be permitted to operate in a commercial and/or industrial area.
Meanwhile, the company filed a complaint in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to force township officials to issue a zoning permit for a new fireworks facility. The pending lawsuit says banning fireworks sales in the entire township is unconstitutional. There is to be a hearing on the matter this week.