During a meeting Tuesday, the Rush Township Zoning Hearing Board approved a couple's request to operate an in-home business at their residence at 29 John St. Their address is Tamaqua, but the residence is in Rush Township.

Kurt and Elizabeth Pitts needed a special exception to open a beauty shop in the R-4 zoned area. Elizabeth Pitts said the bulk of her business will be transient, as she plans to travel to the homes of shut-ins to do hair care. She said it's a requirement of the state board of cosmetology that she have an in-home license and business as a base for the transient work.Zoning Hearing Board solicitor Bill Burke said that according to the submitted plans, the in-home beauty salon will have ample floor space and parking. Chuck Williams, a neighbor of the couple, attended the meeting in support of the plan.Burke said there were no legal impediments to the plan, and the zoning hearing board approved it.Before the business meeting, the board reorganized, keeping the same positions. Wayne Postupak chairs the board, and Cathey Schimpf is the vice chair. The third member is Tom Kline.