The Zoning Hearing Board of Adjustment met on Wednesday, September 28 in the Columbia Borough Council Chambers to hear and consider applications for zoning variances for three commercial properties in the Borough. Board Chair Beverly Shank convened the hearing at 7:00 pm; board members, Joseph Nikolaus and Jamie Hess were present, as well as Jeffrey Helm, Health and Code Enforcement officer. Additionally, five citizens; two borough associates and representatives for the applicant entities were present for the nearly two hour hearing.

Board member Cleon Berntheizel, dealing with a severe cold, arrived shortly after the beginning of the meeting; Board member William Melbert was not in attendance.

The Board solicitor formally announced the conditions and procedures of the Board and stated that applicants had to be sworn to testify. The solicitor reminded the attendees that the proceedings would be recorded by a Board recorder.

400 Locust Street. 

Attorney Dave Mountz represented David Doolittle, of Doolittle Investments, who appeared to speak on behalf of the applicant, Jaydesh Properties, LLC. According to Doolittle, Jaydesh Properties is a “holding company” affiliated with Doolittle Investments. Jaydesh Properties was seeking variances to construct a two story building at 400 Locust Street with first floor space dedicated to undetermined commercial “retail” tenants. No tenants have been retained at this point.

The second floor would consist of three two-bedroom apartments, one of which is a “loft.” The applicant’s proposal also includes a six-car parking lot behind the property which will be accessible from Fourth Street.

The Board heard the applicant’s proposal and recessed from the hearing to an “executive session” at 7:32 pm. When the Board returned at approximately 8:00 pm, it approved the proposal with more than a half-dozen conditions.

The solicitor iterated that any non-compliance with Borough parking or zoning codes would have to be addressed by the applicant with subsequent appearances before the Board. There was discussion about the requested variance concerning the number of parking spaces. Several of the Board members and a citizen pressed the applicant for more specifics concerning the proposed structure and the parking arrangements. The applicant responded that some of the issues were not yet resolved. (NOTE: Following the Board’s decision on this application, Berntheizel excused himself from the proceedings.)

Parking for commercial development is found at Chapter 220, Article VI of the Borough Code.

Due to the complex nature of zoning laws and code interpretation, Columbia news, views & reviews will submit a request for a copy of the minutes of this meeting when they become available and the minutes will be posted here.

741-745 Old Chickies Hill.

Attorney Craig Adler presented arguments on behalf of Susquehanna Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. The facility was seeking variances from lot line, property set-back and parking codes. After discussion, clarification and explanation from the solicitor, the Board approved the applicant’s request with several considerations.

1115 Lancaster Avenue.

Attorney Steven Weiss appeared and narrated argument on behalf of The Cycle Den. The facility was seeking to construct an additional (55′ x 95′) building to be used for warehousing and storage. The applicant stated that very few Customers would have need to go into that building. The applicant sought variances and/or relief from codes for set-back, reconfigured parking arrangement, redefinition of tree planting to attend to line-of-sight issues; relief from frontage at the southwest corner; adjustment of a grade requirement; landscaping redefinition and inclusion of a one-way traffic route on the property.

After extended discussion, clarification and explanation from the solicitor, the Board approved the applicant’s request with a half-dozen or so considerations.

The hearing closed at 9:00 pm.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: When applicants appear before the Zoning Board, generally they will enter into the record architectural renderings of their intended plans. Copies of these documents are made available or displayed for the members of the Board and the solicitor. Generally, these documents are not readily made available to citizens, media or others in attendance for review or study. The property renderings in this article are obtained from Bing maps. Be aware that the renderings may not be current with the property’s current configuration. Since there are no microphones nor audio/visual amplification resources employed in the Council chambers and the applicant’s generally are addressing the Board, it is sometimes difficult for those citizens and others in attendance to hear all of the commentary.]