Well done, Columbia!

• Events showcase Columbia. The mayor and several councilors applauded the organizers of the Cruizin! Columbia Car show and the Chamber’s Antique and Craft Show for their works in attracting people to the borough.Visitors to Columbia for these kinds of events are introduced to the spate of Columbia’s charms and attractions.

• Volunteers are invaluable. The mayor commented on the special efforts by Bill and Cookie Morehart in the aftermath of the car show. Bill and Cookie joined the list of volunteers who contribute their time and energies to improve the quality of life in Columbia by volunteering to gather up all the no-parking signs from the parking meters in the downtown.

• Town Gardeners. The council and the mayor praised the works of the town gardeners who volunteer their time and efforts to maintain certain properties around the town. Their efforts, too, add greatly to the community’s projection and image to visitors.

• Bike auction a hit! A citizen complimented the Borough on it’s annual bike auction which was held a week ago at the Columbia Market House. All agreed that Carl, the auctioneer, did an extraordinary job as the auctioneer.

• National Night Out. This year Columbia will be a participating community of National Night Out; The “29th Annual National Night Out” (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2012.” Columbia’s events will be held at Glatfelter Field; Officer Ed Mann of the Columbia Police Department is the project co0rdinater of Columbia’s National Night Out.

• Outstanding Property Owner. Elizabeth Smedley, chairperson of Columbia Board of Health, presented an “Outstanding Property Owner” community improvement award to Elite Energy, Inc., 240 Mill Street, Columbia.  The Board of Health also announced that a like accolade was also bestowed on a private homeowner’s property on Walnut Street. The recipient of that award desired to remain anonymous. According to the Borough Website, “The Board of Health is a relatively unique group in Lancaster County.  Unlike most municipalities which rely on the PA Department of Agriculture for Eating & Drinking Establishment inspections and on the PA Department of Health for sanitation issues, Columbia has chosen to perform these responsibilities to maintain rapid, coordinated, local control.”

• Risk Watch Coalition. Councilor Mary Barninger reminded everyone that the Columbia Risk Watch Coalition is sponsoring an “Infant & Child Car Safety Seat Check” next Saturday, July 21 at Kleen-Rite’s Carwash on Lancaster Avenue. Come out for a safety check and get a free car wash.

[NOTE: The following item is an article from today’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era]

“Columbia limits height of buildings

“Standard set by elevation of runway at McGinness Airport.”

BY K. SCOTT KREIDER, Correspondent

“Don’t expect to see many high-rise buildings in Columbia Borough’s future.

“Columbia Borough Council voted unanimously on Monday to approve regulations that will limit the height of future building projects. The zoning ordinance complies with a Pennsylvania ‘supreme court decision that requires all municipalities that have an airport to enact height restrictions,’ Norman Meiskey, borough manager, said at the borough council meeting. The height restrictions will apply to all new building projects and tree plantings within a 2 ½-mile radius of McGinness Airport, Meiskey said.

“McGinness is a small airport on the south side of Columbia Borough, which qualifies the entire borough as an airport district to be subjected to the height restrictions. Meiskey said the height restrictions are meant to ensure safe use of the airport. The elevation of McGinness’ runway is 334 feet above sea level, and no new structure built will be allowed to exceed that elevation, Meiskey said. If there are existing structures or trees that are higher than 334 feet, new buildings will be allowed to match the height of the existing stuctures.”