For one hour Monday evening, Gettysburg Borough residents and property owners approached the lectern in Council Chambers on East High Street to share their thoughts on the council’s proposed zoning ordinance during a required public hearing.
The feedback focused mostly on possibly increasing the maximum height in the revitalization district to 72 feet and defining family in the residential zone. While thoughts on the family definition were mixed, views on a maximum height were unanimous–all were opposed.
Height
The proposed ordinance defines the revitalization district as an area around North Carlisle Street. It states the maximum building height in the revitalization district may be increased from 48 to up to 72 feet if the builder provides 50% of the proposed parking area required when a building houses one or more permitted uses.
The proposal also states a building can extended to 60 feet if the builder provides one of the following: 25% green area on the lot, a segment of the Gettysburg Inner Loop, one affordable rental housing unit for every 10 market rate units, sustainable building and site design as certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, or channel wall restoration and flood mitigation if the property abuts Stevens Run.
A recommended proposal from the Borough’s Planning Commission, which was sent to council in May, does not allow for extended building heights.
Planning Commission Chair Charles Strauss, who said he was speaking on behalf of himself and not the commission, said he agrees revitalization is necessary for Gettysburg’s future but is opposed to allowing 72-foot buildings.
“When we build to 72 feet, we create massive structures that overpower the pedestrian,” Strauss said. “They disconnect the street level from the skyline, diminish the sense of neighborhood and closure, and fundamentally change how a person experiences our town on foot.”
Jaclyn Spainhour, president and CEO of Gettysburg Foundation, objected on the increased height proposal on behalf of the National Park Service.
“This change will forever alter what is most special and unique in Gettysburg; its authenticity and historic integrity” she said.
Nancy Gudmestad, former owner of the Shriver House Museum, said State College, Pa. regrets increasing height restrictions in 2010. She encouraged the council to listen to visitors’ concerns, which she said lean in opposition to increased height.
“These visitors are the backbone of our economy; they must not be discarded,” she said.
During a budget workshop that followed the hearing, Borough Manager Charles Gable said the Gettysburg Station project proposed for Stratton Street is estimated to $259,000 based on the current belief that the project will be assessed at $57 million.
“I think the community as a whole needs to come to grips. I understand the argument of 48 feet, but the tradeoff is you are going to raise taxes significantly just to keep pace with our ever-increasing expenditures,” he said.
Family Definition
Mary Malewicki, of West Broadway, said she and her husband Mike oppose “pseudo-fraternities” and believe removing the prohibition of no more than four unrelated people living in a home will cause them to proliferate.
“I can assure you that most citizens are not against non-traditional families,” she said. “Gettysburg always has been a diverse community, which has welcomed and accepted non-traditional families.”
Darren Glass, of East Middle Street, presented an opposing view, stating that defining family would be in conflict with the borough’s non-discrimination ordinance.
“Personally, I am opposed to the government getting involved in defining family at all,” he said. “In this country, that idea has had, at best, a very questionable history.”
However, Glass said he understands concerns about large groups living in a single home but does not believe those concerns should be addressed by limiting residents to those who are related by marriage or blood. The borough should, he suggested, instead control those issues by enforcing its parking or noise ordinances.
Possible Lawsuit?
Attorney Jennifer Zerfing, speaking on behalf of property owner/real estate broker David Sites and Phi Sigma Kappa Druid Alumni Association, hinted at possible litigation if the ordinance is passed as advertised.
Speaking on behalf of Sites, she opposed the entire proposal.
“My client’s objection is based, in part, on concerns that several of the proposed zoning changes may adversely affect existing property owners and his clients who rely on consistent and predictable zoning classifications pertaining to their real estate investments,” she said.
Phi Sigma Kappa Druid Alumni Association owns the property located at 343 Carlisle Street and objects to it being located in the newly-created revitalization district, Zerfing said.
“The association seeks to preserve all rights to raise and pursue that objection should the ordinance be adopted,” she said.
Next steps
The council could vote on the proposed zoning ordinance at its November or December meeting. If it proposes substantive changes, another public hearing would be required.
“Our intent is to finish this by the end of the year,” Council President Matthew Moon said.
Featured image: The pink areas of the proposed Gettysburg Borough Zoning Map show where buildings up to 72 feet may be allowed if they include certain incentives in their development proposal.
When is the next meeting? I would like to attend.