Gettysburg Borough Council members expressed support for exploring new shared-housing options and later parking enforcement during a Sept. 28 work session, while leaving both proposals for further review.
Mayor Alison Lintal proposed allowing rooming and boarding houses by right in the borough’s NC-4 zoning district, a small area that includes parts of Carlisle Street near Gettysburg College. She said the change could make it easier to reuse large properties now used as student housing, including buildings with dormitory-style layouts that would be costly to convert into apartments.
The borough’s zoning code does not currently allow rooming and boarding houses in NC-4. In other districts where they are allowed, they require a special exception and review by the zoning hearing board. Lintal said permitting the use in NC-4 could support lower-cost housing for workers, young professionals and older adults, as well as other shared-living arrangements.
Council members generally favored examining the idea, but raised questions about why the use was omitted when the zoning code was rewritten and whether it should require a special exception. Borough staff explained that a zoning amendment would go to the borough and county planning commissions before a public hearing and council decision.
During public comment, Will Hudson, executive director of the Adams Rescue Mission, described a proposal for transitional housing in a 17-room building at 343 Carlisle St. The plan would provide rent and support services for people leaving treatment programs, he said. Elana Anderson of @Home in Adams County also urged council to consider shared housing and reuse of underused buildings.
Council took no action on the zoning proposals.
Parking manager Joshua Mallernee proposed extending evening meter enforcement to 9 p.m. He suggested a month-long period of warning citations between 8 and 9 p.m. to measure demand before the borough decides whether to enforce during that hour. He estimated the change could generate $20,000 to $30,000 annually before staffing costs.
Mallernee also proposed raising several parking penalties. The plan would set many non-meter violations, now generally $15, at $35, rising to $50 if unpaid after seven days. Expired-meter tickets would start at $25 and increase to $40 after seven days, maintaining the current maximum charge while changing how the discount is presented.
Council members voiced broad support for further work on both parking proposals. No formal changes were adopted at the work session.
A draft five-year capital improvement plan presented by borough engineer Chad Clabaugh lists about $67 million in potential projects for 2027 through 2031. Clabaugh said the figure could approach $70 million in a later draft and is a planning framework, not a commitment to complete every project. About $44 million of the current total is tied to two potential parking structures, estimated at $12 million each, and a $20 million Gateway Connectivity project. Clabaugh described the garage estimates as preliminary and said the projects may not advance within five years. Locations for the potential garages were not mentioned.
The plan also includes sidewalk work, storm-sewer and bridge projects, road and alley paving, a new public works facility, and park improvements. Council will review the plan again next month before considering projects as part of the 2027 budget process.
Council also directed staff to prepare a draft resolution for its October meeting on a proposed open-container pilot during the Nov. 16–20 Lincoln at Gettysburg events. The proposal would apply within planned street closures and allow participating licensed businesses to serve drinks for consumption in the area. Main Street Gettysburg president Jill Sellers said 10 of 11 businesses in the proposed area support the pilot.
The council voted in 2022 against allowing open containers on the area around the square.
Some details remain unsettled, including what drinks could be served and how the rules would be enforced. Police Chief David Snyder said the participating businesses are well run and he had few concerns. Resident Brian Hodges urged council to keep the borough’s current open-container restrictions in place, citing public safety and consistent enforcement. Council plans to take public comment and consider the draft at its October business meeting.
Clabaugh also asked council to reconsider the planned westbound one-way direction for the Racehorse Alley section of the Gettysburg Inner Loop between Buford Avenue and North Washington Street. He said an eastbound direction could better accommodate delivery vehicles and avoid requiring drivers to turn around in the Creekside Apartments parking lot. Council showed no objection to further study, but Clabaugh said he would consult Gettysburg College before bringing the issue back.
The Shade Tree Commission reported that its 2024 inventory counted about 650 borough street trees, including 40 that have raised sidewalks by three-quarters of an inch to 1.5 inches. Other trees have raised sidewalks higher than this.
Chair Susan Naugle said the commission is testing tree-well treatments to control weeds and preserve accessible sidewalk space. Its current annual budget is $20,000. Council tabled discussions of sidewalk-ordinance and historic-district changes, as well as the sick-leave donation policy.
The borough will hold two public information sessions about the November events: Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Gettysburg Fire Department Community Room and Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. at the Gettysburg Municipal Building. Both sessions are free and open to the public.
