I was able to watch part of the Planning Commission meeting on July 20, 2026 on YouTube. It was hard to hear the developer and his engineer because they were sitting in the audience, not at the table with the microphones.
There are some potential impacts stemming from moving the Transit Station from Carlisle Street – a wide state road, to N. Stratton Street – a narrower local street. One item mentioned was that the larger buses will not fit the Transit site, so will park northbound and load from in front of the the Transit Center. This could block traffic, and cause a backup involving the railroad tracks, hamper emergency access from the Gettysburg Fire Department, etc.
An additional idea appears to be running buses using Hazel Alley and SCCAP property because even the smaller buses cannot make the turning motion required on the Transit site alone. This would mean more buses daily both in front and back of the N. Stratton residential properties in the section up to Water Street, affecting noise, air quality and safety for those residents and SCCAP participants. Mr. Harrison has suggested that Rabbit Transit purchase smaller buses. He appeared interested in alternatives to using Hazel Alley.
Mr. Harrison, developer, apparently acknowledged that the buses would detract from the N. Stratton neighborhood, but claimed he is only doing what was required by the Zoning Ordinance – relocating the Transit Center, with restrooms, in order to demolish the existing Transit Center on Carlisle. That gives him twelve more feet of building height.
The Ordinance did not say he had to locate the Transit Center on that particular property he purchased from the Industrial Development Agency. It said the facility had to be in the vicinity of the Station Property and specified a named street area. As an astute business person, it seems he could have realized the N. Stratton site would be too small to fit both a bike trail and bus service.
Thinking creatively could help this situation. Incorporating the Transit building/function within the main site could make it more accessible for riders, and provide plenty of room for bus movements. The larger buses could continue to park and stand on Carlisle Street – convenient for existing riders and eliminating the issues on N. Stratton. It would greatly decrease the distance to the public restrooms that would disappear with the demolition of the Transit Center on Carlisle.
I have been told that the existing Transit Center could be moved into the site. That would help assuage the shock of having it demolished, and save costs of construction. The vacant site on N. Stratton already has plans for utilities. It could be used for additional housing. Or go toward satisfying the landscaping requirements as a vest pocket park.
The Gettysburg Station project has potential for long-term impacts on the surrounding community. Whatever can be done to minimize those impacts should be considered by the Planning Commission, Mr. Harrison, Borough staff and consultants. Let’s be creative about it and come up with some solutions.
