A park proposed to be built on Gettysburg’s Steinwehr Avenue is on hold while borough leaders determine if a house can be demolished or moved. After much public comment and deliberation, the borough council unanimously voted to support the Historic Architectural Review Board’s (HARB) decision to deny demolition of a Victorian House at 99 Steinwehr Avenue.
HARB Chair Brandon Stone said the board would like to work with property owner Jacqueline White to find an alternate solution.
Before their vote, Solicitor Harry Eastman advised the council that they are bound by state and federal laws that dictate HARB’s guidelines. Eastman acknowledged the difficulty of the council’s decision and said denial of HARB’s recommendation would require a written justification that explains how HARB’s recommendation for denial did not meet their own guidelines.
“You can’t just do what you want because you have been elected; you have to follow the law,” Eastman said.
Eight members of the public, most of whom are Steinwehr Avenue business owners, pleaded with council to approve the demolition request. White hopes to build a park in partnership with Foundation Forward Inc. As planned, it will include replicas of the Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, Civil Rights Amendments, and Gettysburg Address.
“We need to have something on Steinwehr Avenue to pull people over,” White said. “We think this park and these Charters of Freedom are the perfect thing that would help.”
Wade Leedy, who co-owns Tommy’s Pizza and Fourscore Beer Company with his brother Drew, expressed support for the park that will be adjacent to his property.
“As next door neighbors, our property would be impacted the most by any demolition and construction,” Leedy said. “Any such minor inconveniences would pale in comparison to the benefits the park would bring to not only our business but all of Steinwehr.”
Nathan Mares, Steinwehr Avenue Board Chair and operator of Lincoln Links, Best Western, and Quality Inn, noted that HARB recently approved the demolition of 340 Baltimore Street to make room for a welcome center. Mares noted that about 10 years ago, the property’s demolition was denied when it was privately owned.
“Does this project need to be turned over to the borough to make that happen?” Mares said.
Adams County Historical Society Executive Director Andrew Dalton said demolishing a house built in the 1890s will enhance the streetscape of the Dobbin House, the only property in the borough that dates back to the Revolutionary War.
More HARB
Frustration with HARB was a central theme of Monday’s meeting. The recommendation to permit the installation of exterior grids to eight existing vinyl windows was part of a mass motion for other projects.
Director of Historic and Environmental Preservation Deb English said Matthew and Amanda Kittelberger installed new windows on a home located at 218 North Stratton Street without seeking the proper permits or HARB approval. They were cited by code enforcement and HARB later determined exterior grids would rectify the situation.
Moon said a resident in the same neighborhood recently installed windows, doors, and banisters without a permit and was required to remove them. He questioned why the Kittelbergers were given what he believed to be more leniency.
Eastman said it was too late in the meeting to pull the Kittelbergers project from the list. For council to deny their project, they would have been required to deny all other projects listed on the agenda. That action would also require a written justification for each project, Eastman said.
The council voted 6-1 in favor of HARB’s approval, with Chad-Alan Carr in opposition and Judie Butterfield absent. Moon said he voted in favor of the motion because he supported other projects included in the motion and did not want to be punitive to five projects because he opposed one.
Moon asked English to discuss what he believes are inconsistencies in HARB’s decisions with the board. He said future HARB recommendations should be framed to give council the power to reject one and approve the others.
Officer-In-Charge
The council unanimously ratified Mayor Rita Frealing’s appointment of Gettysburg Borough Police Sgt. Christopher Evans as the department’s officer-in-charge. Chief Robert Glenny’s recent resignation necessitated the appointment.
Moon said Evans recently invited all council members to meet with him and share their thoughts on the department’s operations.
The council unanimously voted to enter into an agreement with Aspirant Consulting Group to assist with its search for a new chief. The motion did not include a price tag or maximum spend.
Featured image: Gettysburg Borough Sgt. Christopher Evans, the department’s officer-in-charge, delivers his report during Monday’s council meeting. Mayor Rita Frealing is also pictured.
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.
What a great article, Alex. Living in Carlisle and to be in touch with the pulse of my beloved Gettysburg is a lovely gift.
If no historic houses or land would be destroyed then create a park, BUT if the houses and land are of historic interest then it would be a shame to destroy them because business owners want more revenue.
It would increase the property value of all other homes in the area as well, adding the the equity of the local populace. It also serves the local community, especially those whom live in the borough to have a more adequate and modernly structured park to frequent. Kids also need more space to exist. This isn’t just so business owners can increase revenue and honestly the construction project would likely negatively impact those businesses for some time. This is something the co owner of Tommy’s pointed out.