COLUMBIA SPY

Sharon Lintner and Heather Zink, two of the four newly elected members joining the seven-person council in January, say they appreciate the current council inviting them to the table during three special budget meetings to develop the spending plan, but they were frustrated by not actually having a vote. Both indicated they would have preferred more spending cuts, especially given the incumbents' plan to spend $870,000 of the borough's reserves while at the same time publicly warning the new council members of the need to rebuild the reserves, which were estimated in October at $2.1 million. MORE: https://lancasteronline.com/news/incoming-columbia-council-members-aren-t-happy-with-budget-proposal/article_2783edf0-12c3-11ea-81b7-275772a970eb.html

The Columbia Borough Zoning Hearing Board met Wednesday night to consider requests from Cimarron Investments LLC relating to the Chip Factory Hotel project.  The proposed Chip Factory Hotel has been cut down to size. The hotel, which was to encompass 6 stories and 91 rooms, is now projected to have 4 stories and 80 rooms and will stand 70 feet high, according to architect Paul Nikolaus. The change was requested in a last-minute submission to the Columbia Borough Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday night by applicant Cimarron Investments LLC. After a nearly four-hour hearing that included testimony by, and cross-examinations of, parties to the hearing, the board granted all special exceptions and variances requested. Board member David Brumbaugh made the motion to grant Cimarron's requests on all conditions stated by the solicitor. The motion, as read by board solicitor Josele Cleary, was as follows: "A motion to grant the special exceptions and variances identified in...

Architect's rendition of the proposed hotel At last week's Columbia Borough Planning Commission meeting, Commission members discussed details of the proposed hotel to be built on the footprint of the former Becker Potato Chip Factory at 12 North 2nd Street. Unfortunately, developer Don Murphy, president and CEO of Cimarron Investments LLC, and attorney Mike Grab did not attend the meeting, even though they had been expected to be there to update the Commission. "I thought we would have Mr. Murphy and Mr. Grab back here this evening" Commission Chair Mary Wickenheiser said. Zoning and Planning Officer Jeff Helm agreed: "I was under the impression that they were going to be here tonight to get us up to speed on property acquisitions that required them to change their former zoning hearing date." At its previous meeting in October , the Commission had recommended that the requested variances and special exceptions be approved by the Zoning Hearing B...

The former Becker Potato Chip factory at 12 North 2nd Street A public hearing by the Columbia Borough Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled for Wednesday, November 27, 2019, at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall, 308 Locust Street.  The board will consider an application by Cimarron Investments LLC, which is requesting special exceptions and variances to build a 6-story, 91-room hotel at 12 North 2nd Street on the site of the former Becker Potato Chip factory. The hearing was originally scheduled for October 30 but was postponed while Cimarron acquired more properties that would allow for increased parking for the hotel. The Columbia Borough Planning Commission approved the hotel proposal last month when it voted unanimously to "recommend favorable consideration" to the Zoning Hearing Board for the granting of the requested variances in Cimarron's application.  Columbia Spy published the backstory  HERE . The following legal notice appears on the  Columbia Borough website....

Ed Diller said the fierce competition in Lancaster for restaurant customers is prompting the move to Columbia. The restaurant's last day in Lancaster will be Dec. 23. In Columbia, Gypsy Kitchen will be the the anchor restaurant inside the historic market house where major renovations are slated to begin in January. With construction expected to last eight months, Diller said he is planning to open in late summer or early fall. Columbia Borough is partnering with CHI St. Joseph Children's Health to  revamp the Columbia Market House building and reinstate a farmers market with a restaurant. The Gypsy Kitchen restaurant in Columbia will have seating for around 100, compared to around 60 at full capacity at the seminary. MORE: https://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/gypsy-kitchen-to-close-at-lancaster-theology-seminary-become-anchor/article_deba654c-1063-11ea-a56a-0f58007cce78.html

Ardis Goldsborough A Columbia woman who was high on methamphetamine and fentanyl when she crashed head-on into a mother and 11-year-old daughter in Manor Township on April 1 will serve up to 10 years in prison, according to the Lancaster County district attorney's office.  Ardis Goldsborough, 36, was sentenced to 3 to 10 years for causing the crash, the district attorney's office said. She pleaded guilty to vehicular aggravated assault while driving under the influence and other related offense.  MORE: https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-woman-to-serve-to-years-for-crash-that-seriously/article_ac4f8044-106b-11ea-ace4-ff513815c2ab.html

Robert Flerx, Jr . A Columbia man convicted of sex offenses has been sent prison sentence after failing to complete mandatory treatment during his probation. Robert M. Flerx, 26, was sentenced to 2 to 5 years in prison by Lancaster County Judge Howard Knisely on Nov. 13 for numerous parole and probation violations stemming from convictions in 2016 and 2018. MORE: https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/convicted-sex-offender-sent-to-state-prison-after-failing-treatment/article_29e9be58-0f99-11ea-890c-3f6fc1523090.html

Proposed Rezoning Map for Columbia Borough According to sources: At its November 25 meeting, the Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) approved Columbia Borough's rezoning proposal by 6-1, with commission member Edward Fisher being the only no vote. The proposal will rezone about 300 Columbia properties to commercial. Fisher said that in all his years he has never seen such an enormous rezoning proposal. He also said that it was putting the cart before the horse in that Columbia does not have a final comprehensive plan but is requesting rezoning. In essence, Columbia Borough is asking for a large area to be rezoned before a plan is put in place. Areas will be rezoned to commercial with no finalized comprehensive plan. The proposal includes 55 acres of McGinness's property that is now changed to redevelopment. Residents Michael Stark and Darlene Brown, and Meg Schaefer, curator of the Wright Mansion, spoke at the meeting. LCPC'S Laura Proctor spoke on Columbi...

Ray D’Agostino The Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP) has announced a change in leadership. Ray D’Agostino has stepped down as CEO after being elected as a Lancaster County Commissioner on November 5. Shelby Nauman has been appointed by the Board of Directors as Interim CEO. Shelby Nauman Nauman has served as the regional non-profit’s COO since November of 2018. “We are fortunate to have an exceptionally talented and capable senior management team,” stated LHOP board president Rick Jackson. “Shelby has been an invaluable asset to LHOP and is ideal to lead us during this time of transition,” Jackson continued. D'Agostino and Nauman The organization adopted a new strategic plan at the end of October. According to Jackson, the new plan builds on the success and growth LHOP has experienced over the past decade. “The board wants to ensure that it finds a new chief executive with the skills sets, experience and expertise that will lead us to achieve...

Once again this year, the tight knit community of Columbia will come together to lend a hand to those in need. The annual  Christmas Food Box Delivery  will take place on Sunday, December 22nd, thanks to the organizers -  Columbia Lions Club  and  Sunsnappers,  with the help of many area businesses, organizations, and of course the hundreds of volunteers that make this day of giving possible. They will deliver 700 Christmas Food Boxes in Columbia and the surrounding communities*. The food boxes include a turkey, eggs, bread, milk, canned vegetables, soups, cereal, fruits, and much more. We also deliver toys to the families with children that are not receiving Toys for Tots. We need your help to reach our residents who need a Christmas Food Box this year. Please share this article, so they know how to sign-up for a food box. If you have any questions or would like flyers to hand out, please let us know. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR HELPING US SPRE...

The Columbia Historic Preservation Society will join hands with the Annual Ed King Memorial Model Train Open House for families to enjoy for free over the Christmas holiday. Event: Ed King Memorial Model Train Open House Date(s): Every Saturday & Sunday December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th January 4th & 5th Location: Columbia Historic Preservation Society 21 North 2nd Street Columbia, PA 17512 Time(s): 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Group Name(s): Columbia & Susquehanna Model Railroad & Lower Susquehanna Valley Model Railroaders Santa Visit(s); Sunday, December 15th & 22nd 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Admission is free with donations accepted

On Saturday, December 7, the Columbia Parent Teacher Partnership Raffle and Vendor Event will be held at Park Elementary Gym from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (See information posted above.)

 New signs at Coffee & Cream Snowflakes on Locust Coming soon on the 400 block of Locust

Download the agenda and council packet  HERE .

This week's photos of Columbia A worker, presumably from Arnold's Property Service, stands on a recycling container as he strings Christmas tree lights at Locust Street Park. It's not really that safe, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Professional service at its best. Here's the tree with the newly hung lights. And here's the new star on top.  Down at the post office: This appears to be a steel magnolia next to the steps. But someone else must not like the post office.  No caption necessary  Down at Rose's Deli  A 2019 Reader's Choice winner  Here's a young couple - and a pet turkey looking decidedly nervous. (5th & Cherry)  And here's some kid with a pumpkin, and another turkey pretending to be a planter.  This guy has a couple of chickens or something.  Watch your step!  Santa's here already. Remember to be naughty and nice.  That barbed wire behind the...