About half a dozen residents gathered at Monday night's Meeting of the Whole to question why a large structure was approved for construction at 631 South Thirteenth Street. One of the residents told council that [due to the structure's size] the owner should have applied for a variance before the start of construction and that this was not done. The structure is a large, four-bay garage.
Borough Manager Sam Sulkosky characterized the decision to allow construction as an oversight and said the matter will be addressed with the person responsible. He said the proper procedure would have been to seek approval from the zoning board and the planning commission.
Reportedly, a "stop work" order is in effect to halt further construction (although notification had not been posted on the property as of today).
Officials said that if the owner applies to the zoning hearing board by October 8, neighbors may testify at the October 29 meeting and become a party to the issue, allowing them the right to appeal the board's decision, if they so choose. Sulkosky said that if the owner does not apply for a variance by the deadline, the borough could have the structure taken down. Residents at the meeting were urged to call the borough office after October 8 to find out if a hearing will take place. Notification of a hearing would also be posted on the front lawn of the 13th Street property.
Sulkosky said the structure meets part of the zoning requirements in terms of square footage of the entire property. He added that the structure will be used for the property owner's personal vehicles. (A resident at the meeting told this reporter that the property owner intends to use the structure for storing heavy construction vehicles and equipment.)
Another resident told council that the owner does not plan on living at the property but instead intends to rent it out as a multi-family dwelling.
Below are the two zoning permits that appear in the front window of the house on the property. There is no notification of a "stop work" order posted.
Zoning permit from August 7 to "Demo Existing Garage - Construct New Garage"
Note that the dimensions are 72' x 40' which is 2880 square feet.
Zoning permit from July 16 to "Install Fence - 6' - Rear [hidden] - 2' from Prop. Line"
Here is some additional information on the property:
From "Deeds Recorded May 12 to May 15" LancasterOnline:
