[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6367578,"mediaKeyId","2158610-2990450a9e784c8dc5379e550fe3f0b5","parentId",2158610,"title","Council authorizes bill payments, month-to-month meter contract and multiple special-event permits; approves demolition at 1310 Lancaster Ave","audioSeconds",1014,"startMs",3178000,"endMs",4192000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158610-2990450a9e784c8dc5379e550fe3f0b5&start=3178&end=4192","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158610-2990450a9e784c8dc5379e550fe3f0b5/thumbnail_3178000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6367578/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Council-authorizes-bill-payments-month-to-month-meter-contract-and-multiple-special-event-permits-approves-demolition-at-1310-Lancaster-Ave","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367578-d1340f8239a642b53868d27309205ec2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185981&Signature=jXrF3os96zT1C-KCnr-wIIjYfhnvpcRbFA4P0fZQsSVVlyUlrdh88d9t3rU5A7OqktnaQrRmsOqwRr9CvcYYp~maGtePOf2zxRvGev4Q0PvtZ5OHgk3kBukU6jgorQwJifu4fjVjrWiZPVTdRWwyJDDfkaAxXqYzJM9l26mTm9u33~KhI5eQ5vLsW10LflisdsbLdZSgCB~HLdo0wUTpKICh6D9yAeCMuR7Vml1MET1fzSpGPnmW9YEj54tIw7lAB68FnxFVVPac05ufnmm0J34AaeBhqEvy6RsSv6lHm31s9CjtIVM1vujDZ98kVQzQWMNFtKxP~xClx~yrL0hCPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Columbia Borough, PA","date","2025-01-28T20:39:40Z","article","The Columbia Borough Council on Jan. 28, 2025 approved a package of routine and project-specific actions including bill payments, a month-to-month contract for a meter technician, multiple special-event permits with fees waived, authorization to contract a part‑time zoning officer through a vendor, establishment of a public security amount for a hotel project and a demolition permit for 1310 Lancaster Avenue.

The council first voted to authorize routine bill payments after questions from a council member about legal billing line items and election‑related invoices. Councilperson Murphy moved to authorize the payments; Councilperson Casey seconded the motion, which passed with the ayes called by the chair.

The body then approved authorizing staff to contract Gary Kaufman as the borough’s meter technician on a month‑to‑month basis. The motion was moved and seconded earlier in the discussion and, after a request that the contract be explicitly month‑to‑month and assurances such as limiting longer commitments, the council voted to authorize the contract on a month‑to‑month basis.

Council members also established the public security amount for the Chip Factory Hotel project at $429,688.93. Councilperson Kaufman moved the motion and Councilperson Giese seconded it; the motion passed with the ayes called by the chair.

Several special‑event applications were approved, each contingent on receipt of the required certificate of insurance and with fees waived:
- Columbia Plot Lions Club — annual Mardi Gras/Halloween parade, Oct. 23, 2025, 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.; motion approved with fees waived.
- Columbia Plot Lions Club — \"Thunder on the River\" car show, June 21, 2025, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; motion approved with fees waived and contingencies related to coordination with other local organizers.
- Raven Ridge Wildlife Center — \"Baby Wildlife Shower\" (education, food trucks, vendors) at Columbia River Park, April 5, 2025, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; motion approved.
- South Carolina National Heritage Day / Bridal Burners Challenge — June 28, 2025, at Columbia River Park; motion approved contingent on certificate naming Columbia Borough as additional insured.

The council also authorized staff to contract with Commonwealth Code Inspection Services to provide a part‑time zoning officer (two days per week, Mondays and Wednesdays). The vendor‑provided officer named in the discussion was referenced as John (last name not provided in the meeting packet), and council approved the short‑term contracting arrangement.

Finally, the council approved a demolition permit for the property at 1310 Lancaster Avenue to remove a single‑family dwelling and garage to extend an adjacent car lot dealership. The council record shows discussion of driveway access on Route 462, planning commission review and a written recommendation, inspection and remediation requirements (including asbestos remediation as part of the demolition permit process), and local concern about the loss of a single‑family home in a commercial zoning district.

Votes in the meeting were taken by voice (ayes called); where the roll‑call tally was not read into the record the minutes show the motions passed with no recorded votes in opposition.

Ending: The council adjourned at 8:15 p.m. and moved to an executive session on personnel matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia Borough Council Regular Meeting 01.28.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Columbia Borough Council on Jan. 28, 2025 approved a package of routine and project‑specific items including bill payments, a month‑to‑month meter‑technician contract, multiple special‑event permits with fees waived, a vendor contract for a part‑time zoning officer, establishment of public security for a hotel project and a demolition permit for 1310 Lancaster Avenue.","taxTitle","Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71545,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6367571,"Council approves demolition at 1310 Lancaster Ave after planning commission recommendation; residents raise housing and environmental concerns",586,3606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2158610-2990450a9e784c8dc5379e550fe3f0b5&start=3606&end=4192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2158610-2990450a9e784c8dc5379e550fe3f0b5/thumbnail_3606000.jpg","/articles/6367571/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-demolition-at-1310-Lancaster-Ave-after-planning-commission-recommendation-residents-raise-housing-and-environmental-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367571-904bf880ba29079c6580d0e62cd816ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185981&Signature=YJQd8zzwfVwxzY5IODeWBcQZeufT83kxxEtHUPSaQtWjg29YYn9AcgjV4OngRdCwuky67Qk5IlZr0e8kVNydzoFxnOmdANC4~ZHPjo6jgzN2I8KSdMTm2u0XSvyw-xS49KeM8zy56r1OXTJOJ1kUwWr7q5bHPpIwV0w~srXzaXdZ7UrzhF~J2zn~bOn~f2eMHzDyzqDoTwVYMWdTeJUNupRY2B0Mi3qhvSBXV34wS8aSPmwb9eCxl-9nEUbdIEV8Ak7oK2qimZXF895KhT7wL7xYoFKWEWtGRQBx1~YS6lkR9QO~D0E5D6xH0jML~Hrahtv~OxZQSu25PKuzezdTDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia Borough Council on Jan. 28, 2025 approved a demolition permit for the property at 1310 Lancaster Avenue, authorizing removal of a single‑family dwelling and a garage so the site can be incorporated into an adjacent car lot.

Why it matters: The house sits in the borough’s Highway Commercial zoning district, which does not permit new single‑family residences. Planning staff and the borough planning commission told council the structure is a preexisting nonconforming use that can remain until major renovation or replacement triggers zoning review; the planning commission met Jan. 21 and unanimously recommended approval of the demolition application.

Applicant Paul Kraus spoke to the council as the owner and said he purchased the property “for $170,000” and that the building was in poor condition. The council record includes multiple public comments expressing concern about the borough losing single‑family homes and the long‑term effect on homeownership opportunities in Columbia. One resident questioned whether the borough’s inspection process should have revealed hazardous materials such as asbestos during prior reviews.

Planning and code staff told the council that required inspections and any necessary remediation (including, if present, asbestos abatement) are conditions of the demolition permit; staff said demolition will not be allowed to proceed without required permits and remediation plans. Council members and staff also discussed driveway access to Route 462 and existing curb cuts for the properties along that corridor.

Council discussion noted that, while the loss of a single‑family building is regrettable to some speakers, the property’s value and tax yield are higher in commercial use than in continued residential use given surrounding parcels. Staff explained that major reconstruction on a preexisting nonconforming residential structure in a commercial district typically requires an application to the zoning hearing board for a special exception or variance.

After the discussion Councilperson Giese moved to approve the demolition permit; the motion was seconded and the council approved the motion by voice vote.

Ending: Staff will require the applicant to obtain the full demolition permit, perform required inspections and submit any remediation plans or contractor documentation (including asbestos abatement records if necessary) before demolition can begin.","Columbia Borough Council approved a demolition permit for 1310 Lancaster Avenue to remove a single‑family dwelling and garage for a car lot expansion. Planning Commission recommended approval; council debate focused on zoning status, inspections and the loss of single‑family housing.","actionData","errors"]

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Council authorizes bill payments, month-to-month meter contract and multiple special-event permits; approves demolition at 1310 Lancaster Ave

Council approves demolition at 1310 Lancaster Ave after planning commission recommendation; residents raise housing and environmental concerns