[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6206676,"mediaKeyId","3761313-30c82363f3e4a6510cc66f7b2d19a6c1","parentId",3761313,"title","Council hears PennDOT-driven redesign for Walnut Street project; engineer recommends moving bike lane to south side","audioSeconds",1332,"startMs",2298000,"endMs",3630000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3761313-30c82363f3e4a6510cc66f7b2d19a6c1&start=2298&end=3630","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3761313-30c82363f3e4a6510cc66f7b2d19a6c1/thumbnail_2298000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6206676/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Council-hears-PennDOT-driven-redesign-for-Walnut-Street-project-engineer-recommends-moving-bike-lane-to-south-side","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206676-3e6ee9915be42ca1a2d4b875f52a3164/orig.mp4?Expires=1776085181&Signature=PsxRSYwOFv7oq9Ve1~JmXhaBMX7BZeB9ncts5oVZJdBOtEUHcBiG0YQIXepAAKppJ3thU0MzS9gL9BOxoqSzXTRuwcydnm2ucpnHoly81FhMkplG-ATkEImtLjXEIOt856YRyINqDWUefFC8ElJde4ljTt~JILLqsjni6L4MwK5GIbxZmAXtRLJtk8gJE4Ezi4oppIDQDvGPt0akJ6dxUNKLCXyIwun23VEN9wM-jGHr4G93Q72XwNSYD~XPPWzmcp-EOPX-N3AEfn84jrK~0CThejhDY1ykB4ZlfcfvkPnMT6gVmh~rlPjezp-yub-BAkuG9isqzNT2Y~8QgFjSow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Columbia Borough, PA","date","2025-06-10T23:20:16Z","article","The borough’s engineer, Derek, told Columbia Borough Council that PennDOT raised a concern with the proposed Walnut Street (100 block) design during the final signal-permit review: the proposed bike lane on the north side would push vehicular traffic into the opposite lane near the Route 441 intersection, producing atypical opposing lanes and potential headlight conflicts.

\"They just said it's just not normal,\" Derek said, summarizing PennDOT’s feedback. He recommended relocating the bike lane to the south side of Walnut Street; the change would be limited to pavement markings and signage and would not alter major engineering elements.

Derek said the south-side configuration would restore nearly all on-street parking that the earlier design had removed, maintain existing turning radii, and improve operations for cyclists traveling with vehicular traffic. He acknowledged tradeoffs: moving the lane would create some intersections where bikes and turning vehicles interact, and it would not provide an ideal separated path into Riverpark, but it avoids terminating the bike lane at a confusing spot where it would have had no connection to Riverpark.

Council members raised parking impacts, the loss of parking spaces under prior alternatives, and the timing implications for bid schedules. Derek said the change is largely paint and signage and should not materially increase construction cost in a roughly $1.5 million project; it may require a PennDOT pavement-marking safety review and could delay the start by a month or two — a delay Derek characterized as acceptable because it might push construction into spring rather than a winter start. \"At this point, we're talking about paint,\" he told the council.

PennDOT district manager Eric Kynard had suggested switching sides to avoid the signal conflict; Derek credited Kynard with the recommendation. Council members supported further study and asked Derek to meet PennDOT and confirm any pavement-marking review steps; staff said Derek would meet PennDOT the following day and return with schedule implications. No formal vote was required that evening; the council discussed the change as a staff-directed design modification.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Borough Council Meeting 06.10.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The borough’s engineer told Columbia Borough Council that PennDOT raised a signal-permit concern about the Walnut Street design and recommended switching the protected bike lane to the south side to avoid traffic conflicts and preserve connectivity.","taxTitle","Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71545,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6206678,"Columbia business owner proposes borough-run banners on rail-trail fence to steer visitors downtown",650,1540000,2190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3761313-30c82363f3e4a6510cc66f7b2d19a6c1&start=1540&end=2190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3761313-30c82363f3e4a6510cc66f7b2d19a6c1/thumbnail_1540000.jpg","/articles/6206678/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Columbia-business-owner-proposes-borough-run-banners-on-rail-trail-fence-to-steer-visitors-downtown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206678-1f5463653a0a79f93ebefc61cbfdfa47/orig.mp4?Expires=1776085181&Signature=CoVoPGe6oXSZ-qJRH2ODlfK6z7OMlI~tROLpH16dg02U9hAuBmMzcPr7nJk7fqXvpihDpdBbMEkedMoJwjprncWwIOzxzFw787lmFAjPtqXr-UuOzuLfSdXNCNUnK5GBGSBf7rgSl~SNa5mYsTtvbMABX3gWXRpGs~ThQ6qp4ydcyk7U5495rLD5k2dU-ITqTN2esDxZrs38-gQkEYu-lMD2TEWL~hNKEQwV4io6zJ1fabmyYtrU-DSEd9QBG9FuBWNCHK~nkEWV3BaXWkgi7cVAmDS597L9tFy7bmcxkvpGjfDpZn4gCwfq6NXtV7Cpz1sTfsLFVFyuB~EWjwAJdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike Knob, a downtown business owner, asked Columbia Borough Council on June 10 to allow businesses to place uniform signs on borough-owned fencing along the rail trail to direct trail users to uptown shops and restaurants.

Knob said summertime draws many people to the trail but that too many visitors ride through without lingering. \"We need to let them know what's going on in Columbia,\" he said, arguing that attractive, consistent signage would bring more customers to Market Street businesses.

Council members and staff discussed legal and administrative limits. Council President and others noted the borough sign ordinance restricts off-premise signs; councilmember discussion referenced ordinance 02/2056 describing nonconforming off-premise signage. Staff said the parcel at the rail-trail fence is borough property, so the borough could treat the fence as rented advertising space rather than as off-premise business signage. At least one council member suggested a fee-based rental model to avoid the borough being seen as picking winners and losers among businesses.

Council and business owners discussed practical details: uniform size, durable materials (PVC panels were suggested), wind-attachment methods, and possible limits (one panel per business or a leasing system). A council member noted the fencing is outside the borough historic district, reducing some regulatory hurdles. Staff suggested adopting rules and regulations for the fence rather than changing the sign ordinance; others said a waiver or ordinance amendment might be needed.

Council asked staff to place the idea on the July workshop agenda to draft uniform dimensions, review sign materials, and consider a rental fee or revenue-sharing arrangement. Knob and other business owners expressed interest in low cost or free placement but acknowledged a fee could be needed to ensure fairness.

The council also heard that Susquehanna National Heritage had discussed renting the same space for banners; staff said that possibility would be included in further discussions. Council set a July work session follow-up so designers, market staff, and borough administration could propose specific language and pricing for the panels.

The council did not take a final vote; members asked staff to return with draft rules for the fence signage at the July workshop.","A downtown business owner urged Columbia Borough Council to allow uniform advertising panels on borough-owned fence along the rail trail to attract trail users uptown; council agreed to discuss the plan at a July work session and flagged sign-code and revenue questions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6206667,"Council awards Maple Park site-improvement contract; electrical bid tabled for review",292,5204000,5496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3761313-30c82363f3e4a6510cc66f7b2d19a6c1&start=5204&end=5496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3761313-30c82363f3e4a6510cc66f7b2d19a6c1/thumbnail_5204000.jpg","/articles/6206667/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Council-awards-Maple-Park-site-improvement-contract-electrical-bid-tabled-for-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206667-7e0b605d90f246311ddc0cc4845616dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1776085181&Signature=fAlxJ3ja2gqsw60cYBmmujRcces~ZuCQO4on8KzBpqPhQGU1aZUw0w8Uyqp86gLxzFu8HfIEnIrfdf1mnOSPrfqCz2BiD2e1UfN~MGoXCFUWc-xZym-z3VDe9a-vK3bjSfO1QGwEpED1kVbEJYzZQprZ2N8a8eo7fAix8YuVtjLm0hUKDY-2hT3b-whs6p61jmQIkyPKgMueA3upGqNDl5AnvKowE4w6LuX2LmiVDb0XVabnFVvFJgUsj57aMIGOXGo5W1ksMV9SBvxb7zAC-yZTdNGINGgHNtLE8Jl0Lmmu3FU80j-JpZnVs0giWKf~UjG469Lb483Mvykw7kQxvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia Borough Council voted to award Contract No. 1 (site improvements) for the Maple Park improvement project to H & P Construction at the base bid of $272,224.13.

YSM Architects — the borough’s prime architect on the project — requested additional time to vet the low bidder for the electrical subcontract and asked council to table that portion of the work until the next meeting so the architect could confirm experience and references. Council agreed and awarded the site-improvement contract while deferring the electrical award.

Council clarified scope items: the base site bid includes trees and street furniture and adds to a previously approved bathroom budget (staff noted the bathroom was already authorized up to $150,000 in a prior action). Council finance staff said the borough’s share of the grant-funded site-improvement costs would be approximately $107,644.83 (assuming the bathroom cost is at the $150,000 cap and accounting for grant allocations and potential reimbursements of engineering costs).

Council directed staff to return to the next meeting with the architect’s review of the electrical bidder and to adjust grant and budget numbers if the electrical award changes the borough match. The motion to award the site-improvement contract passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.","Council approved awarding the Maple Park site-improvement contract to H & P Construction for $272,224.13 and tabled the electrical subcontract for further vetting by the project architect; council acknowledged the award includes trees, furniture and the public restroom previously authorized.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6206670,"Council denies sale of two repository parcels amid concerns about historic Zion Hill burials",515,4530000,5045000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3761313-30c82363f3e4a6510cc66f7b2d19a6c1&start=4530&end=5045","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3761313-30c82363f3e4a6510cc66f7b2d19a6c1/thumbnail_4530000.jpg","/articles/6206670/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Council-denies-sale-of-two-repository-parcels-amid-concerns-about-historic-Zion-Hill-burials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206670-5a047936f31e9db735f95edfd882d0fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776085181&Signature=kMjVChrdkFIFhjmZqEQv2iABjo4Tix7XZB515hZp7qZiOQi8BETivc0szF68Jx~2MAxXWJ-rKOnWhUYoB-yS1WFpVzNluHW4YLleyeXUEvg0Nm47HGjx29-x1qUYMTqf4Sh2JGZH5AN4hGYKkuQG8-oXbejUMCB4j1SZG5aBkTd7BQVfzKND9HcSyJ2XgA51nZGWP8pPotQBtcgn4dPn3PGfNU2haM9PAbE6yRIZBHmKZJlF8tzpepZWdwsQ9GPfmwiCZ~733PIEg9IECw2NuJxaQnF3Rm7NFzeTwbXlsBaPNj1UXttDSc8KHywRGkZxEFvch1td47bopmGbm8vt0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia Borough Council voted to deny an out-of-area offer to purchase two repository parcels at 611 and 623 North Fifth Street after staff and council raised concerns that the lots may contain historic burials associated with Zion Hill Cemetery.

Solicitor Evan (staff) told council the Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau holds wide latitude to sell repository properties but the borough may withhold consent; staff said the parcels had been discussed previously for municipal acquisition and that parcel maps and field work suggest burials on at least one of the lots. \"There’s a good possibility that there are gravesites on 5,\" a council member said during the discussion.

Council moved and passed a motion to deny the sale and directed staff to follow up on prior efforts to acquire and combine cemetery-related parcels for preservation. Staff noted the borough could make a new offer or ask the tax claim bureau to hold the parcels while the borough finalizes acquisition plans; council directed staff to provide finalized language to the tax claim bureau immediately so a response could be filed by the bureau’s deadline.

The vote was unanimous by voice; council members reiterated an intent to preserve the cemetery area and to avoid private development that could disrupt gravesites. Staff said parcels will remain in the tax claim repository if the borough declines and the borough’s prior acquisition work would be revisited.","Council voted to deny a request from an out-of-area buyer to purchase two repository parcels at 611 and 623 N. Fifth Street, citing potential gravesites and interest in preserving the Zion Hill Cemetery area; staff will pursue borough acquisition options discussed earlier.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6206673,"Council approves three police hires as two long-serving officers announce retirements",994,3406000,4400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3761313-30c82363f3e4a6510cc66f7b2d19a6c1&start=3406&end=4400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3761313-30c82363f3e4a6510cc66f7b2d19a6c1/thumbnail_3406000.jpg","/articles/6206673/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-three-police-hires-as-two-long-serving-officers-announce-retirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206673-6e764100bfb351793cb0069339cce649/orig.mp4?Expires=1776085181&Signature=BTqHKlYwC21pS9hReYiePC~xDUN50XxZ-wG1JQ7BY69FcPdNaLR-ztH1fk51QQSoLHhgwdNh~B8Bw4D5LdFFVGBHZ3AJNDsWFDw2dWsFGRbC9GsCx~97F6XNCw2g~6uEEW3N-0k1rYpmDmeQmq~weyyk2x7N4XkR3G77eMj7P7c8ZD140JYghwhymWzL72WfV-t~k~xXfBGd~O7sEdJ1J2Ao0Obv9y~xgmkjZSUthEvL-b3C5BrLPvuZLZz08MG~yJgbvtSZJpcgWoUAwgtB7to-1Kx0UHVCE0rs420xuQOlAfK094-GGXk7QR58yyMDMc4IOt6~JuqeEjd4Jw-gww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia Borough Council approved hiring three police officer candidates contingent upon successful employment testing and background checks after Police Chief Rahmer notified council that two senior officers plan to retire on Aug. 1 and another officer is expected to retire later in the year.

Chief Rahmer said officers with 27 and 28 years of service had given notice and that the department currently has a complement of 19 officers. To mitigate upcoming losses the chief asked to send three or four attendees to the police academy starting July 7; those officers would complete training and not be fully productive until some months later. \"They're gonna start in July,\" Chief Rahmer said, and he estimated the new hires would be productive next spring.

Council approved contingent hires in three separate motions. The meeting record lists motions to hire (as read into the record) Blaine Schaffner, Toby Koehler/Kohler, and Nathan Nowak as police officers contingent upon passage of required employment testing and a thorough background examination; each motion passed by voice vote with no recorded dissents.

Council members and civil service representatives said the candidates scored highly on tests and that civil service had been impressed by their quality; several council members noted it has been difficult nationwide to recruit officers. Council also noted that some field training officers will be unavailable while training new hires, creating a temporary coverage gap; the chief warned this could mean shorter-term reductions in specialized assignments such as the drug task force.

No vote tally by name was recorded in the public minutes; council approved the hires by unanimous voice vote. Council asked that civil-service paperwork be filed with the borough records.","Council authorized hiring three new police officers contingent on testing and background checks after the police chief reported upcoming retirements that will reduce the department's senior ranks and create short-term staffing challenges.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears PennDOT-driven redesign for Walnut Street project; engineer recommends moving bike lane to south side

Columbia business owner proposes borough-run banners on rail-trail fence to steer visitors downtown

Council awards Maple Park site-improvement contract; electrical bid tabled for review

Council denies sale of two repository parcels amid concerns about historic Zion Hill burials

Council approves three police hires as two long-serving officers announce retirements