[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6515737,"mediaKeyId","3847221-5818a90f09df86234864b6f3347cc835","parentId",3847221,"title","Board approves convenience store at 1415 Sycamore with code inspections and display restrictions","audioSeconds",2057,"startMs",3422000,"endMs",5479000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847221-5818a90f09df86234864b6f3347cc835&start=3422&end=5479","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847221-5818a90f09df86234864b6f3347cc835/thumbnail_3422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6515737/Harrisburg/Dauphin/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-convenience-store-at-1415-Sycamore-with-code-inspections-and-display-restrictions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515737-3e446017c70d800a84a41cae4321800e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775376237&Signature=JHj8OvBgYlVCpdvxMOmoK-lUT1R5N8ODBcjyQ42DCa1wxPF7nJZnEGZS4SKEkoTdtT5zOvqu6WRaG5oDTRW0O-XEeyHM-DSfMhu-qOWrWUJKyIAL2-~9-d1Sv0Ep9TFBFbbweUEIl5Aao55lMQlC87i1e2ffTkw-7EWx48MAuz2P~3V-UsvDthpS9MPupUN66cSuNgRk86h~~cp8wKttmk2gzEH-OKJ48AgrUuHbauaNsLE3iP-XqjKmNuvJ5nHy-DHbRMmSqUi8VSbzYbHuapY0Y-PnIENPLOFr5jKiIMp-Ggurp4PQ~gAiF3llMQ2cxHkfJ03hFc~ccreompeFMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harrisburg City, PA","date","2025-06-17T11:36:58Z","article","The Zoning Hearing Board granted a variance and special exception permitting a convenience store at 1415 Sycamore Street, approving relief from the permitted use and from off-street parking requirements because the building occupies the entire site.

Planning Director Jeffrey Knight told the board the building has a commercial history and has been essentially vacant for years. Knight said county tax-parcel records show a storefront use in the past and that the property's long-term vacancy and deterioration created a hardship supporting the variance. The planning bureau also recommended that the applicant conform to the requirements in Section 7-3-09.2q of the zoning code for convenience stores, comply with Chapter 7-3-25 signage rules, not place products or displays in the sidewalk/yard, and allow a comprehensive codes-bureau inspection to verify utilities and structural safety prior to occupancy.

Knight said the use would have required about nine off-street parking spaces based on square footage, but the building has no room for parking. He reported ample curbfront parking availability on Sycamore and nearby blocks at most times of day and noted many customers for this type of store are walking from the neighborhood.

Applicants Saad Ali and Hessam Ali said they plan to reestablish a neighborhood convenience store carrying food, produce and some halal products and that they will install 24-hour security cameras and keep the premises swept and maintained. In response to board questions, they said the owner will have flood insurance and that they plan to accept SNAP/EBT and credit cards. They indicated operational hours would be roughly early morning through evening (discussed as roughly 7 a.m. to 9–10 p.m., with possible seasonal variation).

Board members pressed the applicants on security, trash management, hours, and whether they would sell tobacco (applicants said some tobacco products were possible). Knight noted the planning commission recommended approval with conditions to ensure safety and code compliance. After a short recess and final discussion, a motion to approve the variance and special exception conditioned on the planning commission's recommended conditions was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board chair said a written decision will be issued within 45 days.

Votes at a glance: The board approved case 2605 (1415 Sycamore Street) with conditions: conform to section 7-3-09.2q convenience store standards, adhere to signage rules in chapter 7-3-25, no items left on the sidewalk/yard, and allow a comprehensive codes-bureau inspection prior to occupancy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Meeting - 06/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A long-vacant Sycamore Street property will reopen as a convenience store after the Zoning Hearing Board granted a variance and special exception, subject to building inspection, compliance with convenience-store operational standards, and limits on outside displays.","taxTitle","Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania","taxId",4675,"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},6515742,"Zoning board approves Bella’s Events space on Market Street with parking and floodplain conditions",1597,1779000,3376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847221-5818a90f09df86234864b6f3347cc835&start=1779&end=3376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847221-5818a90f09df86234864b6f3347cc835/thumbnail_1779000.jpg","/articles/6515742/Harrisburg/Dauphin/Pennsylvania/Zoning-board-approves-Bellas-Events-space-on-Market-Street-with-parking-and-floodplain-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515742-0fb5a729ff2d65486cec4346503896e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775376237&Signature=Mp6dfv5zh0bg7a867xYc9GS7haLUIR7-g9WIVB0rj-1IH0oFoJtXJwE72WM6DHGNChIeMYOz2Y44L-YKLlzuPjiGA4VC-noX~1ArgDG5UPrOhHxTeRM6cxOS6jO1mI5Oq9J8Ihj7txSGSuAaSoOt1~MyimMsi~G5nKtQY9f6zKhflEAxsZtmTG9Xa0jJNGxd3m-VxA-8t6LPRVfzvPZTqbVAMv~UJqloTZ3wuzOQAYNu96ls~L1~3XiNCUTOl92Pg0Fy5WgZILA~oE5yODuuEWy3h~4PtNcUthdwu8kjpq73EX6RRTYG96rZgpG88R~JQMW18nN5dzk9RgfIFQY3Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board approved a special exception allowing Bella's Events to operate an event space at 1025 Market Street, conditioned on coordination for parking, floodplain review and adherence to the operations described in the applicant's business plan, including no on-site alcohol and operations ending no later than midnight.

Planning Director Jeffrey Knight summarized the planning bureau's review and the planning commission recommendation. The bureau categorized the proposed event space under \"a use not specifically prohibited\" by the zoning code and cited prior hearings where event spaces were conditioned to avoid de facto nightclubs. Knight told the board the property sits on the eastern edge of the Downtown Center district at a heavily trafficked intersection and that few housing units are within roughly a quarter mile, reducing anticipated residential impacts.

Knight said the planning commission recommended approval with three primary conditions: ensure any investments conform to floodplain regulations due to location in the AE floodplain; that the applicant seek coordination with nearby surface parking lot owners or secure off-street parking to avoid sidewalk parking near the property; and that the applicant conform to the business plan, including a prohibition on alcohol and operations ending no later than midnight. Knight noted the applicants testified to minimal cosmetic investments and agreed to the conditions.

Applicant Stephanie Salas, owner of Bella's Events, testified she has worked as an event planner for about 10 years and that the venue will host parties, receptions (including quinceañeras), and small business conferences. Salas said she is actively seeking secured parking options but that some nearby lots are for sale and negotiations continue. Dale Hare of KD3 Design Studio assisted on the application and confirmed ongoing efforts to secure parking agreements.

Board members asked about parking, hours, flood insurance and on-site safety measures. Salas said she and the property owner have verbal arrangements and are pursuing written agreements; she also said the owner would carry flood insurance and that her operation would provide a door monitor for child safety. After discussion, a motion to approve the special exception conditioned on the planning commission recommendations was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board chair said a written decision will be issued within 45 days.

Votes at a glance: The board approved case 2604 (1025 Market Street) with conditions: floodplain coordination/review; encourage securing off-street parking; and conformance with the submitted business plan including no alcohol and operations ending by midnight.","The Zoning Hearing Board granted a special exception to establish an event space at 1025 Market Street, subject to coordination on parking, floodplain review and operational limits including no alcohol and a midnight end time.",{"_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},6515747,"Zoning board OKs larger electronic sign on Market Street, limits message transitions",1440,315000,1755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847221-5818a90f09df86234864b6f3347cc835&start=315&end=1755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847221-5818a90f09df86234864b6f3347cc835/thumbnail_315000.jpg","/articles/6515747/Harrisburg/Dauphin/Pennsylvania/Zoning-board-OKs-larger-electronic-sign-on-Market-Street-limits-message-transitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515747-51db6a4805c1284852d085bf6c65dd16/orig.mp4?Expires=1775376237&Signature=Q3298wEjj1NludagKdEOvOjvXN6Mmkp3egB9mjNIS06suW9lKh6wDbqtE-OsQc2HImtcdtwRiSWf3L~gfGiwn3bwix9kLpDItCjyG8ksxFzTunCC37tb-9t3SJvE9zAsWFiSAEeUCzXOG5Wb0rY1KHrj1-71-KE9KG5W3blwc~4aWPTzucPxmuFk~u4OCEAhsA4Lbd--oqrfgT6w9vn66YSaHQ9ifLoAC8vEcprf~w~~KKCUectoGSjDHGAfiFgx7uz6pOlgLbD3PdUP14EmvRre6fP3p0tbf9xO4tBq6uVk2hgDBePpXjFZ7zWuKB5H12RrjYOloSDk-eBW4rWT7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board on record approved a dimensional variance allowing a 175-square-foot electronically changing wall sign on the west facade of the M&T building at 213 Market Street, conditioned on limiting message transitions to six per minute.

The sign request, filed by the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, seeks relief from the Downtown Center district limit of 75 square feet. Planning Director Jeffrey Knight told the board the existing sign is already nonconforming and that the applicant proposes a larger replacement to improve legibility at a visually congested intersection. \"The allowance in the zoning code for the downtown center District in which the property is located is 75 square feet, and the applicant is proposing a sign of a 175 square feet,\" Knight said.

The planning bureau and planning commission recommended approval with a safety-oriented condition: limit message transitions to six per minute, consistent with PennDOT guidance used for billboards and previous local approvals. Knight described the location as \"a pretty visually congested area\" with traffic signals, poles and a nearby clock tower that reduce sign legibility for eastbound drivers. He said the applicant argued the larger display is needed so drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists have adequate time to read public announcements and nonprofit messaging.

Attorney Steve Albrandt, representing the Downtown Improvement District, said the proposed sign \"will be more aesthetically pleasing and safer for passing vehicles\" and emphasized it would mostly carry public announcements and nonprofit messages rather than paid private advertising. Kevin Coutts of Strickler Signs, who described the new display as higher-resolution than the existing unit, testified the larger face would give \"greater clarity and text, larger text because we've increased the overall size,\" and described the new panel's pixel pitch and dimensions.

Todd VanderWeed, executive director of the Downtown Improvement District, said the group will manage the sign content and that Strickler Signs will provide monthly and emergency maintenance under an ongoing service arrangement. VanderWeed said the existing unit was installed in 2008 and has reached the end of its useful life.

After testimony and brief board questions about content management and maintenance, a motion to approve the variance as recommended by the planning commission — including the six-transitions-per-minute condition — was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. The board chair said a written decision will be issued within 45 days.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the variance for case 2602 (213 Market Street) with the planning commission condition limiting message transitions to six per minute. The motion passed by voice vote; the board chair said a written decision will follow within 45 days.

The applicant and witnesses emphasized that most messaging will be for public events and nonprofits; the planning bureau and the board conditioned approval on limiting transitions to address driver legibility and safety.","The Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board approved a dimensional variance allowing a 175-square-foot electronically changing wall sign at 213 Market Street, conditioned on limiting message transitions to six per minute.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves convenience store at 1415 Sycamore with code inspections and display restrictions

Zoning board approves Bella’s Events space on Market Street with parking and floodplain conditions

Zoning board OKs larger electronic sign on Market Street, limits message transitions