[{"_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",6169406,"mediaKeyId","5404424-01ffde0778720bd2eac80deef3711688","parentId",5404424,"title","Indivisible MT asks Columbia to waive insurance requirement for Saturday march staging; council considers options","audioSeconds",609,"startMs",5467000,"endMs",6076000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404424-01ffde0778720bd2eac80deef3711688&start=5467&end=6076","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404424-01ffde0778720bd2eac80deef3711688/thumbnail_5467000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6169406/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Indivisible-MT-asks-Columbia-to-waive-insurance-requirement-for-Saturday-march-staging-council-considers-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169406-7cf3566d3e78bbf763a619e6b2888eaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1776093599&Signature=TZnL9SPpD67tOt5CwgW9UBzd6HzIGGrlNwwfyn1JMjskIeNhSLhJba8VCT1V5Grqn42EMz8Q4iIgtmiydWkTeLrREpHv1eMXBcmwm0bcxaFB8bWRFRFoO1eiPiqr3PwhHLoL6oW80vcZZ9TXE3IicO4jJMArWkeYsAJ8GRUCnUaKeJ4L5h5-nyo3FiS-53H~uLIr3xgflFfaCInzyuXEG9TbL5Uu9rjnTNfaqZdUOs5H7CYdftJ47RPeGsIJrBT-uZ4jjRWhnmGThVtPyuxTXnxAuw~HV18WCn7KzJiZbK2-n0dHxU59Lc9X3oieTc9wPOwok4Dq9bnpY-Urxt0H7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Columbia Borough, PA","date","2025-07-16T13:05:53Z","article","Organizers from Indivisible MT asked Columbia Borough Council on July 15 for permission to use Rotary Park as a staging area for a march onto the Veterans Memorial Bridge and requested an insurance-waiver because they said insurers had declined to cover political events.

Rachel Moore, speaking for Indivisible MT, said the event is planned as a short, peaceful march in honor of Congressman John Lewis and that organizers expect roughly 100 to 200 participants to gather at Rotary Park at 8 a.m., receive instructions, then walk to the bridge and return by about 9:20 a.m. She said organizers paid the application and late fees but have not yet secured a certificate of insurance and had trouble finding an insurer willing to cover politically associated events. \"Insurance companies just run away when you say, that something is political in nature,\" Moore said, describing multiple rejections.

Council considered whether the borough's permit requirements could be relaxed or an alternative offered. Staff confirmed the borough's current special-event ordinance requires insurance; the ordinance's insurance requirement may be waived by the governing body, and council has the authority to impose alternative conditions. Councilmembers asked about parking plans (organizers said they had permission to use the Watch and Clock Museum and Holy Trinity lots), crowd size estimates and safety marshals. Moore said she had a written safety plan, volunteer marshals and coordination with regional police departments for safety.

Council did not vote on the permit request that night. Members asked staff to follow up on possible alternatives, including whether liability coverage could be obtained through the League of Women Voters or whether the borough could accept a certificate from an affiliated nonprofit. Staff also noted that waiving the insurance requirement, or accepting a third-party nonprofit's coverage, is a policy decision the council can make; council asked staff to return with options and legal recommendations.

The organizers said they prefer to work with borough officials and law enforcement to keep the event peaceful and to avoid interfering with a separate noon memorial event at River Park. Council requested documentation of the safety plan and confirmation of parking agreements before deciding on an insurance waiver or other accommodations.

Next steps: staff will investigate insurance alternatives and legal implications of a waiver, and return to council with options and recommended conditions for approval if warranted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Borough Council 07.15.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Organizers for an Indivisible MT march requested use of Rotary Park as a staging area and asked the borough to waive its insurance requirement after multiple insurers declined coverage for politically associated events. Council asked staff about parking, insurance alternatives and whether waivers or consultant coverage would be permitted.","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},6169411,"Council authorizes advertising hearing for Venice project zoning amendment; county staff suggested data-center limits",172,1202000,1374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404424-01ffde0778720bd2eac80deef3711688&start=1202&end=1374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404424-01ffde0778720bd2eac80deef3711688/thumbnail_1202000.jpg","/articles/6169411/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Council-authorizes-advertising-hearing-for-Venice-project-zoning-amendment-county-staff-suggested-data-center-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169411-0bf596a4e4435d5ba9380014c70c2c91/orig.mp4?Expires=1776093599&Signature=mObHZtcJUymfVYIzt638UQtfoMz4xPyF8Eu0xRg5Ge418mkfnOlY~h0xfrhfvB1Plfnx1-ji3JEyQDDUfRk5MPHt90-AviVuRwarRbG5uUpeomkTuhTMLgwzny6veWzHkipJwe3EIDvOF1Vqi12Ulw9cfBlv~X2MTNx0mfFxBg7GTSqvPFZItC~jFZcqBN12pYPZ5obn2HZf0xKJv6~2DU1qqoYcR-yMwq809kzhFt7OOckKBqX4fsT50C3v~RHTl8TDrpPM29FHegdHiK5GlUdkiUhonRrLHJDzsjdMfsagAq~orb9drJ~so~Y2GRR3t1UXipc4llH3UiD~5hsseA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia Borough Council on July 15 authorized staff to advertise a public hearing on a proposed zoning amendment for the Lake Business District connected to the Venice project.

The motion to advertise the hearing was made by Councilperson Bergard and seconded by Councilperson Stowell and passed unanimously. Council packets included a recommendation memo from Lancaster County planning staff; county staff advised that the proposed amendment should consider limits on maximum building area for data centers or require conditional use review because data centers can have significant power and water demands.

Council discussion did not adopt a maximum building footprint or conditional-use requirement at the meeting. One council member noted the borough can adopt targeted restrictions later if the council deems them necessary after more information. Councilperson Bergard said the borough's planning staff had been invited to participate in a county exercise on municipal options for data-center regulations and that the borough would monitor best practices.

The hearing will be scheduled as advertised and will include the county document provided to the borough; council will accept public comment at the hearing. No final zoning change was adopted; the authorization was only to publish a public hearing notice and accompanying ordinance text for council consideration at a later meeting.

Next steps: staff to publish hearing notice, include county planning comments in the record, and bring the ordinance to a future meeting for deliberation and vote following public input.","Council authorized staff to advertise a hearing on a zoning amendment for the Lake Business District related to the Venice project. Lancaster County planning staff recommended the amendment address maximum building area or conditional-use standards for data centers; council did not adopt specific size limits at the meeting.",{"_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},6169416,"Columbia council opposes proposed 42-inch water main route through Manor Street; staff to send letter of non-support",745,4694000,5439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404424-01ffde0778720bd2eac80deef3711688&start=4694&end=5439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404424-01ffde0778720bd2eac80deef3711688/thumbnail_4694000.jpg","/articles/6169416/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Columbia-council-opposes-proposed-42-inch-water-main-route-through-Manor-Street-staff-to-send-letter-of-non-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169416-503b620db079ff61de785d124516c19e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776093599&Signature=VuE1UPws75gf~w5jnvnhZaO3jHdOJm1L9ueuq0p7G-jgjxEHC5xrRSvIxuR1vmhn0O8Pn2E3fDNF4wh10b4orwDjdHrMCexUJ3TijgYw2jJRd~nVTN2g-Q5XIs1xhndWsVAuxKbYqnlg0r9yJYuCp1Gz4i9IF90Qme-lvdozdU5RftZaI1jsOP9zpsXTUSrAvyQT-O137XK4I2ol6B9SZKkyewuD1ej2tcSvqTph~WfGr5553hI5CNb79ed02vAN~G0L7xUtaajxLi8xA-oucHc1P0KEc8v8gj0kUxxP~pDuKGiSuzS4gIMAbFHsbL8Dia3F8OV5aLxryV9f0P2i2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia Borough Council on July 15 voted to direct staff to send a letter of non-support for a proposed Lancaster City 42-inch transmission main that would run through parts of the borough, including Manor Street.

Councilperson Hoffman moved and Councilperson Stahl seconded a motion directing staff to transmit a letter opposing the current route proposal. Members said they do not oppose Lancaster City's goal of securing water supply but objected to the chosen alignment through residential streets and the borough's conservation areas without clearer mitigation commitments.

Council and staff raised a list of technical and operational questions they said the city had not answered in the project materials: how long Manor Street would be closed, the expected trenching and restoration approach for recently completed streets (including CDBG-funded Mill Street), the depth and width of excavation required for a 42-inch pipe, impacts to emergency response and access to the fire station, and whether alternative alignments through less-developed land had been fully evaluated. Council asked for assurances on street restoration standards, timing, traffic and emergency-access plans and whether the city had exhausted options to avoid tearing up borough rights-of-way.

The council discussed legal and procedural limits: staff noted that while utilities generally have certain rights in public rights-of-way, municipal letters of support are commonly needed for state or regional funding and permitting. Several council members said they were unwilling to provide a support letter without the city responding to the borough's questions and meeting with council to negotiate terms and mitigation commitments.

The motion passed. Staff were directed to send a letter stating non-support of the current proposal and to invite the city to meet with the borough and answer outstanding technical and timing questions.

Next steps: staff will prepare the letter of non-support and request a detailed presentation from Lancaster City on route alternatives, restoration plans and mitigation measures before the borough considers a formal support position.","Council voted to direct staff to send a letter of non-support for Lancaster City's proposed 42-inch water main alignment that would run through Manor Street and other borough streets, citing disruption, unanswered technical questions and potential damage to recently completed streets.",{"_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},6169421,"Residents, council question HARB approval after historic stone retaining wall removed without permit",1576,2492000,4068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404424-01ffde0778720bd2eac80deef3711688&start=2492&end=4068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404424-01ffde0778720bd2eac80deef3711688/thumbnail_2492000.jpg","/articles/6169421/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-council-question-HARB-approval-after-historic-stone-retaining-wall-removed-without-permit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169421-0f969cf80b16b5acf2ae03a69e480eb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776093599&Signature=cQYJ7rO6wPzp5Jx6OomnXRqyAcxw19LbE1oAUb1sl~YXTfiKx1WovYReq8NtG5jeARhu2jkfSz-xnPoYB3au-gPJKvFkToc~9juMcOUsTzCrWq8Oi~1soQljcw3Ac3KzjQ1-eKfIdcEqK~DN3lJp1z56QPbSsEIDQVKFnXtTwUazDgP1guchX90Nyuyoi1Frj~ho0m5zLrChy7QIESvtAp7JBxZX51eH-TqS-lyAU7asT-FjzYN6wFj-cTd~5F-9lkKLz0ZqVHoUd1Z091QEYWvYT0Wk9-VvkQoB7jvLmYAgd3yLIzH7xlB8unM4Y~fRtpU3fQ38rp4rsma2Hlq3jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia Borough Council and members of the public on July 15 raised concerns after the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) recommended approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for a house on North Third Street despite what residents say was the removal of an original stone retaining wall before HARB review.

Council reviewed the COA for 149 North Third Street and a separate COA for 440 Chestnut Street. The 149 North Third application proposes porch repairs and removal of a front-yard retaining wall; HARB recommended approval with no conditions. Several residents and council members said photographs show the stone wall was removed before any HARB or council review, and they urged the council to seek an expert consultant's opinion before final action.

A resident and frequent commenter, Sharon, said the stone wall removal set a troubling precedent: \"The original is now gone. We won't be able to get the original,\" and urged stronger enforcement when historic features are altered without prior approval. Another resident who identified himself as the property owner said financial and medical circumstances led to the work, and he asked for understanding. Several speakers asked whether the porch's curved eave would be retained; the application drawings submitted to staff show only a single section and did not make clear whether the round porch profile would be restored.

Councilperson Fisher and other members recommended sending the COA back to HARB for more documentation and for the Lancaster County consultant (used by HARB) to review the application and provide guidance on appropriate in-kind repairs or required restitution. Council agreed not to vote on the matter that night and asked staff to secure the consultant's recommendation and to clarify whether HARB inspected the property before making its recommendation.

The public raised two recurring issues: whether HARB had sufficient information and whether the borough has enforcement mechanisms (fines or ordered restoration) that would meaningfully deter after-the-fact alterations to historic features. One resident noted prior cases where enforcement actions required reconstruction, while others said fines alone do not restore the original fabric.

Council members said they want clearer drawings and documentation showing what will be replaced or restored, plus the consultant's assessment of historical significance, before making a final determination.

Next steps: Council asked staff to obtain the Lancaster consultant's review and to return the COA to HARB for clarification; no final council vote was taken on the 149 North Third COA during the meeting.","Councilmembers and residents pressed to delay approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness after photos showed a historic stone retaining wall removed before HARB review. Council asked staff to get Lancaster consultant input and consider returning the application to HARB.",{"_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},6169426,"Columbia council adopts ordinance authorizing $5.03 million BIOS loan; repayment schedule based on sale assumptions",1101,1376000,2477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404424-01ffde0778720bd2eac80deef3711688&start=1376&end=2477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404424-01ffde0778720bd2eac80deef3711688/thumbnail_1376000.jpg","/articles/6169426/Columbia/Lancaster-County/Pennsylvania/Columbia-council-adopts-ordinance-authorizing-503-million-BIOS-loan-repayment-schedule-based-on-sale-assumptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169426-7462fc757272de067b0380d0e83f0347/orig.mp4?Expires=1776093599&Signature=aSV3C1dkwgIg~tZWRxHocd~qeDHwM74~yctbskto0WKCTXPUpMvRDIy9Z3aq9peqD9uSmvTtDU6JvODMOj6Ah8xFFM8jPcpTtSIz6rH4bCgVe16QhWsD9XW4ZHUB00sLBdspzgn2GoDP4~jU8297Cl1VWXyRDMd-oIZxiLQihGo2bfGeX9facKSKkFLt4CH5eCfTYJ7hUaNS9gop2T4NvrjEhwGtaEtvbdE0plnAEl3U7Cr5zLJqbFt9op9Cl3gOYrUZXQodvLNgDUml53-TXmxnbiuFlmimAcZKGM854haXz~9E5qMYOEVmEXNjfSOi2VUIFSv594EH0nmuUgGQJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia Borough Council on July 15 adopted Ordinance 9-62 to authorize a $5,028,030 loan portion of the borough's BIOS funding package and to comply with state debt-proceeding requirements.

The ordinance, approved by a motion from Councilperson Stahl and seconded by Councilperson Fisher, passed with the council voting in favor; the mayor will sign the ordinance on Monday. Legal staff explained the ordinance had to include a formal repayment schedule to satisfy state review even though council's intent is to repay most or all of the loan from project proceeds or property sales.

Evan, a staff member who presented the ordinance language, said, \"anytime the borough increases its indebtedness, you have to do what's called a local government unit debt act debt proceeding\" and that the state reviewers required an amortization schedule rather than a one-time repayment assumption. Evan told council he had assumed, for the schedule, a $1 million sale of property early in the project and repayment of the remainder over the loan's 19- to 20-year life to create a conservative repayment plan for the statute's purposes.

Council and members of the public pressed for clarity on how much of the BIOS project cost the borough would ultimately carry. Evan said the total BIOS project estimate on the record is about $10.52 million and that the loan portion proposed in the ordinance represents roughly 60% of the BIOS funding award (about $5.03 million). He also said the borough's long-term debt now mainly consists of a refinanced general obligation bond with an outstanding balance around $7.04 million.

A resident, Kyle Ricker, asked whether the loan funds would be used to ready property for sale rather than to pursue further development; Evan and other staff said the current plan is to use the remediation funds for site completion and repositioning for sale. Evan noted the loan is a reimbursement loan and interest does not begin accruing until either property sales commence or five years after closing, whichever comes first.

The council adopted the ordinance at the meeting and directed staff to obtain the mayor's signature. No separate vote was taken on related budget appropriations at the meeting.

Background: the BIOS funding discussed at the meeting is a mix of grants and a loan award the borough is using to fund remediation and initial infrastructure work on the referenced project. The ordinance language reflected a repayment assumption required by the state financing authority for its review and closing process.

Looking ahead: council members said they expect to return to the topic as project phasing, sales prospects and actual expenditures become clearer.","Council voted to adopt Ordinance 9-62 to enable borrowing under the borough's BIOS funding package. Solicitor staff said state debt-law procedures required a formal amortization schedule, so the ordinance assumes phased repayment tied to future property sales.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Indivisible MT asks Columbia to waive insurance requirement for Saturday march staging; council considers options

Council authorizes advertising hearing for Venice project zoning amendment; county staff suggested data-center limits

Columbia council opposes proposed 42-inch water main route through Manor Street; staff to send letter of non-support

Residents, council question HARB approval after historic stone retaining wall removed without permit

Columbia council adopts ordinance authorizing $5.03 million BIOS loan; repayment schedule based on sale assumptions