The City of York Zoning Hearing Board on Oct. 14 approved a special exception permitting a group home and a variance to allow up to 18 residents at 373 West Market Street, an existing recovery residence operated as People Under Safe Housing (PUSH).

Attorney Courtney Beechler of CGA Law Firm introduced the application on behalf of the applicant and told the board PUSH seeks two forms of relief: a special exception to allow operation as a group home in the CBD zoning district and a variance to permit up to 18 occupants. "This LLC will be commonly referred to throughout this proceeding tonight as PUSH," Beechler said. She told the board the property already holds DDAAP licensure and city occupancy permits and that no construction would be required to operate under the requested permissions.

Carmela DeSoma, assistant director of operations for the Lancaster-York-Harrisburg harm reduction project and a provider for the State Opioid Response funding program, described program operations. "The home at 373 West Market Street is a DDAAP licensed recovery residence operating in full compliance with our occupancy permits," DeSoma said. She said the program provides 24-hour supervision by trained staff, enforces curfews, sign-in/sign-out rules, weekly meetings and treatment participation, and that residents generally do not have vehicles.

Applicant Mustafa Jamieson, who operates the residence, answered board questions about floor plans and capacity. Beechler explained DDAAP licensure would allow up to 20 but the operator requested 18 to avoid crowding; the applicant said the facility's occupancy permit currently allows up to 15 and that numbers have fluctuated. Jamieson described bedroom configurations across three floors and told the board staff have implemented structure and supervision since earlier guidance from the board in 2021.

Neighbors and other stakeholders spoke at the hearing. Dylan Bauer, a nearby property owner, expressed concern about the concentration of group homes and rooming houses in parts of the city and asked whether the city imposes a numerical limit. Edward K., identified as affiliated with Central Pennsylvania Recovery Associates and owner/operator of recovery housing in York, testified in support of Jamieson and PUSH, saying Jamieson runs a well-supervised program and the residents are from York County.

Board members discussed advertising for the application and whether the request should be filed as a special exception for the use and a variance for the number of residents; the applicant agreed the board should proceed with the accurate classifications. After public comment and applicant testimony, a board member moved to approve the special exception for a group home in the CBD district and a separate motion to approve the variance to allow up to 18 occupants. The board called the votes; members recorded affirmative votes on both motions.

The board's record for the case included the application, deed, floor plans, photos, York County assessment data and resident procedures. The Planning Commission had considered the case on Oct. 13 and recommended approval. The board's approvals allow PUSH to operate at the requested occupancy level under the conditions of existing licensure and any city permits.

Votes at a glance: Special exception for a group home (case 29-2025-Z-V) — approved (ayes recorded). Variance to permit up to 18 occupants — approved (ayes recorded).