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