Council approves conditional-use to replace structurally compromised garage at 331 East Main Street

Lititz Borough Council approved a conditional-use request Tuesday to remove and replace a structurally compromised garage at 331 East Main Street.

Property owner Scott Haines told the council the existing garage is about 817 square feet and "the foundation is compromised" and several support structures are failing; he presented a builder's letter and architect renderings as part of the application. Haines said the proposal is to replace the garage with another 817-square-foot structure, move it roughly 23 feet away from the alley to allow off-street parking for up to three spaces and two garage bays, and add a second-floor living space in the new building that the existing structure cannot safely support.

Planning staff confirmed notices were published and posted and that the Planning Commission recommended approval at its May 16 meeting. Haines said he plans to seek Historic Architectural Review Committee input on colors and details and that the proposed design is "complimentary" to neighboring garages.

Council members asked about impervious surface and floodplain impacts; Haines said moving the structure away from the alley also moves it slightly further from the rear floodplain, and that the project would remain under the borough's 500-square-foot exemption threshold for additional impervious area. Council expressed general agreement that the existing structure was past its useful life. Councilmember (name not specified) moved to approve the demolition and replacement; the motion was seconded, called, and approved by voice vote. The applicant was thanked and the conditional-use hearing was closed.