Columbia planning commission reviews Ordinance 957 changes to building height, shadows and commercial-use rules

Columbia Borough Planning Commission members reviewed proposed changes in Ordinance 957 during their May 21 workshop, focusing on building-height setbacks, a new shadow-protection rule, and updates that would codify rules for marijuana dispensaries, tattoo businesses and package distribution centers.

The ordinance, which council recently forwarded to the planning commission and to Lancaster County Planning for review, is expected to return to Borough Council for a vote in July or possibly August, commission members were told. Planning staff said the draft reflects decisions reached at a March 20 joint meeting with council and other stakeholders.

Commission chairperson Wickenheiser described revisions to Section 3 that adjust setbacks as building height increases. Planning staff noted the ordinance replaces an existing provision that would have allowed a 90-foot building within 30 feet of a…