Lititz Borough council pauses decision on rezoning petition for North Walnut parcel after hours of public comment

Council members opened a public hearing on a petition to rezone a one-acre parcel on North Walnut Street from R-2 (lower-density residential) to RA (higher‑density residential), then voted to continue the hearing and defer a decision to the next regular meeting after more than two hours of presentations and public comment.

The petition, presented by Jim Wanger, identified the lot as created in 2022 by St. Luke's Church and described it as “within the designated growth boundary” and walkable to downtown. Wanger said the parcel would allow about six duplexes under R-2 zoning (three sets of two) but could support 10 or 11 townhouses if rezoned to RA. He also said the borough’s recently adopted regional comprehensive plan recommended higher‑density future land use for this area and that the Lancaster County Planning Commission had recommended approval.

Why it matters: The change would add permitted housing types (apartments, condos and townhouses) to the lot’s permitted uses, potentially increasing the number of dwelling units on the site and changing the types of housing allowed there. Neighbors said the change could worsen parking, reduce green space and increase traffic at the nearby West Lincoln Avenue intersection, which borough staff later said requires improved sight distance and would likely require removing four on‑street parking spaces to meet engineering standards.

Most of the meeting consisted of resident testimony. Dozens of neighbors who live on West Lincoln Avenue, Sussex Place, Amberley Way and nearby streets urged council to deny the rezoning, saying they already experience heavy street parking, narrow access, and safety concerns at the Walnut/Lincoln intersection. Multiple residents said they value the existing open green space and the stand of historic pine trees and wanted it preserved. One neighbor told council that she had been told the proposal might have included up to 18 units at an earlier meeting and said a rezoning would set a precedent for development “out of character with the neighborhood.” Another resident described the street as a dead end and said turning and emergency access are already difficult.

Council and staff responses: Borough staff and the planning commission members emphasized process distinctions: rezoning is a map amendment that changes permitted uses and density allowances; detailed site issues such as setbacks, stormwater, parking and landscaping are addressed later in the land‑development review process. Staff confirmed the lot-size discrepancy residents cited: county parcel records showed 1.56 acres in one source, but the parcel for this petition is 1.039 acres as described later in the presentation. Staff also said engineering recommendations for the West Lincoln sightline would require removing four on‑street parking spaces regardless of whether the rezoning passes.

Outcome and next steps: After hearing testimony from the petitioner, borough staff, planning commission members and many residents, a council member moved to table the petition and continue the public hearing to next month so councilmembers and neighbors could review the zoning differences and the planning commission’s work in greater detail. The motion to continue the hearing passed. Councilmembers encouraged opponents and supporters to attend the next planning commission meeting (one week later) and to meet with staff for clarifications about permitted uses and the land‑development review that would follow any map amendment.

Discussion v. decision: The hearing produced extensive public comment and clarifying staff remarks, but council took only one formal action: it voted to keep the public hearing open and postpone a final decision. No rezoning or land‑development approvals were adopted at the meeting.