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Council approves demolition of 351 Market Street with condition requiring structural analysis
Summary
Council unanimously approved demolition of the deteriorated building at 351 Market Street, subject to the applicant submitting a structural analysis to the Codes Department and meeting future land-development and state highway requirements before any new use is approved.
Williamsport City Council on March 13 voted 5-0 to approve demolition of the building at 351 Market Street, provided the demolition permit applicant submits a structural analysis addressing the stability of adjoining structures and obtains the required land-development and PennDOT approvals before converting the site to a permanent parking lot.
City staff said the building's deterioration justified demolition but recommended a structural analysis because the building is tied into adjacent structures. "The only recommendation that the Codes Department has ... is that they do a structural analysis be presented to us," a staff member said, explaining the need for a licensed structural engineer to evaluate potential impacts to neighboring buildings.
A representative for the property owner agreed on the record to the condition. "Yes. That's fine," the representative said when asked to consent to submitting the structural analysis before demolition proceeds.
Staff outlined the subsequent land-development requirements: a stormwater plan reviewed by the city engineer and the stormwater authority, landscape requirements for any permanent parking lot, any necessary PennDOT highway-occupancy permit if the proposed access touches Market Street (a state road), and a requirement that if no development occurs within months the cleared area must be grassed and seeded. Staff also said that the applicant will need to show the structural analysis to the Codes Department before officials sign the demolition permit.
Council members and a local resident urged consideration of future streetscape character; one council member asked that any long-term redevelopment consider a small commercial frontage to maintain Market Street's pedestrian fabric. The motion passed 5-0.
