Lock Haven council approves first reading of zoning change to allow age‑qualified and veteran housing with reduced parking

Lock Haven City Council on first reading approved Ordinance 2025‑02, an amendment to Chapter 410 of the city zoning code that adds definitions and permitting rules for age‑qualified housing and veteran housing and sets a reduced parking formula of 0.75 spaces per dwelling unit.

The ordinance passed after a roll-call vote: Council member Alexander, yes; Council member Brannan, yes; Council member Brinker, no; Council member Conklin, yes; Council member Mazzorgi, yes; Council member Stevenson, yes; Mayor Law, yes (6–1). The measure was introduced by the city solicitor and presented to council with legal and planning analysis.

City Solicitor Justin Hauser told council the amendment was drafted after a court appeal tied to a zoning hearing board decision involving Third Street Associates. Hauser provided a synopsis of the court outcome (docket number 775‑2024 in the Court of Common Pleas of Clinton County) and said the court found the city lacked a consistent ordinance framework for the use. Special counsel Sam Weiser of Saltzman Hughes, who helped prepare the text, said “having an age qualified housing use and a veteran in housing use is not uncommon in many municipalities” and that such projects often have…