Council accepts North Walnut rezoning petition, refers application to Planning Commission and county review

Lititz Borough Council voted to accept a petition to rezone a vacant parcel on North Walnut Street from R‑2 (single‑family/duplex) to RA (higher‑density residential) and refer the request to the Planning Commission and Lancaster County for review.

Council staff said the parcel is one of three vacant tracts the borough’s comprehensive plan identified as appropriate for higher‑density residential use because of its location adjacent to existing multifamily development and the borough growth boundary. At the Planning Commission hearing in February the applicant indicated willingness to work with the commission on design and text amendment language to ensure development fits the neighborhood context; planning staff said the applicant paid county review fees to speed the review.

The petition would allow townhouse or apartment development under RA zoning; Planning Commission members emphasized the importance of tailoring RA text language to avoid unintended larger apartment blocks adjoining single‑family homes. Council’s vote accepts the petition for processing — a procedural step that triggers referral to Planning Commission for a formal recommendation and to the county for the statutorily required review period before future council action.

Why it matters: Rezoning a vacant parcel to allow higher density changes the local land‑use development potential and will affect future housing supply, neighborhood compatibility discussions and potential public‑infrastructure needs. The procedural referral does not itself approve development — it begins the formal municipal review and public‑notice steps required by borough code and county planning review.