Habitat for Humanity proposes five townhomes at 440 North Fourth Street; board raises visibility and materials concerns

Lancaster-Lebanon Habitat for Humanity presented plans for a five-unit townhouse development at 440 North Fourth Street to the Columbia Historic Architectural Review Board on Feb. 12, 2025. The board discussed the site’s high visibility from Route 30, exterior materials and safety measures but did not vote on the application.

The project would place five three-story townhouse units on the corner of North Fourth and Linden streets, with parking and primary entrances on the uphill (north) side and daylight basements exposed toward Route 30. Architect Ted Vidocq, speaking for the design team, said the submitted package included architectural, structural and MEP drawings and photographs of adjacent properties to show context.

Board members emphasized the prominence of the site as vehicles come down Route 30 and questioned how the rear elevation facing Linden Street would…