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Planning commission approves parking relief for North Sixth Street convenience store redevelopment
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a special exception allowing a reduced off-street parking count for a proposed convenience store redevelopment at 2017 North Sixth Street, with conditions on curb cuts, stormwater coordination and signage.
The Harrisburg Planning Commission approved a special-exception request to reduce required off‑street parking for a proposed redevelopment and expansion of a convenience store at 2017 North Sixth Street.
Planning staff told the commissioners the new building would require 58 off‑street spaces under zoning code section 7‑3‑27.6 but the applicant will provide 31 spaces on site. Staff recommended approval with conditions including removing one proposed curb cut, coordinating stormwater work with Capital Region Water, adding perimeter landscaping, correcting dumpster and signage nonconformities, and bringing the site into compliance where feasible.
Jeff, the planning bureau staff presenter, described the lot as roughly a half‑acre with an aging single‑story brick structure, multiple former garage bays, a standing‑seam metal roof and a canopy for gas pumps. He said the eastern third of the site is a gravel lot overgrown with vegetation and the current structures “have little in the way of aesthetic value.” Staff said the redevelopment would replace the makeshift building and gravel lot with a modern convenience store and would not alter the neighborhood’s essential character.
Jacob Doman, an attorney with Stevens & Lee representing the applicant, and Sean Hawes, the project civil engineer with Langan Engineering, said the applicant is generally willing to comply with the conditions. Doman said the applicant would need to confirm one particular curb‑cut restriction with the client but expected to work through that detail.
Commissioners asked about whether a separate land development plan would be required; staff said one is not required if there is no net increase in impervious surface because compacted gravel already counts as impervious under current rules. Commissioners also questioned whether parking minimums for fuel/convenience uses might be excessive and suggested the city consider updating standards.
The commission moved and seconded approval of the special exception with the conditions recommended by staff. The motion carried by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll‑call tally.
The planning bureau will monitor coordination with Capital Region Water on stormwater mitigation, and applicants must bring signage and dumpster enclosures into zoning conformance if the project moves forward.
