Votes at a glance: York City Planning Commission actions on variances, conversions and blight certifications

The York City Planning Commission on Tuesday handled a sequence of zoning variances, special‑exception requests and blight certifications. Below is a concise summary of formal actions the commission took and the outcomes recorded by roll call. Where a vote count or mover/second was recorded in the transcript, it is noted.

Key zoning motions and recommendations

- 51 Hamilton Avenue (day spa): The commission recommended approval of a use variance to operate a day spa and approved a parking variance reducing the required off‑street spaces; both motions passed by roll call.

- 204 South Albemarle Street (conversion to two units): The commission recommended approval of a definition variance and a dimensional variance to allow conversion of a single‑family dwelling into a two‑unit multifamily dwelling, and it approved a variance to waive the special‑exception requirement that a property be vacant for two years. The commission also recommended approval of the special exception to permit multifamily use; all motions passed by roll call.

- 227 Springdale Road (motor vehicle sales/repair): After applicant testimony, the commission recommended approval of a variance to allow motor‑vehicle sales, repair and rental at this UN‑2 property and also approved a variance to reduce the number of off‑street parking spaces required; both motions passed by roll call.

- 26 other routine or site‑specific variances were handled in sequence (see actions list below). In several cases the commission discussed the property’s prior commercial use and the similarity to earlier construction or vehicle‑oriented operations before voting.

Blight certifications

The commission certified multiple properties as meeting the city’s blight criteria (examples recorded in the meeting): 33 East South Street; 32 East Maple Street; 230 Grantley Street; 21 Columbia Avenue; 541 West King Street; 910 West Poplar Street; 344 South Pershing Avenue; 47 Columbia Avenue; 222 South Sherman Street. For each property the commission found the photo evidence and staff letters justified certification under the criteria discussed (typically: unsafe/dilapidated condition, vacant greater than one year and/or public‑safety concerns). Several owners have submitted or signaled intent to submit permits or appeals; certification activates the city’s next administrative remedies under the blight ordinance and gives staff authority to pursue correction or demolition options consistent with statute and municipal code.

Other procedural outcomes

- 371 West Philadelphia Street: After extended testimony, the commission declined to make a recommendation to the Zoning Hearing Board and voted to leave the appeal/variance for the zoning board’s de novo review.

- Several items that required coordination with the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) or building‑code staff prompted staff and the commission to request additional investigations prior to final approvals (sample: cases that implicated hazardous materials, fire‑risk concerns or permit history).

What happens next

Approved recommendations will be forwarded to the Zoning Hearing Board or City Council as applicable. Certified blight properties will enter the city’s enforcement workflow; owners may file appeals or submit permits to cure violations. For cases that required additional verification, staff indicated it will work with applicants and the UCC/building‑code office to provide additional information to the appropriate hearing body.

Complete list of formal actions (as recorded in meeting transcript)

(Only actions recorded in the transcript are listed. For each item, the commission’s recorded vote is shown where available.)