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York zoning board approves Safe Haven group home for up to 16 residents, reduces parking requirement
Summary
The City of York Zoning Hearing Board approved a special exception converting 409 West Market St. to a licensed group home for recovery with up to 16 occupants and granted a parking variance reducing required off‑street spaces to two.
The City of York Zoning Hearing Board on an evening in May 2025 approved a special exception and two variances that allow Safe Haven in York to operate a licensed residential recovery home at 409 West Market Street for up to 16 residents and to provide two off‑street parking spaces at the site.
The board granted the special exception for a group‑home conversion and approved a variance limiting on‑site parking to two spaces and a variance allowing up to 16 occupants, with the condition that the applicant comply with the Uniform Construction Code of the City of York.
Courtney Beechler, an attorney with CGA Law Firm representing Safe Haven, told the board the property will be “utilized as a licensed residential facility for individuals in recovery from addiction, providing a safe, supportive, and structured environment.” Joe Gerdich, Safe Haven’s director of operations, described the program’s daily rules and oversight and the state licensure process. “We provide… a clean, safe, structured atmosphere for addicts and alcoholics getting out of rehab to start their recovery journey,” Gerdich said.
Gerdich said Safe Haven holds state licensure from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (referred to in the record as DDAAP), which requires inspections of fire and life‑safety equipment, intake and grievance procedures, and minimum square‑foot standards for residents’ rooms. He said the organization already operates three licensed houses on West Market Street and that 409 West Market would be its fourth; he told the board the houses are staffed so that residents have on‑site supervision and house managers are present overnight.
Planning staff for the City of York recommended denial of the variances and the special exception in their written review, but the planning commission unanimously recommended approval at its May 12, 2025 meeting, a fact read into the hearing record.
Board members and staff discussed the property’s existing layout and how the applicant removed an interior door to create contiguous living space. Hearing participants noted the property currently has a two‑car garage and a fenced backyard and that Safe Haven said one resident currently uses the garage for parking; Gerdich testified the facility presently houses 11 residents and that most residents do not have vehicles. He also said Safe Haven would consider purchasing city parking permits or using an adjacent city lot if more on‑site parking were ever needed.
Board members asked whether the house would return to a multifamily use if the applicant vacated the property; the board recorded that the property is being converted to single‑family use for the group home and that, by condition, a subsequent change of use would revert to the prior multifamily classification if the site were sold or the operator left.
Votes at a glance - Special exception to convert 409 West Market Street for use as a group home (allowing group‑home conversion from a single‑family structure, with condition to revert to multifamily on sale or vacancy): approved (Ayes: Lester Abbott; Blade Klein; Adam Nugent; Franklin Williams; Jenkins). Mover/second: not specified in the record. - Variance reducing off‑street parking requirement (section cited in the record) to allow two on‑site parking spaces at 409 West Market Street: moved by Adam Nugent; seconded by Jenkins. Vote: Abbott Aye; Klein Aye; Nugent Aye; Williams Aye; Jenkins Aye. Outcome: approved. - Variance to allow up to 16 occupants in a group home (with condition to comply with the Uniform Construction Code): moved by Adam Nugent; seconded by Franklin Williams. Vote: Abbott Aye; Klein Aye; Nugent Aye; Williams Aye; Jenkins Aye. Outcome: approved.
The board’s written findings of fact and the motions recorded at the hearing reference specific code sections relating to group homes and parking in the UN‑2 urban residential district; the planning staff packet, licensing certificate from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, floor plans, and property photographs were entered into the record.
The board adjourned at the conclusion of the votes.
