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York zoning board approves Safe Haven recovery home at 409 West Market, allows up to 16 residents and two parking spaces
Summary
The York City Zoning Hearing Board on May 20 approved a special exception and two variances for Safe Haven to operate a licensed recovery group home at 409 West Market Street, permitting up to 16 occupants and two off-street parking spaces with conditions including compliance with the city’s Uniform Construction Code.
The York City Zoning Hearing Board on May 20 approved a special exception and two variances allowing Safe Haven to operate a licensed residential recovery home at 409 West Market Street, permitting up to 16 occupants and two off-street parking spaces.
Courtney Beekler, attorney for Safe Haven with CGA Law Firm, told the board the building will be “utilized as a licensed residential facility for individuals in recovery from addiction, providing a safe, supportive and structured environment.” Beekler said the facility is licensed by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and offers counseling, life-skills training and peer support.
Joe Gurdich, Safe Haven’s director of operations, described the house’s program and operations: “We provide like a clean, safe, structured atmosphere for addicts and alcoholics getting out of rehab to start their recovery journey. We have staff 24/7,” he said, adding that residents are expected to work, pay rent and attend AA or NA meetings with sponsors.
Board solicitor Tom Lang asked the board to consider written motions that would place explicit numbers in the approvals and to require compliance with the city’s Uniform Construction Code. Lang also noted that if the property is later sold it may revert to its prior multifamily use, a point discussed as part of the special-exception approval.
Monty, the zoning officer, explained the property’s current and intended uses during the hearing: the structure had been operated as a multifamily building but must be converted back to a single-family layout to qualify as a group-home use; if sold in the future it could revert to multifamily status under code provisions discussed at the hearing.
Board members voted unanimously to approve the applications. The board approved the special exception to allow conversion and use as a group home, a variance to reduce the off-street parking requirement to allow two on-site parking spaces, and a variance to permit up to 16 occupants. The motion approving the occupancy variance included a condition that the applicant remain in compliance with the City of York’s Uniform Construction Code.
During public questioning and board discussion, Safe Haven representatives said 11 residents currently live at the property, one resident drives, and the organization operates three other licensed houses on West Market Street. Gurdich said there are no bunk beds and that DDAAP licensing requires minimum square footage per resident and ongoing inspections.
The board’s approval includes numerical limits and reference to construction-code compliance; board members and staff noted the applicant must return to the board if it seeks to increase the approved occupant number beyond 16. The case record the board relied on included the application, a Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs certificate of licensure, a floor plan, and photographs of the property.
