Zoning Hearing Board roundup: multiple property conversion variances, rooming house approvals and parking relief granted

The City of York Zoning Hearing Board on multiple motions approved variances and special exceptions across several contested property cases, clearing conversions to multifamily use, a rooming house license and a shared-parking plan for a large downtown redevelopment.

Key outcomes (summary):

- 1239 Roosevelt Avenue (Dean—s List Realty): variances approved to expand and modify existing nonconformities, including a variance to reduce the required off-street parking to no fewer than 40 spaces and variances for rear and side setbacks. The applicant was represented and the board moved and seconded approval; the transcript shows the motions carried. (Case held over from prior meeting.)

- 424 Park Street (Mariano Reynoso): the board approved multiple variances and special-exception waivers to permit conversion from single-family to multifamily (2 units), to waive the requirement that the property be vacant for two years, and to reduce off-street parking requirements (applicant testified there are no on-site spaces). The Planning Commission had recommended approval. Motions were moved and seconded and approved by roll call.

- 1023 South Queen Street (Realty Professional Group): approved variances and special exception to convert a single-family property into a 3-unit multifamily dwelling, including relief from parking requirements (reduction from 5 to 2 spaces indicated in testimony). The Planning Commission recommended approval; motions on all related variances and the special exception passed on recorded votes.

- 727 West Princess Street (Heather Reiner / Jacques Marcelin): approved variances permitting conversion from single-family to two units and related parking relief; the applicant indicated the property is vacant and floor plans show the existing division into units. Motions passed by recorded vote.

- 512 Prospect Street (Rick Schaffnell): the board approved a package of variances to allow operation as a licensed rooming/boarding house with owner occupancy, adjusted room-size exceptions and a reduction in required off-street parking (no fewer than two spaces). The applicant testified to operating as a rooming house previously; board members discussed room sizes and management practices before approving the variances.

- 500 West College Avenue / Densply site (York Realty Partners): the board approved a variance to reduce required off-street parking for a mixed-use redevelopment (phase 1, "the lofts"). The applicant presented a shared-parking study showing a peak weekday demand of about 294 spaces and a Saturday peak around 269; the site will provide 301 on-site spaces and the board found that adequate for the mixed commercial-residential program (179 units plus commercial and a small self-storage component). The board approved the parking reduction motion on recorded vote.

Nearly all items were presented with supporting documentation including applications, planning-commission recommendations and site or floor plans. Where specific vote tallies were not read aloud in full in the transcript, the record lists motions, seconders and a roll-call or verbal tally indicating approval; the transcript sometimes recorded individual ayes but did not always capture a full numerical roll count for each motion. Where transcript detail was sparse, the outcome is recorded here as shown on the record (approved). Parties were reminded of appeal rights under land-use law.