York City board approves school districtspecial exception for 250 East Market Street after extended debate

The City of York Zoning Hearing Board on a motion by Commissioner Jenkins approved a special exception permitting the school district to use 250 East Market Street as an educational facility for grades K-12 or equivalent, the property the York County History Center has occupied for decades.

The board—s action followed more than an hour of testimony and public comment that focused on how the building would be used, parking and whether the structure meets an objective zoning test that it be a building "previously built and intended to be used as a school." Proponents said the district will use the space for the Bearkat Cyber Academy and a Bearkat Family Welcome Center; opponents raised legal and neighborhood concerns and asked the board to delay its decision.

The special exception matter drew speakers for both sides. Dr. Andrea Barry Brown, superintendent of the School District of the City of York, described Bearkat Cyber Academy as an online-focused program with occasional scheduled in-person tutoring; she said the district—s cyber program serves roughly 266 students districtwide and that the site would not produce regular morning drop-offs or afternoon carpooling typical of conventional schools. Barry Brown said average daily visits to the site would be low (about 19 visitors per day) and that the district anticipates about a dozen scheduled one-on-one sessions in a…