Carlisle council rezones three East High Street parcels to Urban Mixed Use; private covenants may limit near-term change

Carlisle Borough Council on April 10 adopted an ordinance rezoning three parcels along East High Street to the Urban Mixed Use district to encourage walkability, infill development and a mix of residential and commercial uses.

The rezoning affects parcels within the area described in staff materials as the Carlisle Point Plaza (sometimes referenced as Carlisle Plaza Mall) and was the subject of a public hearing earlier in the meeting. Councilor Shiles moved to enact the ordinance and the motion was approved in the affirmative by council.

Staff planner Jared (borough planning staff) opened the public hearing with a multi-year summary of work that led to the rezoning request, including a December 2022 staff memo on incremental zoning reform, a land use reform subcommittee, a corridor study with a Dickinson College student in early 2024, and a small-area plan grant awarded in November 2024. Jared said staff used local photos to show differing urban and suburban contexts along East High Street and presented shared-parking text amendments and other design considerations during workshops leading to the hearing.

Th…