Planning commission approves Eaton Village tiny-home project at 1103 S. Front St. with conditions

The Harrisburg Planning Commission approved a preliminary land development plan for 1103 South Front Street that would create 32 tiny homes and a 2,400-square-foot community center to serve people experiencing homelessness.

Planning bureau staff recommended approval, saying the proposal “will meet a critical need, housing for homeless individuals,” and noting the applicants have received zoning hearing board approval for required relief on Oct. 21, 2024. Commissioners approved the plan with conditions that include clarifying ADA access, requiring landscape screening or opaque fencing, and conditioning some waivers on sign-off by outside agencies such as Capital Region Water.

The property is a largely vacant 15-acre lot along the Susquehanna River that planning staff said will be subdivided into an approximately 8.5-acre parcel and a 6.5-acre parcel; the proposed Eaton Village project would be located on the southern parcel. Staff noted the site contains remnants of former steel-mill foundations, provides a connection to the Capital Area Greenbelt, and is bounded by 1101 South Front Street to the north, railroad tracks to the east, 1105 South Front Street to the south and the river to the west.

Plann…