Carlisle council pauses vote on demolition ordinance after developers, residents raise concerns

The Borough Council of Carlisle on May 20 voted to continue consideration of a proposed ordinance that would amend Chapter 183 (Property Maintenance) to establish procedures and requirements for demolishing large, older buildings in the Urban Mixed Use (UM) zoning district. The council moved to take up the measure again at its regular meeting on July 10, 2025.

The proposed ordinance would apply to buildings in the Urban Mixed Use District with a footprint greater than 8,500 square feet and that were constructed, in whole or in part, at least 75 years before a demolition application. Under the draft, an applicant for demolition would need to demonstrate at a hearing before council one of three criteria: that demolition is necessary for a project of special public benefit that significantly outweighs loss of the building; that no reasonable beneficial use of the building is possible; or that denial would cause substantial and unreasonable economic harm to the owner.

The mayor (presiding) opened the discussion by framing the ordinance as a tool to make the borough “ensure that the last remnants of our larger commercial and industrial heritage … are not dismissed without thoughtful consideration.” He said the measure is intended to balance preservation with “smart…