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Neighbors urge Harrisburg to reject R‑3 rezoning near DaVinciro Elementary, cite safety and property‑value concerns
Summary
Residents near the Paul Allen Addition urged the Harrisburg City Council to reject an R‑3 multifamily rezoning for Track 2, saying density so close to DaVinciro Elementary and existing single‑family neighborhoods would create traffic and safety risks and depress property values.
Dozens of residents told the Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday they oppose a proposed R‑3 (multifamily) rezoning for Track 2 of the Paul Allen Addition, which sits just south of DaVinciro Elementary School.
"My family would like to voice our opposition to the plan r 3, multifamily units … we at Baker Crossing have spent time, resources, and effort to create a safe, close‑knit, and beautiful community," said Nathan Vero, a Baker Circle resident. He asked the council to respect the existing R‑1 zoning and consider R‑1 or R‑2 with buffering instead of R‑3.
Multiple speakers reiterated those concerns. One neighbor said an "abrupt transition" from seven‑figure single‑family homes to apartments across the street would be inappropriate and could lower home values; others cited daily traffic on Louise Avenue, the proximity to a school and around 15 children who wait at a nearby bus stop.
Jason Churchma, a resident of South Clovis Road, told the council the area has been built as low‑density single‑family housing for more than 20 years and that a sudden R‑3 designation would be a "drastic" change from community expectations. Former homeowners‑association member Ron Van Santen said many residents bought into covenants limiting rentals and commercial uses and urged the council to honor those expectations.
Planning staff told the council the applicant (Empire Companies on behalf of Berryview LLC for the Paul Allen tract) and the planning commission recommended approval and asked to set a second reading for Oct. 15, 2024. Councilmembers set the second reading date by unanimous vote; no rezoning decision was made at this meeting.
Why it matters: Residents emphasized safety for children and preserving neighborhood character as their primary concerns. Council action to set a second reading moves the application forward for a future vote where the council can consider additional information, conditions or buffering requirements.
Next steps: The council scheduled the second reading of Ordinance 2024‑09 (rezoning Track 2 of the Paul Allen Addition) for Oct. 15, 2024. Public comment will remain part of the record and may be supplemented in subsequent hearings or staff reports.
