Commission recommends special exception and conditional parking variance for York Tech Centro at 459 W. King

The York City Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a special exception for a community center at 459 West King Street and recommended a conditional parking variance requiring a formal parking agreement.

Beth Kern, the applicant’s attorney, told the commission that the York Community Resource Center Development Corp (doing business as York Tech Centro) purchased the property and plans to operate a bilingual workforce development center with trades training, ESL and GED classes, and wraparound supports. “We are asking for that variance for a community center,” Kern said, and added the organization could meet special‑exception criteria except for the off‑street parking requirement.

Allison (transcribed as “Lisonbee”) Frost, executive director of York Tech Central, said the proposed site would accommodate 45–50 students on a busy day but noted many participants come from the neighborhood and walk or use transit. “In any one given day, potentially between 45 to 50 students,” Frost said, adding that the organization is negotiating a shared‑parking agreement with a church across the street and is open to a formal condition requiring a signed agreement.

Staff and a commissioner noted the property historically has zero off‑street parking, which creates practical hardship under the ordinance. The commission moved to recommend approval of the special exception for the community center and to recommend approval of the parking variance with a condition that a formally signed parking agreement be in place; both motions passed by roll call.

The commission’s recommendations are advisory; the applicant will present materials and the recommended conditions to the Zoning Hearing Board as part of the variance/special exception proceedings.