Council approves demolition of damaged barn at 360 North Broad Street for two new units

John Ecklleston, who said he owns the property at 360 North Broad Street, told Lititz Borough Council on March 31 that the barn behind the main house is "past its useful life" and that tenants who used it for storage recently moved out, allowing him to inspect severe interior and foundation damage. Ecklleston proposed removing the barn and building two side‑by‑side, two‑story, two‑bedroom units separated by a masonry firewall; he said the new units would be about half the barn's footprint and would add housing to the community. Ecklleston said he "put 30 or 40 calls out" to find an architectural‑salvage company and has a firm that will disassemble the barn and resell its components rather than send them to a landfill.

Planning commission and zoning hearing review preceded the council hearing, staff confirmed; property posting and publication notices were entered as exhibits. Council members asked about parking and whether the current vote covered only demolition; staff clarifed that the demolition is the matter before the council and land‑development details (including parking) will come later through the borough's land development process. A council member asked for details on the barn's condition; Ecklleston described floor sag and a cracked beam, saying the structure cannot reasonably be reused.

After questions from council and no public opposition, a councilor moved to approve a conditional‑use application to demolish the barn at 360 North Broad Street; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Council wished the applicant luck with the project.

Next steps: the demolition was authorized by conditional‑use approval; site work and the proposed new development must still proceed through the borough's land development and permitting process including any required building permits and inspections.