Resident urges demolition of fire-damaged house and repairs to three railroad crossings

At the Aug. 11 Lancaster City Council meeting, resident Jan Coccia asked the city to move forward with demolishing a house at 816 North Pierce Avenue that burned on June 26, 2024 and in which a three-year-old child died. Coccia said the property transferred to a local limited liability company in May 2025 and that he is unsure who is now responsible for demolition; he asked the city to act so a new home can be built on the lot.

Coccia also raised safety concerns about three railroad crossings on the city’s west side. He described one crossing on West Fair Avenue near the Ameristop as "very bumpy," said the Collins Road crossing near Route 33 causes vehicles to rattle, and called the Ety Road crossing an "absolute disaster," saying drivers must slow significantly to avoid damage. He asked the city to coordinate with the railroad to repair the crossings.

Council members and committee chairs later referenced ongoing work involving code enforcement, the health department, zoning, and the city's efforts to address the Pierce Avenue property. Ms. Tener told Coccia she has been working with the Health Department, Zoning, and Code Enforcement and said the matter is "a work in process." The meeting did not record a formal council directive or vote on immediate demolition; council members said relevant departments are engaged on the issue.