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Historic Lancaster Commission approves St. Mary’s School entry renovation
Summary
The Historic Lancaster Commission unanimously approved CA-00533, a renovation of St. Mary’s School entries and play area that includes new retaining walls, a rubber roof and raised paver terrace, new railings and code-compliant stairs, and a standing-seam metal roof in a bronze finish. Commissioners discussed burying utility lines and approved design details.
The Historic Lancaster Commission on April 16 unanimously approved CA-00533, a renovation project affecting St. Mary’s School at 245 E. Chestnut St. and 105 N. Columbus St.
Bill Heyer presented the application, describing plans to replace a deteriorating retaining wall with poured concrete finished to resemble brick, install a new rubber roof on the upper terrace with a raised paver system in a cream tone, and fit new railings and coping along terrace edges. The plan includes a soft-surface “discovery” area for play, new code-compliant metal stairs and railings on the west parking-lot retaining wall, and a new entry canopy with a pendant light; the metal roof is specified as standing-seam in a classic or spartan bronze finish. Heyer said components for several railing locations use Julius Blum designs and described a powder-coated aluminum transition in fence style.
Commissioners asked for details about materials and finishes. Chair Bryan Everitt asked about fencing and rail details; Heyer confirmed the applicant packet included Julius Blum components, including handrail and baluster designs, and described a thin brick veneer planned over lower-level poured concrete to match stamped concrete patterns. Heyer also said there were ongoing discussions with the electric company about removing poles and burying overhead lines along the project area.
Matt Brady moved to approve the application as submitted, with grey brick veneer and a classic or spartan bronze color for the metal roof; Debi Stemble seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
The approval authorizes the applicant to proceed under the commission’s certificate-of-appropriateness process subject to the materials and color choices discussed at the meeting. The commission did not record any conditions beyond the specified finishes. The commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM at City Hall, 104 E. Main St., Lancaster.
