Zoning board permits appliance store at 750 East Philadelphia Street despite neighborhood parking complaints

The City of York Zoning Hearing Board approved two variances that let Francisco Martez operate a residential appliance store at 750 East Philadelphia Street and alter required off‑street parking for that property.

Solicitor Justin Heisler read the application; Martez told the board he plans to sell residential appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers/dryers, microwave, scratch‑and‑dent items), deliver and install them, and that he has secured a separate leased parking lot of about 20 reserved spaces for business vehicles. Planning staff had recommended denial and the Planning Commission offered no recommendation because the applicant missed that hearing.

Several neighbors testified about recent after‑hours activity at the building and alleged an illegal car‑repair operation in the rear that caused blocked alley access and parking in no‑parking zones. Resident Mary Lou Yingling said she had notified police and city staff and showed board members photos she took of vehicles blocking alley access. Zoning officer Monte McMillian said city staff had warned the property and that a Notice of Violation had been prepared prior to the hearing but held because the owner was appearing at the meeting.

Board members pressed Martez on expected daily customer volumes (he estimated modest customer counts, perhaps around 10 customers per day) and where business vehicles would be parked; Martez said he has reserved off‑site parking for trucks and employee vehicles and that the front lot has 8–10 spaces for customers. After discussion, the board approved the variance to operate the appliance store and approved the parking variance. Recorded votes on the store approval were 3‑2 (Franklin Williams, Nick Hohman, and Cena Jenkins voting yes; Lester Abbott and Blade Klein voting no). The parking‑variance approval carried by the same margin.