Planning commission actions: minutes approved, three blight/reuse certifications, waiver passed

The Lancaster City Planning Commission recorded several formal actions during its meeting.

Minutes: The commission moved and seconded approval of the minutes from 11/05/2025. One member noted they would recuse from that vote; the chair then called the vote and the motion carried by voice vote (no roll-call recorded in the transcript).

Waiver (prison-adjacent strip): The commission approved a staff-backed waiver to transfer a roughly 0.36-acre, 10-foot-wide strip from a Lancaster Township prison tract to adjoining Central Park property. City staff and the county engineer said the strip is in the floodplain and administratively attaching it to park property would simplify cross-jurisdictional review. (See separate report.)

Blight and reuse certifications:
- 513 Howard Avenue: After staff clarified a packet address discrepancy, the commission voted to certify the property as blighted. Staff noted the bank is pursuing rehabilitation in the background but recommended certification to move the process forward.
- 232 North Franklin Street: Commissioners approved certification of blight for this property after staff described its dilapidated condition and lack of owner contact; the reinvestment board had previously recommended certification.
- 415 Lancaster Avenue: Staff recommended and the commission approved certifying the property’s reuse as residential because extensive deterioration and health concerns were reported by neighbors.

All recorded votes in the transcript were voice votes; individual roll-call tallies and named vote records are not recorded in the meeting text. Staff will proceed with administrative steps associated with each certification and notify the commission as appropriate.