York City Planning Commission approves zoning relief for hotel conversion, church sign, childcare center and industrial redevelopment

The York City Planning Commission approved a series of zoning waivers and variance recommendations tonight, advancing projects the commission’s staff said will add hotel rooms, housing units, child‑care capacity and industrial space while prompting traffic and neighborhood‑impact follow ups.

The commission recommended a land‑development waiver for 1 South George Street that will allow the applicant to move ahead without a preliminary subdivision review. "We're hoping to build a 20 unit arts hotel on the square in the old Hartman Building," said Dylan Bauer of Royal Square, describing plans for a 20‑room hotel with a restaurant on the first floor and garage parking on Market Street. Staff told the commission the proposal met the criteria for a waiver and the motion to accept it passed on roll call.

The commission also approved variances for a digital sign at First Presbyterian Church, 225 East Market Street. "The requested digital sign is therefore necessary to allow reasonable and functional use of the property consistent with the church's mission and ongoing operations," said Sean Chronister of STSG Digital, who spoke for the church and outlined design and operational safeguards, including a brick base, automatic dimming and limits on animation. Several residents raised concerns about brightness and duration; Chronister said the sign would be cloud‑controlled and could be scheduled to be off overnight as a compromise.

On housing, the commission voted to recommend multiple variances and special exceptions for conversions at 701 Wallace Street and at 844–852 East Market Street that the applicants said will create additional rental units. Owner Juan Vilato told the commission he plans to live on the first floor and add a garage to reduce on‑street parking pressure; neighbors objected that garage space is often used for storage rather than parking. For the East Market parcel, advocate Joe Musso said the conversion will create nine units, that the site has been vacant for the required period and that parking and building upgrades (including sprinklers) will be provided.

The commission recommended approval for a variance to allow operation of the Marie Elizabeth Early Learning Center at 805 East Prospect Street. Applicant Sheree Folloy described plans for school‑age wraparound care for up to 12 children and said the program will rely on nearby Gerard Park for outdoor time when on‑site play space is not yet available. Residents raised safety, traffic and parking concerns; staff and supporters said licensing through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and a traffic‑safety committee review would address operational standards, staff clearances and arrival/departure procedures.

For economic development, the commission recommended a package of variances for a proposed 32,000‑square‑foot Wire Mesh Products industrial building at 150 Fulton Street. Steve Albrandt of McNeese Wallace & Nurick said the triple‑frontage lot and adjacent rail corridor constrain the buildable area and create the need for relief on front‑yard setbacks, front‑yard parking, landscaping and driveway configuration; the applicant emphasized on‑site truck circulation to avoid backing onto public streets.

What’s next: staff flagged that the reverse subdivision waiver for the Northwest Street parcel will go to the city council agenda (May 20) for additional review; other items will require subsequent land‑development plans, traffic‑safety committee reviews or HARB/HAARB (historic advisory) review before permits are final.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved the meeting minutes, recommended the waiver for 1 South George Street, recommended the preliminary‑to‑final plan waiver for 123–129 West Street (to go to city council), approved the sign‑size and illumination variances for 225 East Market Street (with operational conditions discussed), approved a set of variances and special exceptions for 701 Wallace Street, approved the childcare‑center variance for 805 East Prospect Street, recommended variances and special exceptions for 844–852 East Market Street, and recommended a set of variances for the 150 Fulton Street industrial redevelopment. In all cases the commission voted on motions and recorded roll calls; specific follow‑up approvals (land‑development, HAARB) remain required before construction or operation.

Commissioners and staff said they will circulate finalized comprehensive‑plan text to the commission once it is posted; the chair adjourned the meeting after the items were concluded.