Harrisburg approves owner’s after‑the‑fact multiunit conversions with conditions

The Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board on May 2026 approved four after‑the‑fact conversion applications by a single owner, formalizing multi‑unit uses while imposing conditions meant to address safety and parking. The board voted to grant relief as special exceptions and dimensional variances for 1644 Market Street (case 2634), 1901 Forester Street (2635), 2040 North Fourth Street (2636) and 2042 North Fourth Street (2637).

Planning Director Jeffrey Knight told the board the properties share a history of condemnation, utility shutoffs and illegal dumping and that internal coordination failures between the codes and planning bureaus led to conversions being completed without required planning review. Knight recommended the board approve the requests but limit 1644 Market Street to two units, require a comprehensive codes inspection, and require the applicant to repair or demolish the detached rear garage to provide legal off‑street parking.

Robert A. Shooks Jr., owner of Keystone Property Service LLC and the applicant’s representative, testified he agreed with Knight’s recommendations. “The garage needs to go. The garage is dilapitated,” Shooks said, and confirmed the third‑floor unit at 1644 Market Street has been vacated and utilities shut off so it can be combined into a larger second‑floor unit if required.

A neighborhood resident asked about maneuvering into the rear pad and fair‑market rents; Shooks said the rear slab will support two vehicles once the garage is removed and that the units will be priced to local market conditions. Knight repeatedly emphasized that written permits and a codes inspection will be required before any certificate of occupancy is issued.

The board made and seconded motions for each application and recorded votes in favor; the hearing officer said written decisions would be mailed to applicants. The approvals were subject to the planning commission’s conditions (codes bureau inspection, compliance with city permits, and remedial work to rear garages and parking), and the board noted that appeals of zoning decisions go to the Commonwealth Court.

The board continued one unrelated Walnut Street application to the June meeting for ownership documentation; written decisions for the approved applications will be issued to the applicants.