Supervisor wins approval to convert 1908 Intercourse Bank into community hall in village overlay district

Supervisor Carl Smucker described plans at the Jan. 19 Leacock Township meeting to renovate the 1908 former bank building at 3562 Old Philadelphia Pike into the Intercourse Bank Hall Historic Gathering Place.

Smucker said he purchased the old bank building, has cleaned it out and plans about $100,000 in interior and exterior work including roof repair and sandblasting. "The 1908 building is fabulous and built like a tank," he said. He told the board the intended use changed from living quarters to an assembly hall for parties and events and asked for approval under the Village Overlay District.

Zoning guidance noted that painting would not require a permit so long as the paint colors remain the same. Supervisor Frank Howe moved to approve the project in the overlay district on the condition the exterior color does not change; Supervisor James Donovan seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.

Why it matters: the decision supports historic preservation and local event space while using the village overlay process to manage exterior changes.

Next steps: property owners may proceed with planned work consistent with overlay requirements and without a painting permit if colors are retained; the board's approval was contingent on preserving the building's exterior color.