Full Transcript

·YouTLDR

Harrisburg City Zoning Hearing Board Meeting - 3/21/2025

1:21:53702 summary words · ~4 min readEnglishBy The City of Harrisburg - WHBG20Transcribed Jun 15, 2026
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Summary

The Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board appointed Chairman Claude Phipps as the sole hearing officer to approve two key downtown nightclub zoning variances on North Second Street and a 9-unit affordable housing special exception on Market Street.

This meeting highlights how municipalities navigate rigid zoning laws—like residential buffers and parking minimums—to enable historic preservation, downtown commercial revitalization, and infill affordable housing developments.

Section summaries

0:00-4:06

Call to Order & Board Reorganization

optional

Chairman Claude Phipps convenes the meeting and coordinates the administrative appointment of himself as sole hearing officer due to board member James Hobbs' sudden travel absence. Old business regarding 2931 North Front Street is formally withdrawn.

Contains mostly procedural voting and housekeeping actions.

4:06-10:15

Case 2599 Introduction: 236 North Second Street

optional

The board introduces Case 2599, a variance request for a nightclub/dance hall at 236 North Second Street. The solicitor reads the official municipal exhibits and establishes the legal baseline for the hearing.

Mainly covers the entering of formal administrative exhibits into the record.

10:15-18:27

Planning Bureau Synopsis and the 500-Foot Buffer Rule

watch

Planning Director Jeffrey Knight explains why a variance is required, outlining how the city's 500-foot buffer rule from residential units creates a major obstacle for downtown hospitality venues. He details the historical use of the property and supports the variance.

Crucial for understanding the zoning challenges faced by urban night venues.

18:27-26:39

Applicant's Hardship Argument & Safety Protocols

watch

Attorney Eric Hume argues that converting the structurally specialized, soundproofed building to standard retail would cost nearly $1 million. Co-owner Justin Browning reviews the venue's active security plan, featuring 12-15 security guards and extensive camera coverage.

Explains the economic and logistical reasoning used to secure the variance.

26:39-38:57

Community Feedback & Approval of Case 2599

watch

Mark Santana, President of Capital Area Neighbors, voices the neighborhood group's unanimous support after a collaborative on-site tour. Hearing Officer Phipps grants formal approval to the application.

Shows how early community outreach can quickly secure a project's municipal passage.

38:57-49:12

Case 2600 Introduction: 234 North Second Street

optional

The board opens the case for Capital City Music Hall at 234 North Second Street. Planning Director Knight details its history as a bank, its abandonment timeframe, and addresses code enforcement's demand to remove a non-ADA-compliant sidewalk fence.

Lays out background details that mirror the first case.

49:12-1:05:36

Acoustic Engineering and Approval of Case 2600

watch

Acoustic engineer Justin Hershey outlines plans to achieve a 75-80% sound reduction. The applicants agree to cap sustained noise at 105 dB to pacify a neighboring business owner, leading to Phipps approving the variance with conditions.

Features detailed and actionable acoustic strategies to prevent urban noise complaints.

1:05:36-1:19:57

Case 2601: Market Street Affordable Housing

watch

The board reviews a special exception request for a 9-unit affordable housing project proposed by Handles Helping Hands Foundation. The project leverages density bonuses, avoids off-street parking requirements, and secures approval with the option to lease auxiliary church parking.

Essential for understanding municipal density incentives and infill housing strategies.

Key points

  • The Restrictive Nature of the 500-Foot Nightclub Buffer — Harrisburg's zoning code prohibits nightclubs or dance halls within 500 feet of any residential unit, an standard that is nearly impossible to meet within a dense urban core. The Planning Bureau developed a city-wide buffer map showing that this rule effectively bans nightclubs by right anywhere in the downtown district, necessitating frequent zoning variance reviews.
  • Financial Hardship in Restoring Soundproofed Historic Buildings — Converting specialized, heavily soundproofed historic structures (like former banks and existing nightclubs) back into basic commercial retail spaces is economically unviable, with remodeling costs estimated at nearly $1 million. This excessive cost provides a valid basis for a 'financial hardship' zoning variance under Pennsylvania law.
  • Affordable Housing Density Bonuses and Parking Relief — Projects registered under Harrisburg's formal affordable housing program are required to target rents at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). In exchange, they qualify for automatic zoning density bonuses and significant relief from municipal off-street parking requirements.
Sony hearing court functions like a court of law hearing court's decision based off of facts and law not popularity or unpopularity of a project... Claude Phipps
...the zoning regulations themselves like would preclude this type of use which is frankly a you know not uncommon use in cities from occurring anywhere by right within the downtown... Jeffrey Knight

AI-generated from the transcript. May contain errors.

0:32

engineering

0:33

board. Um,

0:38

yeah. Okay. Call me water. My name is

0:41

Clark Cooks. I'm the chair of the zoning

0:43

board. I didn't understand this.

0:48

Just so

0:51

And on what we have remotely, Mr. James

0:54

Hobs. Okay.

0:58

Um to my left is our uh sitter for

1:04

zoning hearing board for Michael Connor

1:07

and Mike Hos. Hi Kosh. Okay.

1:12

Um for the uh for the city but I think

1:15

is uh the director of planning. Okay.

1:19

Jeffrey Knight and representative from

1:22

the solic uh city law department.

1:27

Thank you. Okay.

1:30

Um please this is u where someone

1:34

hearing board is a form award. Okay. We

1:37

have a transcript from this meeting will

1:40

be is being created by by our recorder

1:45

quarter. Sony hearing court functions

1:48

like a court of law hearing court's

1:50

decision based off of facts and law not

1:54

popularity or unpopularity of a project

1:57

for what seems to be to the board a good

1:59

or bad project. In other words,

2:00

applicants must meet a legal burden of

2:03

proof that proves the elements of the

2:05

variance or special exceptions is being

2:10

requested. Okay.

2:14

uh people in the audience who are going

2:18

to speak on the project they will take

2:20

the mic and make they give their name

2:21

and address and everybody here will give

2:23

their name and address. Okay. If there's

2:25

people speaking for the project u

2:28

formally the attendants name and address

2:30

and basically your proximity to the

2:32

location question.

2:34

Okay. With that I'm going to turn

2:39

to Okay. Um thank you Mr. Fipps. Um

2:46

um so this evening um as uh the chairman

2:49

indicated um we have uh two members. Um

2:53

Bob Fipps is the chair and um on the

2:57

phone uh we have James Hobbs who's also

3:00

a member of this board. And

3:03

unfortunately Mr. Hobbs is traveling. He

3:06

had a uh funeral to go to out of town.

3:09

Uh so what we're going to do is um we're

3:13

gonna have since we have a quorum

3:16

present um one here and one on the phone

3:19

uh we're going to take some steps to

3:21

appoint the chairman to be the hearing

3:23

officer in this matter to hear this

3:25

matter um in the absence of um Mr. Hops

3:30

because he's going to have to um leave

3:32

this call uh as he's traveling. Um, I

3:37

just want to uh indicate uh prior to

3:39

doing that that uh we did have an item

3:42

on old business. Uh it was uh item

3:46

number 2598. It was a special exception

3:49

application for

3:51

2931 North Front Street. Um we did

3:54

receive correspondence from the

3:56

applicant's attorney on that matter that

3:57

that matter is being withdrawn. Uh so

4:00

there's no action uh to take on that uh

4:03

as uh as the matter has been withdrawn.

4:06

So, um, Mr. Hobbes and and Mr. uh, Pips,

4:10

um, what we need to do is, uh, appoint,

4:14

um, Claude Pips to be the hearing

4:17

officer for the remaining, uh, items on

4:20

new business, which is application 2599,

4:24

2600, and 2601.

4:27

Um, and as a hearing officer, um, uh,

4:31

the municipality's planning code allows,

4:34

uh, if there's an appointment of a

4:35

hearing officer, the hearing officer to

4:37

conduct a hearing and make a decision on

4:39

this matter. Uh, so with that being

4:42

said, um, is there a motion to appoint

4:46

um, the chairman, Mr. Fipps to be the

4:50

hearing officer with respect to

4:54

applications

4:56

2599 which is 236 North North 2nd

5:00

Street,

5:01

2600 which is 234 North 2nd Street and

5:06

2601

5:07

uh for 1605 1613 Market Street.

5:16

Mr. Would you? Yes, I make a motion.

5:20

Okay. U and then uh is there a second?

5:24

I'll second. Second it. All those in

5:27

favor signify by saying I. I.

5:31

Okay. The motion passes. Um so um at

5:35

this point in time for the

5:37

uh applicants here uh we're

5:41

have chairman officer this matter

5:47

um normal this is a threeperson board

5:50

there's only two right now be another

5:53

one uh another member um appointed but

5:57

that hasn't happened yet um so given the

6:01

circumstances this

6:05

Uh so with that being said, Mr. Hags, uh

6:08

thank you uh thank you very much for

6:11

being able to

6:14

participate establish.

6:21

Okay.

6:23

All right. Thank you.

6:27

So since I'll be hearing it, do you have

6:31

any the so you have any issues with

6:34

these standing by myself.

6:37

Eric Hume, I'm the attorney for the

6:39

applicant on uh 2599 and 2600. Uh we

6:44

have no objection to you, Mr. Fips,

6:46

acting as the hearing officer and

6:47

running your visit. Okay. Thank you. So

6:49

now I'll turn this back over to the

6:51

solicitor and you can call the first

6:52

case. Okay. So, the first

7:02

case located at 236

7:07

uh North Second Street uh in Harrisburg,

7:10

Pennsylvania. And so, uh we have here uh

7:14

with us uh this evening um Eric Hume uh

7:17

who is the uh attorney representing the

7:20

applicant. Uh Mr. Hume, do you have uh

7:23

anybody that you receive calling

7:26

something like this? If so, we'll have

7:28

swear in so take care of that. Yes. Uh

7:31

we have three individuals that I think

7:33

would should be sworn in if necessary

7:36

for testimony. On the first is um Craig

7:39

Dunl who's immediately to my right. He

7:41

is one of the principles of the

7:43

applicant. Uh to his right is Justin

7:45

Browning who's another one of the

7:47

principles for the applicant. And then

7:49

also Justin Hershey is providing uh

7:52

consultation services for um sound

7:55

engineering on the projects.

7:59

Um Mr. Mr. Browning, Mr. Hershey are the

8:05

three. Yes. Um

8:09

Mr. Um all three of you, could you raise

8:12

your right

8:13

hand? Do you swear or affirm that the

8:16

testimony you're about to give before

8:17

this board is truth and nothing but the

8:19

truth?

8:22

Let the record reflect that all three

8:25

answered the truth. Um and then for the

8:31

city um placing bureau um Mr. Knight,

8:37

you swear affirm the testimony you're

8:38

about to give before this board is the

8:40

truth and nothing but the truth. I do.

8:44

Um for expediency sake Mr. Hume if

8:48

you're okay I have the board exhibits

8:50

that were submitted I can identify as

8:53

exhibits. Yes. Proceed that way. Is that

8:56

okay if I do that and then you can have

8:57

your own exhibits? Yes that's fine.

8:59

Yeah. So uh for this uh

9:03

application uh which is the application

9:06

for 236 North Front Street. It's

9:09

application number 2599.

9:11

the following exhibits that uh were

9:14

received by the board by the zone

9:16

hearing board previous to this meeting

9:18

as part of the application process. I

9:21

mark this board exhibit number one B1

9:23

proof of publication time and place of

9:26

particular nature of this matter was

9:28

advertised in the Patriot news.

9:30

Publication occurred on April 6th and

9:34

April 13,

9:36

2025.

9:39

Um and uh so that's uh exhibit B1.

9:43

Exhibit B2 is a letter dated April 17,

9:47

2025. Uh this letter was sent from the

9:49

planning director uh Jeffrey Knight to

9:52

the applicant notifying the applicant of

9:54

the time and place of the hearing. Board

9:57

exhibit number three is the hearing

9:58

notice which was posted upon the

10:00

property in question and that occurred

10:02

on March 26,

10:04

2025. Board exhibit number four, the

10:07

the applicant's notification letters to

10:10

required neighbors. Uh board exhibit

10:13

number five is the application

10:16

uh packet uh including a dwelling

10:20

unit 500 foot buffer map. Board exhibit

10:24

number six is the deed establishing the

10:26

applicant standing to pursue zoning

10:28

relief in this matter. Board exhibit

10:31

number seven is the planning bureau case

10:35

report.

10:36

Uh board exhibit number eight is a city

10:39

of Harrisburg planning commission

10:43

resolution. Board exhibit nine which

10:46

came in with the application was an

10:48

email exchange between the applicant

10:52

and relating

10:55

similar request back.

11:02

So we have warnings one and nine in this

11:05

matter. And with that being said,

11:09

um Mr.

11:11

Knight, you want to it's up to you if

11:14

you want to give a synopsis or have the

11:17

applicant.

11:21

Um sure, I'll provide a a brief

11:23

synopsis. Um so uh essentially the uh

11:27

zoning relief being requested for both

11:29

this one and then the related case for

11:31

234 North Second Street uh are uh the

11:34

establishment of nightclub and or dance

11:36

hall or for dance hall uses uh at both

11:38

properties. Um so a variance is required

11:40

for that uh for properties located in

11:42

the commercial neighborhood zoning

11:43

district. Uh and per the specific

11:45

criteria um such uses are not permitted

11:48

within 500 ft of a dwelling unit. Uh so

11:52

um as the applicants uh do note in their

11:54

application and kind of spelled out a

11:56

little bit more in uh detail uh in the

11:58

case report uh the property has been

12:00

used uh for live music events uh in the

12:04

past um in uh researching the history of

12:09

properties particularly as they as they

12:11

um apply to um non-conforming uses. uh

12:14

you know we often times uh coordinate

12:17

with our tax and enforcement office as

12:18

they're the ones that manage uh the

12:20

city's mercantile permit applications as

12:22

well as the amusement tax uh which is

12:24

kind of specific to this type of

12:26

particular use uh because that is what

12:28

is collected for live music events. So

12:30

that helps to establish that live music

12:32

are occurring live music is occurring on

12:34

a property um and if that's a continual

12:37

record through time uh that would be the

12:39

continuence of legal non-conforming use.

12:41

However, if that's interrupted uh for um

12:44

a year and uh uh which is considered

12:46

abandonment of that particular use, um

12:49

then the property must be brought back

12:52

into conformance with the zoning code if

12:54

somebody seeks to do that use. Uh in

12:56

speaking with our tax enforcement

12:57

office, um it appears that amusement tax

13:00

wasn't filed uh post 2014 uh when a

13:03

former business on site which had a

13:05

comedy club aspect to it uh closed. Um

13:08

and then in 2023 when the applicants

13:11

were um establishing the business on

13:12

site that's what the communication was

13:14

for in uh in the packet uh was basically

13:17

discussing this the applicants had filed

13:19

uh for the variance and then withdrew

13:21

that at the at the time before it was

13:23

heard at the March 2023 meetings um in

13:26

order to get the restaurant up and

13:28

running um and then sometime in the uh

13:30

intervening time uh some live music did

13:32

start up. So this we can say this is

13:34

kind of an after the-act application uh

13:36

to address this. Uh now with respect to

13:38

the um conditions of um the variance

13:43

criteria uh you know it's evident that

13:45

the property was previously operating uh

13:48

as live music. Um the property itself is

13:51

located in the downtown area uh where

13:54

you know other live music events are

13:55

held whether that's uh nearby at Sawyers

13:58

or um some of the larger bars up and

14:01

down this stretch of Second Street or

14:03

even uh in the past for city festivals

14:06

or kind of in the post-pandemic years

14:08

when we were doing um concerts in the

14:09

middle of Second Street. They would shut

14:11

down Second Street. Uh so the building

14:13

itself um is certainly designed to

14:15

accommodate uh live music. uh live music

14:18

is um occurring elsewhere in the

14:21

downtown area. Uh and so we feel that

14:23

the property itself um you know does

14:26

have a justification for this and I

14:28

think the applicants will discuss some

14:29

of the soundproofing measures they're

14:30

going to take um to you know help ensure

14:33

that uh any impacts are limited to the

14:35

building. uh with respect to the 500

14:38

foot uh buffer around um such uses uh

14:41

that's why we included that buffer map

14:43

that was actually developed I think in

14:45

2022 or 2021 for um another uh such use

14:50

and uh in that when we were uh

14:53

recommending uh support for that one we

14:55

provided that we developed that buffer

14:57

map uh to basically demonstrate that

14:59

there almost is no place in downtown

15:01

Harrisburg uh where you would be able to

15:04

have one of these even in properties in

15:06

which this use would be permitted by

15:08

rights such as the downtown center. Uh

15:10

we had larger one for uh the whole city

15:12

and it showed essentially the same

15:14

thing. Uh the downtown map just shows

15:16

like the cap state capital and like the

15:18

UPMC campus being the only places you

15:20

could have one of these that were not

15:21

within uh 500 ft. Uh and then the larger

15:24

map shows basically the camera street

15:26

industrial corridor as being like the

15:28

only place you could have these. Uh, and

15:30

I would note too in the development of

15:31

that map, I believe we used multif

15:34

family dwellings as a proxy for um,

15:36

dwelling units. Uh, so, you know, we

15:39

weren't always sure whether there was an

15:41

apartment over a store in a mixeduse

15:43

building or something. So, that might

15:44

not even be everything. And of course,

15:46

it's a few years out of date. But the

15:48

intent of that map is to basically

15:49

demonstrate that um you know the zoning

15:52

regulations themselves like would

15:54

preclude this type of use which is

15:57

frankly a you know not uncommon use in

15:59

cities uh from occurring anywhere by

16:02

right within uh the downtown where it

16:05

would otherwise be permitted by right uh

16:06

per the underlying zoning. Uh so for uh

16:09

the those reasons uh we feel that both

16:12

uh the site and the building um do uh

16:15

possess aspects and conditions that

16:17

justify the variance requests. Um and

16:20

with that being said, the planning

16:22

commission recommended the zoning

16:24

hearing board approved the request with

16:25

the following conditions. Uh prior to

16:27

the zoning hearing board meeting, the

16:28

applicant must host a community

16:29

engagement session with residents within

16:31

500 ft to discuss the proposal, answer

16:33

questions, and solicit support. And I

16:35

believe uh the applicants did host that

16:38

meeting uh on April 16th. Uh so they

16:41

have met that condition. And then prior

16:42

to the zoning hearing board meeting, the

16:44

applicant should provide documentation

16:45

regarding proposed soundproofing

16:47

measures planned for the building. Uh

16:48

the applicants uh expert testimony at

16:51

the planning commission meeting from Mr.

16:52

Hershey uh did demonstrate uh that they

16:55

will be, you know, meeting those

16:57

uh meeting the general standards for

17:00

soundproofing buildings of this type. Uh

17:03

the planning commission recommended the

17:05

zoning hearing board approved the

17:06

request for the following reasons.

17:08

Although the nightclub or dance hall use

17:10

requested by the applicant has not been

17:11

operating on site for at least several

17:13

years as determined through review of

17:14

all resources available to the planning

17:16

bureau. Such use did previously operate

17:17

on site under multiple different

17:19

businesses establishing a history of

17:20

such use that supports its

17:22

reestablishment. As the applicant notes,

17:24

the building in which the proposed use

17:25

will be reestablished is is of sturdy

17:27

concrete and brickmasonry construction

17:28

which provides natural soundproofing and

17:30

features an open floor plan that

17:32

supports a music venue. Uh and finally,

17:34

with respect to the relief from the

17:35

specific criteria regarding proximity to

17:37

the nearby residential units, planning

17:39

bureau notes that the existing

17:41

regulation would effectively preclude

17:42

the establishment of nightclub or dance

17:44

hall uses anywhere in the city,

17:45

including in the downtown center zoning

17:47

district in which the use is permitted

17:48

by right.

17:51

Thank you, Mr. tonight. Um, is there I

17:54

failed to ask. Is there anybody in

17:56

attendance here today that is uh here in

17:59

opposition of this uh

18:03

application? The records show that

18:05

there's none. Um, Mr. Pips, do you have

18:09

any questions of Mr. Knight at this

18:11

point in time? Well,

18:14

Mr. I think you answered it that

18:17

basically tried to satisfy requirements

18:18

for nightclubs. There's no place in

18:21

Harrisburg again with the current

18:23

existing coding standards. Okay. You

18:26

you'd have to go to city council and get

18:28

actually amendment to the coding

18:30

standards to do something like that. So,

18:33

um, no, I'm I'm okay. Good. Miss

18:37

Cameron, do you have any questions of

18:38

Mr. Okay. Feel free anytime you have a

18:41

question. They explained it very well at

18:44

planning. Okay. So, great. Uh, Mr. Hume,

18:48

do you have any questions of Mr. Knight?

18:50

No questions for Mr. Knight. Okay. Do

18:51

you want to proceed with your case then?

18:53

Absolutely. Thank you. Um if I may, I

18:55

have um some exhibition exhibits to

18:58

present to

19:04

Thank you.

19:06

I don't know if I have enough.

19:18

Thank you. Mr. Knight um you know we I

19:22

think he accurately um covered the

19:24

history of this property and um it was

19:28

basically to provide a little bit more

19:29

detail for the hearing officer as to why

19:32

um we believe we're entitled to uh to

19:35

variance relief in this case. Um this

19:38

property I mean historically for the

19:40

last 30 years has been part of the

19:42

restaurant row revitalization um has

19:44

served as a nightclub um on several

19:48

occasions and um thank you trying to

19:51

reach the feedback. Um, and and you

19:54

know, the interesting thing about this

19:56

property, which I didn't even realize

19:57

until I um I got involved in this case,

20:00

is that the um the property itself, even

20:03

though there's windows, for example, on

20:05

the exterior of the property, um they're

20:07

actually covered on the inside. So, um

20:10

this property is extensively

20:12

soundproofed, um from its prior use. So,

20:16

um and you know, and actually to convert

20:17

this property to something that would

20:19

not be used as a nightclub, in other

20:21

words, those windows to the inside. Um

20:24

that would be an extremely expensive

20:27

proposition. If you look at exhibit 4,

20:30

which we've provided, that's an estimate

20:33

from widener construction. And in that

20:36

instance, you know, they're indicating

20:37

that in order to comply with um all the

20:39

costs that make this economically

20:41

viable, I mean, it's approaching almost

20:43

a million dollars. So, um, you know,

20:46

it's our belief that there's a real

20:48

hardship here in that in order to comply

20:50

with the ordinance, uh, my client would

20:52

have to invest an inordinate amount of

20:54

money, um, just in order to make it

20:57

suitable for a, uh, per use in the

20:59

district. Um, we'll also note that I

21:03

mean, I know there was some question at

21:04

the planning commission whether

21:06

financial hardship is is valid for a

21:08

variance.

21:09

There are um Pennsylvania decisions that

21:12

have indicated that yes, that um

21:14

financial hardship in some circumstances

21:16

can be grounds for a variance. But even

21:19

I don't think you even need to get

21:20

there. I think if you look at this

21:21

property um it's been in this

21:23

configuration for years. Um it's got a

21:26

masonry and concrete construction that

21:28

um naturally absorbs sound. Um my client

21:32

did not create the conditions. Um but I

21:35

think um most importantly this is not

21:37

going to have an adverse on the

21:39

neighborhood. If you look at the um the

21:43

history of this property, it's been used

21:45

this way for 30 years and therefore

21:48

there's really no um concern that it's

21:51

going to change the neighborhood because

21:52

the neighborhood's been used to this. Uh

21:54

I think in support of that. Also, if you

21:56

look at um applicants exhibit five,

22:00

there's a long uh list of letters of

22:03

support that have been um provided and

22:07

um All these all these are are people

22:10

some of them have um are located right

22:12

in the vicinity of the property. Others

22:14

are stakeholders in the community and

22:16

they're all they all agreed that this

22:18

would be a valuable project for the

22:20

city. Um in terms in regards to the

22:22

conditions that were discussed at the um

22:25

planning commission meeting. Um I can

22:28

indicate that on April 16th there was a

22:30

community meeting that was advertised

22:32

and held uh that was held actually at

22:34

the property. Um and at that time any

22:37

questions that were asked to

22:40

um said I do have we do have three

22:42

witnesses available happy to place some

22:44

testimony on the record or answer any

22:46

questions that um the hearing officer

22:48

may have but I don't also don't want to

22:51

blame your point

22:53

well that's up to you I mean if you want

22:55

to put

22:57

on some testimony do that it's up to you

23:02

we want to proceed No I think I mean I

23:04

think we've laid it out pretty well in

23:05

the um in our narrative in support of

23:08

the application. So I think at this

23:10

point um we have a pretty good idea of

23:13

what requesting. So

23:17

um so just so I have all the exhibits

23:20

you had hand did you hand this uh

23:22

narrative support of use variances. Is

23:26

this the updated a little A1 on the

23:29

bottom?

23:31

I don't know if it has an A1 on the

23:33

bottom, but yes, there's a narrative in

23:34

support of you.

23:36

I just want to make sure

23:39

Let me just say

23:41

that it wasn't in the packet you handed

23:45

to to the board. But what I pulled out

23:48

was an updated

23:51

narrative because with the initial

23:53

application, it was a different

23:55

narrative. And I imagine Mr. Hume before

23:57

you were retained, right? And then you

24:00

prepared it after that. Correct. Um if

24:03

you might though, you want to just come

24:05

up and just take a look at it, verify

24:06

because it wasn't it wasn't in the

24:08

initial packet and in your packet, you

24:10

know, you said it was previously

24:11

received just so it's complete.

24:19

Yes. The updated narrative, right?

24:22

So Mr. What I'm going to do is I'll mark

24:24

this as a A1 applicant

24:29

one and then the other packet of

24:33

exhibits I'll mark the whole packet as

24:36

A2 but then

24:37

it's so we have a

24:43

yes that's acceptable

24:49

and

24:51

then Mr. Dumple. So, are you uh the the

24:56

application and the updated narrative

25:01

um are do you are are you in agreement

25:05

with everything that's contained in

25:08

those two documents? Yes, sir. Okay. And

25:11

you're you're one of the

25:15

principles.

25:19

Um does anybody

25:24

Mr. Do you have any questions of the

25:26

Yes, two questions. Uh you indicated on

25:30

416 you met with the and this is to

25:34

address one of the variances to with the

25:36

neighbors basically the 500 foot rule

25:39

and they were in support of it. Do you

25:40

have any documentation? I know sometimes

25:42

like

25:44

a petition or something.

25:47

Yes.

25:49

Okay. We'll get to those. Thank you. And

25:52

my second set questions is that um

25:58

and this we didn't ask this off any

26:00

businesses any type of business on on

26:02

Second Street. Um let's talk about

26:05

security. Okay. A little bit. Um have

26:08

you spoken with a with Harrisburg Police

26:10

Department to basically understand that

26:13

there could be

26:14

some additional security uh arrangements

26:17

for this envir for this environment. I'm

26:19

saying that because of the activities

26:21

that have taken place this year on on

26:23

Second Street. So you just covered my

26:26

name is Justin Browning. I live in

26:28

Harrisburg. I'm the managing partner of

26:30

the where

26:32

you go. Um since that particular

26:36

incident which I believe referencing

26:38

from Patty's weekend, there has not been

26:40

police presence on Second Street. Uh but

26:43

we do operate this facility with 12 to

26:46

15 security personnel. Uh every night

26:49

that we're open. Uh we we do still have

26:52

a good relationship not only the

26:53

Harrisburg Police Department but the

26:54

Capital City Police Department. Um they

26:57

do patrol regularly. They stop just to

26:59

check on us. Uh we have a first name

27:02

basis with them as I do. Um and I also

27:05

operate JB Love on Second Street and

27:08

Sawyer's Din Street. So at each of these

27:11

properties, we we have an excessive

27:14

amount of inhouse security that we use.

27:16

It's on our personal payroll. It's not

27:19

and they all go through a training

27:21

period, a 90-day probationary period.

27:24

They are all given a handbook how to

27:29

properly ascertain a situation. We have

27:32

a hands-off policy with customers.

27:35

Everything is as much talking as

27:37

possible without using physical force.

27:41

Um, and in the month or so since that

27:44

incident happened outside of venue,

27:47

Absolutely no problems on Second Street

27:49

that I'm aware of. I'd say things are in

27:52

good standing. Any video surveillance

27:55

equipment that you will have cameras and

27:58

stuff in your

27:59

property of time frame the capture time

28:02

frame? Yes, there are 40 cameras in uh

28:06

236 North Second Street alone.

28:09

Okay. 234 has not been set up yet. We

28:11

haven't begun construction on this year.

28:16

cameras there. What's the capture period

28:19

of time at least 60 days in their

28:23

cameras as well time period of at least

28:26

60 days of footage uh realistically

28:28

between 60 and 90.

28:30

Okay. And if there is something take

28:33

issue takes place that you will be able

28:35

to release that to HPD for or or county

28:39

DA for further investigations.

28:41

Absolutely. Okay. they don't have to go

28:43

back and well they have to get a

28:44

warranty either way. So, okay. Um, last

28:48

but not

28:50

least, you were talking about

28:52

soundproofing place and the cost would

28:54

be prohibitive almost a million dollars

28:56

if you had to really go out and

28:58

soundproof it. But that's pertaining to

29:00

236 specifically. 234 is a different

29:03

story. I was thinking it's glass and the

29:07

glass stops. You know, you

29:09

basically I hope the glass class on the

29:13

exterior of 236.

29:16

So to to clarify 236 uh the the color

29:20

was made to the change of use. Currently

29:23

the building is fully soundproofed. We

29:25

inherited it that way. Okay. Um the

29:28

insulation soundroofing was done inside

29:30

the walls and drywall over. So I guess

29:32

that discussion argument point was that

29:35

to to undo all that would be uh to

29:38

convert back to a performance.

29:41

Well, I was just thinking, you know,

29:43

sometimes we people get a little

29:45

rambunctious in the city. Okay. Um, the

29:49

glass itself, the glass is safety glass.

29:51

So, it would take aiz effort to

29:54

basically cause that glass to shatter

29:56

and cause any injury. Glass is

30:00

glass. The glass is reinforcing,

30:02

but okay. It's not. Okay. Um, that's all

30:08

the questions I have. Okay. Um are there

30:12

um individuals um here today that want

30:16

to speak either for or against this

30:19

project? They could come up stand by the

30:22

microphone so we could pick you up on

30:23

the TV channel here. Just state your

30:26

name if you're

30:30

residing. But I'm Mark Santana. I live

30:33

in the 200 block of Liberty Street. I've

30:36

lived in downtown Harrisburg since 2000.

30:38

about 25 years. I'm the president of the

30:42

popular area neighbors. It's called CAN

30:44

for short abbreviation. Um our

30:48

organization's been in existence for 30

30:50

years, even before I even got here. We

30:53

had fought off the federal courthouse

30:54

from taking over our neighborhood on

30:56

North Street. Made them up where they

30:58

are at the

31:00

time. Um and this goes from street to

31:04

third to street. So basically the whole

31:08

downtown center Mr. No described um it

31:13

encompasses all 500 ft of the area

31:23

that Mr. Brown reached out to me and

31:26

asked us to hold town hall meeting

31:29

uh I think he contacted me on Friday

31:31

sent a message to our membership on

31:35

Friday we

31:37

would mean until May 14th, but our our a

31:41

message out to membership on Friday,

31:43

sent a reminder out on Monday, and then

31:45

on the 16th itself, we sent out a third

31:47

reminder. Um, and we all came down um

31:51

went to through the establishment. He

31:53

described what he was planning on

31:55

doing, answered any questions or

31:57

concerns that people had, people that

32:00

asked any emails that could be there

32:01

that I asked questions on. I didn't hear

32:05

anyone

32:06

from all those communications get any

32:08

kind of opposition or or saying that

32:11

they didn't want the project or I think

32:13

everybody was kind of surprised that you

32:16

know historically that was revolved and

32:18

they're like well that was been a

32:19

nightclub for so many years I think

32:21

people were kind of surprised that they

32:23

had to go through this process

32:25

but our group is supporting his project

32:29

and we're kind of excited for things to

32:31

be different in Harrisburg because it's

32:32

been kind of the dry spell and dead down

32:34

lately

32:36

looking e

32:38

economics as far as recreational

32:41

possibilities.

32:43

Thank you sir for coming here speaking.

32:47

Is there anybody

32:55

else? I'm part of the same

32:57

organization as

33:01

web

33:04

huge. I was impressed.

33:11

It reassured me personally that the rap

33:14

plan is going to be a little bit

33:15

different than what I had

33:18

expected for about 20 some years. I've

33:20

seen ups and downs in the city. I've

33:22

seen some of the incidents you were

33:24

addressing. Uh I think they're doing

33:27

things and I think they're going to

33:29

things a lot better

33:32

than this is going to have a lot of

33:35

music. I know a lot of the residents are

33:37

excited to come down to it just to have

33:39

some

33:52

Thank you for

33:56

coming.

33:58

Mr. correspondence

34:01

with attorney regarding a neighboring

34:05

property. Was was that condition that

34:08

you talked about this property or

34:13

for the next property?

34:16

Anything else?

34:33

I'll say that we're closing. Um, no,

34:37

just two quick things. One, I just ask

34:38

Mr. Dunl if he could just confirm

34:40

everything that I presented to the board

34:41

in my presentation. Is that accurate? Is

34:44

that accurate? Um, second, I just ask

34:46

then for the admission of

34:50

Yeah. All the exhibits

34:53

um exhibit

34:58

A2 exhibits

35:01

B19 are all admitted into evidence. Is

35:04

that correct, Mr. Chairman? Yes, it is.

35:09

Nothing else. We'll take a recess now

35:12

recess. Thank you.

35:43

Stay away.

35:49

Yeah. Yes.

36:57

It was just so big. I just click on it.

37:01

There's not usually so many. Right.

37:03

Right.

37:12

27. Okay. Yeah. That's I mean

37:15

that's still had enough to get through

37:19

before the July 1. Was it July? I

37:23

thought it was

37:30

that was different.

37:34

Oh, did they?

37:55

Okay, we'll go back on the record. Um,

37:58

Mr. Knight, we just had a quick

38:00

question. The uh the resolution of the

38:02

planning commission um indicated uh two

38:06

conditions, but it's my understanding

38:08

that those conditions have already been

38:09

met. Is that right? Uh, that's correct.

38:12

Okay. Okay.

38:15

So, can everybody hear me? Okay. Yeah.

38:17

So, based off of the testimony, all the

38:20

information provided by planning bureau

38:22

and by the applicants, um, I want I'm

38:25

going I'm going to approve this request.

38:28

So, thank you, gentlemen. Um, and thank

38:31

you for speaking up. Okay. I always said

38:34

that has a lot to do a lot of times with

38:36

decision criteria. We see neighbors in

38:38

support of projects. Okay.

38:42

Okay. And and like always, the approval

38:45

is uh in accordance with the application

38:48

and everything that was presented and

38:50

represented here today. And Mr. Hume,

38:52

would you be okay if the written

38:54

decision would be sent to you via email?

38:57

Yes. In 45 days. Okay. Okay.

39:02

Okay. So that is um

39:07

uh application

39:12

next. Yep. So um case number 2600 is

39:16

next. Uh Mr. Hume, you have this one

39:18

also. Yes.

39:26

Well, uh, since these are all separate

39:29

cases, it seems redundant, but we're

39:32

going to have to go through and swear.

39:34

Um, well,

39:37

um, let's just go through um Greg Dunle,

39:42

Justin Browning, and Justin Hershey. Um,

39:46

you were just sworn in in the previous

39:49

uh hearing that we had. Uh would you

39:52

agree that uh you continue to be sworn

39:55

in and that the testimony you're about

39:56

to give before this board in this

39:59

particular application for 20

40:02

application number 2600 for 234 North

40:05

Second Street is going to be the truth

40:07

and nothing but the truth? Yes, it is.

40:09

Okay. We'll let the record indicate that

40:11

all uh answered in the affirmative and

40:14

then um uh Mr. tonight. Uh you uh would

40:19

agree that you continue to be sworn in.

40:21

Is that correct? That's correct. Okay.

40:23

So, um with this one, I'm going to mark

40:28

um exhibits that the the board has

40:31

already

40:33

um obtained. Uh and then just for the

40:36

record, uh we also have from the law

40:39

bureau um attorney uh Tarsa Cameron here

40:43

representing the law bureau. So for this

40:46

uh matter um I've uh marked as uh board

40:50

exhibits uh exhibit B1 board exhibit

40:53

number one is the proof of

40:55

publication the time and place in

40:57

particular nature of this uh matter was

41:00

advertised in the Patriot news which is

41:02

a newspaper general circulation for the

41:04

city of Harrisburg and this publication

41:07

occurred uh on uh April 6th and April

41:12

13th of 2025. Board exhibit number two

41:15

is the letter dated April 17, 2025 from

41:19

the planning director, Jeffrey Knight,

41:21

to the applicant notifying the applicant

41:23

of the time and place of this hearing.

41:26

Board exhibit number three is the

41:27

hearing notice posted upon the property

41:29

in question and that posting occurred on

41:32

March 26, 2025. Board exhibit number

41:35

four is the applicant's notification

41:37

letters to required neighbors. Board

41:40

exhibit number five is the application

41:43

packet uh design proposal, floor plans,

41:48

budget proposal

41:50

uh and dwelling unit 500 ft buffer map.

41:54

That's all exhibit number five, B5, B6

41:58

is a deed establishing the application

42:00

standing in order to pursue zoning

42:03

relief in this matter. Board exhibit

42:05

number seven is the planning bureau case

42:08

report. Board exhibit number eight is a

42:09

city Harrisburg planning commission

42:11

resolution. And board exhibit number

42:14

nine is a letter of support that was

42:16

submitted um as a part of this uh record

42:19

from Justin Douglas, Dolphin County

42:23

Commissioner/chairman. So we have board

42:25

exhibits number one through nine and

42:31

then Yep.

42:34

Yep. So

42:36

um Mr. Knight again um it would be up to

42:40

you if you would like to give a little

42:42

synopsis or Sure. Okay. Thanks. Um so

42:46

the issues um inherent in this

42:48

particular request are very similar uh

42:50

to that of the previous request. Uh

42:52

there are uh probably two distinctions.

42:55

Um the first being uh the length of

42:59

abandonment. Um it was a a somewhat

43:02

similar time frame, but it's a little

43:04

bit more unclear. Uh it appears that the

43:07

last time there was a formal um live

43:10

music happening that we collected

43:11

amusement tax for was about 2014. Uh but

43:14

in discussions with our tax enforcement

43:16

officer, he indicated that uh in

43:19

subsequent years um they were performing

43:21

um some live music, but they were giving

43:23

the proceeds to the Central Pen uh food

43:25

bank. Um, so we weren't really

43:26

collecting tax, but he was in

43:28

conversation with both the the owner of

43:30

the property and the Central Pen Food

43:32

Bank to confirm that they were receiving

43:33

payments. Um, but then sometime around

43:36

2018, uh, uh, those ceased and he

43:39

formally closed the amusement tax um,

43:41

log for the property uh, in January of

43:44

2019. So there had been about, you know,

43:46

five years, six years of um, abandonment

43:49

of this particular use. Uh, and then the

43:51

other um, being that the use has not

43:54

been established yet. So this uh is a

43:56

totally new uh issue here being brought

43:58

before the board um in uh in contrast to

44:01

the former one. Uh in this case um you

44:04

know the property is um much larger uh

44:07

than the other property and

44:10

um it is uh was originally a bank. Uh so

44:14

it was designed you know with uh similar

44:17

um sturdiness to construction the

44:19

materials of construction designed to be

44:20

impenetrable. So, uh, that's from the

44:22

outside in presumably, you know, going

44:24

inside out. Uh, the sound, um, will also

44:27

not be an issue. Um, again, in contrast

44:30

to the other building, in this one, they

44:32

will be installing new soundproofing.

44:34

So, that it wasn't already on site. Uh,

44:36

this will be installed as part of this

44:38

proposal. Uh, and, uh, during the

44:40

planning commission testimony, the

44:42

applicants noted uh, they had visited

44:45

the adjacent property at 226 North

44:47

Second Street, uh, with the property

44:49

owner. um played uh the music um at the

44:53

I guess decibb that are they anticipate

44:55

during shows uh and there were no

44:57

impacts and um from what I recall was

45:00

largely non- auditory um at in that

45:03

adjacent property. So um you know we

45:05

likewise anticipate that there will be

45:07

even less of an impact once the

45:09

soundproofing goes in for this

45:10

particular property. Uh and again with

45:13

respect to uh the relief from the

45:15

specific criteria um the same uh

45:19

considerations would apply to the

45:20

previous case. Um the uh use uh the

45:23

location of use is such that uh there's

45:26

no way for uh this particular um live

45:29

music uh proposal to be established um

45:33

without being within 500 ft and even in

45:35

any zoning district in which it was

45:37

otherwise permitted uh wouldn't be

45:39

feasible uh by right. um in downtown

45:42

Harrisburg here. So, uh for these

45:45

reasons, uh the planning bureau and the

45:48

planning commission are recommending

45:50

approval. Uh the only difference

45:54

um uh the there are two differences in

45:57

the planning commission's uh resolution

46:00

uh of approval. Uh the first being that

46:03

the applicant must remove the permanent

46:04

fence and closing the seating area in

46:06

front of the building. Uh and the

46:07

applicants have removed that. Um that

46:09

was an issue we had had with the

46:11

previous business on site. It created um

46:13

constraints for uh pedestrians

46:16

especially during busier periods at

46:17

night or uh in the winter when snow gets

46:19

plowed up on the sidewalk. It really

46:21

constricts that uh walking area and it

46:23

wasn't ADA compliant. So the removal of

46:25

the fence there uh definitely um

46:27

improves that situation. And then the

46:29

planning commission did want to make a

46:31

note that the uh that any hardships

46:33

imposed by the historic district

46:34

designation uh would not be considered a

46:36

justification for the approval. Uh the

46:38

planning bureau did not make bring those

46:40

into consideration our recommendation.

46:42

Um but they just wanted that to be said

46:44

and I think the applicants clarified

46:45

that at the planning commission meeting

46:47

that um you know they weren't saying

46:49

that the historic district would prevent

46:51

them from going back to a conforming use

46:53

or anything but the planning

46:56

commissioners wanted that explicitly

46:57

noted in the um resolution. Uh and the

47:01

uh reasons for appro for the planning

47:03

commission's recommendation of approval

47:05

are the same. Although the nightclub or

47:06

dance hall use requested by the

47:08

applicant has been operating has not

47:09

been operating on site for at least

47:11

several years as determined through

47:12

review of all resources available to the

47:14

planning bureau. Such use did previously

47:16

operate on site under multiple different

47:17

businesses establishing a history of

47:19

such use that supports its

47:20

reestablishment. As the applicant notes,

47:22

the building in which the proposed use

47:23

will be reestablished is of sturdy

47:25

concrete and brickmasonry construction

47:27

which provides natural soundproofing and

47:29

features an open floor plan that

47:31

supports a music venue. And finally,

47:33

with respect to the relief from the

47:34

specific criteria regarding proximity to

47:36

the nearby residential units, planning

47:38

bureau notes that the existing

47:39

regulation would effectively preclude

47:40

the establishment of nightclub or dance

47:42

hall uses anywhere in the city,

47:44

including in the downtown center zoning

47:46

district in which the use is permitted

47:47

by right.

47:49

Mr. Thank you, Mr. Knight. Uh, I have a

47:52

quick question now. So the planning

47:56

commission's conditions

48:00

um they have both been met. Is that

48:03

true? Uh well for all three of them or

48:06

no? Yeah. Uh in this case again the the

48:08

soundproofing hasn't been installed yet

48:10

but I believe that's a part of uh the um

48:14

building permit documentation that they

48:15

have submitted to begin the work here

48:17

which is being you know held until

48:19

tonight's meeting and a decision is

48:21

made. Uh but um due to the testimony and

48:24

that documentation, we consider the

48:26

conditions having been met. Yes. Okay.

48:28

We'll we'll address that. And then the

48:30

other thing is this per this permanent

48:33

fence that was removed.

48:36

um if for some reason

48:39

um this applicant should put a fence

48:42

back up, would they need a permit to put

48:44

it back up or is there need to be a

48:47

condition saying it can't go up anymore

48:50

like ever again? Yeah, we do have I mean

48:52

we do have annual um sidewalk use

48:54

permits uh that are um applicable for uh

48:58

restaurant uses downtown that want to

49:00

put seating out. Um the last business

49:02

that was on site uh did put this um the

49:05

fence that was permanently anchored into

49:07

the ground. It wasn't like having the

49:09

little airport stansions that some of

49:11

the restaurants put out there and it was

49:13

frankly an issue that we were butting

49:15

heads with them for for a while on and

49:17

it just uh kind of didn't end up getting

49:19

resolved. So the applicant's frankly

49:22

proactive resolution of that particular

49:23

issue is you know really really

49:25

appreciated because um uh it was an

49:29

issue and going forward uh or looking

49:32

back uh subsequent to the installation

49:34

of this fence we haven't allowed any

49:36

permanent installations in the sidewalks

49:38

um here and in fact there were a couple

49:40

other um uses Kiltas being one when that

49:43

got reused we had them take the f uh the

49:45

fence out there the red door ZAS that

49:47

happened to had them take the fence out

49:49

so we've been having will remove these

49:50

permanently anchored fences into the

49:52

sidewalk. So, it's not something that

49:53

we'd probably approve in the

49:56

future.

49:58

Okay, we'll get we'll get to your stuff

50:01

then. Um, do you have any questions? Uh,

50:04

Mr. uh, Fipps of uh, Mr. Knight,

50:08

Miss Cameron, do you have any questions?

50:10

Okay. Um, Mr. Hume, do you have any

50:13

questions of Mr. Knight? No questions.

50:16

Okay. Do you want to proceed? Yes. Thank

50:18

you. Uh I guess first just a matter of

50:20

housekeeping. I would ask that the

50:22

record from 2599 also be incorporated

50:26

into this case just for the sake of

50:28

clarity. Okay, we could do that. So

50:33

um you know for if for some reason

50:36

there's an appeal then both records

50:38

would go up. Is that what you're saying?

50:39

Yes. Okay, we'll we'll note that. Um

50:45

and then um I do have uh another exhibit

50:48

packet and I would ask that the I do not

50:51

have the narrative

50:53

um that was submitted. So we Well, let's

50:56

look let's look at that, Mr. Hume. So I

50:58

have we printed out this nar this

51:00

updated narrative. Um I just want to

51:03

make sure. Does it include these photos

51:06

also? So this whole packet, contractor's

51:10

affidavit, all that. Yes, that's also in

51:12

this packet.

51:15

All right. Oh, so just the written

51:17

narrative. Just the written narrative.

51:18

Okay. Okay. So, let me just do this so I

51:22

don't get mixed up

51:28

here. Okay. So, I'm going to mark the

51:31

updated narrative for 234 North Second

51:34

Street as exhibit A1.

51:44

And then you're handing me an exhibit

51:46

packet as we did in the last record.

51:49

We're going to mark this as exhibit A2.

51:52

And then you have subsequent tabs on

51:54

that. Yes.

51:56

Is that acceptable? That is acceptable.

52:05

Okay, you can proceed then. Thanks.

52:07

Thank you. Um so um just following just

52:11

uh building upon a little bit what Mr.

52:13

Knight had presented. Um so this

52:15

property at 234 North Second Street um

52:17

this property is over 100 years old. Um

52:20

the vast majority of its existence it

52:22

was used as a first federal savings and

52:25

loan. Um then it did have a nightclub

52:29

use and most recently was used as a

52:32

federal tab house. Um what my clients

52:35

are proposing is they want to turn this

52:38

into a live music venue um known as um

52:41

Capital City Music Hall. Um the intent

52:44

here is to um take advantage of the

52:50

masonry and poured concrete structure um

52:53

and utilize its natural soundproofing as

52:57

well as the reinforced floors and the

52:59

the large open floor plan. Um, you know,

53:03

as with the property in 236, this

53:05

property is um unique in that um it's

53:11

due to its construction and the way it's

53:13

been adapted over the years for um the

53:17

restaurant and nightclub use, it's it

53:19

would be very difficult to um use this

53:22

structure for anything else. That would

53:24

be very expensive. Um if you look at the

53:27

um applicants to tab uh four that's the

53:30

report from our contractor uh in there

53:34

uh he indicates that it's would be over

53:36

a million dollars potentially in order

53:38

to convert and up this property for a

53:41

use that's permitted by right in this in

53:43

this zoning district.

53:45

Um, you know, one of the, um, concerns

53:51

that has been raised on this one, um,

53:53

has been the, uh, the soundproofing. Uh,

53:56

what I'd like to do, I think it would

53:58

probably be a little bit more efficient

53:59

if I just, um, have, uh, Mr. Hershey

54:02

answer a couple quick questions for the

54:04

board to explain um, how the property is

54:07

now, what testing was done, and what is

54:08

intended for the future. Um, so, Mr. Mr.

54:12

Hershey, I don't know if you want to

54:14

slug up so you can go to the imaginary.

54:18

Your voice should care. It's very

54:20

wireless.

54:23

Oh yeah. Hey, my name is Justin Hershey.

54:26

Uh 17 East Coover Street Mechanicsburg.

54:29

Uh I am the principal and head engineer

54:31

at Hershey AV Solutions. Uh we design

54:34

and install low voltage systems as well

54:36

as acoustic treatment. Uh we have a

54:39

pretty strong foothold here in

54:40

Harrisburg everywhere from XL to

54:41

Riverfront to uh Bethl Temple. Um we

54:45

will be handling the acoustic treatment

54:46

and the audio reinforcement in the room

54:49

uh beyond what the room is already

54:50

capable of. We're looking at achieving a

54:52

75 to 80% reduction in sound

54:55

transmission of all frequencies from

54:57

high frequencies to bass frequencies

54:59

from inside of the building out on any

55:01

of its four sides. Um everything we're

55:05

doing is done under the guidelines of UL

55:08

listing for fire rating and for smoke

55:11

index uh according to all safety

55:13

measures and then beyond. So as much we

55:16

did recreate 105 dB awaited in the room

55:20

uh and met with Angelo next door from

55:22

ZME who went into the hallway with no

55:24

transmission. We are still going to

55:25

treat that wall uh just as we would as

55:28

if he could hear through it to make sure

55:30

we maintain good neighbor polics. to

55:33

improve the acoustics inside the room

55:34

for the bands. I've been a part of that

55:36

building since it was Dragonfly. We used

55:39

to do concerts in there as well. Uh the

55:41

volume that was achieved at that time 20

55:43

years ago is no longer acceptable in my

55:45

industry as it's just beyond the

55:48

threshold of pain. So we will be

55:50

generating less volume in the room than

55:52

had been in prior use without the

55:54

treatment that we have to solve.

55:58

There any questions you guys have on me?

56:01

Do you have any questions from that? I

56:05

have two. We're I'm looking at your

56:07

example

56:08

here. You're going to have uh dancing on

56:11

both. Uh this is twotory facility,

56:14

correct? Okay. And I I see the steps in

56:17

the elevator on that second story. Is

56:19

that going to be where the major dancing

56:22

and that'll be? That'll be a mezzanine.

56:24

It'll be reduced square footage, but

56:25

there will also be uh a separate sound

56:28

system facilitate volume up there. And

56:30

what we do that for is so that there

56:31

isn't one very loud volume source. There

56:33

are several volume sources of a reduced

56:36

decel that it reaches more people in

56:38

more areas.

56:41

Yes. Like several lights instead of one.

56:46

Okay. Engineering studies did work.

56:50

Okay. Okay.

56:53

Um outside of that I'm looking at the

56:57

examples. There's not a lot of gl I I

57:00

see that the only entry points are

57:03

uh I'm looking at your example off of

57:05

section three

57:07

the example at the top se number two

57:11

that's the major entry to the facility

57:14

correct

57:17

yes sir okay so there's no again so

57:21

issues I I had with the other building

57:23

there's no exposed glass or anything as

57:26

much carry some and we will be using

57:29

portable goos which are sound reduction

57:32

devices that are on wheels that will

57:34

help us eliminate from any glass while

57:36

also uh being easily movable if we need

57:39

anything beyond the already approved

57:40

egress plans for fire escape should we

57:43

need uh wider doors out front they are

57:45

on wheels and sides very easily and my

57:48

questions as it did with the other one

57:50

that glass would be safety type glass or

57:52

something not easily shatterable okay

57:56

and

57:57

security issues they it's right it's

57:59

right next to each other so I guess when

58:01

one place if there's an issue it'll be

58:04

we will also facilitating the cameras we

58:06

also have 60 to 90 days of high

58:08

resolution footage available so

58:13

okay did you have further qu um

58:15

questions of the witness Mr. Hume just

58:17

what um Mr. I encourage you just to

58:19

confirm I'm showing you it's on

58:20

applicants 2 tab five. Is this the uh

58:23

report you prepared for the work that

58:24

will be done to the space? Yes, it is.

58:26

Okay. And um based on your experience,

58:31

will this further reduce any acoustic

58:33

energy that would go into property? Yes.

58:36

By scientifically 70 80% uh hearing is

58:40

not linear, it's logarithmic. So it's

58:42

it's pretty substantial reduction. Yes.

58:45

And and to be completely honests

58:48

accomodate the sound inside as well

58:49

which will be pleasing to both sides of

58:53

and on the record and off topic if you

58:55

guys would like that feedback eliminated

58:57

my numbers

58:59

on driving

59:03

no problem at all

59:08

um very briefly Mr. Don, you heard my

59:11

presentation to the hearing officer. Is

59:14

everything I indicated

59:16

accurate? Um, also wanted to mention

59:19

that there is, as with the prior

59:21

application, there have been several

59:22

letters in support that I were provided.

59:24

They are on tab six. Um, and these are

59:27

from individuals both in the vicinity of

59:29

the property as well as um, you know,

59:33

community stakeholders. Um, and just to

59:35

confirm the conditions that were uh

59:38

requested by the or imposed by the

59:40

planning commission, um, as Mr. Knight

59:42

indicated, the fencing was removed um

59:45

from the sidewalk and um it was a joint

59:48

community meeting on April 16th for both

59:50

this property and 236.

59:54

Okay. And then one other question. Uh

59:57

this is the property where there was

59:59

correspondence with the Zambi's owner's

1:00:02

attorney regarding it's my understanding

1:00:05

that um uh your clients are agreeable

1:00:10

that uh that the sound level for

1:00:13

performances will not exceed 105 dB on

1:00:16

the sustained basis. Is that correct?

1:00:19

That is correct. Okay. And then with

1:00:21

regards to the fence, um the fence was

1:00:26

removed, but um Mr. Dunle, are you

1:00:30

agreeing that you will not install a uh

1:00:33

another permanent fence? You'll adjust

1:00:36

it or Mr. Brownie. Yeah. Uh the property

1:00:39

next door 236 will be using similar

1:00:42

structures. They're referred to as bike

1:00:43

rack. It's a metal structure that

1:00:45

interlocks. It will be taken down at

1:00:48

night. It's for safety purposes only.

1:00:50

Please perform your alarm so it doesn't

1:00:52

go out to the street and then we're

1:00:54

correcting people because it's not

1:00:55

smoking. So okay. Is that acceptable,

1:00:58

Mr.? Yes. Okay. I just want to make sure

1:01:01

they wouldn't be grandfathered in if

1:01:03

late if later on they decide to change

1:01:04

their mind. They would have to come back

1:01:06

for a special for an exception to that.

1:01:08

Correct. Uh well I Yeah, they would have

1:01:10

to come back to get a relief from a a

1:01:14

condition of your decision. Okay. Yes.

1:01:17

Okay. So So So if this is approved with

1:01:21

the conditions set forth in the

1:01:23

resolution of the planning commission

1:01:26

that would suffice the city I think so.

1:01:28

Yes.

1:01:29

Okay. Is there anybody from the uh uh

1:01:33

here tonight from the audience that

1:01:34

would like to

1:01:35

um speak with regards to this

1:01:41

application? If you want to come up to

1:01:43

the imaginary mic.

1:01:50

Since uh um this hearing has already

1:01:53

been associated with the other record, I

1:01:55

won't say the same things again, but I

1:01:57

didn't want to just uh just for the

1:01:59

record, could you tell us your name?

1:02:00

Sure. I'm Mark

1:02:02

Santana Liberty Street. I'm the

1:02:05

president of the capital area neighbors.

1:02:07

Our meeting, our neighborhood group had

1:02:10

a meeting on the 19th 16th. Um, we had

1:02:15

three notices out to our membership. We

1:02:18

asked for if anyone was in opposition.

1:02:20

We did not hear anyone in opposition.

1:02:23

People that couldn't make it to the tour

1:02:24

that that Mr. Brownie had given us had

1:02:28

given us questions to ask him to report

1:02:30

back to them. Everyone that had asked

1:02:33

those questions got got satisfactory

1:02:35

answers. Um, and we supports uh the

1:02:42

Okay. Thank you.

1:02:44

Is there anybody else?

1:02:52

Green. Okay.

1:02:58

Okay. And then your your comments from

1:03:01

the last hearing are incorporated into

1:03:04

this one. Is that acceptable?

1:03:07

Okay. Thank

1:03:09

you. U Mr. Hume, do you have uh any

1:03:12

other

1:03:14

Uh anything else you want to present?

1:03:16

Just um just a comment for um the

1:03:19

hearing officer that uh you referenced

1:03:22

the condition that would be imposed

1:03:23

about the 105 dB sustained. Um the uh

1:03:28

the property owner that had requested

1:03:29

that was the the owner of Zendes and he

1:03:32

indicated that with that condition he is

1:03:34

in support of our

1:03:37

Thank you.

1:03:39

If nobody else has anything, we'll uh

1:03:41

we'll have a a short recess and I'll be

1:03:44

back in a few minutes then. Okay.

1:05:17

We'll go back on the

1:05:19

record.

1:05:21

Um, Mr. for uh FIPS. Um is it uh is it

1:05:26

the case that you're willing to approve

1:05:28

this application contingent upon uh the

1:05:32

condition set forth in the resolution of

1:05:35

the planning commission as well as

1:05:39

um a uh condition that

1:05:43

um the sound level for performances

1:05:47

uh with respect to 234 North Second

1:05:50

Street will not exceed 5 dB on the

1:05:53

sustained basis. It is I

1:05:57

approved with the exceptions that were

1:05:59

stated by Okay. Um so your application's

1:06:03

been approved with those conditions. Um

1:06:06

Mr. Hume, again I'm going to ask is it

1:06:08

acceptable if the decision which is

1:06:11

rendered within 45 days if uh that is

1:06:14

sent via email to you? Yes, that was

1:06:17

acceptable. Okay. Thank you. Thank you

1:06:19

very

1:06:58

Okay, we're going to go back on the

1:06:59

record uh with respect to application

1:07:04

2601, which is a special exception

1:07:06

application uh for the property located

1:07:09

at 1605 to 1613 Market Street in the

1:07:12

city of Harrisburg.

1:07:14

um for the

1:07:16

um so what we'll do is again

1:07:21

um Jeffrey Knight uh is the director of

1:07:24

planning who's here this evening uh Mr.

1:07:27

tonight. Um, if you raise your right

1:07:30

hand, do you swear or affirm the

1:07:31

testimony you're about to give before

1:07:33

this board is the truth and nothing but

1:07:35

the truth? I do. I also want to note

1:07:37

that um, uh, Tissa Cameron is here, uh,

1:07:41

council for the city of

1:07:43

Harrisburg. Um, and then the applicant,

1:07:46

if you, uh, would like to introduce

1:07:48

yourselves and let us know who's going

1:07:50

to be testifying so we could swear them

1:07:52

in.

1:07:53

Yeah, my name is Sean Oul.

1:07:56

with on hill development which is a

1:07:57

consultant to uh the applicant handles

1:08:00

public hands foundation. Uh I don't know

1:08:02

if there's going to be any testimony

1:08:03

that I can swear myself in just in case.

1:08:06

Mr. Oul, are you an attorney? Yes. Okay.

1:08:08

And you're representing the applicant.

1:08:11

Uh

1:08:12

and not necessarily not necessarily in

1:08:15

my capacity as a lawyer. Okay. I'm with

1:08:18

a on hill development which is also a

1:08:20

consultant matter. Okay. Um, and then

1:08:24

who's with you? Also, Zengist with uh

1:08:27

Integrated Consulting, the design

1:08:29

engineer of record for this project.

1:08:32

Okay. So, why don't we just uh out of

1:08:34

precaution, we'll have you both sworn

1:08:36

in. Uh, if you raise your right hand, do

1:08:39

you swear or affirm that testimony

1:08:40

you're about to give regarding this

1:08:42

matter to this board this evening is the

1:08:44

truth and nothing but the truth? I do.

1:08:46

Okay. We'll let the record reflect that.

1:08:48

Both answered in the affirmative.

1:08:51

Um I'm going to mark uh exhibits that we

1:08:54

have received in this matter um of

1:08:57

record. Um I've marked as board exhibit.

1:09:00

Board exhibit number one is a proof of

1:09:02

publication. The time and place and

1:09:04

particular nature of this matter was

1:09:06

advertised in the uh Patriot News. The

1:09:09

Patriot News is a uh newspaper of

1:09:12

general circulation for the city of

1:09:14

Harrisburg. Publication occurred on

1:09:16

April 6th and April 13th, 2025. Board

1:09:21

exhibit number two is the letter dated

1:09:22

April 17, 2025 from the planning

1:09:26

director, Jeffrey Knight, to the

1:09:27

applicant notifying the applicant of the

1:09:29

time and place of the hearing. Board

1:09:31

exhibit number three is the hearing

1:09:33

notice which was posted upon the

1:09:35

property on March 26, 2025. Board

1:09:38

exhibit number four is the applications

1:09:41

applicants notification letters to the

1:09:43

required neighbors. Board exhibit number

1:09:45

five is an application packet um

1:09:49

including 19 photographs of the exterior

1:09:52

of the property

1:09:54

um preliminary subdivision and land

1:09:58

development plan renderings of the

1:10:00

proposed structure and full and floor

1:10:02

plans. Board exhibit number six is a

1:10:05

resolution of the city of Harrisburg

1:10:06

redevelopment authority designating the

1:10:09

applicant as a potential developer of

1:10:12

the property and thus establishing the

1:10:14

applicant standard to pursue the v uh

1:10:17

zoning relief this evening. Board

1:10:20

exhibit number seven is the planning

1:10:21

bureau case report and board exhibit

1:10:25

number eight is the city of Harrisburg

1:10:27

planning commission resolution. So, I

1:10:29

have board exhibits one through

1:10:32

eight. And as we normally do, uh Mr.

1:10:36

Knight, um if you would like to give a

1:10:39

synopsis uh with regards to this

1:10:42

application. Sure. Thanks. Uh so, um

1:10:46

this particular application uh is uh two

1:10:50

special exceptions related to the

1:10:52

development of a 9-unit uh affordable

1:10:55

housing project uh on the subject

1:10:57

properties. Uh the first is for the uh

1:11:02

proposed multif family dwelling use uh

1:11:04

and the second is for uh relief from the

1:11:07

off- streetet parking requirements as no

1:11:09

parking will be provided on site. Uh the

1:11:11

project site itself um are a collection

1:11:15

of parcels that uh have been owned by

1:11:19

the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority

1:11:21

for I think probably 20 plus years. Um,

1:11:25

it's I I think in going back through the

1:11:29

application, I believe the properties

1:11:31

were demolished around 2013 or 2014 uh

1:11:34

that were on there. They were demolished

1:11:36

by the city uh and hence uh were granted

1:11:40

to the redevelopment authority to look

1:11:42

for redevelopment um opportunities of

1:11:45

just such this type.

1:11:47

Um there isn't really much activity

1:11:50

going on on the site. There it looks

1:11:51

like there was at one point a community

1:11:53

garden, but over the last few years, uh

1:11:55

the uh activity on there definitely

1:11:58

seems to have lessened, if not outright

1:12:00

ceased altogether. Um the project as

1:12:04

designed um outside of the two special

1:12:06

exceptions being requested. is otherwise

1:12:08

in conformance with the uh applicable uh

1:12:12

development standards uh with respect to

1:12:15

setbacks, impervious surface coverage,

1:12:18

uh landscaping um and then density. Uh

1:12:21

because the project will be filed

1:12:23

through um the city's um affordable

1:12:26

housing uh program, uh the project is

1:12:29

eligible for the density bonuses granted

1:12:31

uh by that section of the zoning code.

1:12:34

uh and thus the uh proposed nine units

1:12:37

uh are in conformance with that section

1:12:39

of the zoning code. Um with respect to

1:12:41

the off- streetet parking while the uh

1:12:43

planning bureau would be supportive uh

1:12:46

of the uh relief full relief from the

1:12:48

five off street parking requirement uh

1:12:50

required uh for such a development. Um

1:12:53

it should be noted that the applicants

1:12:55

uh have provided a draft uh letter with

1:12:59

the owners of 1501 Market Street uh

1:13:03

which is a church which has an on-site

1:13:05

um parking lot uh to uh lease spaces

1:13:08

there if necessary uh in their lot. Um

1:13:11

so again while we are recommending uh

1:13:14

support for the uh full um relief uh the

1:13:18

applicants do have uh an alternative to

1:13:21

secure parking if necessary. Uh with all

1:13:24

that being said the uh planning

1:13:27

commission has recommended uh that the

1:13:31

zoning hearing board approve the request

1:13:33

with the following conditions. The

1:13:35

applicant will receive approval of the

1:13:36

lot consolidation and land development

1:13:38

plan submitted concurrently with the

1:13:40

zoning relief application and any

1:13:42

departmental recommendations and or

1:13:43

conditions of approval applied to that

1:13:46

review. Uh the planning commission uh

1:13:49

recommends by a unanimous vote that the

1:13:52

zoning hearing board approve the request

1:13:53

for the following reasons. The project

1:13:55

conforms to the goals, objectives, and

1:13:57

action items in the comprehensive plan

1:13:58

by constructing a compatible infill

1:14:00

development featuring affordable units

1:14:02

in a vacant site along a priority

1:14:04

corridor in the city. Uh the project

1:14:06

site is located in a mixeduse corridor

1:14:07

with nearby residential, commercial, and

1:14:09

institutional uses and thus the proposed

1:14:11

use shall not have an impact adverse

1:14:14

impact on the neighborhood. Uh the

1:14:16

project is designed to reflect the use,

1:14:17

massing, and configuration of most

1:14:19

properties along the block specifically

1:14:20

and in the surrounding neighborhood

1:14:22

generally. Approval of the proposal will

1:14:24

enhance the character of the

1:14:26

neighborhood and improve the streetscape

1:14:27

of the corridor by developing

1:14:28

long-standing vacant lots with a new

1:14:30

infield development and associated site

1:14:32

improvements, providing affordable

1:14:34

housing and demand throughout the city.

1:14:35

Finally, the proposed development will

1:14:37

add new residents to the neighborhood to

1:14:39

activate the street on nights and

1:14:40

weekends and to grow customer base to

1:14:42

support local

1:14:45

businesses. Okay.

1:14:48

Um, Mr. Fipps, do you have any questions

1:14:50

of Mr. Knight?

1:14:53

No, I don't.

1:14:57

Uh, so Mr. Knight, I just want to make

1:15:00

sure on the the

1:15:02

conditions.

1:15:04

Um, there's a one for the law

1:15:06

consolidation. I understand. Um, the

1:15:09

second one is I guess we'll hear

1:15:12

testimony on that, but I did you did

1:15:15

forward to me this draft letter. Um, I'm

1:15:19

going to mark that as board exhibit

1:15:20

number nine. So, we'll have that as part

1:15:22

of the record. Um, is is there also a

1:15:27

condition that uh

1:15:31

this property

1:15:33

um confirm with the uh affordable

1:15:38

housing standards uh that I know there's

1:15:42

a separate um ordinance with regards to

1:15:46

that that reduces uh some of the

1:15:48

requirements. Uh correct. And that was

1:15:51

actually included as a condition of

1:15:52

approval on the law consolidation land

1:15:54

development plan application. So that's

1:15:56

why we tie these two together so that

1:15:59

one applies to the other. They're not

1:16:01

looked at independently. They're a That

1:16:03

makes sense. Okay. I didn't understand

1:16:05

that. Okay.

1:16:07

Um Mr. Oul, do you want to proceed with

1:16:10

your matter? Yeah, we really have

1:16:13

nothing more to add.

1:16:17

Okay.

1:16:20

Do you have any questions, Mr.? Yeah.

1:16:22

So, I have a couple questions. I didn't

1:16:23

want to give them to Mr. Knife, so I'll

1:16:25

give them to you. Would you again

1:16:28

um these these units will be affordable

1:16:34

housing? Do this to you. What do you

1:16:36

consider the price range on what these

1:16:39

units going to

1:16:41

be for the people? You say it's

1:16:42

affordable. So what are you using as

1:16:44

your your

1:16:48

So to be filed through the affordable

1:16:51

housing um that is subject to 80% of the

1:16:54

AMI for the city. So that's that's

1:16:56

included within the uh affordable

1:16:58

housing program legislation. So it's not

1:17:01

something that's like flexible or open

1:17:03

to interpretation for different uh

1:17:04

developments. So if they are submitting

1:17:06

through that uh they'll have to follow

1:17:08

that um affordability index. Yeah. The

1:17:12

reason why I said because we've had

1:17:14

other units that come up in the city and

1:17:16

they'll tell me fair market value but

1:17:18

I'm saying but it's supposed to be

1:17:19

targeted but as an affordable affordable

1:17:21

housing. So what do you consider fair

1:17:23

market value versus affordable housing?

1:17:25

Yeah. Okay. But yeah but I I think what

1:17:29

Mr. Knight saying is uh because because

1:17:32

they're like those applicants were just

1:17:35

saying hey it's going to be affordable.

1:17:37

Yes. these guy these this applicant is

1:17:41

actually filing under part of the

1:17:44

ordinance that um requires them to

1:17:49

be it gives them a standard as to so

1:17:52

they that'll set the rent for them and

1:17:54

that's been considered to be affordable

1:17:57

funding model basically takes that in

1:17:59

consideration it does yeah that's the

1:18:01

whole purpose of that right they have to

1:18:03

or they won't that's how they get the

1:18:05

density and the offspring parking if

1:18:06

they don't have that it's like they

1:18:08

certify, you know, then they certify

1:18:10

that it is within that and if they don't

1:18:12

then they those are they don't they'd be

1:18:15

they'd fall out then they're outside and

1:18:17

they're here then they're here again. So

1:18:20

yeah,

1:18:22

it says the current owner is at those

1:18:24

lots of the redevelopment authority of

1:18:26

Harrisburg. So who own this afterwards?

1:18:30

uh as as we proceed towards the

1:18:33

beginning of construction at some point

1:18:35

in time the Harrisburg redevelopment

1:18:36

authority will we have an agreement with

1:18:39

the each of the parals to handles

1:18:42

helping hands foundation

1:18:44

so helping hands foundation they'll be

1:18:46

the eventual owners oh absolutely

1:18:51

okay don't have anything actually looked

1:18:54

this over else to say this is pretty

1:18:57

straightforward

1:19:00

Thank you.

1:19:02

Okay. Um

1:19:09

Okay.

1:19:10

So,

1:19:12

you're okay. So, um

1:19:15

um we'll close the the testimony at this

1:19:20

point in time. Um it's my understanding

1:19:22

we just uh Mr. Fipps had indicated

1:19:26

exception. Yeah. Okay. So the the

1:19:29

parking requirement you're I have a

1:19:31

letter here from Rock Church that you're

1:19:34

going to lease

1:19:37

uh parking spots and that basically

1:19:40

eliminates that satisfies requirement

1:19:42

for special position for parking.

1:19:44

Correct. Well, I think what the city is

1:19:46

saying that um that they're okay with it

1:19:49

without that, but um that they're asking

1:19:52

them to, you know, move forward to try

1:19:55

to to to to obtain those if they can.

1:19:59

Okay. Is that correct, Mr. Knight? Yeah.

1:20:01

My next question would have been is if

1:20:03

that was still a requirement um cost of

1:20:08

running those plate those slots from the

1:20:10

block church would that be passed on to

1:20:13

the residents or would that just be part

1:20:15

of overhead for m for maintenance the

1:20:18

building I would anticipate be part of

1:20:19

overhead I don't expect it to be

1:20:21

excessive okay good

1:20:24

okay so you just indicated to me Mr.

1:20:27

Fipps just um that um that is is it your

1:20:32

decision that um you would approve this

1:20:36

application

1:20:37

uh conditioned upon um th those

1:20:42

conditions is set forth in the

1:20:43

resolution of the planning commission uh

1:20:47

the ex uh conditions one and two.

1:20:50

Yes, I do. Okay. Approve.

1:20:54

Okay.

1:20:56

Sounds good. Okay. Um, so a written

1:21:00

decision will be issued within 45 days

1:21:02

of today's uh date. And I just want to

1:21:05

make sure because do we who who would be

1:21:10

Mr. Oul is this

1:21:16

helping hand the applicant? Right. Okay.

1:21:19

So if we send that written decision to

1:21:22

handles helping hand foundation at the

1:21:26

soul at o2 law office.com would that be

1:21:30

acceptable? Yes. Okay. Thank you. Thank

1:21:33

you. So if you're ready you could

1:21:36

adjourn this meeting other business in

1:21:38

front of

1:21:39

us

1:21:41

meeting board for April the 21st.

1:21:46

Thank you everyone for attending. Thank

1:21:47

you. Thank you, Miss Cameron.

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