First Presbyterian to get new parking lot

LANCASTER – Lancaster's First Presbyterian Church got a partial victory from the city Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday night.

The church had taken a demolition request to the Historic Lancaster Commission, which unanimously shot it down in February.

The proposal included adding parking spaces for First Presbyterian by having buildings at 307-317 N. Broad St. demolished and a parking lot installed.

The second proposal involves a church-owned house next to the church, called Wright Place, at 122 E. Mulberry St. It would be demolished to create an outdoor space for church activities, including weddings, if approved.

In voting Tuesday night, the Board of Zoning Appeals decided to allow the church to demolish the 307-317 N. Broad St. buildings for a parking lot and gave them permission to demolish a garage at Wright Place but would not agree to tearing down Wright Place itself.

"We were prepared for whatever God had in store for us," said the Rev. Mathew Richardson, pastor of First Presbyterian Church. "Of course, we are happy that we will be able to make improvements, and we are going to be very cognizant of the community with landscaping for that intersection."

He also said they would look at making improvements at Wright Place.

Both proposals were originally submitted to the Historic Lancaster Commission in October, and board members voted them down four months later.

Last month, the Board of Zoning Appeals, which consists of Tim Oatney, Jim Edwards, Jim Bahnsen, Joseph Edwards and Lindy Jackson, heard the arguments for and against the demolition but voted to table the proposal until the members could view the properties themselves.

Zoning board members said they also had received letters from the public split evenly on the topic of whether to demolish or save the buildings.

It seemed unanimous that the apartments in the 300 block were not able to be saved, though a couple of members did say they thought the building with the flower shop could be used for a future business, but in the end, it was unanimous to demolish those buildings.

Historic Lancaster Commission President David Uhl said after the meeting that the panel will always err on the side of preservation.

"We appreciate the respect and thoughtfulness the Board of Zoning Appeals members made in making their decision," Uhl said.

cburnett@lancastereaglegazette.com

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Twitter: @CarlBurnettJr