Lancaster City Council Prioritizes Downtown Revitalization, Infrastructure Upgrades, and Residential Development in July 22 Meeting

The Lancaster City Council’s July 22, 2025, meeting was packed with major actions, including adopting the city’s 2025 Community Needs Assessment, advancing multiple rezonings for new housing and commercial projects, approving key infrastructure improvements at the wastewater treatment plant, and certifying the historic LD Hotel as an abandoned building to unlock tax credit funding for redevelopment. Council also approved a public art wrap for a downtown traffic control box and entered executive session to discuss property and contract matters.

Meeting Highlights

1. Monthly Reports & Public Safety

• Council discussed improvements in lighting, suspicious door-to-door activity, and sidewalk conditions.
• Police Chief encouraged residents to report suspicious behavior.
• Street lighting repairs and increased property checks are ongoing.

2. Community Needs Assessment Adopted

• Council formally adopted the 2025 Prioritized Community Needs Assessment, establishing a framework for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications.
• Priorities include a public plaza on Gay Street, wastewater system upgrades, a downtown farmers market, sidewalk repairs, lighting, affordable housing, and workforce development initiatives.

3. Public Art Wrap Approved

• Council approved a redesigned art wrap for the traffic control box at Arch and Main Streets, reflecting the theme “Moving Forward Together.” The project cost is part of a broader $8,200 initiative for six wraps.

4. Wastewater Plant Change Order

• A $64,275 change order was approved for optimization and flood-proofing at the wastewater treatment plant.
  • Upgrades include a larger hydrant for jet truck access, burial of exposed PVC lines, and installation of future-use infrastructure for clarifier controls.

5. LD Hotel Certified as Abandoned Building

• Council approved Resolution R25-16 to certify the long-vacant LD Hotel on North White Street as an abandoned building under state law, enabling the project to qualify for historic tax credits.
• Developer Will Brennan, representing LD Redevelopment LLC, plans to restore the structure into apartments and retail space.

6. Zoning Amendments Approved

• Multiple rezonings were approved across the city:
  • 405 Chesterfield Avenue rezoned for multifamily development (Ord. 25-07).
  • Water Park Road vicinity parcel rezoned R6 for residential use (Ord. 25-08).
  • Tiny Home Community at Timmon St. and Umpire Ln. approved (Ord. 25-09).
  • 217 Nickle Rd. rezoned to R6 (Ord. 25-10).
  • 405 New Drive area (Ord. 25-11), 304 acres off Airport Rd. (Ord. 25-12), and 38 acres near Hill Ave. (Ord. 25-13) rezoned to support a planned 900-home cluster subdivision.
  • 48 acres near Edgeport Dr. rezoned for future commercial use (Ord. 25-14).

7. Future 900-Home Subdivision Previewed

• Developers shared plans for a major residential and commercial development on Lancaster’s south side.
• The project includes varying lot sizes, two amenity centers, small parks, and potential land donation for public use.
• Traffic improvements include signal changes, turn lanes, and widened sections along Airport Road.
• School district representatives confirmed area schools are not at capacity.

8. Executive Session

• Council entered executive session to discuss a property purchase, property sale, and a contractual matter.
• No actions were taken upon return.

9. Adjournment

• The meeting adjourned following a unanimous vote.