Resident pushes back against Palmyra’s decision to amend zoning ordinance

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

A resident during Palmyra Borough Council’s June 9 meeting voiced his disagreement with council’s decision to amend the zoning ordinance that could allow for the construction of a controversial luxury apartment complex.

The initial apartment complex proposal, which was presented during a zoning hearing board meeting, showed 160 units between two four-story buildings on North Harrison and North Grant streets. There would be a combination of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and studio apartments, along with 224 parking spaces.

Zach Engle, of 314 E. High St., would have an apartment building alongside his house and a parking lot directly behind if the project moves forward. He was a vocal critic of the project at the zoning hearing board meeting, and he spoke again during Tuesday’s public comment periods.

“You heard from one developer, catered to their design, and ignored the community voice,” Engle said. “It’s not like there are numerous poorly maintained structures in the area of two square miles that need to be converted into something like this. The special interest was placed ahead of community voice, and I’m greatly saddened by the level of planning that must have gone into drafting and sneaking through Ordinance 841.”

Jack DeCicco with Ventura Real Estate has previously said the plan is to replace the run-down buildings on the existing lots.

Council’s decision to amend the ordinance came after the zoning hearing board held a five-hour meeting and, at the next month’s scheduled meeting, denied a major variance request that would have allowed the complex’s development to move forward.

Borough residents raised multiple issues at the first meeting, mostly revolving around the limited parking and increased traffic, the height of the building, and stormwater management concerns.

After the first public comment period and during his report, Mayor Tom Miller said the borough is a good place to live, and they’re working on keeping Palmyrans smiling.

“We live in a great country, a great state, Lebanon County is actually fantastic,” he said. “Palmyra Borough is working very hard to keep this town running extremely well — very conservative in a lot of things that we’re doing.”

Engle then got up for the second public comment period to say he has not been happy with the borough lately.

“There isn’t much smiling on my side of things,” he said. “There’s a lot of frowning.”

Miller said they’re trying to be cost-effective while also improving and maintaining the town.

“The vast majority is very good, but it’s OK to have the pressures that you may have that other folks will have, but we’re looking at the entire community, and we’re trying to make this town better,” he said.

Assistant borough manager Brenda Pera previously told LebTown that the apartment complex developer plans to bring the project back. 

“I am aware that Mr. DeCicco has an interest in pursuing the project, and the new zoning change will allow him to submit a zoning application for review,” she said.

In other business, council:

• Honored Brian Craig as a hometown hero for his history of military and elected services.
• Approved a resolution to dispose of borough-owned personal property.

This meeting was covered remotely by LebTown using a livestream posted to the borough’s YouTube page.

Palmyra Borough Council will meet next at 325 S. Railroad St. on June 23 at 7 p.m. Meetings are also streamed on the Palmyra Borough, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania YouTube page.