Borough Council - Public Hearing

Borough Council Public Hearing Minutes

 October 21, 2009

President Edwin Peterson called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM with the following Councilors present: Ms. Holliday Giles, Mr. Theodore Streeter, Mr. Michael Birkner, Mr. John Butterfield, Mrs. Susan Naugle, Mr. Robert Krummerich, Ms. Alice Estrada, Mrs. Claire Lewis and Mayor William Troxell. Staff present included Manager John Lawver, Borough Secretary Sara Stull, and Solicitor Harold Eastman.

Representing the press were Scot Pitzer of the Gettysburg Times and Darryl Wheeler, Gettysburg Times Photographer.

Citizens in attendance: Tom Crist, Flex & Flanigan, 240 Steinwehr Avenue; Kenneth Rohrbaugh, Gettysburg Tours, 778 Baltimore Street; Paul Witt, Quality Inn, 380 Steinwehr Avenue; John Berg, property owner 39 Queen Street; Craig Redding and Todd Mickley, Boxes Loaded, 27 Steinwehr Avenue; Katie Brough, Friendly's Restaurant, 445 Steinwehr Avenue; John Muller, Great T-Shirt Co., 65 Steinwehr Avenue; Jacqueline White, Dobbin House, 89 Steinwehr Avenue; Tessa Bardo, 1,3,5 & 33 Steinwehr Avenue; Tammy Myers, American Civil War Museum, 297 Steinwehr Avenue; Jamie Miller, O'Rorkes Eatery & Spirits, 44 Steinwehr Avenue; Attorney John Phillips, SABA Solicitor; Troy Truax, Delta Development Group; Robin Fitzpatrick, ACEDC/ACIDA; Merry Bush, Borough Planner; Graham Weaver, 721 Sunset Avenue; and Tom Kellam, 910 Fairview Avenue.

President Peterson announced the purpose of the public hearing is to receive public comment from affected property owners within the area of the proposed Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) for the Steinwehr Avenue Business District.

Solicitor Eastman gave a brief overview of the Neighborhood Improvement District Preliminary Plan. He pointed out all business owners within the district received a letter and a copy of the plan to review. Solicitor Eastman noted unless 40 percent or more property owners in that area object to the preliminary plan, the business district could be in place as early as December.

Public Comment:

Tom Crist asked once the plan is adopted and the money becomes available would it affect all or just a portion of Steinwehr Avenue. Troy Truax responded once the Business Improvement District is put in place it would affect all properties within the district. He explained the proposed management plan would have a board comprised of business property owners that would make decisions and not the borough.

Tom Crist asked for an explanation of the $2.5 million grant. Troy Truax explained the $2.5 million Penn DOT grant, which is unrelated to the Business Improvement District, would be used to spruce up the northern side of Steinwehr Avenue, from the intersection of Baltimore Street to the Taneytown Road/Washington Street intersection. This would set a model to continue improvements with future funding and noted this is a long-term investment for the businesses. Mr. Crist asked who made the decision to start at the northern end of Steinwehr Avenue, when the southern end is hurting with the relocation of the Visitor Center. Mr. Truax responded this was decided during the planning process. He pointed out that was the farthest up Steinwehr Avenue the $2.5 million would go but that once more money is obtained, work will be completed on the southern side too.

Alice Estrada agreed that the merchants on the southern end of Steinwehr Avenue are suffering the most. Troy Truax explained they looked at the redevelopment plans and spoke with various business owners. They also looked at where the pedestrian traffic was most visible and since the Visitor Center closed there is less traffic on the southern end of Steinwehr.

Solicitor John Phillips for the Steinwehr Avenue Business Association explained once the Neighborhood Improvement District Plan is approved a 9-member board would be established. He pointed out this meeting is to approve the enactment of NID and noted it will benefit the entire neighborhood.

Tammy Myers said at first she felt like Mr. Crist that it should begin on the southern end of Steinwehr Avenue but after reviewing the plans it makes sense to start at the northern end. She pointed out the investments would go towards marketing and therefore would benefit everyone on Steinwehr Avenue.

Troy Truax said in addition to the $2.5 million grant there are other funding requests in place with Representative Todd Platts.

John Berg expressed his concern that his business is on the back street and not along Steinwehr Avenue and therefore would not benefit, but noted he feels it's a good project for Steinwehr Avenue. Tammy Myers noted most properties along Steinwehr Avenue go back to the next street - Johns Street. Troy Truax pointed out the project includes all properties within the district and didn't want to exclude anyone. He pointed out streets and upgrades would include everyone within the district. John Berg and Tom Crist asked if they could be removed from the plan.

John Butterfield noted everyone is going to benefit from this project whether it's the front or backside of Steinwehr Avenue.

Susan Naugle said to be careful about removing properties from the plan because it's a neighborhood improvement plan. She pointed out you're never going to have 100 percent of the properties in agreement.

Solicitor Eastman explained that if these people making comments want changes made to the NID plan before council approves, then another public meeting would have to be held to take further comment on the project.

Paul Witt pointed out the $2.5 million upgrade has nothing to do with approving the NID that it is two different subjects.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Ms. Naugle to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull

Borough Secretary