Columbia Spy

Columbia Zoning Hearing Board to consider two applications at April 29 meeting

The Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Columbia will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 308 Locust Street to consider variance and special exception requests from two applicants.

In the first case, Yamil M. De Jesus is seeking a special exception to establish a place of worship at 40 N. 4th Street, a property zoned Downtown Commercial. The applicant is also requesting variances from two sections of the Borough Code — one governing the minimum lot area required for a place of worship and another covering the required number of parking spaces.

The second application involves 148 Church Ave., where property owner Jeffrey Sugden is requesting a series of variances to allow development of a single-family home on the High Density Residential-zoned property. Sugden’s requests target code requirements for minimum lot size, side yard setback, and minimum lot width, along with the required number of parking spaces.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting.

[Source: Columbia Borough legal notice issue published in LNP/LancasterOnline on April 13, 2026]

Deeds Recorded — Columbia Borough — April 13, 2026

FMJ Real Estate LLC conveyed 144 S. Sixth St. to Nathaniel W. Perry for $205,000.

Daniel M. Armold conveyed 522 S. 10th Street to 522 S. 10th LLC for $131,000.

Overstreet Christopher, Overstreet Sarah conveyed 238 S. Fourth St. to Gobran Guirguis for $130,000.

Valley View Capital LLC conveyed 162 S. Fifth St. to Hutchinson James, Hutchinson Elizabeth for $220,000.

Stoltzfus Steven Lee, Stoltzfus Lillian, Stoltzfus Lillian Rose conveyed 430 Avenue K to Union Grove Enterprise LLC for $245,000.

Wagner Marlena Therese, Markey Marlena, Markey Nathan conveyed 152 N. Seventh St. to Natnael Thehaye for $250,000.

About Town — April 12, 2026

This week’s photos of Columbia

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

Cops and dogs . . .

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Raven Ridge brought their birds to Columbia Crossing on Saturday . . .

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This surveyor, sporting an Amtrak jacket, was working on the 100 and 200 blocks of Walnut Street for a couple of days. Surveyors were also on the Veterans Memorial Bridge. A project to revamp the first two blocks of Walnut is slated to begin in about two months. A major rehabilitation project for the bridge is scheduled to begin in 2027.

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A train cab out for a ride

Air-drying the laundry

Man at work

When you can’t decide what lane you’re in, just go for the middle.

There’s a guy drilling into the bridge.

New store on the first block of North 4th

Tiny tulips

New display at Columbia Curiosities

*Two more doggos*

These two were running loose the other day until police caught them and returned them to their owners.

Yes, it’s crumbling.

Here’s the evidence.

Visitors on the 300 block of Chestnut

Several people assembled at a pre-bid meeting at the former McGinness property on Tuesday.

Part of the old canal system . . .

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Scene of a fatal motorcycle crash

Public works vehicle logo

Out for a trot

[Photo by Sharon Lintner]

Half-hidden bunny at Columbia Crossing

A lone explorer at the former McGinness property

Men at work at the Von Hess building

Flowers and more flowers . . .

Thanks to Lancaster historian Randy Harris, the Civil War bridge piers – along with a nearby lock of the old Pennsylvania canal – have been recognized as an authenticated site on the National Underground Network to Freedom run by the National Park Service. Unfortunately, some people defaced this pier. Many stones are missing, also.

Sunset clouds

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Lancaster Chamber to honor 4 business leaders at annual dinner | Local Business | lancasteronline.com

Dan Sahd

[Columbia Spy file photo]

Dan Sahd, co-owner and team leader at Sahd Metal Recycling in Columbia, will receive the Small Businessperson of the Year award. The award will recognize Sahd as an individual whose vision, innovation and leadership drive not only the growth of their company but also strengthen the economic and social fabric of Lancaster County.

https://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/lancaster-chamber-to-honor-4-business-leaders-at-annual-dinner/article_86d14563-a2b3-4df6-8fc4-0843b29de0b8.html

Columbia Borough Council hits the brakes on single-hauler trash proposal

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

Columbia Borough Council has decided to shelve discussions about switching to a single, borough-wide trash hauler, with members agreeing that now is not the right time to make the change.

The topic was kicked around again at the April 7 Columbia Borough Council work session — held without Mayor Leo Lutz, who was at an event at Columbia Crossing. The discussion began in January when Lutz urged council to look into trash collection under one contracted provider. Currently, residents and business owners choose their own hauler from a list of approved companies on the borough’s website.

Councilman Ethan Byers said feedback from residents is mostly against having a single hauler. However, councilman Kelly Murphy claimed there are potential upsides, including lower costs and more consistent service.

With a single-hauler, the borough would negotiate a contract with one designated trash company, but residents would give up the ability to choose their own provider.

Resident Frank Doutrich said, “I just want to know why you’re trying to fix something that’s not broke.”

Heather Zink, council vice president, suggested having an “opt-out” for residents who don’t want a borough-chosen hauler.

Former councilwoman Mary Barninger said, “This topic has many layers and more tentacles than you think.” She suggested that council meet with some of the top single hauler vendors it wants to do business with, to find out about issues such as pricing, dumping, pickup, etc. She also suggested putting the issue on a referendum to find out what residents really want.

After a nearly hour-long discussion, council decided to drop the idea. Byers said, “It’s a significant undertaking and we have enough stuff on our plate this year,” he said. “I don’t know if we want to add the complexity that it would require to do it well, on top of everything else this year.”

Councilman Tom Ziegler, who was previously “fairly supportive” of having a single hauler, said he changed his mind after hearing citizen comments.

Motorcyclist involved in early-morning crash in Columbia

Lancaster Avenue and Barber Street closed as crash reconstruction team responds

A motorcyclist suffered cardiac arrest Saturday morning following a crash at the intersection of Lancaster Avenue and Barber Street, according to Lancaster County emergency dispatchers.

The call came in at 6:17 a.m. as a Class 1 vehicle accident — the highest priority designation for crashes involving life-threatening injuries. First responders arrived to find the rider not breathing and in cardiac arrest.

Dispatchers advised the public that the area around Lancaster Avenue and Barber Street would be closed for an extended period, as a crash reconstruction team was called to the scene to investigate.