COLUMBIA, Pa. — Columbia Borough Council on Tuesday took steps on data centers and rental rules, heard an update from the police chief and approved a list of smaller items.
Data centers and rentals
Council voted to advertise a zoning ordinance that would remove data centers as an allowed use in the borough’s Light Business and Light Industrial zones. Members amended the motion to add Light Industrial, following a recommendation from the Lancaster County Planning Department, which noted that most Light Industrial land sits next to homes.
Council also voted to advertise long-planned changes to Chapters 112 and 166 of the borough code, which cover rental properties and property maintenance. Both must be advertised before council can adopt them.
Police update
Police Chief Holly Arndt said:
- Five police applicants are scheduled for interviews Nov. 17.
- The department has received 1,008 calls for service since Oct. 13.
- On Nov. 4, an officer pulled a driver over for an equipment violation and, with consent to search, found a gun under the front seat.
- She is working with the district attorney’s office to bring back the borough’s youth aid panel, which has been inactive for a couple of years.
- Officers took part in a fundraiser for the Columbia High School senior class and handed out candy on Halloween.
In brief
- Electricity savings: Council approved a five-year power supply deal with Dynegy Energy Services at 11.135 cents per kilowatt-hour, expected to save about $5,000 a year and $25,000 overall.
- New hires: Council approved advertising for a full-time highway maintenance worker at $26.94 an hour, and hired Sean Lukocs as a part-time crossing guard at $17.51 an hour.
- Street sweeper: Council approved applying for a state Local Share Account grant to buy a new street sweeper. The borough would buy it only if the grant comes through.
- Dream Center: Council discussed supporting the Dream Center’s move to the 200 block of North Seventh Street, the former Catholic War Veterans building. A representative said the group’s offer on the property had been withdrawn, so no action was needed.
- Late fees: A resident questioned late fees on the borough’s bill list. A council member said that is a concern.
- Ziegler’s resignation: A resident asked why Councilman Tom Ziegler resigned. A council member said Ziegler “has chosen not to share” his reasons.
- Pedestrian safety: A Columbia Walks representative said the group has pulled PennDOT crash data for the borough from 2006 to 2025 and will share it. A council member said he met with Safe Across, a pedestrian safety group, about a low-cost program estimated at about $9,000.
Coming up
- Budget meeting: Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m.
- Regular meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m.