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Dispensary resolution, zoning change introduced by Harrisburg City Council

Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday night

Two significant land use issues—one for a medical marijuana dispensary and another for a Midtown zoning change—were introduced on Tuesday night, as Harrisburg City Council held a brief legislative session.

For the former, a company called WH RE LLC wants to build a 3,000-square-foot medical marijuana facility on an empty lot at 137 S. 17th St., on Allison Hill.

Last December, the PA Department of Health awarded a dispensary license to a company called Local Dispensaries LLC, though PennLive later gave the name of the recipient as Standard Farms. All three of these entities are registered with the state at the same address in Center Valley, Pa.

Earlier this month, the city Planning Commission gave its approval to the $1.6 million construction project by a 5-1 vote, with Commissioner Ausha Green, who also is a city council member, dissenting.

The resolution for the land use plan was forwarded to council’s Administration Committee for further discussion at a forthcoming workshop session.

Council also forwarded into committee a proposed ordinance that would change zoning for a swath of Midtown Harrisburg.

Harrisburg-based Seven Bridges Development is asking the city to rezone 14 blocks in the “Marketplace” neighborhood just north of the Broad Street Market.

In April, the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority designated the company as the potential developer of 60 lots in the neighborhood, which the authority later bought back from State College-based S&A Homes.

In early October, a split Planning Commission approved the change in zoning from “residential medium neighborhood” to “commercial neighborhood,” which Seven Bridges officials say is necessary before they will agree to build in the neighborhood.

Lastly, council approved a resolution that offers short-term dumpster rentals to property owners and contractors for building projects in the city.

Under the resolution, builders now can contact the city Public Works Department to have dumpsters delivered and picked up and construction waste hauled away. Ten-day rentals run $500 to $600, plus delivery/pickup and disposal fees.

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