The Harrisburg Planning Commission tonight gave unanimous approval to a planned convenience store at the corner of Green and Kelker streets.
By a 4-0 vote, the commission recommended that a special exception be granted to allow a convenience store to operate at the site and to waive the four-vehicle off-street parking requirement. The commission only mandated that the property pass a health inspection and follow city-mandated rules for signage. Commission members also recommended that a trash receptacle be located outside the store, which is slated to operate from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Otherwise, the commission asked few questions of the applicant, Mohamed Ahmed Ahrar, or of the representative of property owner Michael Goldberg Properties. Despite some opposition in the Olde Uptown neighborhood to the proposal, not a single member of the public attended the meeting.
The commission did read a letter in opposition submitted by Historic Harrisburg Association, which claimed the proposed store was incompatible with the neighborhood, but quickly dismissed the reasoning.
The commission’s recommendation now goes to the city’s Zoning Hearing Board, which will meet on Monday to consider the application. The board has the final say over whether to grant the special exception.
The century-old property at 224 Kelker St. most recently housed a barbershop, though, over the years, has served many uses, including as a corner store, a drugstore and a tea shop.
