Ephrata Council Agendas Target $1.36M Fire Apparatus Note, Zoning Changes, Street Projects
Ephrata Borough Council packed multiple July agendas with major financial and land-use items, including a proposed $1,362,000 general obligation note for new fire apparatus and more than $520,000 in street improvement contracts. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so final outcomes cannot be confirmed from the available record.
Fire Apparatus Note and Street Improvements
The July 13 Borough Council agenda included Ordinance No. 1608, which would authorize issuing a General Obligation Note of up to $1,362,000 for a new fire apparatus. The same agenda listed Bid #26-2 for 2026 Street Improvements, with a recommended award to H&K Group, Inc. for $403,835.76, and a separate Church Avenue Paving Improvements bid awarded to H&K Group, Inc. for $118,184.12.
Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed whether council voted to approve these items.
Zoning Ordinance Amendments
Council held a public hearing on July 13 to discuss proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance. The changes would permit medical marijuana dispensaries, smoke shops, and tobacco stores in the HCD, LIC, and GIC districts. Short-term rentals would be permitted in the HCD, CBD, LIC, and GIC districts, with a special exception required in the NCD and NCD2 districts.
The July 13 agenda also included Ordinance No. 1603, which would amend the tables of uses for those same categories.
Alcohol Sales at Concerts by the Creek
The July 6 agenda included a conditional approval for Cartel Brewing & Blending to sell alcohol at the Concerts by the Creek event in Grater Park, pending a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board special occasion permit and insurance.
That agenda also listed an agreement with Crossing Guard Services, LLC to outsource crossing guard services, a resolution to adopt the Lancaster County 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan, and a temporary one-way travel designation on Hunter Alley from West Fulton Street to West Franklin Street for September 21–27, 2026.
Borough Authority and Zoning Hearing Board
The Borough Authority met July 13 to review WWTP No. 1 Biosolids Project payments, including Fulton Bank Requisition No. 39 for $27,402.18. The agenda also listed a request from Valley View Capital, LLC to reduce financial security, a memorandum of understanding with Lincoln Land Group, Inc., a sanitary sewer design for 237 East Fulton Street, and discussion of the Hackman Living Trust.
The Zoning Hearing Board scheduled a July 15 public hearing on a special exception request for a short-term rental at 98 Highland Avenue, located in the Residential Low Density Zoning District. The applicants are property owners Elizabeth and Stephen Ulkowski.
Coming Up
- **July 20 — Borough Council Public Safety Committee:** Agenda includes an appointment to the Civil Service Commission, reports from the fire company, Ephrata Area Ambulance, and the police department, discussion of the fire tax issue, and review of the 2nd Quarter Budget Report.
- **July 21 — Planning Commission:** Will consider a lot add-on and land development plan for 237 E. Fulton Street.