By ColumbiaPa.Online Staff April 29, 2026 – Columbia, PA

The Columbia Borough Zoning Hearing Board met Wednesday evening for a two‑case agenda that included a major organizational change, a proposed infill townhouse on Church Avenue, and a request from a small Pentecostal congregation seeking approval to operate a church on North 4th Street. One application was approved with conditions; the other was denied after extended questioning.

Board Reorganizes After Chair Resignation

The meeting opened with the announcement that former chairperson Jazz Preston had resigned. Vice Chair Donald Haynes assumed leadership and nominated himself to serve as the new chair. With no other nominations, the board voted unanimously to approve Haynes as chair and appointed David Brumball as the new vice chair.

Case 1: Townhome Redevelopment at 148 Church Avenue

Applicant: Northland Cottage Homes & Renovations LLC

Owner/Representative: Jeffrey Sugdan

The first hearing involved a long‑vacant lot at 148 Church Avenue, where owner Jeffrey Sugdan sought multiple variances to construct a narrow, modernized single‑family townhouse with an integrated garage.

According to testimony, the lot is unusually small—1,379 sq. ft., far below the 2,500 sq. ft. minimum required in the High‑Density Residential District. Sugdan explained:

“This hardship is due to the unique characteristics of this lot which cannot be changed.”

He also requested relief from minimum lot width (15’6” existing vs. 18’ required), side‑yard setbacks (requesting 3 ft and 3 ft 8 in instead of 5 ft), and a reduction in required parking from two spaces to one. The proposed design includes a garage facing Church Avenue, the only feasible off‑street parking option on the narrow street.

Sugdan emphasized that the new home would “complement the existing homes” and that the previous structure on the lot—demolished roughly 10–15 years ago—had been similar in size.

The board questioned parking, access, and the narrow walkway between the new home and the neighboring property at 150 Church Avenue, which maintains a 3‑foot pass‑through to its backyard. Sugdan confirmed he would update the neighbor’s gate and maintain a small fenced walkway on his own side.

The proposed home would include two bedrooms, an office, and approximately 1,286 sq. ft. including the garage.

Board Decision

After a brief executive session, the board voted to approve the application with conditions, including:

• The dwelling must remain at least 3 ft from the side property line.
• No short‑term rentals permitted.
• The home must be used only as a single‑family dwelling.
• Compliance with the Uniform Construction Code and stormwater ordinance.
• Adherence to all testimony and evidence presented.
• All conditions apply to current and future owners.

“Any violation of these conditions is a violation of the zoning ordinance and punishable as such.”

The motion passed unanimously.

Case 2: Pentecostal Church Request at 40 North 4th Street

Applicants:

Jamil M. de Jesus and Julio Lopez (translator) Church: Pentecostal Church Under the Fire of the Holy Spirit

The second hearing centered on a request for a special exception to operate a place of worship in a multi‑tenant commercial building at 40 North 4th Street, along with variances related to lot size and parking.

De Jesus described the congregation as small—about 23 members—and emphasized their desire to “serve as a blessing to the community.” The church had already adjusted its service schedule to avoid conflicts with neighboring tenants:

“We have changed our schedule to Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and Sundays at 12:00 p.m. especially to not interfere with the neighbors on our right-hand side.”

Parking and Noise Concerns

The applicants stated they rely primarily on a 14‑passenger Chevy Express van, reducing the number of individual vehicles. They testified that only one additional member typically drives separately.

However, the building has no off‑street parking, and the board pressed for clarity on how many vehicles might arrive in the future. The application itself anticipated “two to five vehicles” arriving by personal transportation.

Questions About the Space

Board solicitor Joselle Clary raised concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the building’s layout and other tenants:

“The board doesn’t know from this application whether you are renting a single floor, whether you are renting multiple floors, what else is in the building.”

A neighboring tenant, Melissa Bender, owner of Boss Lady Sweets Bakery, testified that her business was preparing to open and that her weekend hours would not conflict with the church’s schedule.

Board Decision

After an executive session, the board returned with a motion to deny the application. The motion passed unanimously.

No detailed reasoning was read aloud during the meeting, but the discussion suggested concerns about:

• Insufficient evidence regarding building occupancy
• Parking limitations
• Unclear land‑use compatibility in a multi‑tenant structure

The applicants indicated they had already signed a lease for the space.

Meeting Adjourned

The board adjourned at approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes into the session. No applications were announced for the following month.