The Reader Beat: City Council Notes from March 18, 2026

Following our notes taken during the City Council meeting on March 18, 2026.

I attended the City Council meeting on March 18 at 6:30 p.m. During public comments, some constituents spoke about high rent prices and issues with public housing. Many attendees were also there to share their thoughts and questions during the public hearing about the proposed $32 million Scott Enterprises bayfront hotel. Those that testified expressed concerns about more private property on the bayfront. "There doesn't seem to be a lot of plans in place to hopefully bring about more public use at the bayfront," Henry Chiapa said. "Furthermore, I am concerned about a hotel project mainly due to the nature of the wages that will be paid to the workers at this facility." Corporate Director Lance Rihn said the starting hourly wage is $15/hour and the Hilton hotel has a low turnover rate for employees. Constituent Paige Bosnyak mentioned the project potentially impeding free and public access to the bayfront for Erie residents. "The water at the bayfront is one of Erie's greatest resources and I passionately believe we need to ensure it is available and accessible to everyone without requirements that they spend money at restaurants or other establishments," Bosnyak said. 

Another public hearing was held for a liquor license transfer from The Sandbar Drafthouse & Grille, previously located at 2835 West Lake Rd. to be used at the retail facility on 2104 Hampton Rd.  Some constituents were concerned that the zoning in that neighborhood does not permit a bar. "This is a residential neighborhood. It's zoned residential. This is a nonconforming use in this neighborhood," Freda Tepfer said. Attorney Jim Bruno said that prior to purchasing the property in July 2025 there were no issues with zoning and that a variance had been granted. Councilman Andre Horton asked if the non-conforming use was still viable. The City Solicitor recommended Bruno to submit any supplemental details after the hearing and for the zoning office to provide City Council with the proper zoning information before making a final decision. 

• An ordinance amending the City of Erie Zoning Ordinance to designate the Erie Cemetery at 2116 Chestnut Street as a Historic Site pursuant to Article 7 of the revised City of Erie Zoning Ordinance and to amend the Zoning passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance approving the editing and inclusion of certain ordinances as parts of the various component codes of the codified ordinances of Erie had its first reading. 
• A resolution following the communication from Mayor Daria Devlin and confirmed by City Council that Mr. Colin Russ be reappointed for a four-year term to the Planning Commission passed unanimously. 
•  A resolution that city officials requested the submission of a Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) grant application for a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to be used for developing the City's Comprehensive Plan passed unanimously.