The Havre de Grace Planning Commission on Oct. 16 approved a site plan to convert an existing residence at 552 Lewis Street into a nonresidential office for Lisa Scott Funeral Home and to add approximately 300 square feet to the rear of the building (permit 20260069). The commission voted unanimously after staff recommended approval and the Historic Preservation Commission completed a review of building facade and elevations.

Eric Lawrence of the Department of Planning described the application and the property history: the consolidated lot totals about 12,000 square feet and contains two structures — the 1,655-square-foot residence proposed for conversion and a nonconforming 1,280-square-foot funeral establishment. The consolidation was recorded on June 10, 2024. Required off-street parking for the office conversion is satisfied through a shared parking agreement with the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum adjacent to the property; an additional shared agreement with Mount Zion Baptist Church provides overflow parking.

Applicant Lisa Scott Coleman told commissioners she purchased the house about eight years ago and has long owned the funeral establishment. She said the conversion will move arrangement and meeting space into the residence to free up the funeral home for viewings and services. "We're trying to expand the funeral home somewhat by moving the office where we meet and make arrangements with families into the home to then open up the funeral home for viewings and services," Coleman said.

Commissioners questioned an apparent address/orientation issue: the building's architectural plan relocates an entrance so the office would be oriented toward South Freedom Lane while the official address remains 552 Lewis Street. Planning staff said the relocation is a minor technicality under review by the Historic Preservation Commission and that the sidewalk approach from Lewis Street would remain the primary pedestrian access.

Other technical items noted in the staff report: DPW provided utility letters dated Sept. 17, 2025; no forest conservation, stormwater management, or floodplain issues were flagged; APF requirements were satisfied. After closing the record, the commission voted to approve the site plan conversion and addition. The roll-call vote recorded "aye" from Randy Craig, Harry Miller, Farhad Shaw, Warren Hartenstein, Ed Garono and Chair Volney Ford.

Approved action: site-plan approval granted for conversion of 552 Lewis Street to nonresidential office and a roughly 300-square-foot addition (permit 20260069).