Every Gettysburg Borough Council meeting is governed by a code of conduct. These standards require that the public and members of Borough Council at all times demonstrate mutual respect and decorum.
Regretfully, this standard has been disregarded by certain Council members, most recently in their treatment of Borough residents who have expressed concerns relating to the ReZoning of the Borough.
On December 8, 2025, the evening when the Borough Council voted 5 to 2 to adopt the ReZoning ordinance, members of Council took an opportunity to insult members of the public who opposed key aspects of the ReZoning Ordinance. One Council member accused Save Historic Gettysburg of using “scare tactics.” These supposed “scare tactics” were arranging for the publishing of pictures of the potential view of the Revitalization Zone from the Wills House. The pictures were commissioned by the National Park Service which has vigorously and repeatedly opposed extended height in the Borough.
A Council member also accused residents who opposed aspects of the ReZoning of not supporting economic diversity in the Borough, describing their concerns as having an “ugly underbelly” and being “shameful”. Never once has a single person affiliated with Save Historic Gettysburg expressed such a terrible sentiment. (Although sadly, there could be others in the community who have done so). The effort to Save Historic Gettysburg arises from a deep appreciation and respect for our existing diverse community.
To make such accusations is perhaps an attempt to silence those who object by insulting their character. Efforts to preserve our home, a vitally important place in our country’s history, and to preserve the economic engine of tourism in the Borough support everyone. Voting for extended height in the Revitalization District and undermining the residential neighborhoods with specific provisions in the ReZoning Ordinance will hurt everyone in Gettysburg, especially those who depend upon tourism for their livelihood: hotel workers, shop owners, tour guides, and service employees.
Taxpayers and residents finance the Borough. They vote to place Council members in positions of trust. Residents have repeatedly requested a housing study and a cost benefit analysis to support sweeping changes to the Borough’s Zoning. Neither was undertaken. Simply claiming that development outside the Borough puts an additional burden on Borough infrastructure requiring higher buildings to meet those expenses without the cost benefit analysis to back up such a claim is not enough. These two such responsible steps of a housing study and cost benefit analysis could have modified the final product and provided consensus in the path forward for Gettysburg. Instead, a singular vision of what Gettysburg should be was adopted by a few and has now been carried forward on their behalf by Council.
Save Historic Gettysburg is a group of citizens who came together to privately fund the filming of Planning Commission meetings regarding ReZoning and the Station Project when the Borough Council had refused to do so. Online views of the meetings have often exceeded an average of 600 views per meeting. The group subsequently established a publicly registered 501(c)(3) entity, created a Save Historic Gettysburg website, a Facebook page, and a GoFundMe page to raise funds initially for the Planning Commission filming expenses and then for the expense of professional review and expertise. In July of 2025 the group published an article in local media describing the origins and purpose of the group. It is not a “nameless” and “faceless” entity as was claimed by one Council member.
The votes for ReZoning have been cast. But there is still a long road ahead and an ongoing opportunity to Save Historic Gettysburg. The results of the Rezoning will unfold over time and may reveal the need to amend the Ordinance. Citizens can stay informed, contact Borough Council members to express concerns, come to a meeting or watch on Community Media (now funded by the Borough as of 2026). You can help to save Gettysburg’s authenticity, scale, and sense of place that cannot be replicated and is in danger of being lost forever. And to the returning and incoming Borough Council members, please, for the sake of Gettysburg’s future, live up to your own standards of conduct and demonstrate respect for the public in the year ahead.