The State College Planning Commission Friday struck down a plan that would rezone the one-acre Hillel property, an essential step in the construction of a proposed 84-unit apartment building.

All but one member, William Whitby, voted against recommending the change. Whitby said he could not vote either way because while he is not for the proposed building, he believes the property should be rezoned.

Commission members cited overwhelming community opposition to the proposed building and its potential impacts on traffic and the character of the neighborhood among reasons for voting down the zoning proposal.

Penn Hill Associates, the project developer, last year requested that the planning commission rezone the property from R-2, low density residential, to R-O, a residential office zone. The change would allow them to construct the apartment building with 3,000 square feet of office space for the Hillel Foundation, a Jewish student organization.

The issue will be considered next month by State College Borough Council members, who have the final say on the zoning decision. Council is not required to hold a public hearing on the issue before a vote, said Borough Planning Director Carl Hess.

Commission member Christy Rambeau, who motioned to oppose the zone change, said although the proposed building does not meet approval of many neighborhood residents, a compromise could be reached.

"I would like to be able to work with Hillel and find a solution that would include both community concerns and the redevelopment component," said Rambeau, who motioned not to endorse the change.

Hillel "is a member of the neighborhood and I would like to see them stay there," she said.

Sherri Rutolo, president of Organization for Town Independent Students, seconded the motion.

Commission members suggested that a smaller building on the sight could help prevent problems of neighborhood overcrowding that could occur with the larger building.

But Penn Hill representative Ed Weintraub, the project's developer, said the that scaling down is not a solution.

"I don't think we can make the economics work with a smaller building," he said before the vote. "It's time for frank talk because we are teetering on the brink of success or disaster. The project is a good one from Hillel's standpoint."

David Kershner (senior-political science), a proponent of the rezoning, said delaying a decision to rezone the property does not make sense.

"Hillel is in a no-win situation," he said. "It seems to me whether there is a rezoning now or in the future there's going to be an apartment building there. I hope Hillel doesn't suffer."

About 35 neighborhood residents, many of them fraternity members, spoke out against the proposal at a planning commission work session on Jan. 26.

Weintraub said he plans to see the decision through to the council, despite the commission's decision.