The State College Borough Planning Commission may suggest allowing more residents to operate businesses in their homes.

The ordinance would widen the area in which people may operate businesses such as medical practices in single-family houses, said Herman Slaybaugh, the borough's zoning officer.

The planning commission is strictly an advisory body. Only State College Borough Council may alter borough zoning laws. The council discussed the proposal at its meeting Monday night and sent it back to the planning commission for revision.

The new ordinance will stretch the area in which people may operate businesses from single-family homes. The original ordinance allowed people to operate businesses in homes on the 400 block of West Beaver Avenue, the west side of South Atherton Street from Highland Alley to Fairmount Avenue, and on West College Avenue from Sparks to Buckhout streets, said Carl R. Hess, borough planning director.

The proposal will allow in-home businesses on the west side of South Atherton Street between Fairmount and Prospect avenues and on the east side of South Atherton Street between Fairmont and Hamilton avenues. The ordinance would also allow such businesses on the south side of East Beaver Avenue on the 500, 600 and 700 blocks, Hess said.

Fredrick Welch, a professor of vocational industrial education and an East Foster Avenue resident, said he opposes the proposal.

"The neighbors in my backyard will be able to put in an adult bookstore, doctor's office or a psychiatrist's office," Welch said. "The neighborhood would be turned from a residential neighborhood into an office neighborhood." Welch is also concerned the alley behind his house will become more hectic.

"It's a play spot for my children, the neighborhood children and their pets," Welch said. "(The alley) will look like Beaver Avenue instead of an alley."

He said his neighbors have voiced their opposition to the ordinance, but are unwilling to come forward.

Nichol Barlett, president-elect of the Organization for Town Independent Students and a member of the planning commission said the ordinance may benefit students.

"It will open up some houses and create more rental space for students and other residents, such as a doctor's office with rental space above," said Barlett, a Democratic candidate in the borough council primary race.

"It's a creative and interesting way of rezoning," said Charlotte Best, co-president of the Highlands Civic Association and an East Foster Avenue resident. "Instead of ripping (the buildings) down and replacing them, you can use the existing property in interesting ways."

Melody Fleck, an attorney who owns property on the 500 block of East Beaver Avenue, said the ordinance represents a good compromise.

"It's beneficial to the neighborhood because it provides a buffer to protect residential property on East Foster from high rise developlement, while permitting property owners along East Beaver to have additonal options for use of their property," Fleck said.

Most homes surrounding the proposed areas are located near low density neighborhoods, Hess said. He added that other than adding a sign, the homes are not allowed to change their original appeareance because they are still located in a residential area.