The second of a series of neighborhood plans to minimize residential out-migration was presented at last night's State College Borough Council meeting.

The plan for the Highlands area -- a square block bordering Atherton Street, Beaver Avenue, University Drive and Easterly and Westerly Parkways -- aims to retain the neighborhood's predominantly residential character, said Peter Everett, planning commission chairman. The close location of the Highlands' neighborhood to downtown and campus brings the need to make sure downtown commercial development doesn't diffuse into the neighborhood, Everett said.

To reduce the impact of student housing on the neighborhood, a study of the 200 and 300 blocks of Garner Avenue was presented as an area where zoning modification could allow more spacious homes to permit more student use.

"These neighborhood studies are going to be an important point of reference for the housing studies," said Council President Jean McManis, referring to council's three-month intensive look at State College housing issues.

In an aim to shift from rental to owner-occupied houses, the Highlands area plan encourages non-profit and neighborhood organizations to buy and maintain local rental houses.

Everett stressed that he wanted to see an increase of pride in the community, on the part of both students and residents. Improving the appearance of unsightly parking lots was presented as beneficial to the neighborhood, as was promotion of bicycle commuting. In addition, Everett said through-commuter traffic on residential streets should be minimized.

Everett said he thinks the Highlands area plan he presented will be accepted by council with few modifications.