Commission proposes rezoning compromise

By LISA HAARLANDER
Collegian Staff Writer

Property owner opposition to a proposed rezoning plan prompted the State College Planning Commission to compromise and redraw the plan's boundaries.

The commission recommended yesterday in a 4-1 vote that the Borough Council rezone the area on both sides of South Gill Street near Highland Avenue, and South Barnard Street from Highland and West Foster avenues from a commercial to a residential zone.

The commission originally wanted to rezone a larger area that included part of West Beaver Avenue to a transitional zone with both residential and commercial uses. But some property owners opposed that idea, fearing it would reduce property values because residential zoning would further limit land uses.

However other residents, such as Anita Genger, the Holmes-Foster Neighborhood Association president, want West Beaver Avenue from South Sparks and South Barnard streets rezoned residential to preserve a sense of community.

"What we're talking about here is a conflict of interests," she said. "One interest is financial. One is commercial. We are not here to deny their right to make money by renting their apartments. We're trying to build a sense of community."

Commission member Dan Wallace opposed the recommendation because some buildings' uses would not conform to the new zoning regulations. But owners could continue the present use because zoning regulations are not retroactive, said Borough Zoning Officer Herman Slaybaugh.

He also said only South Gill Street, which contains historical homes, should be rezoned residential.

The chamber of commerce built the homes in 1921 and sold them at cost to University faculty and staff to relieve a housing shortage, said Jacqueline Melander, Planning Commission member.

"I was very concerned, as I think everyone there was, about the little houses on Gill Street," said Melander, who seconded the motion. "This was the compromise motion."

Two previous motions were not seconded because one proposal rezoned too small of an area and the other an area too large.

Borough Council will receive the recommendation at its April 3 meeting and council member Tom Daubert said the borough would most likely hold a public hearing May 1.