Patton may approve new student housing

By NICOLE RADZIEVICH
Collegian Staff Writer

Patton Township residents may give University students a chilly welcome come January.

Despite 30 township residents' concerns about the proposed student housing project near Wal-Mart, the Patton Township Planning Commission recommended last night that the Patton Township Board of Supervisors pass the development project at their Aug. 16 meeting.

The two developers -- Capstone Development Corporation of Birmingham, Ala. and JPI Developers, Inc., of Dallas, Texas -- want to build multi-family apartment complexes that would be geared toward University students. Capstone Development Corporation would like to construct University Commons, and JPI Developers, Inc. wants to develop Jefferson Commons.

One of the residents biggest concerns about the complexes was the increased traffic flow. However, both developers agreed to pay for two lights -- one along Waddle Road and Viaro Boulevard and the other at Waddle Road and Clearview Avenue. Also, the two developers and Bi-Lo Foods, 1659 N. Atherton St., would finance a $15,000 traffic study.

A second concern of the residents was the development of a park for the residents. The citizens said that they would not be able to use these facilities because they were owned by the developers. However, these new residents would be able to use the townships' other facilities. But, the developers compromised and said that they would help develop a park for the public. Capstone Development Corporation would donate 4.6 acres of land for the park, and JPI Developers, Inc. would give $100,000 to develop the land, said John Miknis, township engineer.

Even with these compromises, residents are still somewhat wary of their potential new neighbors. Some members of the audience said that the students would typically consume municipal services, such as police and fire, but would not contribute to the tax base of the borough.

However some commission members said that any development project would "put a drain on municipal services."

Co-President of the Stable Hill Estates Susan Shields said that she realizes that some of the students' behaviors are going to require additional municipal services, but she also has to ensure the children of the township are protected if this project goes through.

Despite all of this, planning commission member Bob Barlock said that he had not "heard one compelling reason" why the commission should not approve the plan.

This complex comes in a time when the State College Borough Council is wrestling with student rental housing problems, and when the University is looking where to house the largest freshman class ever at Penn State.

Various council members have indicated in previous interviews that the apartment complex may alleviate some of the tension in State College's large apartment buildings, but it wouldn't help the residential housing problems.