Public speaks out on Highlands issue

The University has become the focus of a rash of public opinion regarding proposed zoning changes in the Highlands neighborhood.

The public session of the State College Borough Council meeting last night stretched for more than two hours as community members streamed to the microphone to air their opposition or support for the proposed changes.

State College resident Ron Wilkerson said University representatives were noticeably missing from the discussion last night, saying the University's involvement in the issue is vital.

"They are so loud by their absence," Wilkerson said to a council chamber filled to capacity.

Wilkerson said that the University should use its large acreage to build new housing for students. The University has left the borough to deal with the problems of student housing, he said.

Jamie Klingler, Undergraduate Student Government director of town affairs, said she hopes the council will work with community members, students and the University to reach a compromise on zoning issues.

Klingler is concerned the proposed zoning changes could force students to live in nearby townships and subsequently increase motor vehicle traffic into the borough.

Bob Seibel also asked for University involvement in the rezoning issue.

"The University has a phenomenal opportunity," said Seibel, co-president of the Highlands Neighborhood Association. "They can be a leader in innovative housing on campus."

After the public discussion, the council initially voted to publish its intent to vote on the ordinance at the March 2 meeting.

The vote failed in a 3-3 tie. Council member Richard McCarl was absent from the meeting and did not vote.

Following further discussion and taking into consideration the public's concerns, the council voted to publish its intent to vote on the ordinance at a March 16 meeting.

Council member James Meyer said he wanted to delay the vote to March 16 because the Highlands neighborhood rezoning is a major issue.

"This will require proper and in-depth discussion between the seven of us (council members)," Meyer said.

The public's concern with the University's absence from the conversation was valid, Meyer added.

"In the 1960s, Penn State backed off and let the borough handle student housing," Meyer said. "But now, 30 years later, I feel that the community as a whole is asking them to reexamine that policy."