The council appears set on enacting an ordinance drafted by member Janet Knauer that will limit new structures to a base height of 45 feet, or four stories. If builders agree to include special features in their structures, such as restricting the first floor to commercial or retail use or providing office space within the structure, the limit could be raised two stories.

Although council members said they are striving to maintain the small-town scale of the downtown area, there are other considerations that make enacting such an ordinance a poor decision for the council and for the town as a whole.

First, although Penn State has placed an enrollment cap on its University Park campus, university officials have made it clear that that cap is flexible and may be raised in the future.

The possibility of even more students entering the already crowded housing market makes it necessary to facilitate additional apartment construction. If Penn State insists on growing, the town should be ready, rather than be caught unprepared for new students seeking to rent housing.

And while it may seem that restricting the height of buildings will preserve the downtown atmosphere, council must keep in mind that by limiting the number of units in each building, they likely will force the construction of more buildings. Those complexes will move farther from the downtown area to locations throughout the neighborhoods of the State College community.

The council must decide if limiting the height of buildings is worth more students moving into outlying communities.

Not only could students' housing opportunities be limited by the proposal, but businesses wishing to build large offices downtown may also be adversely affected.

The current seven-story limit is realistic and is working for the downtown area. It allows for adequate construction without deteriorating the area.