Borough Council to hold hearing on height limits

More input on building height restrictions and balcony numbering will be solicited at the State College Borough Council meeting tonight.

The council will hold a public hearing on an amendment to lower building height limits in the downtown area from the current 75 feet or seven stories to 45 feet or four stories, said Thomas Daubert, council member.

While the amendment deals specifically with heights, Daubert said building height is not the main problem.

"The problem is tall buildings with all those balconies hanging over the sidewalks," he said.

The height amendment is an attempt to have buildings that will complement the downtown area rather than make it look worse, he said.

The council is waiting to vote on the amendment until it hears recommendations from the Planning Commission and Design Review Board, he said.

The council also will discuss an amendment to require apartment numbers on balconies.

Numbering balconies would be required when a building with balconies is more than three stories high and when the police have received four or more legitimate complaints about the occupant in a one-year period.

--by Angela J. Gates