Council to vote on heights, sidewalk widths at meeting

The State College Borough Council will vote on several zoning amendments that will affect downtown at its meeting tonight.

An amendment to limit the height of certain structures in a portion of the commercial district to four stories, or 45 feet, will most likely pass, said Jean McManis, borough council president.

The amendment may pass tonight, but the council plans to enact it at its April 5 meeting.

The council will also vote to enact an amendment to a zoning ordinance that provides an option to calculate front yard depth in the commercial district.

The amendment would allow developers to use the average distance of buildings on both sides of a lot to determine how far back from the sidewalk any new building must sit. By averaging the distance, a continuous wall would be achieved.

Provisions are included that ensure tall buildings do not overshadow the sidewalk and adequate sidewalk widths are maintained downtown.

-- by Angela J. Gates