When students left for summer break in May, they did so believing that Jeffrey Haas had cancelled his plans to open a Hooters franchise at the site of Pennsylvania Pizza, the Bottle Shop and the John Henry's Neighborhood Bar, 538 E. College Ave.

But a bright orange canopy and waitresses sporting hula-hoops greeted those returning in the fall.

When students came back from winter break this week, they received another surprise: Hooters is expanding.

Haas has every legal right to operate his business as he sees fit. If he wants to add an 845-square-foot permanent enclosure, he can - no one can stop him.

The expansion plans also include an outdoor bar with additional stools and tables.

Although he has no legal obligation to announce his plans ahead of time or seek any approval, as a community member, he should give State College residents the common courtesy of allowing them to discuss any concerns.

When Haas first announced plans to open Hooters, a community outcry filled the opinion pages of local newspapers and upset residents filed into State College Borough Planning Commission meetings.

Haas later cancelled his plans, saying he did not want to go against the community's wishes.

Penn State students make up a large percentage of the borough's population and must not be disregarded as community members. We live here too, and any changes to State College affect us as students as much as anyone else.

Haas' announcement in mid-December, after the majority of students had left State College, seems like more than a coincidence considering the similar incident last spring.

This seems like another slap in the face to Penn State students who may be concerned about a controversial restaurant that is getting even larger.

This editorial might seem like déja vu.

A similar one appeared on these pages about four months ago when we urged Haas not to let his original late announcement set a bad precedent.

The expansion seems as if it will go forward as planned, and little can be done to correct the past.

But this should serve as another reminder to Haas and other downtown business owners and developers that State College residents — including students — deserve and expect the opportunity to know about and respond to changes that affect their community.