State College Borough Council discussed the pros and cons of an updated property code at its meeting last night, paying particular attention to the effect the new ordinance could have on fraternity houses.

The new code would use a weighted-point system to identify nuisance properties and allow the borough manager to revoke rental permits when a property accumulates 10 points.

Based on the severity of the offenses, property owners could receive one to three points per offense. For example, a property owner could receive one point for overgrown weeds and three points for furnishing alcohol to minors.

Some council members said fraternity houses are unfairly targeted by the amendment.

"This really hangs the fraternities out," said council member James Meyer.

Meyer said fraternities could amass points quickly and stand a greater chance of reaching the 10-point level, when the borough manager could suspend the house's rental permit.

Under the proposed amendment, 19 properties are identified as nuisances, 15 of which are fraternity houses, said borough manager Tom Fountaine.

However, the goal is to cooperate with landlords and tenants to address the problem, rather than revoke permits, Fountaine said.

Suspending fraternity permits would only rival the current problem and create an eyesore for the community, said Mayor Bill Welch.

"The idea is fix it," he said. "I don't think anybody wants large, abandoned properties."

Council member Cathy Dauler said some fraternity houses are making life difficult for permanent residents, and the new code would address those problems.

"We in the borough are the ones who have to do something about it," she said. "These properties are our problem, the borough's problem."

Penn State's greek system is in a do-or-die situation, said Phillip Wagner, director of safety and transportation for the Off-Campus Student Union and a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, 409 E. Fairmount Ave.

"We really need all of the help we can possibly get," he said. "I really support this ordinance."

Off-Campus Student Union President Kristen Kofmehl said landlords need to be held responsible for their properties, just as tenants should be held responsible for their behavior.

"It's a two-way street," she said.

The ordinance would hold landlords responsible for some of their tenants' behavior. For example, a property owner could receive points if a tenant is charged with simple assault or a sexual offense.

"We're not supposed to shut down rental properties [because of] people who are committing crimes," Meyer said. "That's insane."

Borough Council could vote on the ordinance or table discussion at its meeting next Monday.