The State College Borough Planning Commission voted last night to prepare testimony for lawmakers suggesting a limitation on plans to allow construction of 145-foot mixed-use buildings in the borough.

The construction of the 145-foot "signature" buildings is part of an ongoing discussion to create a commercial incentive zoning district (CID) to attract new businesses and permanent residents downtown. Last month, the State College Borough Council voted to extend the area within the district where these buildings could be constructed to include most of the proposed CID area.

The planning commission had recommended the height increase only for Fraser Street. Now, it plans to suggest that the 145-foot building area go to Allen Street, with the option of extending the area to Garner Street at a later date.

"If you're going to make monster changes, try making them in a smaller area first," commission member Bill Ryan said.

The testimony will be presented to council Nov. 7, when a vote is expected on the proposed CID ordinance and map amendments after a public hearing that same evening.

Council voted last month that the areas for possible signature project construction encompass Sowers Street to Humes Alley between Calder Way and Beaver Avenue. In addition, an area south of the Greyhound bus depot, 152 N. Atherton St., to the Alpha Fire Co., at H and Highland alleys, stretching east to Kelly Alley between Calder Way and Foster Avenue would be eligible.

Chairman Arthur Anderson said it would be advisable to see how the construction of the buildings would impact a smaller area before expanding westward. "I still don't think that anybody understands what the impact of 145-foot buildings on this community would be," Anderson said.

Ryan said he is concerned about the area west of Garner Street where there are many owner-occupied, single-family homes. Increased traffic as a result of the buildings would cause potential residents to be concerned about safety, he said. "This is a direct attack on families that want to live in the borough," Ryan said.

Commission member Ron Madrid said that some downtown development would improve the neighborhood.

"What we have now is owner-occupied homes being converted to student-occupied housing because it's the quickest way to make a buck," Madrid said.

Madrid added that by developing downtown, the neighborhood would be improved as students moved out.

Commission member Donald Hahn said that while he does not rule out the possibility of supporting 145-foot buildings, he thinks they are appropriate in some places but not in others.

"Foster Avenue especially is a very pleasant single-family home neighborhood," he said. "I question the impact of a 145-foot building."