On Monday night the State College Borough Council voted in favor of having courtesy parking downtown for the upcoming holiday season.
With the downtown improvement district, free parking validations for the Holiday and Courtesy parking program will be in effect everyday beginning Nov. 25 to Jan. 1, 2013.
Downtown merchants will provide parking for one courtesy car, unlike last season’s three courtesies.
Charles DeBow, State College Parking Manager, said that the times for the free parking have changed from last year, making it more shopper-friendly.
“The free parking to shoppers will be helpful for shops that are trying to market customers,” he said.
The council also unanimously voted in favor of passing the Handbill Ordinance Amendments, which helps enforcement and issue field violations for political and religious advertising on public property.
The ordinance will address potential litter nuisances from handbills, and strictly prohibit signs that cannot be placed in a public right of way.
“Political signs and posters that are common during this election season that may be displayed will be notified to the campaigns and then asked to be picked up,” council member Tom Daubert said.
Speaking on behalf of the upcoming budget approval, council member James Rosenberger said that the finance committee met four times in the past week about the budget.
“We made a few suggested changes, but are happy with the budget,” he said.
Council member Catherine Dauler said the timing of traffic lights on the Atherton Street Corridor were changed, and suggested it will help with the congestion and traffic.
The last issue on the agenda was student housing regulations, although no new developments were made it was suggested that the topic be followed closely over the next few months.
Mayor Elizabeth Goreham proclaimed October as Alternative Fuels Month at the beginning of the meeting, with the Penn State Eco Car 2 team present to accept the proclamation, with the goal of providing citizens with the insight of efficient driving and sustainability in the environment.
Taylor Kidd, Communications Manager for the Penn State Advanced Vehicle Team, said Goreham has been very supportive of the team and the goals of sustainability of transportation.
