A proposal to modify zoning rules to accommodate a planned housing project at the intersection of Beaver and West College Avenues draws spirited debate at Monday night’s State College Borough Council meeting.
A developer wants to build a high-rise mixed-use building on the site of the old Arby’s restaurant and two adjoining properties. The project has been working its way through the planning commission for several months.
The building falls under the Signature Development Conditional Use provisions of the zoning laws. That’s intended to encourage beneficial growth in the borough.
Mayor Elizabeth Goreham says, “Part of the requirements was for 40 percent of it (the building) to be non-residential which to me is very important aspect because … it provides office space for new businesses … it really would hook into some of the things we’re trying to attract; to help provide a more diverse downtown.
Ara Kervandjian is the managing member of 100 South Atherton Street Associates, the developer behind the project. Kervandjian says his company wants to build a 12 story tall building.
It would include two floors of commercial space, nine floors of residential space and a top floor with a glass atrium providing views of the entire town. He says the atrium will cover 10,000 to 15,000 square feet and could be used by residents and members of the community.
The emphasis is on mixed-use. Kervandjian told council members his company is “trying to resolve the issue of only catering to the student population.” He says some floors may be for non-students although there’s been no final decision. Plans call for a variety of apartment sizes, ranging from four bedroom units to one bedroom units. Efficiency apartments would also be included.
Several borough residents expressed concerns about the project. They worried that rezoning might have a ripple effect on the community or raise safety issues by concentrating too many students in a relatively small area. One woman said increased traffic is a potential danger, “We’re going to have some pedestrian issues.”
John Stone of State College wondered if tenants in the proposed building would really want to look down on the smoke stacks from the University’s power plant. “I don’t think it’s been thought through … If you’re doing this because of the higher end possibilities you ought to take a pause and look at this. Also, is it fair to put students in that position?”
There are also concerns about demand for additional parking. Kervandjian says the design offers more than 200 parking spaces, well above the 120 spaces which are required.
There were also residents who spoke out in favor of the project, calling it a well-designed plan that’s needed as an anchor as development pushes into the west end of College Avenue.
The developer is asking for changes to the zoning, including an increase in the permitted density of rental housing, a reduction of the space that must be devoted to non-residential uses and some changes in design standards for the building’s facade.
Council president Donald Hahn says he’s under the impression that if the zoning issues can be resolved, the developer, “would be ready with a plan to propose, almost immediately.”
Hahn noted that not all council members were able to attend Monday’s session and wanted a chance to discuss it at the next council meeting.
As a result, council voted to defer action until its meeting on Aug. 19 so that the more council members could take part in any vote.
