Borough of State College

This Reauthorization Plan outlines the strategic direction for the Downtown State College Improvement District (DSCID) from 2027 to 2036. The plan focuses on five key areas: supporting business and entrepreneurship, maintaining and beautifying the public realm, advocating for a pedestrian-focused environment with convenient access, enhancing communication and promotion of Downtown events, and ensuring sustained funding and organizational capacity. Its overall purpose is to guide the DSCID's operations, address challenges, and preserve and enhance Downtown State College as a welcoming and vibrant mixed-use urban neighborhood and economic engine.

The joint meeting of the Planning Commission Council and the zoning revision advisory committee included a reorganization of the Planning Commission, with nominations and elections for chair and vice chair. The meeting addressed a comprehensive zoning revision, aiming to update new members on the work completed over the past two years. Discussions covered areas of consensus, areas lacking consensus, and topics requiring additional research, with a focus on guiding the drafting of the ordinance. The meeting also reviewed the borough's demographics and zoning regulations.

The meeting of the Joint State College Borough Planning Commission, Borough Council, and Zoning Revision Advisory Committee, focused on downtown zoning, including discussions on height, incentive districts, and other related topics. The goal is to gather information to submit to consultants for drafting a new zoning law. The meeting addressed priorities for future land use, with a goal to transmit all information to the consultant team by May for them to write over the summer, with a first draft expected by September. The main objectives include increasing housing opportunities, supporting a thriving downtown commercial district, improving parking regulations, modernizing the ordinance, and maintaining resident diversity.

The meeting focused on reviewing the project purpose and input from the August 5th meeting. Key discussion topics included the West End Redevelopment, missing middle housing, and fraternity conversions and reuses. The zoning ordinance in the borough State College, drafted in 1959 and amended 220 times, was a central point. The meeting also addressed incentives for lead certification, building material requirements, setbacks, design enhancements, first-floor commercial use, and public land involvement. Residential incentives, commercial incentives, and edge properties were also discussed.

The meeting of the State College Borough Planning Commission focused on discussions related to zoning revisions and land use policies. The goal was to check in with the new Council and Planning Commission members to ensure alignment on the direction of the zoning revision. Key topics included identifying areas of consensus, addressing areas without consensus, and conducting further research on legal and best practice aspects. The discussion also covered economic analysis and feasibility studies related to the zoning code, aiming to understand the market's potential and financial viability for development projects.