Page 1 of 20 Meeting Agenda State College Borough Planning Commission Room 304 / 12:00 p.m. I. II. Call to Order Roll Call Michael Roeckel, Chair Anita Genger, Vice-Chair Zoe Boniface Charles Dumas Scott Dutt Jon Eich Richard Kalin III. IV. V. VI. Approval of Minutes May 18, 2017 Chair Report Public Hour - Hearing of Citizens Land Development Plan A. Final Plan Waste Water Treatment Plant Rotary Press Dewatering System, UPD Sub district 10 Zoning District, The Pennsylvania State University, owner, Uni-Tec, Engineer This project proposes to demolish the existing building to build a new building which will include a new rotary press dewatering system. This work is needed due to the age of the building and equipment having out lived their useful life. The new one-story building will have a building footprint of approximately 2,800 square feet. Attached to the agenda on pages 8-18 are an aerial view, photos of the site and the plan set. Planning Commission Action: No action is required by the Commission. Comments regarding the final land development plan can be provided to staff and will be incorporated into the review letter. VII. Official Reports and Correspondence A. Borough Council (BC) B. Design and Historic Review Board (DHRB)
Page 2 of 20 C. Land Development Plans D. Redevelopment Authority (RDA) E. Staff Updates VIII. Upcoming Meetings Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at Noon IX. Adjournment Following adjournment, the Planning Commission and the public will have an opportunity to complete the zoning ordinance rewrite survey. The Planning Commission and the public are asked to complete one of two survey options. These are attached to the end of the agenda for review and if desired completion prior to the June 6, 2017 meeting.
Page 3 of 20 Meeting Minutes State College Borough Planning Commission May 18, 2017 The State College Borough Planning Commission (PC) met on Thursday, May 18, 2017 in the State College Municipal Building, 243 South Allen Street, State College, PA. Chairman Roeckel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present Michael Roeckel, Chairman; Anita Genger, Vice-Chairman; Zoe Boniface, Scott Dutt and Jon Eich Others Present Ed LeClear, Planning Director; Anne Messner, Planner/Zoning Officer; Jenna Wargo, Planner; John Wilson, Zoning Officer; Amy Kerner, Borough Engineer; Denise L. Rhoads, Administrative Assistant; Karl Shellenberger, Buchart Horn; Steve Watson, Penn State University, David Stone, and other interested parties Approval of Minutes A motion was made to approve the May 3, 2017 minutes as amended by Ms. Boniface and was seconded by Vice-Chairman Genger. The vote was unanimously in favor. Chair Report Chairman Roeckel had nothing to report. Public Hour No one was in the audience who wished to discuss items not on the agenda. Land Development Plan Preliminary Plan, The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) Steam Services Building, University Planned District (UPD) Zoning District, Sub district 5, Buchart Horn, Engineer PSU proposed to construct a new Steam Services Building at their existing West Campus Steam Plant (WCSP). The project will be part of a larger plan being constructed over the next several years. Mr. Shellenberger s presentation included: The second phase of the project, will be improvements to the site which included the following: 1. Construction of a new Steam Services Building, which will have a footprint of approximately 10,000 square feet. 2. Demolition of existing underground oil storage tanks.
Page 4 of 20 3. Construction and relocation of underground utilities including sewer, water, chilled water, electric/telecommunications, and natural gas. 4. Paving (and repaving) of access drives and parking areas. The building will house office and maintenance staff. PC s comments included: Chairman Roeckel asked what would happen to the existing brick stack. Mr. Shellenberger stated it would be taken down. Mr. Dutt asked if there would be enough space on site for all the shops and equipment. Mr. Shellenberger stated there was plenty of room. Ms. Boniface asked if the Design and Historic Review Board (DHRB) had comments. Ms. Messner stated the DHRB was very complimentary of the design and stated it would be a good fit. Ms. Boniface asked if the cornice on this building was equivalent to what will be on the new building. Mr. Shellenberger stated it would be similar in size. Ms. Boniface asked if the two elms trees will be preserved. Mr. Shellenberger stated they will remain as is. Mr. Eich asked what staffs thoughts were. Ms. Messner stated staff had no issue with the plan. David Stone of 539 East Foster Avenue stated he was concerned PSU was painting themselves in a corner. He noted the lower stack means residents will be exposed to more pollution. He was concerned the underground utilities would be left behind if they build up from this site. He was also concerned about Homeland Security regarding propane tanks on this site. He stated he hoped PSU would seriously consider this concern. Chairman Roeckel stated he wanted to talk about the propane tank. Mr. Shellenberger stated it will be protected on all three sides with a wall to the rear. Mr. Eich asked what the proximity of the tank was to the surrounding buildings. Mr. Shellenberger stated there was a road way and a parking lot between. Chairman Roeckel stated there should be ways to control the safety of the tank better. Ms. Boniface noted this tank was not in the path of students and she stated she would like the developers to rethink this plan. Chairman Roeckel stated he would like to see the tank enclosed completely. Vice-Chairman Genger asked if there were plans in place in case something would change. Mr. Watson stated with the removal of the bag house, they feel the area where the tank will be located would be safe and he was not aware of any plans for expansion. Chairman Roeckel asked if PSU had done a study on the quality of air coming from their stacks. Mr. Watson stated PSU was reopening the independent study and they have gathered information for that. Mr. LeClear stated there was a study done by the applicant and information was provided by a local expert. The
Page 5 of 20 Borough did their own study as well and all this information will be provided at the hearing on May 30. A motion was made by Chairman Roeckel and seconded by Mr. Eich to recommend to Council the approval of this proposal and to include the members comments and Mr. Stone s comments. Mr. Dutt stated some of the comments to be included were not in this Commissions purview. The motion passed with the vote of 4-1-0. Community Planning Proposed Modification to the Zoning Ordinance to add Provisions for Wireless Cell Monopoles and Modify the Antenna section of the ordinance Ms. Messner s presentation included: Based on a recent order from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granting municipalities the authority to regulate monopoles in rights-of-ways, staff had drafted an ordinance for the PC to review. Staff also shared the current ordinance that allowed cellular facilities in the right-of-way (ROW). Ms. Messner stated the Centre Regional Planning Agency (CRPA) reviewed the ordinance and noted Council should consider expanding the potential to install wireless facilities in other portions of the municipality where residents and businesses may be underserved. Ms. Kerner s presentation included: Ms. Kerner stated the current ordinance was passed in 2011. And, originally fiber optic did not pass through the Borough. The current ordinance allows communications in right-of-way s (ROW s) only. She noted the Borough had a use of agreement to use the ROW s and a separate ordinance to hook up to the Borough lines. Chairman Roeckel asked why it was not allowed for the poles to be wood. Ms. Messner stated staff discussed it and thought it would not be a good look for our street furniture which is a generic term for structures directly in the public way. Ms. Boniface stated chances should be taken to up our aesthetic standards. Mr. Eich asked what the Borough would be paid for these structures. Ms. Kerner stated there will be a use and structure fee. And, it would be presented to Council. Mr. Eich stated the Borough should do all it can to generate non-tax revenue. Mr. Eich stated he would not recommend monopoles in the C district and suggested putting them in the UPD district. Mr. Dutt suggested only using them in alley ways. Mr. Eich asked Ms. Kerner what person means in the ROW ordinance. Ms. Kerner stated she would do some research and find an answer.
Page 6 of 20 Ms. Boniface asked when fees would be negotiated. Ms. Kerner stated, currently, the Borough has a fee schedule of five years with Crown Castle with an additional consecutive 4-years. She stated there are termination provisions in the ordinance. Mr. Eich asked if there will be many variations of requests for these poles. Ms. Messner stated staff anticipated there would be many different requests. Chairman Roeckel asked if the ordinance allowed antennae s in resident s yards. Ms. Messner stated the practice had not been to place on any building or structure. There was nothing in the ordinance prohibiting the placement of poles in yards. Ms. Messner stated she would be more comfortable if there was a specific height stated. Mr. Eich stated a 25-foot limit in the C district and a 40-foot limit in the CID district seemed more acceptable. Vice-Chairman Genger stated there was a lot of cluttering of sidewalks currently. She suggested considering more specific areas for these poles. Mr. Dutt stated he agreed. Vice-Chairman Genger asked if guide wires would be acceptable. Ms. Messner stated those are strictly for towers. Ms. Messner stated they could add no lights on monopoles to this ordinance. Mr. LeClear stated staff could add to the ordinance that none be put on roof tops as well. Mr. Eich suggested recommending not to permit monopoles on Allen Street. Ms. Messner asked if Ms. Kerner saw any restrictions for placing these poles in alleys. Ms. Kerner stated she would have to research this. Ms. Boniface stated there should be a restriction prohibiting monopoles on Calder Way. Mr. LeClear clarified the suggestions from members: 1) poles should be placed in alleys except for Calder Way; 2) should be placed in the C district with a height restriction of 25 feet and in the CID district with a height restriction of 40 feet with Chairman Roeckel s language preference included; 3) no placement in yards or on top of any structure and 4) no lights on these poles. Mr. Eich asked if there would be room on the parking garage properties to place these poles. Ms. Messner stated there were two garages that would be too tall. Mr. LeClear stated all the garages are above 40 feet except the McAllister Deck. Mr. Eich asked what kind of traffic the monopoles could handle. Ms. Messner stated it would improve service to whomever would need it. Mr. Eich suggested adopting what was current then including amendments immediately.
Page 7 of 20 A motion was made by Mr. Eich and seconded by Mr. Dutt to recommend to Council the approval of this proposal with all the suggestions from PC members. The vote was unanimously in favor. A motion was made by Mr. Eich and seconded by Mr. Dutt to also recommend to Council if the suggestions made by the PC would delay the implementation of this ordinance, would Council consider adopting the ordinance as drafted and then include amendments as discussed by PC at this meeting. The vote was unanimously in favor. Official Reports and Correspondence Borough Council (BC): Mr. LeClear reported Council approved the conditional use permits for Corl Street and Radio Park Elementary Schools, voted to move forward in considering the proposed Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) with an indepth report from staff. He also noted the conditional use hearing for the Residences will be on June 5. Design and Historic Review Board (DHRB): Ms. Messner reported the DHRB met on Tuesday and reviewed two signs and provided feedback for the Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) to consider on one of the signs. They had concerns about the sign scale, but approved the sign design. Land Development Plans: Ms. Messner noted there will be a final for PSU s wastewater treatment plan. Staff Updates: Mr. LeClear reminded the members the zoning surveys will be due on May 26 and applications for serving on the advisory committee were also on our website. He also reminded members of the maps of the historic district available on our website. Upcoming Meetings include: Wednesday, at Noon Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 7 p.m. Adjournment With no further business to discuss, this meeting was adjourned by Chairman Roeckel at 8:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Denise L. Rhoads, Administrative Assistant
Aerial View of Wastewater Treatment Plant (Source: Google maps) Page 8 of 20
Page 9 of 20 THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY ROTARY PRESS DEWATERING SYSTEM LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN STATE COLLEGE BOROUGH CENTRE COUNTY - PENNSYLVANIA FEBRUARY 22, 2017 FINAL PLAN SUBMISSION SITE 2007 Cato Avenue (814) 238-8223 www.uni-tec.com
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Page 19 of 20 MEMORANDUM Clarion Associates 919.967.9188 101 Market Street, Suite D Chapel Hill, NC 27516 www.clarionassociates.com TO: Community members General Borough of State College, Pennsylvania FROM: Clarion Associates DATE: April 6, 2017 RE: Questionnaire Zoning Ordinance Update Project We are seeking your feedback related to the Borough of State College s Zoning Ordinance update project, and appreciate your taking a few moments to share your thoughts through the questionnaire below, which consists of five questions. Your input on the regulations is being sought to guide and assist the consultant team and Borough staff in identifying issues that need to be addressed in the project. You are encouraged to be frank and open. All comments and input will be treated in confidence, and nothing in the project reports will be attributed to any individual or organization. Responses can be emailed directly to zonestatecollege@statecollegepa.us or mailed or hand-delivered to the address below: Planning & Zoning Department 243 South Allen Street Background The Borough of State College is conducting a major update to its Zoning Ordinance in order to better implement the Borough's different planning documents and to ensure that the Zoning Ordinance is internally consistent, modernized, aligned with contemporary zoning best practices, and more user-friendly. The project consists of five major tasks as shown in the graphic above. Task 1 of the project is expected to be completed by the end of April, 2017. More information is available on the project web site, which can be accessed at www.zonestatecollege.org. Planning Zoning & Land Use Real Estate Sustainability & Resiliency
Page 20 of 20 1. Please rate your overall experience with the Zoning Ordinance as far as its appropriateness and effectiveness, on a scale of 1 through 5 (1 is the lowest rating and 5 is the highest rating). 1 2 3 4 5 2. What has been your experience with the current Zoning Ordinance? 3. What are the most important changes to the Zoning Ordinance that would make you feel this update project has been successful? 4. Are there specific issues related to development (or development regulations) that you believe need to be addressed in the Zoning Ordinance update? 5. What has been your experience with development permitting under the current Zoning Ordinance? Are development review processes too time consuming? Adequate? Please provide specific examples. 6. What broader goals should be addressed in the Zoning Ordinance update? Borough of State College Zoning Ordinance Update Project Questionnaire 1