Introduction

At its November 9, 2009 work session, Council will discuss whether or not to approve the State College Area Land Plan, including the future land use map, as the documents that will guide the preparation of a set of new land development (i.e., zoning and subdivision/land development) regulations and a new zoning map for State College.  The focus on November 9, 2009 will be on the future land use map portion of the SCLAP. 

Download State College Area Land Plan (10.6 MB PDF file)

Download Land Use Map (9.4 MB PDF file)

Download Nov 9 Council Agenda (4.2 MB PDF file)

The Centre Regional Planning Agency (CRPA) worked with College and Ferguson Townships and State College Borough on the preparation of the State College Area Land Plan (the Plan). The goal of the plan is:

Ultimately, the land area plan will be used as a guidance document for a complete update to the Borough of State College’s Zoning Ordinance and provide similar guidance to College and Ferguson Township, particularly in terms of a coordinated and complimentary approach to zoning at the municipal edges.  (page iii)

This plan should be used as a guidance document for the establishment of future land use regulations within the study area and also within the three municipalities that participated in this planning effort. (page vii)

Both the College and Ferguson Township Planning Commissions have reviewed the future land use map offered only a few comments and recommended minor changes that did not affect any proposed land uses adjacent to their municipal boundaries with the Borough.  The College Township Planning Commission and the Ferguson Township Planning Commission supported the future land use map and recommended their respective elected bodies approve the future land use map. 

The State College Borough Planning Commission considered the future land use map at its August 20, 2009 meeting.  At that meeting the Planning Commission recommended that staff be prepared to answer the question “What can this plan do for the Borough”?  The Planning Commission was also concerned that there may be some friction created between the municipalities involved in this process since the Borough is central to this Area plan and the future land use map. 

As Council considers the delineations, staff notes that the multi-family residential designation includes all forms of residential except single-family detached housing.  That is, all densities of multiple unit buildings from duplexes to higher density apartment buildings are included in this classification.  The land use description key included in the agenda for the November 9, 2009 Borough Council work session provides details on each of the land use categories shown on the future land use map.

Zoning and land development regulations are tools to aid in the implementation of the community’s community development goals and objectives. Recognizing that some adjustments may be necessary in the delineations on the map, staff believes that overall the future land use map reflects the goals of creating a sustainable walkable community.  The map identifies areas where mixed use development will be encouraged as well as areas for single-family and multi-family housing, all of which are important components of the community.