Mount Nittany Health plans imaging, expanded services in Bellefonte under lot consolidation; council approves preliminary final plan

Bellefonte Borough Council on Monday approved a preliminary final lot consolidation plan that Mount Nittany Health and CUS Holdings filed to consolidate three parcels, a step hospital representatives said will let the health system expand services in Bellefonte.

Why it matters: Mount Nittany Health told council the consolidation will allow the system to add imaging and an XpressCARE after‑hours office in Bellefonte and to relieve capacity constraints at existing small clinics.

Council discussion noted the packet included a lot consolidation plan covering three parcels, including a portion of the former armory property. Gina (planning staff) told council the planning commission recommended approval. Bob Donahue, chief facility management officer for Mount Nittany Health, said the facility changes are intended to bring “new services to Bellefonte in the form of imaging and XpressCARE, which would be an after‑hours physician office.” He said several Bellefonte services had outgrown their existing spaces and the consolidation will create room for those clinical functions.

The council approved the planning commission recommendation on a roll‑call vote. The action was to accept the preliminary final plan; the council did not adopt a building permit or schedule construction at the meeting. Donahue answered questions from councilors and said Mount Nittany will work with borough staff and planning officials on subsequent land‑development steps, permits and timelines.

A forward look: The approval clears the planning‑commission recommendation and allows Mount Nittany to proceed to the next steps of site design and permitting. Council and planning staff said they expect the health system to submit detailed land‑development and building permit applications before construction.