Council approves revised designs for Bellefonte Waterfront hotel and mixed‑use building

Bellefonte Borough Council voted to approve revised designs for the Bellefonte Waterfront project’s Building 1 (hotel) and Building 2 (garage, condominiums and commercial space) during the borough’s business meeting.

The motion to “approve the revised designs of Building 1, the hotel, and Building 2, the garage/condo/commercial,” was moved by Mr. Randy Breckbill and seconded by Ms. Rita Purnell. A roll‑call vote recorded all council votes in favor and the motion passed.

Gina (the borough manager) briefed council before the vote, summarizing the Historic Architectural Review Board’s (HARB) review. She said HARB had asked the developer to better align Building 2’s design with the hotel’s aesthetic; the architect made changes and HARB recommended approval. The presentation to council included modest modifications to the hotel design — notably the addition of Juliet balconies at three hotel entrances — and color and railing recommendations for Building 2 that the developer accepted.

Gina also noted that the project team must next seek planning‑commission review, perform lot consolidation and finalize a land‑development plan. She said a clear construction start date was not available at the meeting because the developer still must complete planning and permitting steps.

Council discussion was brief; no member opposed the motion. The vote followed standard roll call procedures. The motion’s approval means the developer can proceed to the next permitting and land‑development steps outlined by borough staff and HARB.

The business meeting also included an informational staff note that the project’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit had expired and that the developer and engineers are working with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and borough authority staff on a new permit application. Council did not take a separate vote on the NPDES matter at this meeting.