Marion Township residents urge commissioners to oppose proposed highway-commercial rezoning near I‑80 interchange

Two Marion Township residents told Centre County commissioners on Aug. 15 they oppose a proposed rezoning that would convert roughly 278 acres near the Interstate 80 interchange from agricultural and conservation uses to highway commercial.

Andrea Royer, a Marion Township resident, said she was speaking "with deep concern about the proposal to rezone more than 270 acres of farmland, residential homes and Amish homesteads to highway commercial with the I‑80 interchange." She told the commissioners local state police are already "stretched thin" and warned the facilities could bring higher levels of crime and trafficking to the rural area.

Lisa Ford, a 29‑year Marion Township resident, said the proposal would rezone 17 parcels totaling 278 acres now designated AG‑1, AG‑2 and conservation to highway commercial. "This is a major departure from what's in place now," she said, adding that some parcels lie in an agricultural security area and are enrolled in the Clean and Green program. Ford said Marion Township lacks public water and sewer, that soils in the area (identified in the meeting as Morrison soils) are poor for commercial septic and that more impervious surface would increase runoff and erosion affecting nearby farms and wells.

The commissioners and county staff responded that the county does not set municipal zoning. County Administrator John Franek told the audience, "the county does not dictate or mandate any type of zoning upon any municipality within Centre County. Those responsibilities lie with your local elected officials." Franek and other county staff said the planning office can provide comments and objective observations and that any written comments from county planning are public record.

Commissioner Dershow said the county should continue conversations with planning staff to "find a path forward" that balances likely development around an interchange with protections for residents. Other commissioners and staff highlighted operational concerns the county can address in its advisory role, including unique 9‑1‑1 addressing and access for emergency vehicles.

Why it matters: residents and township leaders said the rezoning would conflict with the Nittany Valley Regional Comprehensive Plan adopted by Marion Township and neighboring municipalities and could alter farmland protections, groundwater quality and the rural character of the area. County officials said their role is advisory and encouraged residents to raise concerns at the municipal public‑hearing process.

Next steps noted at the meeting: county staff said they have provided comment letters to the township and that the rezoning is subject to Marion Township's public hearing process. Commissioners said they will discuss the issue further with county planning staff to determine what advisory steps the county should take.

Votes and formal actions: no formal county vote or zoning action occurred at the Aug. 15 meeting on the rezoning request; the item was addressed during public comment and subsequent commissioner discussion.