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Bellefonte council briefed on potential waterfront plan changes; staff warn revisions could delay work
Summary
Planning and zoning administrator Gina Thompson presented an informational update on the Bellefonte Waterfront Project, saying potential changes are under discussion and cautioning that significant revisions could require new planning and historic‑review hearings and delay construction.
Bellefonte planning and zoning administrator Gina Thompson told the Borough Council that she had provided an informational memo about potential modifications to the Bellefonte Waterfront Project and said the memo required no council action at this time.
Thompson said the memo was intended to keep council apprised that discussions with the developer and regional agencies could produce changes to the project that may affect conditional uses previously granted and that, if significant, would have to return to the planning commission and the borough's historic review process for further review.
"There's no change at this time. The memo is just informational and for council to be aware that there is a potential for possible changes to the waterfront project," Thompson said. She also said the plan has not been signed and recorded at the county office because some conditions remain outstanding, including the permanent highway occupancy permit. Thompson said the developer has obtained a temporary highway occupancy permit but still must complete a traffic impact study to secure a permanent permit.
Councilmembers raised concerns about the timing and substance of any changes. One councilmember said a major modification "changes the whole when he gets the shovel in the ground" and warned that removing previously approved elements could significantly delay construction. Another councilmember suggested sending a letter to ask the developer about any planned revisions; council members said they have not yet had direct contact with the developer or the project engineer but that borough staff and PennDOT have been coordinating on temporary highway occupancy arrangements.
Thompson said Dunlap Street (sometimes referenced as Dunlop in materials) will not be opened for public use immediately but has been permitted for temporary use by PennDOT to support concurrent work on the High Street bridge. She said developer and PennDOT coordination aims to allow both projects to proceed in overlapping schedules.
Council did not take action. Thompson said borough staff would continue to monitor discussions and report back if significant modifications require formal review.
