A proposed university housing project and a draft rezoning request prompted extended discussion Oct. 28 as commissioners considered impacts of adding large volumes of student housing near residential blocks.

Background: Planning staff reported that the university presented conceptual renderings and asked to rezone a block from NC‑2 to a PUC district to accommodate a large, multi‑unit student housing project. Commissioners and attendees said the presentation at SmartGrowth lacked detail about pedestrian circulation, deliveries and the precise yield under NC‑2 compared with the proposed PUC standard. Commission members asked the university to provide more granular data, including the university’s internal list of students seeking on‑campus housing (waitlist/ demand figures), so the borough can better quantify the housing shortfall driving the university’s request.

Concerns raised: Commissioners and residents cited potential impacts that include increased noise, litter, and on‑street parking pressure if a large number of beds are approved near established residential streets. Commissioner Steve Mitten said, "The closer we kept the students to the campus, the better," arguing that concentrating student housing near campus could reduce pressure on residential neighborhoods. Commissioner Alan Burke asked university officials to share the number of students on internal wait lists so the borough can understand the scale of demand driving the proposal.

Enforcement and existing conditions: Planning staff reported the borough holds about 5,820 rental licenses in total and that roughly 140 licensed properties were not current on requirements; staff said they are pursuing enforcement actions and court proceedings for noncompliant properties. Staff described an interdepartmental enforcement approach (planning, code enforcement, police, public works) and said fines can be assessed for noncompliance.

Process and next steps: The item was referred back to SmartGrowth for the university to respond to the feedback and provide clearer yield and operational details. Commissioners noted that any rezoning or text amendment is discretionary for Borough Council and that by approving new zoning the borough could broaden what the university may ultimately build; multiple commissioners urged the university and the borough to aim for a negotiated, "win‑win" outcome that limits impacts on adjacent neighborhoods. SmartGrowth or staff will request the university’s bed‑demand figures and invite the team back with revised materials before the Council considers any rezoning or text amendment.