State College council debates 7‑story mixed‑use; leans toward five‑story R4 compromise

Ed LeClere, a planning staff member, opened the council discussion by showing graphics of a proposed mixed‑use redevelopment around the Atherton/University Drive intersection that would allow up to seven stories in places currently mapped for lower heights. LeClere told the council the visuals were intended to illustrate differences in massing and asked for guidance on whether to proceed with mixed use or to treat the area as R4 (a lower‑height option).

Planning staff framed the primary concerns as traffic and neighborhood character. LeClere said the University Drive/East Branch intersection is “viewed as one of the most dangerous intersections” in the county and that the department had not yet modeled trip generation for a seven‑story building. He warned that raising height from four to seven stories would be “a pretty significant departure from existing character” and noted prior neighborhood opposition to taller proposals.

Council members split along familiar lines. “I would like to see more…