A preliminary land development plan reviewed by State College Planning Commission on Thursday proposes replacing two existing rental properties on South Burrowes Street with a single, four-story apartment building.
A two-story, five-unit apartment building at 245 S. Burrowes St. and a house with one rental unit at 243 S. Burrowes St. would be razed for construction of The ‘G’ apartment building on a consolidated .52-acre site near the West Foster Avenue intersection. The properties are owned by AGL Limited Partnership.
The ‘G’ would have 10 four-bedroom units, including six with two baths and four with four baths. The developer will pay a fee-in-lieu instead of including the required one inclusionary housing unit within the building.
A 585-square-foot study lounge, 286-square-foot bicycle storage room and 1,181-square-foot fitness center would be located on the first floor. Parking spaces for 30 vehicles, including one handicap spot, are located on the south side of the proposed building, with one other at the back.
Michael Pratt, of Keller Engineers, said a traffic analysis found “a modest increase” in daily trips resulting from the increase from the existing six rental units to the proposed 10 in the new building. The borough’s traffic engineer agreed the project is exempt from a full traffic study “due to low trip generation,” borough senior planner Gregory Garthe said.
The building would have perimeter landscaping around the parking areas, required shade trees and low shrubbery for headlight screening, Pratt said. Existing plantings along the south lot boundary would be preserved.
ADA accessible entries and pathways are included to and from the front sidewalk, parking lot and trash/recycling enclosure.
Concrete precast planks and concrete block walls will be used for construction, with the exterior of the building comprised of two shades of brick masonry, said Fred Fernsler, of project architect Fernsler Hutchinson. The roof is expected to utilize reflective surfaces for heat control and be designed for controlled stormwater retention.
“The proposed building will be using very contemporary building materials and methods of construction, which are also keyed in well to the concept of energy conservation,” Fernsler said.
The plan also would result in less impervious surface coverage than the existing 80% on the site, resulting in better stormwater management, Pratt said.
“It’s about a 12 percent reduction, which basically means the stormwater will run off the developed site slower and at less of a volume than it does under existing conditions,” Pratt said.
Asked if the building would be specifically for student housing, Fernsler said it will be “open to all comers.”
During a meeting earlier in the week, the State College Design Review Board suggested that the plans should include some two-bedroom, one-bath units that would appeal to small families and individuals who work downtown.
The board also recommended some changes to the exterior design, including adding more windows at the front of the building.
Mark Huncik, president of the Highlands Civic Association, said he hoped to see refinements to the exterior design that will help serve as a gateway to the Highlands Historic District, which begins immediately to the south of the property.
“Any enhancements of its visual accents I think would be good in allowing it to be a transition into the neighborhood,” Huncik said.
Any revisions will be incorporated in a final land development plan that will come before borough staff and the planning commission before the project is approved.
Fernsler said demolition and construction are tentatively scheduled to begin in the spring and will take about 10 months to complete.
No street closures are anticipated for the construction, though a lane on Burrowes would be temporarily closed during utility connections, Pratt added.
