City Council Nixes LHU Zoning Request

LOCK HAVEN — A Lock Haven University effort to rezone a portion of W. Church St. failed Monday night when Lock Haven City Council voted 3-3 on a motion to turn down the request, in effect killing the university proposal.

The university through its foundation was seeking a rezoning for the west side of the 300 block of W. Church St, across the street from the school’s science center and adjoining building.

Short term the university delegation said it wanted the change from residential to public institutional so that two houses at the southwest corner of Church and Fourth Streets could be demolished to provide parking.

Council members who were against the request cited the loss of real estate tax revenue for the city, estimated at $9,500 a year for the two buildings which would have been demolished. Council member Ted Forbes, a retired LHU faculty member, was particularly outspoken, citing earlier university acquisitions which removed private property from the tax rolls. After university representatives made a presentation on the economic impact of the local school Forbes questioned the “economic impact” of placing a parking lot where two homes now stand. At one point Forbes told the university representatives, “You don’t know what you’re doing.”

Voting to deny the rezoning request were council members Bill Baney, Jonathon Bravard and Forbes. Voting against denial were Machell Alexander-Bressler, Richard Conklin and Steve Stevenson. The 3-3 vote killed the rezoning request; it came after an hour and a half discussion and was followed by the departure of the LHU delegation which included vice president Rodney Jenkins and Beth Riccardo, treasurer of the school foundation’s executive committee.

During the hearing Riccardo said approval of the rezoning would improve parking and safety in that area of the school’s east campus. As to a suggestion the school consider a parking garage instead, the school representatives said it would not be economically feasible.

University officials gave no indication Monday night they would pursue any alternative plan. The county planning board and the city planning board had earlier given their respective approvals to the university proposal.