Gray says PSU may reconsider zoning issue
Penn State Fayette CEO Dr. Gregory Gray said Wednesday the university is opposed to a zoning change for the construction of a 168-unit apartment complex near the school. Gray, however, said university officials “may reconcile our difference’ with the Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, which asked for the zoning change, and agreed to postpone a zoning hearing on the matter until May 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Gray expressed his views during a hearing before the Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board.
Fay-Penn is seeking a use variance on a vacant 8-acre parcel near the University Technology Park off Route 119 in North Union Township.
The land is zoned agricultural-rural (A-1). A developer plans to construct four 21/2-story apartment buildings and a 186-space parking lot.
The complex would be accessible from Eberly Way, according to a plan prepared by McMillen Engineering Inc. of Uniontown.
The campus does not have student housing on or off campus.
After the hearing, Gray said the two sides have yet to talk to work out the details, but he wouldn’t discuss why the school has opposed the plan.
Attorney Ernest DeHaas III, who represented Fay-Penn, asked for a delay to sometime in April. Gray said he did not object to a delay. Board Chairman Mark Morrison said the hearing could be rescheduled to April 30, but Gray said a longer delay was needed.
DeHaas said scheduling the hearing for April 30 would give the parties enough time to meet, and another continuance could be requested if needed.
Morrison said the hearing also could be held May 14.
Gray said he preferred May 14, noting that the extra time likely would be needed because Fay-Penn representatives will have to travel to the main campus in State College for a meeting with university officials.
Board Secretary Ricardo Cicconi said he hoped both sides will use the extra time to resolve their differences. The Fayette County Planning Commission approved the apartment complex last week; however, commission officials expressed concerns that the land was in a tax-free Keystone Opportunity Zone.
It was noted that the KOZ was meant to attract businesses, not housing developers, but officials said they had no choice but to approve the plans because they were within the law.
They said the complex would house students from Fayette Campus, the Laurel Business Institute and the West Virginia Career Institute.