A potential new hotel found a loophole to build a 4th story, and State College residents aren’t happy
Updated Jan 23, 2021;
A potential new hotel has irked residents and caused consternation among some members of the State College planning commission after finding a legal loophole that would allow it to skirt a borough ordinance that limits new buildings in similar zoning districts to three stories.
Design plans for the 122-room hotel, at part of the former Autoport motel and restaurant property ( 1401 S. Atherton St.), show the new building will be four stories, creating concerns for nearby residents about both the aesthetic and the traffic/safety impact. The owner, South Atherton Real Estate I L.P., appears able to build the extra story because of an ambiguous borough ordinance that allows for additional building height for inclusionary housing, or affordable housing designed for low- to moderate-income households.