Centre Region COG puts church request to extend growth boundary on fast track

STATE COLLEGE A local church will get an expedited answer to its request to hook up to the public sewer in Harris Township, after a vote Monday night by Centre Region elected officials.

The Council of Governments General Forum voted 4-2 to allow Calvary Baptist Church to begin, out of sequence, the process of seeking approval to receive public sewer service at a new development planned for the churchs Harvest Fields site near the Boalsburg Technology Park.

The COG typically hears such requests, required when a development will exist outside the regions boundary for sewer service, in February and September. While the process to determine the impact of extending the sewer line can begin at another time in an emergency, the process does not define emergency.

Regional planning Director Jim May said the church developers want to begin construction this year.

Paul Rittenhouse, of Harris Township, explained that the church first submitted the request a year ago, but resubmitted based on various township requests. The home township must approve the sewer extension before it advances to the COG.

I think thats the urgency, Rittenhouse said of the initial delay.

College, Halfmoon, Harris and Patton townships approved an expedited process. Ferguson opposed, and State College officials tied, resulting in a no vote. Some officials said allowing the

impact process to take place outside the agreed-upon timeline will become overly burdensome for staff.

As for this project, I think its unfortunate that the developers have been delayed for a number of reasons, said Cathy Dauler, of State College. But I also think its important that we stick with the plan we have now.

Jeff Luck, of Patton Township, said that, when the process was initially developed, officials chose to review projects twice a year because they tend to be rather lengthy and contentious. He suggested reconsidering the entire process.

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Centre Region COG puts church request to extend growth boundary on fast track