Logan Township supervisors unanimously approved a zoning amendment Thursday that limits student housing in the residential housing zone near the Penn State Altoona campus.

The amendment, approved by a 5-0 vote, also makes it possible now for the college to enter into public-private partnerships, if it wishes, to build student dormitories on its land.

"It's the best of both worlds," Supervisor Ed Frontino said.

Residents no longer have to deal with the proliferation of student housing in their neighborhoods while the college now has the ability to expand its on-campus housing, Frontino said.

Owners who rented to students prior to 2000 will have their properties grandfathered under the amended ordinance. Those after 2000 must sign an agreement with the township to either make the 2009-10 school year the last for student rentals or seek the township's permission for a nonconforming use certificate.

The supervisors approved such an agreement with property owners William and Angela Wolfe, the second agreement approved by the board in recent weeks.

Solicitor Larry Clapper said the agreements are working the way the supervisors hoped it would.

"People are actually entering into the agreement. Let's hope it continues," he said.

The zoning amendment was drafted as a way to anticipate an increase in Penn State Altoona's enrollment, which could increase by 500 in the next five years.

Supervisor Jim Patterson suggested that copies of the ordinance be sent to real estate agents who may try to sell homes in the area under the pretense of turning them into student rentals. Only homes that are grandfathered under the ordinance can be sold and have the student rental rights assigned to the new owners, Clapper said.

Thursday's vote was delayed two weeks after Patterson and Supervisor Jerry Fulare were absent from the Sept. 10 meeting.