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Blair County Planning Commission members said Thursday a request to rezone a property in Hollidaysburg is not consistent with the county's comprehensive plan.
BC Holdings LLC had petitioned Hollidaysburg Borough to rezone the Stowell Farm property. The land is currently zoned for traditional Neighborhood development, and the request is to rezone the property as general residential.
Gaysport residents are opposed to the change, fearing it may lead to additional development that would increase flooding problems in their area.
Hollidaysburg Watchdog member Regis Nale came to the meeting to express concerns about the proposed zoning change.
Commission Chairman William Hall told Nale that the county planning commission was not the proper forum for him to address those concerns and that he should express them to Hollidaysburg officials.
"Hollidaysburg has a history of following whatever you recommend. We need to address this so this doesn't happen. I don't know of any other way to get the information out unless we come to you," Nale said.
"We are an advisory committee, no matter what we say, Hollidaysburg will do what it desires to do. Our charge is to say if development is consistent with the county comprehensive plan. It is up to the municipality to see if it meets their goals and requirements. I sympathize with your problem," Hall said.
Significant portions of the Stowell farm property is in a 100-year flood plain, said MacKenzie Caron, regional planner.
"We would not recommend construction there," Caron said.
Hall and other members concluded the change would not be consistent with the county's comprehensive plan.
"We are being asked if it is consistent or not. If it is not, we can't recommend it. This change would make it inconsistent with the county's comprehensive plan," Hall said.