Charles R. Gable
State College Borough Council
“Charles is very effective
at championing the issues
vital to our community.  
Charles is an innovative
and progressive thinker.
He has great ideas on how
to reuse, repurpose and
redevelop our downtown
to benefit everyone.”

-Michael Freeman, former
Planning Commissioner,
State College Borough
Campaign Platform
What is the most important issue facing State College Borough?

"The economic climate.  We must accelerate the transition to the New Urbanism
Model of governance, creating a diverse range of owner-occupied housing with
recreation, entertainment and jobs, centered in proximity to walkable
neighborhoods.  Incorporating Green Borough Initiatives into the West End and
Downtown Vision strategic plans will accomplish these objectives in a low-tax
environment, with an eye to a sustainable future, and protecting already
well-established in-town neighborhoods.  Public-Private partnerships are vital to
achieving these goals."

-Charles R. Gable
State College Borough,
Planning Commissioner
Priorities
Plan of Action
Environmental
Conservation
  1. Develop a park system connected by bicycle and walking paths
  2. Incorporate green space mandates in zoning regulations for the
    Commercial Incentive District (CID)
  3. Encourage new development to be LEEDS certified (Leadership in
    Energy and Environmental Design)
  4. Work with Council of Governments and County leadership to
    develop a wind farm energy conservation policy
  5. Support the development of a regional waste water reuse facility
Keeping our
neighborhoods
safe
  1. Traffic mitigation initiatives
  2. Increase police foot patrols
  3. Improved street lighting
  4. Work with University to address drug & alcohol abuse
  5. Support county-wide drug court initiative
Keeping our
neighborhoods
clean
  1. Educate students and fraternities on the benefits of being good
    neighbors and stewards of their community
  2. Encourage civic involvement and volunteerism
  3. Build on the already successful recycling program to incorporate
    recycling of bio-degradable waste such as food (compost)
Holding the line
on taxation
  1. Increasing the tax base by becoming a business friendly borough,
    encouraging owner-occupied housing, and increasing density in
    select portions of the borough
  2. Index the budget to limit increases in expenditures to no more
    than the national rate of inflation per year
  3. Limit the use of ‘eminent domain’ to halt the erosion of taxable
    property
Encourage
owner-occupied
homes/
Affordable
housing
  1. Increase the homestead exemption of $30,000 to $50,000 (as the tax
    base grows) to reduce property taxes on owner-occupied homes
  2. Expand first-time home-buyer incentive programs
  3. Support Downtown Improvement District vision of a diversified
    town center to include year-round residents
  4. Actively support and expand Land Trust program for first-time
    home buyers
  5. Incorporate workforce housing into the West End (formerly Urban
    Village) redevelopment
Create a
business-friendly
borough
  1. Increase the geographic boundaries of the Commercial Incentive
    District downtown
  2. Encourage property owners to partner with one another in the
    development of parking facilities, commercial space and green
    space
  3. Use tax incentives and low interest loans to lure companies into
    the Borough
  4. Work with the borough's Redevelopment Authority on special
    projects, especially more efficient land use in the Westerly
    Parkway Plaza area
  5. Build upon Fraser Center financing success, research
    opportunities to use Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Setting Priorities!