Those who live in the existing quiet residential neighborhoods that will border the proposed student housing project, The Retreat, are dealing with a sense of shock and disbelief that the College Township Council would approve, by a 3-2 margin, the continuation of the process by the developer.

The public comment was consistently against the development for a number of legitimate reasons: The integrity of those neighborhoods would be adversely impacted, and this fails to meet one of the stated requirements for a Planned Residential Development; property value of the homes would be adversely affected, a failure to meet the stated requirements for a PRD; and significant reduction in the lifelong savings of the residents for whom the value of their home represents a form of insurance for their later years.

What is difficult to understand is the blatant and total disregard for the welfare and quality of life of these residents, which Dan Klees, David Koll and Forrest Remick displayed in their lack of any sense of accountability in casting that vote.

We hope the State College borough officials and the Centre Region Planning Commission are able to halt this undesirable project.

Connie and Terry Daugherty State College