Many different Authorities, Boards and Commissions (ABCs) have been formed to support Bellefonte Borough’s elected officials and staff. This overview [1] covers the various ABCs and their functions and includes an application form for anyone interested in serving on one of these bodies. Your completed volunteer application [2] will aid Borough officials in filling vacancies on the ABCs. Those individuals who devote their time, energy, and know-how to the ABCs are a vital part of Bellefonte Borough. We could not function without their expertise and dedication. Some appointments require Borough residency while others do not. Think about how you can help your local officials make your community even better. For more information, call the Bellefonte Borough office at (814) 355-1501 or email at boro@bellefontepa.gov [3].
Bellefonte Borough Planning Commission
The Bellefonte Borough Planning Commission is an advisory or recommending body to the Borough Council. It consists of five members, each appointed by Council for a four-year term. The Commission works closely with the Zoning Administrator. It considers planning issues such as rezoning requests, transportation, environmental impact, water and sewage issues. This body also reviews all land development and subdivision plans submitted to the Borough and forwards an advisory opinion to the Borough Council. Reviews are performed to determine compliance with Borough zoning and subdivision regulations as well as with state regulations. The Commission then makes a recommendation to the Council for their ruling on the issue in question.
The Planning Commission meets the second Monday of the month, normally at 5 p.m. If there are no projects to review, the meeting may be canceled.
There is currently no vacancy on this Board
Zoning Hearing Board
The Bellefonte Borough Zoning Hearing Board consists of five members and one alternate, each appointed by the Borough Council for a five-year term. The Board works closely with the Zoning Administrator. The Board meets once a month, usually in the evening, to review appeals and variance requests as needed.
The Zoning Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body that works independently of the Borough Council. A solicitor is appointed to serve this body as legal counsel at hearings and to prepare the legal documents that reflect the decisions of the zoning hearing board. The Zoning Hearing Board decides upon the following:
- Requests for variance from various sections of the Zoning Ordinance and Sign Ordinance.
- Appeals of decisions made by the Zoning Administrator regarding the granting or denial of a permit, issuance of any cease-and–desist order, and determinations made in administration of the ordinances.
There is currently no vacancy on this Board
Bellefonte Borough Historical & Architectural Review Board
The purpose of HARB is to make recommendations to Bellefonte Borough Council concerning the erection, reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition or razing of all or any part of a building or structure located within the boundaries of the Historical District and visible from a public right-of-way. The HARB is composed of seven members and at least one alternate member, with each member serving a four-year term. Of the seven members, one shall be a registered architect, one a licensed real estate broker, one the Borough building official, one a business person whose principal place of business is located within the HARB-regulated historic district, and three additional persons with a knowledge of and interest in historic preservation. Residency is preferred but not required.
The HARB’s regularly scheduled meetings are at 8:30 A.M. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month unless circumstances warrant a postponement.
There is currently no vacancy on this Board
Bellefonte Area Industrial Development Authority
The Bellefonte Area Industrial Development Authority (BAIDA) promotes economic development within Bellefonte Borough. This Authority consists of five members, each appointed to a five-year term. Residency is not required. The Authority meets on a monthly basis the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m., and has recently overseen the waterfront redevelopment project. It is currently assisting Council with the redevelopment/re-use of the National Guard Armory property.
There is currently one vacancy on this Board, with the term expiring on 12/31/2027.
Bellefonte Borough Authority
The Bellefonte Borough Authority is a seven-member Authority, all appointed by Council for a five-year term. Residency is required. The Authority transitioned from a fiscal authority to an operating authority around 2003 when Bellefonte Borough and the Authority entered into a management agreement. The Authority sets the policies and rates while the Borough uses its staff to manage the day-to-day activities of both the water and wastewater system.
There is currently one vacancy on this Board, with the term expiring on 12/31/2027.
Bellefonte Civil Service Commission
The Civil Service Commission is a three-member Commission with each member serving a six-year term. The Commission is designed to oversee the hiring and promotional process related to full-time police officers.
Residency is required. Candidates for these positions must go through a civil service process where written and oral exams are given and scored. The Commission presents a list of eligible candidates to Council for their consideration. The Commission must meet the first Monday of the new year to re-organize. Other meeting times are on an as-needed basis.
There is currently no vacancy on this Board.
Centre County Library Board
Bellefonte Borough Council appoints a Bellefonte Borough representative to the Library Board, for a four-year term. Residency is not required.
There is currently one vacancy on this Board, with the term expiring on 12/31/2026.