[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6643134,"mediaKeyId","2532583-213ccbf3b09c8c6deae1aece6a416ac7","parentId",2532583,"title","New city manager Chris McGuire addresses council, pledges transparency and service","audioSeconds",38,"startMs",3093000,"endMs",3131000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532583-213ccbf3b09c8c6deae1aece6a416ac7&start=3093&end=3131","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532583-213ccbf3b09c8c6deae1aece6a416ac7/thumbnail_3093000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6643134/Altoona-City/Blair-County/Pennsylvania/New-city-manager-Chris-McGuire-addresses-council-pledges-transparency-and-service","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643134-3fe73d85b04375d86a748691cad8dc89/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440030&Signature=UDVqE7vceDy191BrF89On3cb-fiqXqIY7n4AHVqIwPx1zMdTKbYnbBzbpyfdvbn6bw32nvivOSjAmEvz~zuktvlkcul2tNv-1dw9cfNtffWqfMmq~0cOdJRb0vQTnmfEvJ8tJcWlmUmgM63QVK4SPahNiqsgQnfbPtURuDHHMDHmwh4leBJeq23~nDoWCUWqywHrYZGUgWmCj9wrwtmGsKYJU9LSk2jlORTugcbgORsMhfmPiaspbqE4j8g4fGlZacJrGzr~a6w9Kx0OGtv53MryIo4yaHqXiDWHRl0e6Qelr5p9jT~-DsgwiSFHONPBqhfZ~KxXxxliWS1IYpTrnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Altoona, PA","date","2025-03-10T23:15:50.36Z","article","Chris McGuire, the city's newly installed city manager, addressed the council and the public in his first remarks to the body.

\"With gratitude and humility, here tonight before you as the new city manager for this great city,\" McGuire said, adding that he was committed to stewardship and to working with city staff and the community \"to ensure that Altoona's best days are not behind us but ahead of us filled with hope and optimism.\"

Council members welcomed McGuire and several thanked interim leadership for their work during the transition. McGuire did not outline a detailed agenda in the remarks but emphasized dedication, transparency and commitment to excellence as guiding principles for his tenure. No formal vote or personnel action was required for the introductory remarks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Altoona City Council Meeting, March 10th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Chris McGuire, Altoona's newly appointed city manager, introduced himself to council and said he was committed to transparency and working with staff and the community.","taxTitle","Altoona City, Blair County, Pennsylvania","taxId",5059,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6643139,"Council approves consent agenda including PennDOT bus-lane agreement; vote 6-0",104,3011000,3115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532583-213ccbf3b09c8c6deae1aece6a416ac7&start=3011&end=3115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532583-213ccbf3b09c8c6deae1aece6a416ac7/thumbnail_3011000.jpg","/articles/6643139/Altoona-City/Blair-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-consent-agenda-including-PennDOT-bus-lane-agreement-vote-6-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643139-f755bcc579c059460cffcde21b327d6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440030&Signature=ELfK4RBIB~kCnqkgaoSMBBmyzubX9SD2pTs2pDUMhYYTFCYcsASAohLR4PUd9IZ3HgXctuqn4k3xa6hVYxW-m9kqpw~CgdVZ~34ACCVeg0uV6470hyZNYbofgBMigxpm-JL9z~mnvSmM~yiwf83VD7rSi6IM6K9tSpy8Ji6e80TXcBtOLsw3vp-UkLXM40HB1aAr4ivcMXltNkznlgECdODwaJU-t-9QWAOvTIy~RuxoUYSDmd5APjXYXf6IoHVSnT9ofOLUGCww5tggveZ98Tpj9J8kyOBp6oQYvdZCsCvHPJ553QoQDAzk00uQwuLFyIcW9VPY5LiVTGM5YXy3tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Altoona City Council approved its consent agenda by roll call vote, 6-0, with Mayor Pacifico absent. The consent agenda included five items read into the record and approved together.

Items approved on the consent agenda were: approval of minutes for council meetings on Feb. 10 and Feb. 24; acceptance of the completion of Nate Kissel's term as interim city manager and his return to the public works department as director with restoration of his base pay and benefits effective March 3, 2025; approval of election polling-place agreements for the 2025 primary and general elections (training facility, council chambers, Fire Stations 1, 2 and 3 as listed); and authorization of a highway use agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the installation and maintenance of a new bus lane in front of 2200 Broad Avenue, with authorization for the city manager to execute documents and the city clerk to attest.

Earlier in the meeting council voted to add the PennDOT highway-use resolution to the consent agenda after a motion and second; the addition passed on a voice vote. The formal consent roll call recorded the following votes: Councilman Beatty ' Yes; Councilman Butterbaugh ' Yes; Councilwoman Klinich ' Yes; Vice Mayor Ellis ' Yes; Councilman Ickis ' Yes; Councilman Kelly ' Yes. Mayor Pacifico was absent.","Altoona City Council approved consent agenda items including minutes, staffing changes, polling-place agreements and a highway use agreement with PennDOT for a new bus lane at 2200 Broad Avenue; council vote was 6-0 with the mayor absent.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6643143,"Residents oppose proposed Orchard Park sale; lawyer's demand letter and state constitution cited",603,1058000,1661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532583-213ccbf3b09c8c6deae1aece6a416ac7&start=1058&end=1661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532583-213ccbf3b09c8c6deae1aece6a416ac7/thumbnail_1058000.jpg","/articles/6643143/Altoona-City/Blair-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-oppose-proposed-Orchard-Park-sale-lawyers-demand-letter-and-state-constitution-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643143-12a9001ef29697ec0b7d6c5731105ad6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440030&Signature=gi-Og5vks55olCQouF6VLH4-RVnK6kXulSaD6sIqDieLQTiuiG6NzHQMvO3NwDl4IIp3uVoSfgDyRvLDTSYLmIsxwbih1cb4a2sm85Eu-HvoF92O8df0zGMHTWUHU3QhXSsZVaHycn5Oc08xb2kd2w3c3ksuH8LQd8V4Tl4icWu2V7iRtyY9veisAfrleGFag5B1-ROAV0pUq1POa-k7eis8LDAy5JWLZ6~-fluRcCzj5wUuB1-A-aIIJJuvXDePMRSxlRPNEvcPK7BBPbK6ddgwJIOredD4RLLdvjhnd2BHExXaDI7gw41v0SlfyFjhzJD8aLd3jltmVH2T4yjOTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Altoona residents used the public-comment period to urge the city to stop plans they said would remove or sell Orchard Park, a long-standing neighborhood green space, and to press the council to consult with tribal descendants and the public before any transfer.

Chuck Lamarck, who identified himself as a longtime resident, cited language from the city's comprehensive plan and said residents oppose removing park space. \"No one in Altoona supports your decision to destroy the park,\" Lamarck told the council.

Patricia Reed called the proposal \"absolutely asinine\" and said the city should instead invest in downtown and in green space. Resident Damien Spalone and others said Orchard Park has been used for generations for play, sledding and informal recreation and urged the city to improve, not sell, the park.

Timothy Smith, who identified himself as a retired U.S. Army chief warrant officer and said he had sought comment from the Conestoga-Susquehannock descendants, spoke about the Pennsylvania Constitution's Environmental Rights Amendment (Article I, Section 27) and said a law firm had delivered a demand letter to the city that day. \"Stop the sale of Orchard Park,\" Smith said, adding that he hoped for a negotiated solution but warning that litigation had been threatened.

Council did not discuss or decide on Orchard Park during the meeting. When council members were asked about the demand letter and public remarks, the body declined to comment on threatened litigation and said any response would take place in the appropriate legal forum. A council member noted that no lawsuit had been filed as of the meeting and that the city had been given a deadline to respond to the demand.

No formal action or resolution regarding Orchard Park was presented or voted on at the meeting. Residents said they intend to continue public outreach and to press the council to reverse any decision to sell or repurpose the park.","Multiple residents urged the city to halt plans to sell Orchard Park, citing historic use and Pennsylvania's Environmental Rights Amendment; a demand letter delivered to the city was referenced and council declined to comment on threatened litigation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6643147,"Consultants outline zoning and SELDO rewrite, invite public to open house",860,75000,935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532583-213ccbf3b09c8c6deae1aece6a416ac7&start=75&end=935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532583-213ccbf3b09c8c6deae1aece6a416ac7/thumbnail_75000.jpg","/articles/6643147/Altoona-City/Blair-County/Pennsylvania/Consultants-outline-zoning-and-SELDO-rewrite-invite-public-to-open-house","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643147-62b2519312531ed23e7fc122a7cef943/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440030&Signature=G29NXl2jwgXgKBLCdJXBoo5AUoDvSb5YadA9gtvbyqO9I~BO5huOb3Aas5y9-qHayx1XvK10NfgR22ungtMtsMaxPDURT2UQoH4BydgBIAR9aJl9~ZyNI9GfkEUkEq0g6tpch5ObprfwCgqv3lywvGqBqLIrm~REk-Qh1ZjSTQ5duV44dGJJharF6QdYpjx5AZ0eli3BEFtmqLDr9soDEWNwgKzCaZ5NJ7PtY5N4ezuCf2VqwyYpjNr5CENHHDiFsnh~caD5ngBulU~dSOmXMYnXDhqGpwjNgCqYc~WWc31zWnUuoH8lG936HYwZU9Lx4KiRKE6gHT-4kMKi-xDkjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Matt Ingalls, a planner with consulting firm CZB, told the Altoona City Council that the firm is in the tail end of phase 2 of a zoning and SELDO (subdivision and land development ordinance) update and expects draft chapters to be delivered for internal review by April.

\"We have about a 10, 15 minute presentation, let you know where we are, what we're gonna be doing tomorrow night at the community open house, and answer any questions, that you might have,\" Ingalls said in his presentation to council and staff.

The consultants said the rewrite is being guided by the values and principles of the recently adopted comprehensive plan, Altogether Altoona, and is organized to reduce redundancy and make the development code easier to use. The presentation proposed converting the existing residential and nonresidential district structure into fewer, consolidated districts with new purpose statements, consolidated district pages and color-coded district maps. Examples mentioned: combining two residential districts (RSH and RL) into one, and creating a Mixed Use Neighborhood district (MXN) to capture the character of portions of Juniana that differ from the downtown core.

Consultants explained changes to the land development and site plan review process intended to expand \"by right\" administrative approvals. They proposed renaming existing subdivision categories to \"minor\" and \"major\" subdivisions: minor subdivisions would cover projects of up to five lots; major subdivisions would exceed that threshold. For site-plan review, they described a proposed minor/major split that would allow more residential projects and smaller commercial projects to be approved administratively if code standards are met. Examples presented (staff said numbers are still being refined): minor site plans would include residential projects of two to five dwelling units, commercial or industrial projects under about 5,000 square feet gross, or site improvements up to 15,000 square feet; major site plans would include larger proposals such as residential projects of 10 or more units or commercial projects greater than 5,000 square feet or improvements over 15,000 square feet.

Ingalls said the update will move uses to a single Article 3 with a master use table that cross-references district pages to reduce repetition across the code. The consultants also described draft district \"spreads\" that will place all dimensional regulations for each district on one page alongside illustrations to clarify requirements.

The consultants listed near-term project steps: a technical advisory committee (TAC) meeting already scheduled, and a public open house the next evening at Margaret Avenue Training Facility, 17407 Margaret Avenue, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for stations on background, draft districts and subdivision/land development review.

Council members did not take action on the draft during the meeting; consultants said the draft chapters will be provided for internal review by April and then move to public review and adoption processes.","Consultant team from CZB presented a draft reorganization of Altoona's zoning districts and subdivision standards, described thresholds for administrative vs. planning-commission review, and invited the public to an open house at the Margaret Avenue Training Facility.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New city manager Chris McGuire addresses council, pledges transparency and service

Council approves consent agenda including PennDOT bus-lane agreement; vote 6-0

Residents oppose proposed Orchard Park sale; lawyer's demand letter and state constitution cited

Consultants outline zoning and SELDO rewrite, invite public to open house