2026 DRI Request - Penn State Applied Research Lab at Innovation Park

Penn State University is requesting the expansion of the Regional Growth Boundary / Sewer Service Area (RGB/SSA) for approximately 50 acres at Innovation Park to accommodate the future Applied Research Lab (ARL) campus located in College Township. Because this project site lies outside the current RGB/SSA, a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) review is required. The 2023 RGB/SSA Implementation Agreement permits a large expansion of the RGB/SSA with General Forum approval.

Penn State's DRI Application - 07.1 - ARL at IP DRI Report Rev 2026_0512.pdf

Additional Resources:

The DRI is a formal process to evaluate when expansion of the Regional Growth Boundary (RGB) and Sewer Service Area (SSA) may be warranted. The Development of Regional Impact (DRI) process is designed to support informed, coordinated regional decision-making by requiring a property owner to demonstrate why proposed growth cannot reasonably be accommodated within the existing boundary and to document the potential regional impacts of extending public infrastructure.

Through this process, municipalities evaluate not only sewer capacity, but also potential impacts on public water systems, the transportation network—including transit—emergency services, and environmental features. By providing a consistent, regionwide framework for reviewing these issues, the DRI helps ensure that decisions about growth are fiscally responsible, infrastructure-ready, and aligned with the Centre Region Comprehensive Plan.

Below are additional documentation developed during the evaluation of the DRI application:

• CRPA's completeness review
• College Twp local review and referral
• CRPC Comment letter
• CRPA analysis of vacant land - response to LUCI comment
• ARL memo - supporting Info on Penn State ARL to CRCOG
• Major DRI Process flowchart
• 2023 Centre Region RGB/SSA Implementation Agreement