The Altoona City Council is debating whether to restrict the number of rental properties available to students.

Thursday night, the council heard concerns about the ordinance from a crowd of students and landlords. The students argued they want to live where they choose, close to campus.

However, some neighbors said they are concerned about noise, trash and their property values. While they haven't had any major issues, neighbors said with the number of student houses increasing, they want to head off problems before they start.

The proposed ordinance would not kick Penn State Altoona students out of residential properties, but it would control density by restricting the number of students allowed to live in each area and under one roof.

Homeowners in the Wehnwood, Juniata and Fairview areas of the city are asking neighbors to sign petitions in support of the ordinance, and many said the ordinance is a common sense approach.

"Right now there aren't too many checks and balances in place," said Daryl Williams, of Altoona.

Residents said the proposed ordinance is modeled after the student housing ordinance in State College.

The petitions will be at the Juniata Civic Center until 8 p.m. Thursday, and residents will be asking the council to enact the ordinance immediately.

Stay with WJAC-TV and WJACTV.com for continuing coverage.