Borough Council to Discuss Student Housing

The West Chester Borough Council will discuss a new ordinance Tuesday that would eliminate new student housing being added to the downtown area.

The borough has been discussing the move since early 2012, and they are expected to vote this week.

In previous meetings, several borough council members have expressed concerns about the shifting demographics of downtown residents, and how that might affect attract new businesses to the area.

A recent study by the Urban Land Institute stated that the borough should try to attract empty-nesters as well as young professionals to establish a balanced and healthy downtown with potential to grow.

The ordinance on the agenda would not remove any current student housing; however, any new rental units built in the town center would have to be rented to non-students.

In other controversial news...

Borough council will also discuss changing West Chester's height ordinance on Tuesday at the monthly work session meeting.

In early 2012, the borough considered adopting a new height ordinance that would limit buildings to a maximum of 60 feet.  Currently, buildings in the town center are allowed a maximum height of 90 feet.

Borough Council delayed action on this ordinance change until June in order to make allowances for Eli Kahn's development plans of the property his real estate team recently purchased in the downtown from the county.

The work session meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 26, at 7 p.m., and the full council meeting will be on Wednesday, June 27, at 7 p.m.

To see the full agenda for both meetings please see the attached PDF.