[{"_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",6320500,"mediaKeyId","2356243-e669d350450d4504f070345da6099dc8","parentId",2356243,"title","Residents raise traffic‑calming concerns; council praises streetscape and notes volunteer and committee openings","audioSeconds",174,"startMs",364000,"endMs",538000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356243-e669d350450d4504f070345da6099dc8&start=364&end=538","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356243-e669d350450d4504f070345da6099dc8/thumbnail_364000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6320500/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-raise-trafficcalming-concerns-council-praises-streetscape-and-notes-volunteer-and-committee-openings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320500-f4c8a4c4ae393bb39c34f2ac2970983f/orig.mp4?Expires=1777137930&Signature=ndic17Z2N1DkVJyBEXKOI50Y7blO~GNHvulf5l~McOVXiNj2qsdRBpYBPXqb7xTycVlsWRDAmIyq7IbuejEviOAaIi2X9yQvTzAYriG6aDKdELzoiNOujqWp78OlsAGbNfldn6~fTogoP11yDvmbr6TJqpTzO8jbPq5fYHcW5N88jimkAfzCxfIeCF6ND1Eu6uPjfOp4YDgmABCSqUIqzo7IBdFqhpeb3kJ5yGfMXXNEsXwpX1AmJnOPBydnm9huZ7LCiaYSZ55x6UsiCwDySIU-Lj3zS3nhrW9d8DhA0Ug6PKP6vskFh1oybWUFuFdpUpoObGIvEgMB7lG3BRNEVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Borough of West Chester, PA","date","2025-02-20T02:34:16Z","article","At the Feb. 19 meeting, resident Daryl Cook used the public‑comment portion to raise concerns about traffic calming measures on South High Street, specifically asking why a PennDOT bump‑out at Magnolia remains in place when he said another municipality removed a similar bump‑out after five years. “The no crosswalk signs are up now. Why do we have a bump out on South High Street at Magnolia?” Cook asked.

Council members responded with several comments about the South High Street streetscape and broader community efforts. Council member Travis praised the look and pedestrian clarity around the area by the 7‑11 and said the project is “coming along nicely.” Council members and the mayor also publicly thanked the public works department for winter maintenance and sidewalk clearing; they encouraged residents to support Restaurant Week, and several councillors thanked volunteers who serve on borough committees.

The mayor and council announced vacancies on multiple borough boards, commissions and committees that require borough residency, including an alternate vacancy on the veil service commission, openings on the Human Relations Commission (with a requirement that members not hold party office), an opening on the Planning Commission, the Public Arts Commission and the Tree Commission. No formal action was taken on the traffic‑calming question during the meeting; Cook’s comment was recorded during public comment and referred to borough staff and inspectors.

Council members also used the general‑business portion to thank local volunteers and small businesses that provide community meals and services; one council member recounted community efforts to feed residents during the winter.

No votes or formal referrals were recorded on the traffic‑calming question at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Borough Council Voting Session - February 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public comment raised questions about a bump‑out and new signs on South High Street; council members praised the South High Street streetscape improvements, thanked public works and volunteers, and announced vacancies on borough boards and commissions.","taxTitle","West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71483,"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},6320505,"Civil Service Commission reports promotions and surge in police‑applicant interest",148,940000,1088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356243-e669d350450d4504f070345da6099dc8&start=940&end=1088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356243-e669d350450d4504f070345da6099dc8/thumbnail_940000.jpg","/articles/6320505/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Civil-Service-Commission-reports-promotions-and-surge-in-policeapplicant-interest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320505-52f92754d48becf27a6b950fae7a5a80/orig.mp4?Expires=1777137930&Signature=A8CUvm97t5Ezy51sEQKku2WtyPchLysQn7RmsrkwAIGwbfpfo3s6WfjYe0-0H0M~Gb3ErrJbMObdCpOWydegC3dQc5RNOB~RrWN91iFkpW6FlRP4SQoOXt4DJKF7DAbimNaA4ZAC7YAeBUzWlafVadGns2MgRgNi-6lUXcZxBNM9DkxDx0RVx18XTu8wOP9FEu3ZeoklrCMpo6pASgSz2riq0wI3V1gejc1V7auDYOEue80R--rwgwzxj4zpoUkKDwpp1vhGgJKpTn3NU~OSlJZm~5~BOyRI3prqkPiUv5XI4Ynk2L0oWsk8ZQZ7YK0fjHuxGHeWbGzHsfGMJMWk0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kathy Wilson, chair of the borough Civil Service Commission, presented the commission’s 2024 annual report at the Feb. 19 meeting and took questions from council.

Wilson said the commission participated in the swearing‑in of Police Chief Joshua Lee and oversaw promotional testing that led to promotions for several officers, including Lieutenants Gorman and Dietz, Sergeants Denonzio and Gallo, and Corporals Simcox, Barnes and Hill. The commission also provided a certified candidate list that resulted in the swearing‑in of Patrolman Ronald Cross and reported it had updated its rules and regulations to conform with state statute; the updated rules were adopted by council in December with assistance from the solicitor.

Wilson said the commission adopted a new application platform to increase visibility and reduce staff time. “So far, well, this year, we've received 128 applications, which is more than double the last time,” she said. Council members discussed the department’s authorized strength and turnover; one speaker contrasted numbers reported earlier and asked whether the borough’s authorized complement of 44 is current, during which council said the department was down two officers from authorized strength. Wilson said the commission had started the hiring process for two patrol officers in 2025.

Council members praised the department and thanked commission staff. No formal council action was taken on the report; it was presented for information and for council questions.","Kathy Wilson, chair of the Civil Service Commission, summarized 2024 activities including promotional testing and adoption of updated rules; the commission said its new application platform yielded more candidates this year.",{"_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},6320509,"Council denies post‑installation certificate of appropriateness for 100 West Market Street, gives property owner two years to reapply",253,1375000,1628000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356243-e669d350450d4504f070345da6099dc8&start=1375&end=1628","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356243-e669d350450d4504f070345da6099dc8/thumbnail_1375000.jpg","/articles/6320509/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Council-denies-postinstallation-certificate-of-appropriateness-for-100-West-Market-Street-gives-property-owner-two-years-to-reapply","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320509-47aff6ed5f69502ae3c56b53a9678800/orig.mp4?Expires=1777137930&Signature=XqwNY8JC8Am~HpYumCwfjQERPjJvk2MzWfm5QPugaNwOnGblgh~2WrMskH1DC4ZkW8jfjhuYfTgPHGh1dVdSxNCmxKZtNjX~5RoX9ScmFZmOB6vdoC9Y1JbOt~~GDmg5lOP25j7PDBzX~avFgoy-s~nacMDHAqS1BCzPt~8dGwk2RR5kFor7maOGnpJLjWjUpN8Gjoj22aAv7K78IIq9XR1qRk2Wu~2f7OPkCfdxnm3iiL-7sXJLEzoUTneWOCEW6W5dvLptaBzXu1n0iQtr~4DEjXKW4Uwi32K0Whc83k2b0v5cC9CN3G-LMBNNJrh5kJmUyNGxJkKLB85M9XhINw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Borough Council on Feb. 19 denied a certificate of appropriateness (COA) for a replacement storefront door installed at 100 West Market Street and said it will not pursue enforcement action for two years while the owner seeks a compliant replacement.

Council considered a post‑installation COA after the building inspector noted a new door had been installed following interior permit work. The Historic Architectural Review Board (HAARB) had recommended denying the design because the new aluminum‑clad door and its embedded divided lights did not match the building’s prior wooden divided‑light door or HAARB design guidelines.

During discussion, council members expressed sympathy for the property owner’s circumstances but sided with HAARB’s recommendation on materials and compatibility with the historic district. Council member Flynn moved to deny the COA; a second was recorded. Council then voted and recorded affirmative votes from members present.

Council directed the code enforcement department not to take immediate enforcement action and granted the applicant two years to file a new COA application and install materials consistent with HAARB guidance. The motion as stated in council minutes was to deny the current COA application, refrain from enforcement action for two years, and notify the applicant of the deadline to reapply.

Council members and other speakers noted the value of HAARB’s design‑guideline conversations with applicants and said the board’s role is often to work iteratively with property owners to reach an acceptable design.","Council denied a Historic Architectural Review Board recommendation and refused to approve a retroactive certificate for a recently installed aluminum‑clad door at 100 West Market Street, offering a two‑year period before enforcement and an opportunity to submit a compliant application.",{"_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},6320514,"West Chester council adopts ordinance clarifying how to calculate building height in zoning and subdivision codes",251,6000,257000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356243-e669d350450d4504f070345da6099dc8&start=6&end=257","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356243-e669d350450d4504f070345da6099dc8/thumbnail_6000.jpg","/articles/6320514/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/West-Chester-council-adopts-ordinance-clarifying-how-to-calculate-building-height-in-zoning-and-subdivision-codes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320514-675b887a05de2d9a095fb7b9511c87e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1777137930&Signature=mOPgiOxw~NQFN31KTC5xuvhOeIETolo90fFdAMQqoQiPXZ-kZA0R~vcGrT5EtgvzqHUUzBRaKN2ksplPOvPDZKqLM-IEAi3ycCdCB0ME1EWGT41rjFfxPVaDwvdihtcCuOrK4lTyHuIBCP7NvoLJXMAUp5Oim91eaDfzvCkMZvAbWsAlCynNl2ol~zzi~snAnJ6DuhXzKNrzdreTZbbuOMGAif5Rud~vau6BsT-gUX~xSVp4rZfD3s1yv~O5eGgzT8SmTco80PFZc98FIt4dv7LtMU--Y4i4L-jReHdK~2GynG7vyqIZltBZu4hhjR1320Q56HM5Rg~-UfbJN4nU2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Borough of West Chester Council on Feb. 19 approved an ordinance amending two borough codes to clarify how building and structure height are measured and documented.

The ordinance changes language in Chapter 97 (Subdivision and Land Development) and Chapter 112 (Zoning) to repeal and replace existing definitions with new definitions for “height of building or structure,” “grade plane” and “finished grade.” The amendments also add attachments illustrating the method for calculating grade plane and height and add documentation requirements for development-plan submissions so borough staff can verify applicants’ height calculations.

Ms. Camp, who presented the ordinance at the public hearing, said the changes grew out of work by the borough planning commission after uncertainty surfaced during review of the 410 South High Street apartment application. “This is an amendment to both your subdivision land development ordinance and your zoning ordinance, because they both address how to calculate building height,” she said. Camp said the draft incorporated input from the borough planner, “Mr. Kamida,” several architects on the planning commission and the Chester County Planning Commission. She noted the process included multiple iterations and that the final draft was reviewed by the planning commission on Feb. 19 and by Chester County staff (last review letter dated Jan. 7, 2025).

Council members moved and seconded approval of the ordinance “as is.” The council then called the question and recorded affirmative votes from members present. The motion passed.

The ordinance amends definitions used across the borough code and adds illustrative attachments to Appendix D and Appendix E for measurement methodology. The amendments also specify what supporting materials applicants must submit to demonstrate the correct height calculation when filing development plans.

Council President Metrick called for the vote after asking for public comment; none was offered on the ordinance at the hearing. The ordinance follows the planning commission’s initiation and the procedural notices the solicitor said were advertised in the Daily Local News on Feb. 4 and Feb. 11 and sent to the county law library on Jan. 31.

Council members did not discuss changes to enforcement timing or retroactive application at the hearing; the ordinance text, attachments and any effective date were included in the advertised materials and are part of the municipal record.","Borough council voted to approve an ordinance amending Chapters 97 and 112 of the borough code to add definitions and diagrams for calculating grade plane and building/structure height and to update submission requirements for development plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise traffic‑calming concerns; council praises streetscape and notes volunteer and committee openings

Civil Service Commission reports promotions and surge in police‑applicant interest

Council denies post‑installation certificate of appropriateness for 100 West Market Street, gives property owner two years to reapply

West Chester council adopts ordinance clarifying how to calculate building height in zoning and subdivision codes