[{"_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",6241030,"mediaKeyId","3312153-33763892f4f2d98df079ac1d06da057a","parentId",3312153,"title","West Chester committee hears dark‑sky briefing, considers warmer, shielded LED rules","audioSeconds",983,"startMs",693000,"endMs",1676000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312153-33763892f4f2d98df079ac1d06da057a&start=693&end=1676","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312153-33763892f4f2d98df079ac1d06da057a/thumbnail_693000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241030/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/West-Chester-committee-hears-darksky-briefing-considers-warmer-shielded-LED-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241030-3a86c73da167b435110fe8704a705d86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143827&Signature=KMBSWe7Ipg45jTngN7lLEbg47eXvZHgIC4qZaVTANw3EvWz9RXD9N55g~P~UPBCEs6vM3xtMyS8V07blqm23S~7TnQ2zOW-GIW8E2OdGUX0PF5Y9MmY-Gm-ARQTYWIuvQajJLE1OPI0FPGi5~96Mc0ZyPp2AiO7k3TlhBELeU6ep-ltpZNx2GjQlIZxeP8sUvPED4f3QsYNys-vc1Nh4ZWmq6PG-yvOkKUaBk~sg5QEQ2guMmdwXssuux4KN15V7NRKkRICI6HHiO01IlNrhZf3nSc0jfUCcu-TTqe10tQyJ0Soaxs~cp5icFPrO6GurM5ajwXMu45xx-edymq1e1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Borough of West Chester, PA","date","2025-05-15T00:22:07Z","article","At its May 14 meeting the West Chester Smart Growth Committee heard a presentation on responsible outdoor lighting that urged the borough to adopt dark‑sky practices for new construction and replacements.

Timothy Lawler, a member of the Westchester Green Team and an instructor at Penn State Brandywine, told the committee that newer white LED fixtures have a strong “blue… spike of light” and that “LEDs… are not great for human health because of the blue the sort of blue spike of light,” which he said suppresses melatonin and can affect sleep and wildlife. He recommended simple, established measures—point fixtures downward, use fully shielded fixtures, choose lower color temperatures (warmer, more amber/orange light) and add timers—saying these steps reduce sky glow and protect trees, insects and nocturnal animals.

The committee heard technical points and local observations: Lawler said satellite VIIRS imagery showed the southeast quadrant of the borough has higher measured illumination; he pointed to Everhart Park as an example of lower‑impact lighting. He also recommended Phoenixville’s dark‑sky ordinance as a model for language the borough could adopt.

A borough staff member explained the borough recently invested in new cobra‑head fixtures for parks and streets, noting the replacements cost “about $200,000, $300,000” and that the system can reduce individual street‑light intensity remotely when needed. The staff member added the county parking garage and county‑owned fixtures are a major source of background illumination and said the borough will meet with county representatives in early June to discuss that issue.

Committee members discussed practical steps the borough can take without replacing every fixture immediately: specifying warmer color temperature and fully shielded fixtures when stock is reordered, applying dark‑sky standards in site plan reviews, and drafting ordinance or policy updates to apply to new development and permit reviews. No formal ordinance change was adopted at the meeting.

Committee Chair Nicole Schimone said the discussion generated “good action items” for staff and outside partners and asked staff to return with draft language and implementation steps for the committee to consider in coming months.

The committee did not take a vote; staff said they will bring draft guidance and report back after the planned county meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Smart Growth - May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its May 14 meeting the West Chester Smart Growth Committee heard a presentation on responsible outdoor lighting that urged the borough to adopt dark‑sky practices for new construction and replacements.","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},6241015,"Committee sets schedule for West Chester University master‑plan review; seeks preliminary feedback by June",56,3123000,3179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312153-33763892f4f2d98df079ac1d06da057a&start=3123&end=3179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312153-33763892f4f2d98df079ac1d06da057a/thumbnail_3123000.jpg","/articles/6241015/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Committee-sets-schedule-for-West-Chester-University-masterplan-review-seeks-preliminary-feedback-by-June","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241015-1a1c572a18cab575dd2721ef88bb07ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143827&Signature=fr9gOJldB5bQ7obhvrlw8m9kLqlnk91zdDih6eIu0iCDFfDcFW4yr3DIUAPTsjMvX6q~GUJa7wFrnWntU315HzwSCkjAVp131Z0mAlGjh86R65v2ssPJgVljcBW9vEXGDjISTQE5Fj5bfzbYRizMpmELagnuUYqWIead4Bn~9aRRt9eYAt7rtFk4u-XjY9ivtq24orB0MV~FFEnaclKsOXZ81AOyf74bNl2mPoQ0zihn1CCaP0XYY3556fePKm5-84j42kO6cPhUj8M3wB8Tb3CRwZvXdOsSsJvLkODypOyMhyM6iOb-JKKvxxpoMg0UD8LDy~cV7g5JxwhCdrJp9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smart Growth Committee said at its May 14 meeting that review of West Chester University’s campus master plan will proceed this month and summer, and the borough intends to provide preliminary feedback to the university by June.

Staff said the university’s master plan and related planning efforts – including parks and open‑space and the Business Improvement District five‑year update – are starting a review cycle. The Planning Commission will review the university materials in meetings scheduled for the next two weeks; the Smart Growth Committee plans to provide preliminary comments at a work session in June. Staff said the borough has until August to convene conditional‑use proceedings related to the plan.

Committee members were not asked to take a formal vote; staff requested input and said additional public hearings and formal review steps will follow the Planning Commission recommendations.

The item will return to future agendas as the Planning Commission and staff complete their reviews and compile recommended edits and conditions for the university’s conditional use application.","The Smart Growth Committee said it will begin review of West Chester University’s master plan at upcoming Planning Commission meetings, provide preliminary feedback in June, and expects conditional‑use review by August.",{"_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},6241020,"West Chester staff report: rental‑license portal, short‑term rental counts and higher code enforcement citations",610,58000,668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312153-33763892f4f2d98df079ac1d06da057a&start=58&end=668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312153-33763892f4f2d98df079ac1d06da057a/thumbnail_58000.jpg","/articles/6241020/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/West-Chester-staff-report-rentallicense-portal-shortterm-rental-counts-and-higher-code-enforcement-citations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241020-2ec41686233eee9c4e462da11b1edc7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143827&Signature=TaLFpYnb7VUpWegABqmk01heac288F02IOqXaDx-R7bQl~~3u5agS0oGD1BfuCrzBMhmC3t~s9ZSEgVi2XUbBAxEL0uEeQzqYfWGNHlCFrBeYrjOH81BioT7WPmSler0lUxIL~kFYQbiMIOImiiD-4hW6YCTtFPaf6MBlvvMHKg3axOTGSpGPtusgiDAGoe7EExHTEDZS9b~HePJHYzMeRnAnB9Wu2Xu2xxi12PJvCxyfouPlNrHePeqnD-GdtW~DGpzrXLEOqyUSb3kGu2NhiDKqhZkVbYAF1ervvxm4tyQbvl~yC4PegBqoysKI9wqHo0PChRG~kwswbS3WPSt8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 14 meeting borough staff gave a director’s report covering recruitment, the rental‑license transition, zoning board outcomes and recent enforcement activity.

Staff said the borough has posted the director position and asked committee members to share the LinkedIn posting. The borough is finishing this year’s rental‑license reconciliation ahead of a new online portal; staff said they will send clearer instructions to landlords and are considering an open house to help users with portal issues.

Staff reported Zoning Hearing Board actions since last month: an appeal for a student home was withdrawn under a settlement; 236 West Gay Street received a special exception for a short‑term rental with a maximum occupancy of four people; 143 East Marshall Street received zoning relief. Staff said the borough now has about 11 short‑term rental applications on file.

On enforcement, staff said code‑enforcement activity has increased and gave month‑to‑month figures. “In March, there were 91. In April, there were 24,” staff said, and explained that many April notices converted to citations when infractions were not abated. Staff reported 29 rental inspections (with five listed as “initial” in the system but likely duplicates created during portal migration) and 64 building inspections in the most recent month. Staff also said the office closed a backlog of older cases from the system migration and tasked officers to clear remaining backlog before the end of the month.

Staff noted Pennsylvania building codes are updated to the 2021 edition and that the borough has the 2021 books available; the update takes effect in July. Staff said they will provide updated enforcement and citation numbers at the next meeting.

Committee members asked for continued monitoring of portal issues and consistent enforcement across districts; no votes were taken on enforcement policy at the May 14 meeting.","At the May 14 Smart Growth Committee meeting borough staff reported the rental‑license reconciling process ahead of a new portal launch, several recent zoning decisions including a short‑term rental special exception, and an uptick in code‑enforcement activity that has produced citations.",{"_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},6241025,"Committee reviews Westchester Seafood curbside railing; starts overhaul of cafe and street‑closure permits",1269,1852000,3121000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312153-33763892f4f2d98df079ac1d06da057a&start=1852&end=3121","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312153-33763892f4f2d98df079ac1d06da057a/thumbnail_1852000.jpg","/articles/6241025/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Committee-reviews-Westchester-Seafood-curbside-railing-starts-overhaul-of-cafe-and-streetclosure-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241025-c8585c05e52f1063f6967df484512297/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143827&Signature=oAGa2-Ztjs-43Ymf9-GRJg9BkC~qacLHcGWKQ4ky8kZQvc9sNevqnIUuTMoP8D3fO7dmx9cdevpkNYQWQNlsg2z7TZAeTJYSPCJyLKLRhsLocLngSEVAqU9i0cxAZzcL2pAcSbu87JJYTosD8C~opHlpzlU1df2C16LvIL-MO5LWGIV1HUIeyAmwiyEjgQNsEsyDhK9gVkK49DAQZOejY96SzpxvCg16zBMC2u3uAYWXvkKGn5ZEJFWT0wzrWdohq0yfJudQcfNvcRRxDRD-gHj1sUk-v4a~JHKSdxoSE5NM82NaZfm6-yPdx79lXw~re-hlGvbQRxk~YCpodc1rdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Chester Smart Growth Committee on May 14 reviewed a HARB recommendation for curbside railings proposed by Westchester Seafood Kitchen and Hotel Indigo and began work on revising café and street‑closure permitting.

Paul Padgett, attorney for the applicant, presented the railing application and said the design proposes “a Rhode Island style railing” set 12 inches off the curb to meet PennDOT and borough requirements. Brianna Hampton, the designer, told the committee the proposed layout includes 32 tables and 64 seats, cantilever umbrellas and a 54‑inch clear walkway.

HARB recommended approval of the railing and associated café permit; the committee did not record a formal vote during the meeting. Committee members raised operability and public‑safety topics tied to the borough’s temporary Gay Street closures: whether retail businesses that participate should hold a separate closure permit, how to enforce lines between café footprints, and standards for tents and canopies.

Ramsey, a local restaurateur who has operated under the Gay Street closure, said restaurants were pushing beyond an agreed centerline and that some tents were large enough to obstruct views and flow. Mayor (unnamed) and other committee members said they supported clearer, standardized guidelines and suggested requirements on sizing and appearance so that temporary covers look cohesive rather than “a free for all.”

Staff and committee members asked planning and public‑safety staff to draft consolidated, enforceable café‑permit guidance that clarifies the difference between curbside cafes and on‑street dining platforms, addresses PennDOT rules, and includes fire‑safety parameters for tents. Committee members set a target to have draft language this fall and aim for enforceability by the end of 2025 so rules are in place for 2026 applications.

No formal ordinance change was adopted at the May 14 meeting; the HARB recommendation and the request to produce draft café‑permit updates were the primary outcomes.","The Smart Growth Committee reviewed a HARB recommendation and saw presentations for curbside railings at Westchester Seafood and Hotel Indigo, and discussed revising cafe‑permit rules, on‑street dining platforms and tent standards for Gay Street closures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

West Chester committee hears dark‑sky briefing, considers warmer, shielded LED rules

Committee sets schedule for West Chester University master‑plan review; seeks preliminary feedback by June

West Chester staff report: rental‑license portal, short‑term rental counts and higher code enforcement citations

Committee reviews Westchester Seafood curbside railing; starts overhaul of cafe and street‑closure permits