Committee approves rooftop event use and extra free-hour for First Friday; broader special-event fee framework remains pending

At its meeting the West Chester Parking Committee agreed to two event-related parking items while leaving a broader review of special-event fees for a later session.

John O’Brien, executive director of Downtown West Chester, requested use of the Chestnut Street parking garage top level and sponsorship for SEA Up on the Roof on Sept. 13, 2025. The committee agreed to the request; O’Brien said, “This is the same thing that we've done the last 2 years.” Committee members indicated the request will follow the standard usage terms the borough applies to prior rooftop events.

O’Brien also asked the committee to extend the borough’s First Friday free‑parking period by one hour on Monday, May 2, so free parking would begin at 4 p.m. for the annual gallery walk. After discussion about whether that exception should await a full review of special‑event fees, the committee agreed to apply the hour extension for this event. One committee member summarized the request as an extension of the ordinance’s existing First Friday provision; another member clarified the gallery walk is not a street‑closing special event that would trigger the higher garage special‑event fee.

However, broader policy work on special‑event fees remains pending. Committee members debated whether lot and garage fee adjustments, including a possible special‑event surcharge for high‑use events, should be consolidated into a single policy. One member requested that staff include churches and recurring exceptions when the committee later considers fee changes. The committee tabled the item concerning the Christmas parade fee structure until the next meeting.

Ending: Staff will process the rooftop event reservation under standard terms and apply the one‑hour First Friday extension for the gallery walk; a comprehensive review of special‑event fee policy will return to the committee for further consideration.