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Planning commission recommends approval for lot-line and impervious-area revisions at 401 West Washington Street
Summary
West Chester Borough Planning Commission recommended approval of revised plans for 401 West Washington Street with a single condition to resolve a final zoning comment about square footage; the project also raised an open question about the official map/right-of-way.
The West Chester Borough Planning Commission on Oct. 11 reviewed revised land‑development plans for 401 West Washington Street and recommended approval with one condition to resolve a final zoning comment on the proposed lot square footage.
The commission’s action followed staff circulation of a zoning‑office review letter that recorded a numeric revision to the zoning table for proposed Lot 2. The plan text and table had shown 71,850 square feet in one location and 71,505 (or 71,505 as the zoning officer’s requested figure) in another; the revisions will slightly reduce total impervious area by about 0.1 percentage point on the apartment parcel, according to materials discussed by commissioners.
Commissioners emphasized two outstanding issues. First, the official map/right‑of‑way status for a potential future roadway connection remained open: the zoning officer’s letter addressed the square‑footage table but did not resolve whether the official map would require adjustments if the site’s use or layout changes in the future. Second, commissioners noted liability and title questions arising from a driveway area that historically crossed a neighboring parcel (the Elks Home) and said the proposed shift in a property line primarily clarified maintenance and insurance exposure rather than immediately changing public ownership.
The commission’s recommendation was narrowly framed: staff and commissioners asked that the single outstanding zoning comment (the square‑footage entry) be resolved in the revision set before the borough council sees the plan. The commission did not approve any change to the official map or take action that would alter public right‑of‑way; commissioners said decisions on official‑map status or formal nonconforming‑use questions rest with the zoning officer or borough council as applicable.
Background materials presented to the commission show the proposal moves a property line in part to remove recurring driveway liability for an adjoining property owner and to bring the lot coverage figures into alignment with zoning tables. The commission heard that the driveway pavement has been in place for roughly 50–55 years and that the revision will ‘‘clean up a liability issue’’ rather than expand development rights.
The commission voted to recommend approval of the draft plan with the single condition of resolving the final zoning comment. The recommendation will be forwarded to borough council for final action.
The commission flagged the official‑map/right‑of‑way question for borough council awareness and asked staff to add a note to the council packet calling attention to that open item.
