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Council adopts ordinance to require borough historic architect review in height-overlay districts
Summary
Westchester Borough Council approved a change to Chapter 97 of the borough code adding a definition for Borough Historic Architect and requiring that architect review preliminary plans proposing buildings at heights permitted in the HO‑60 and HO‑75 overlay districts.
Westchester Borough Council voted May 22 to amend the borough subdivision and land‑development code to create a formal role for a Borough Historic Architect who would review preliminary plans for certain taller buildings in the borough’s height overlay districts.
The ordinance updates Chapter 97 (Subdivision and Land Development), adding a definition of Borough Historic Architect to Section 97-8 and inserting a new subsection (97.13(a)(4)(e)) that requires the borough historic architect to review preliminary subdivision and land‑development plans proposing buildings at heights permitted in the HO‑60 or HO‑75 height option overlay districts.
The record for the public hearing included proof of publication in the Daily Local News (May 5 and May 12) and review letters from both the Borough Planning Commission (dated May 5) and the Chester County Planning Commission (dated May 16). Borough staff said creating the definition would lead to an eventual appointment of a borough historic architect or firm to perform required reviews.
Council members asked a clarification question about the ordinance text — whether the clause should read “or” or “and” — and staff confirmed the intended reading. A council member moved to approve the ordinance update; a second was recorded and the council adopted the ordinance on a roll call vote announced as 5-0.
The change adds an additional review step for preliminary plans in the specified overlay districts and formally establishes that the borough will appoint a qualified person or firm to perform that review on future submissions. The council did not adopt implementing appointment language or identify a particular contractor during the hearing; staff will bring forward appointment details later.
By creating a defined role for review of proposals in HO‑60/HO‑75, the council aims to ensure proposals for taller buildings in those overlay districts meet the borough’s applicable architectural standards before moving forward in the subdivision and land‑development process.
Council members also received copies of planning‑commission and county planning‑commission review letters as part of the record.
