Planning commission pauses 401 West Washington vote pending zoning confirmation and official‑map review

The West Chester Planning Commission at its work session discussed a proposed lot‑line adjustment at 401 West Washington that the applicant says would formalize an existing parking arrangement between the Elks Home and Elks Terrace and would add a one‑foot strip to avoid increasing impervious surface.

Commissioners said the change appears intended to clean up an existing nonconforming condition in which part of the Terrace parking has long been situated on the Elks Home parcel, but they asked staff to obtain written confirmation from the borough zoning officer and a response from the borough about any interest shown on the official map before taking a vote.

The issue matters because the borough’s official map identifies a potential right‑of‑way through part of the property. Planning commissioners and staff discussed the legal effect of that map, noting it notifies landowners that the borough may seek to acquire a strip of land for a future road or public purpose and can shape what property owners may do with a lot line change. Commission members asked staff to make sure the revised plan really did not increase the overall impervious area and to get the zoning officer’s written determination about whether the revision creates a different nonconformity.

Applicant representatives told the commission the adjustment was intended only to regularize existing conditions and that the narrow one‑foot strip was added so the lot’s impervious coverage would remain equal to the prior condition. Commissioners said they had the original zoning‑review letter on file (noting an earlier comment that impervious on Lot 2 appeared increased) but had not yet received a new zoning review of the revised plan.

Commission members also asked staff to confirm whether the official map interest would be triggered by this particular lot‑line change. Planning staff said they would seek an official‑map response from the borough and return that information to the commission. No formal action or vote occurred; commissioners agreed to hold the item for the upcoming voting session until the zoning officer’s written clarification and an official‑map response are available.

Next steps: staff will request written zoning confirmation of the revised plan and an official‑map response and place the matter on the voting agenda once those items are received.