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