West Chester University’s College Arms redevelopment draws zoning debate, neighborhood concern

West Chester University presented council with a conceptual redevelopment plan for the College Arms property on South High Street and Rosedale Avenue, proposing townhouse‑style student residences, a campus welcome center and a small retail/administrative storefront. The university asked the borough to consider amending the borough’s Planned University Campus (PUC) zoning to include the College Arms block with tailored restrictions.

"We had to take the north building offline for renovations and discovered significant structural and financial challenges," Zeb Davenport, vice president for advancement and external affairs at West Chester University, told council. He said renovating a single building previously estimated would cost more than the university considers feasible and that the presented plan is a cost‑effective redevelopment strategy intended to increase on‑campus housing capacity…