Chester County Council approves rezoning of 0.775-acre Pinkney Road parcel amid neighborhood concerns

Chester County Council on May 19 approved second reading of CCMA 25‑16 to rezone a 0.775‑acre parcel at 3283 Pinkney Road from Rural‑2 to General Commercial.

The Planning Commission previously approved the request 3‑1. Residents who spoke during the public comment period raised safety and neighborhood‑character concerns about a building across the road from two homes that has been used for storage and the operation of a package (liquor) store. Council members said existing county codes require measures such as parking, lighting and other improvements that must be met if the rezoning is allowed.

At the meeting, Lindsey Cameron Jr. of 2429 Westchester School Road said he supports the store owner and described the business as a community convenience. "I support him 100% because I've been in that out there in the county all my life," Cameron said. Barbara Cameron, a retiree of the Chester County Sheriff's Office, said the store functions as a package store rather than a bar and argued the site offers sufficient parking. "He has plenty of parking there," she said. Susan Castles said her family's concern is the building across the road and its proximity to homes, and asked council members to visit the site before a vote.

Council proceeded with a motion to approve the second reading of CCMA 25‑16; the motion carried by voice vote. The ordinance will remain subject to code compliance requirements that staff said apply to businesses on rezoned properties.

The rezoning affects property identified by tax map number 019‑0000011‑000 and was presented to council as part of new business; the Planning Commission report and the county codes were cited as the standards that the owner must meet if the zoning change takes effect.