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Council previews redevelopment agreement for East Tenth Street infill project
Summary
City staff and council discussed a redevelopment agreement with Velar Properties for an infill project on East Tenth Street that would replat nine lots into seven, add 20 dwelling units and on-site parking; the agreement (Resolution 72) is scheduled for a formal vote at Wednesday’s meeting.
City of Chester officials on June 9 heard a presentation about a proposed redevelopment agreement with Velar Properties for a multi-parcel infill housing project on East Tenth Street and the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Chester. Council was briefed on the sketch plan and outstanding zoning and engineering items ahead of a formal vote on Resolution 72 at the council’s regular meeting Wednesday.
The project, presented during the deliberative meeting, would consolidate lots 313 through 329 on East Tenth Street (nine existing lots) into seven parcels and construct three‑story buildings with basements. The plan shows four two‑bedroom, two‑bath apartments per building for a total of 20 dwelling units, a small 10‑by‑10 courtyard between units, and 30 ground‑level parking spaces. Staff described the development as workforce housing rather than a designated affordable‑housing project.
Council and staff said the sketch plan has prompted several technical questions from the planning commission that must be resolved before final approvals: possible zoning relief for a setback on Elizabeth Street (described in the meeting as an alley), turning‑radius clarifications for fire apparatus, and more detailed stormwater management plans. Planning staff noted the sketch plan had been on the planning commission agenda in May, where no formal action was taken because the submission was preliminary.
Councilmembers asked whether the developer had conducted neighborhood outreach; staff said they were not aware of a formal public meeting conducted by the developer, though the developer had spoken with some neighbors. Councilmembers expressed a desire for more systematic early notification of land‑development filings, and staff said they will work on a notification process to inform adjacent residents when projects come before planning.
No formal vote on the redevelopment agreement occurred at the deliberative meeting. Resolution 72, to authorize approval of a redevelopment agreement between the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Chester and Velar Properties for several properties in the 300 block of East Tenth Street, is scheduled for the council’s Wednesday regular meeting.
Council discussion also included general concerns common to infill projects downtown — particularly parking, visitor parking and delivery impacts on narrow streets, and pedestrian safety — and staff reiterated that outstanding engineering and public‑safety questions must be resolved in the final plan review.
