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Chester County council, planning staff debate new subdivision code rules for gravel roads, lot thresholds and conservation options
Summary
Chester County Council reviewed draft No. 3 of a comprehensive revision to the subdivision ordinance, focusing debate on how many homes may use gravel streets before a paved internal road is required, whether to expand a —family— exception, and whether to allow conservation subdivisions.
Chester County Council members spent more than an hour on April 28 reviewing draft No. 3 of an update to the county's subdivision ordinance, a major rewrite of rules that govern how rural and suburban land is divided and developed.
The planning director, Jeremy Ward, told council the draft reflects more than 300 hours of drafting and public input and is intended to protect the county's rural character while clarifying requirements for streets, open space, amenities and inspections. Ward said the draft separates subdivisions into more categories (minor, medium, major) and adds technical standards for gravel streets that historically were unregulated in the county.
The central point of debate was where to draw the line between minor and medium subdivisions and how many dwelling units may access a private gravel street before paved internal streets are required. Draft No. 3 recommends allowing up to 12 lots as a minor subdivision and up to…
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