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Planning commission recommends Washington Street townhome elevations to council with material and lighting conditions
Summary
After detailed review of rooftop appurtenances, height calculations and facade materials, the commission voted unanimously to recommend borough council approve the Washington Street townhome elevations provided several assumptions and conditions are met, including confirmation of pilot‑house dimensions, streetlight/waiver documentation, and a materials legend for brick and cornices.
The Borough of West Chester Planning Commission conducted a final review of the Washington Street townhome elevations and recommended that borough council approve the elevations, subject to a set of stated assumptions and conditions.
Commissioners focused on building height verification and rooftop appurtenances (pilot houses). Reviewers noted the applicant's submitted tables indicated the pilot houses comprise less than 20% of roof area — a threshold used to treat pilot houses as appurtenances rather than counted roof area — but that the drawings did not include all rooftop elevation dimensions needed to independently verify the calculation. Staff said the submitted tables made the project compliant as presented, but requested the missing rooftop elevation measurements when the applicant submits final building plans so the borough can confirm compliance with the approved elevations.
Members also revisited prior conditional items tied to the project's approval path: the previously required 10‑foot curb radius to address emergency vehicle turning and a waiver or installation for street lights on Washington and Patton streets. Several commissioners said they had not seen a plan set showing the resolved curb radius or documentation of the streetlight waiver and asked the applicant to provide those plans to the commission or directly to borough council before or at the council hearing.
On materials and facade detailing, commissioners requested a materials legend and samples for council review. The commission's motion listed assumptions they wanted confirmed: front facades constructed of brick, side and rear facades of cement board (not vinyl or aluminum), cornices of Azek or similar composite rather than stone, non‑PVC front railings, and brick or stone front stoops. Jim Cherry moved the recommendation to council based on those assumptions; Alan Burke seconded. Commissioners described the submission as "directionally correct" and recorded the recommendation as unanimous.
Next steps: staff will ask the applicant to provide the missing rooftop elevation dimensions and documentation showing the curb radius and streetlight condition so borough council can confirm compliance and action on the commission's recommendations.
