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Planning commission recommends parks plan approval but removes draft ordinance language from final recommendation
Summary
The West Chester Planning Commission voted 5-0 Jan. 12 to recommend adoption of the 'Parks for All — Burrell Park Recreation and Open Space' plan, conditioning the recommendation on removal of Appendix B and asking for cost estimates and parkland-dedication standards in a next phase.
At its Jan. 12 meeting, the West Chester Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the draft "Parks for All — Burrell Park Recreation and Open Space" plan, with a single condition: remove Appendix B and references to it from the document.
The commission's recommendation, moved by Speaker 2 and seconded by Speaker 3, also included two recommendations for future work: develop cost estimates and operations-and-maintenance projections for recommended improvements, and create clear standards and criteria for future parkland dedication or fee-in-lieu arrangements. "So, moving the recommended approval plan with 1 condition and 2 recommendations," said Speaker 2 while presenting the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: county review and statutory timing. Commissioners discussed a county review letter dated 12/03/2025 (authored by Kevin Myers), which identified seven areas where the plan could be strengthened. Staff and commissioners emphasized the Act 247 review process — the draft must be circulated to the school district, borough planning commissions and adjoining municipalities and a 45-day review period must elapse before formal adoption. Commissioners warned that a date inserted prematurely into the draft resolution would be inappropriate until the Act 247 process is complete.
What was debated: Appendix B and ordinance language. Speaker 2 and other members said Appendix B contains draft ordinance amendments and language (including a recreation "fee in lieu" approach) that differs from the borough's current code (notably provisions in the recreational land and facilities section). Several commissioners said Appendix B is unfinished and better treated as a separate artifact or future work product rather than part of the comp-plan adoption.
Next steps: The commission's recommendation — minus Appendix B — goes to borough council and follows the Act 247 circulation and 45-day review. Commissioners asked staff and volunteers to prepare cost estimates and clearer parkland-dedication criteria to strengthen grant applications and implementation planning. The commission recorded the vote as 5-0 in favor of the recommendation.
