Commission recommends conditional-use approval for Weston Way redevelopment with 12 conditions

The West Whiteland Township Planning Commission voted on June 16 to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a conditional-use application from Weston Way Partners II, Inc. to redevelop the former Weston Solutions office campus at 1400 Weston Way into a single-family residential community, provided the applicant meets a list of 12 conditions.

Attorney Alyson Zarro and engineers Denny Howell II and Denny Howell III presented the application and supplemental materials. The applicant provided a May 5 'Trip Generation Comparison' that the township traffic consultant, Bowman, reviewed cursorially and did not find concerning; the applicant and staff said a formal traffic study will be submitted with the land-development application. The trip-comparison asserted the project would generate fewer p.m. peak-hour trips than the former office use.

Planning Director John Weller reported the Historical Commission recommended approval subject to conditions that include full photographic documentation of historic structures, repurposing elements of the stable where feasible, requiring interpretive panels, and reusing the Morstein mansion as a multi-family dwelling with no more than six units.

Township staff and the applicant discussed utilities and circulation: Howell Engineering confirmed the internal cartway (Road 'A') will be 28 feet wide; engineers said 12 off-street parking spaces are provided for the mansion lot and that the applicant does not plan on-street parking. Township staff agreed that the site’s proposed low-pressure sanitary sewer system appears the best technical option for the tract but said it will require a waiver from §281-41.G of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (S/LDO) and a DEP-approved Planning Module; the Township also stated it will not accept dedication of roads, fire hydrants or sewer components.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation includes 12 conditions, among them: (1) the conditional-use approval is contingent on the adoption of the zoning amendment in the form reviewed by the Commission; (2) Old Phoenixville Pike must be widened to a 20-foot paved cartway from King Road to proposed Road 'A' upon completion of principal construction; (3) the applicant will provide a playground for residents; (4) full photographic documentation and interpretive panels for historic structures; (5) explore repurposing elements of the historic stable; (6) the township’s acceptance of the trip-generation conclusions and traffic-impact-fee determination; (7) the township will not accept municipal dedication of infrastructure; (8) compensatory planting or a tree-bank payment if on-site plantings are insufficient; (9) consultation with pipeline companies and submission of any comments; (10) a concrete pad and shelter for the bus stop at King Road and Road 'A'; (11) an on-street parking plan showing capacity; and (12) anticipated waivers for buffer width, street trees, and the low-pressure sewer as needed.

MOTION: Todd Rouse moved, Virginia Kerslake seconded, to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the conditional-use application for the construction of the residential community depicted on the Howell Engineering plan set, subject to the 12 conditions outlined in the motion. ACTION: Passed, 3-0-1, with Chair Keith Choper abstaining (Mr. Choper said he opposed the related zoning amendment and therefore could not support the plan).

Next steps: the recommendation and application will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for land-development review. Several conditions (traffic study acceptance, DEP Planning Module approval, and required waivers) must be resolved during subsequent submissions.