Welcome to Axle Square. This week the Borough Council Smart Growth Committee got their first look at a proposed new eight-unit townhome development planned for W. Washington St. – and while, still early, she’s a cutie. A result of, dare I say it, collaboration?

“We came to the Planning Commission with a version of the plan. They gave us a lot of feedback and we pretty much adjusted to their requests,” project engineer Scott Zwizanski told gathered council members.

The benefits of compromise

The project features two rows of four townhomes. One set of four will face W. Washington St. while the other set will face Patton Alley. In between the two properties, there is off-street parking. Originally each unit had a two-car garage and all the cars spilled into a large concrete pad before exiting onto Birdseye Alley. After taking in Planning Commission recommendations, developers reduced the garage space to one car and added green space with trees to the middle of the paved area. This does reduce overall parking for the property but remains a net gain over the current situation which is two homes, one business, zero off-street parking spots.

“Look back at 1935 and look at this property. This property had homes along Patton Alley, along Washington St. This [project] is very consistent with that original scale.”

Jim Cherry, Chair, West Chester Planning Commission

There is more than one way to meet stormwater requirements

There were some outstanding questions about how the property will manage stormwater but the quick answer is much better than the current situation which is 100 percent impervious and offers no mitigating features. The developed property will have filtration beds and other features to reduce runoff volume and rate. And while one committee member remains unsure about this, the engineers, even those employed by the Borough, were confident.

“This plan 100% meets our stormwater management requirements,” Pennoni engineer Nate Cline said after a requested waiver was questioned.

Small living is back in fashion

And for those concerned about Yarnell’s Garage, the Borough business that’s been around since 1928, it turns out that’s already been sold. Additionally, if you go back in Borough time to before the long-standing auto repair shop was built, you’ll find it looked a lot like what is being proposed today.

“Look back at 1935 and look at this property. This property had homes along Patton Alley, along Washington St. This [project] is very consistent with that original scale,” Planning Commission Chair Jim Cherry told Council members on Wednesday.

While the garage business has been sold, two families will be forced to relocate, at least one of which has lived there for a very long time. “I just wanted that on the record. We are displacing people who have been residents for a very long time,” said Councilwoman Lisa Dorsey

In the end, however, most were supportive of the change. The project will net six new homes and 16 new off-street parking spaces.

“I like it,” said Councilwoman Nicole Scimone. “They are homes people can buy and live in.” A nice change from all the apartments.

Preliminary plans go to full Borough Council on Tuesday (2/18) for approval. If approved, property details and designs will be flushed out and site work can begin.

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Originally published on Feb. 14, 2025

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