West Chester Affordable Housing Proposal Tabled Amid Sharp Pushback

WEST CHESTER, PA — Residents and officials alike staunchly rejected the plan to bring affordable housing to the West Chester Growers Market lot during a borough council meeting on Tuesday night.

The proposal from the Pennrose development group would have brought a building of anywhere from one to five stories to the corner of Church Street and Chestnut Street in West Chester, and would include the parking lot where the West Chester Grower's Market is currently located.

"Although there is understanding and support for affordable housing, the prevailing message to the developer was that the current market location is not the place," a spokesperson for the West Chester Growers Market shared this week. "Also, due to a short timeline for the developer to apply for funding, this was not a decision that Council was willing to rush for many reasons."

The Market was one of the leading community voices rallying a significant public turnout to Tuesday night's meeting, during which residents were vocal in their disapproval of the plans.

Pennrose spokespersons did not say they were giving up on bringing any sort of affordable housing to the borough, but ultimately conceded that it was not the right moment for the project.

"We can’t assume that anything is forever but our supporters last night called the market 'magic,' 'a jewel in the crown,' 'healthy community,'" the Market added. "The benefit of having a robust market in our town is something that is beloved by many and it was heard."

In the largest version of the proposal, the five-story building would add 102 new units, 30 parking lot spaces as well as underground parking, and 3,000 square feet of street level retail space.

In a recent presentation to the borough's Smart Growth Committee, the developer, Pennrose, argued that essential workers are being priced out of West Chester and that the need for affordable housing is "ten times" what is currently available.

"Borough employers struggle to find lower- and middle-income employees," Pennrose's Matthew DiSanto and Ryan Bailey said in their presentation. "Many can’t live in the area where they work."