Residents offer concerns about growth, congestion
By Jacqueline Kennedy, Correspondent, The Times
Joe Scalise signs on the dotted line to become the new Borough Manager for Kennett Square during Monday night’s Borough Council meeting. Scalise replaced Brent Kucera who left in late 2014 to take a post in Oregon.
KENNETT — After a nationwide search, the Kennett Square Borough Council formally hired Joe Scalise as the new Borough Manager, at its meeting Monday night.
After Brent Kucera left the post for a similar job in Oregon in late 2014, the position was posted widely, and council members noted, there were many applicants, But, after the interview process, Scalise was the best choice, council member said.
His wife and child were at the meeting to watch him sign and celebrate the new position.
At the last Borough Council meeting, StanAb, LP, a West Chester-based real estate development company proposed a development plan of 176 apartments at the 600 block of West State St., the location of the former transmission repair shop and Chevy dealership, less than a block away from the new Magnolia development. While the proposal is in line with the sort of project borough officials have been seeking to improve the borough’s tax base, not everyone agrees its the right choice for the area.
John Thomas, a resident in Kennett Square, requested during the meeting that StanAb’s proposal be rejected. He argued that the project would lead to increased traffic, the possibility of increased police activity, and he said he wants to maintain Kennett’s small, historic town reputation. Thomas said that he does not want his town to turn into a big city.
As growth continues in the borough, not everyone has been pleased with some of the outcomes — and the impact on neighborhood parking.
Charla Watson said during the meeting that the borough should require restaurants and businesses to have their own parking lots. Watson said she does not want business patrons parking in front of her house. If a restaurant closes late then the noise will be bothersome to the residents, she said. And it adds to traffic on the side streets in surrounding neighborhoods, she added.
In terms of working to maintain the character of the borough’s Historic District neighborhoods, which feature a number of historic structures, council members did say they were stepping up efforts to inform residents of what they can and cannot fix and change without borough approval in their homes under borough ordinance.
Under Chapter 25 Historic District Ordinance/ zoning laws, council members said will be applied equally throughout the borough. The borough is planning to advertise this in the coming weeks to make all residents aware.
Cited as an example, if a resident had a front door break off, then they would be allowed to replace it without special permission from the code officer or from HARB (Historical Architectural Review Board). But if the same resident wanted to add a porch when one did not exist previously, porch before, then they would need to get permission.
That application process could take as long as 75 days, officials said, unless the applicant seeks a special meeting (which is usually accepted).
Also of note Monday night: council members said that borough is currently working on installing sidewalks near the YMCA and Anson B Nixon Park, but more information is likely to come out in the coming weeks.
Speaking of the YMCA, Healthy Kids Day will be held this Saturday 25th on South Broad Street. It’s a free community event where kids can have their blood pressure checked and learn about healthy eating. Games and snacks will be provided.
