How some townships fight the data center next door | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, ‘Task’ has a new costar for its second season.
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As data center proposals continue to crop up, Chester County communities are finding ways to push back, even when plans are in neighboring municipalities. Also, Task has a new costar for its second season, a Phoenixville man has been sentenced for killing his friend over a video game loss, plus, what to know about this weekend’s “No Kings” protests.
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As data center developers eye Philadelphia’s collar counties, Chester County residents and municipalities are considering what they can do to prevent the energy- and water-intensive facilities from cropping up, a tall order when the projects aren’t proposed within their own borders. Some local leaders have found themselves in a bind when they haven’t proactively updated zoning rules to stipulate where data centers can go.
In Spring City, where residents have been vocal about their disapproval for a proposed center at the former Pennhurst site in East Vincent Township, the borough council recently passed a resolution telling its neighbors what it thinks.
Throughout Chesco and elsewhere, residents are showing up in ways that community organizer Ginny Marcille-Kerslake hasn’t seen before, so much so that data center meetings are “packed to overflowing, to the point where they have to be stopped and rescheduled, because people care that much.”
The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz delves into the pushback from neighboring communities.
📍 Countywide News
Pa. State Police Cpl. Timothy O’Connor was laid to rest last week in Downingtown, with a solemn funeral and procession attended by hundreds of uniformed officers. O’Connor, 40, was killed on March 8 when an erratic driver he pulled over in West Caln Township shot him and then himself.
Several spots throughout the county rank among the top 50 best places to live in the U.S., according to the latest report from data firm Niche. Its 2026 Best Places to Live in America, which ranks hundreds of locales nationwide, puts Devon at the top spot in Chesco at No. 8. It’s followed by Chesterbrook (No. 12) and Paoli (No. 50). In creating its list, Niche took into account the cost of living, schools, crime, job opportunities, and local amenities.
💡 Community News
Phoenixville and West Chester are hosting “No Kings” protests on Saturday. The Phoenixville event will take place at Reeves Park from noon to 2 p.m and The West Chester one will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Historic Chester County Courthouse. They’re among thousands of protests against the policies of President Donald Trump planned nationwide this weekend.
West Vincent Township’s Planning Commission will consider revised plans for a Toll Brothers development of 46 single-family homes along South Chester Springs and Conestoga Roads at tomorrow night’s 7 p.m. meeting. The proposed development would span parts of five properties totaling 185 acres, 114 of which are designated as open space. The commission previously recommended the plan be approved if the developer met 19 conditions, including the addition of a paved bike path, trails, a recreational area, and reapplying for a National Register of Historic Places designation for the farmhouse and barn. The lot known as the steep hayfield would also need to maintain its farming designation. The Board of Supervisors is expected to consider the proposal next month.
West Chester borough is currently in the process of installing movable bollards at East Gay and North Matlack Streets, both sides of North High Street at the intersection of East Gay Street, and at West Gay and North Darlington Streets. Expect lane restrictions or closures as work progresses.
Heads up for drivers: PennDot will be repairing Route 30 westbound between Airport Road and Business U.S. 30 in Sadsbury and Valley Townships tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., causing a lane closure. Starting Thursday, Fellowship Road between Eagle Farms Road and Prospect Hill Boulevard on the border of Upper Uwchlan and West Vincent Townships will be closed for 10 to 20 days for trenching. And Whitford Road between Huffman and Devon Drives in Uwchlan and West Whiteland Townships will be closed weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through April 30 for Aqua Pennsylvania utility work.
Task, created by Berwyn native Brad Ingelsby, has a new costar who will appear opposite Mark Ruffalo for the popular HBO show’s second season. Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali will reportedly play a veteran Philadelphia DEA agent whose efforts collide with a Ruffalo-led task force. A timeline for the new season hasn’t been announced yet.
A 43-year-old West Chester man, Gilberto Sinecio Feregrino, was killed last week when he was struck by a falling tree while working for a tree service company in Delaware County.
A Phoenixville man, Holden Hoffsis, 22, pleaded guilty last week to the third-degree murder of his friend, Daniel Gray, 22, whom he shot in the chest with a revolver in 2024. A judge sentenced Hoffsis to 12 ½ to 25 years in state prison. The altercation came about after the two had been drinking and doing cocaine and got into an argument over video game Fortnite.
A Kennett Square woman’s beloved diamond went on an unexpected journey recently. After the death of her husband, Jim, a few years ago, Cindy Ware took to wearing his 1.3-carat diamond ring daily. But when the stone dislodged and went missing in December, she was devastated. It turned up 1,100 miles away, in the sole of a man’s shoe. The Inquirer’s Dugan Arnett explains how it ended up there.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Great Valley School District has appointed Joseph Alcaro as its next supervisor of teaching and learning for kindergarten through 12th grade.
Octorara Area School District is hosting a high school information night for eighth grade students and their families tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
Twin Valley School District’s kindergarten registration for the 2026-27 school year is now open and materials are due by April 17. Learn more here.
West Chester Area School District recently appointed Zachary Lewis as the new principal of Fugett Middle School.
Last week, Devon Prep defeated the Obama Academy 58-41 to capture the PIAA 4A Boys Basketball Championship in Hershey. This marks the team’s third straight PIAA title.
🍽️ On our Plate
Yiamas Authentic Greek Grill opened Friday at 2952 Lincoln Highway in Sadsbury Township. The restaurant dishes up bowls, salads, pitas, and meat platters, including gyros and souvlaki-style skewers.
Hung Vuong Food Market held a soft opening for the second-floor food court at its Berwyn location. It currently has 10 eateries: All About Coconut, Asian Plate, Chan Mao Suan Cai Yu, Chum’s Poke & Skewer, Kung Fu Tang, Lanzhou Beef Noodles, Mama’s Vietnamese, Ramen Umai, O-Cha, and Super Fried Chicken. The Asian market is located at 254 Swedesford Rd.
A new dessert shop is opening in Bradford Plaza in East Bradford Township on Saturday. Cookie Plug, a chain known for its mashup cookie-cake-brownie desserts, will kick off its grand opening at 11 a.m.
🎳 Things to Do
🌷 Spring Blooms: See spring bulbs and budding trees blooming throughout the season. ⏰ Friday, March 27-Sunday, May 3, times vary 💵 Free for members, $20-$35 for non-members 📍Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square
🎭 Barley Sheaf’s 24-hour Playwriting Festival: See what kind of play actors, directors, and writers can craft in just 24 hours. ⏰ Saturday, March 28, 8 p.m. 💵 Pay what you wish 📍The Barley Sheaf Players, Lionville
🏇 Cheshire Races: Catch a number of horse races, including timber, flat, and sidesaddle at the 79th running. ⏰ Sunday, March 29, 10 a.m. 💵 $55.92 for general admission 📍Plantation Field, Coatesville
✡️ Pesach Seder: Mark the first night of Passover with this communal seder that includes hand-baked Shmurah Matzah. Today is the last day to register. ⏰ Wednesday, April 1, 7:30 p.m. 💵 $35 for children, $55 for adults 📍Chabad of Chester County & Western Main Line, Devon
🥚 Easter Events
East Pikeland Township Easter Egg Hunt ⏰ Saturday, March 28, 9:30-11 a.m. 💵 Free 📍Kimberton Park, Phoenixville
East Goshen Egg Hunt ⏰ Saturday, March 28, 10-11 a.m. 💵 Free 📍East Goshen Township Park, West Chester
Everhart Park Easter Egg Hunt ⏰ Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. 💵 Free 📍Everhart Park, West Chester
Parkesburg 250 Egg Hunt & Brunch Fundraiser ⏰ Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m. 💵 $10 for children, $15 for adults 📍Beale Manor, Parkesburg
West Pikeland Township Community Egg Hunt ⏰ Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m. (Rain date: March 29) 💵 Free 📍Walnut Lane Park, Chester Springs
Hop-n-Hunt Eggstravaganza ⏰ Saturday, March 28, 2 p.m. (Rain date: March 29) 💵 Free 📍Borough Hall Park, Atglen
Photos and Fun with the Easter Bunny ⏰ Sunday, March 29, noon-2 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Phoenixville Fire Department
Honey Brook Fire Company Easter Egg Hunt ⏰ Sunday, March 29, allotted times for different ages groups, starting at 1 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Honey Brook Fire Company
London Grove Easter Egg Hunt ⏰ Wednesday, April 1, allotted times for different ages groups, starting at 5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Goddard Park, West Grove
🏡 On the Market
Built in 1830, this Spring City farmhouse offers a glimpse into the past. The main house has three bedrooms and features stone elements, including a living room fireplace, and some original hardwood throughout. It’s undergone some recent updates, including fresh paint, new carpet, a new roof, as well as a remodeled full bathroom. The spacious property could have multiple uses thanks to additional buildings including a bank barn, a garage, and a covered barn.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $839,000 | Size: 2,412 SF | Acreage: 6.3
📈 Chester County market report
Median listing price: $559,000 (same as January)
Median sold price: $510,000 (down $1,500 from January) 📉
Median days on the market: 30 (down 18 days from January) 📉
This Chester County market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for February from realtor.com.
🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:
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