Reining in short-term rentals | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, Westtown residents brace for possible commercialization near Crebilly Farm.
Hi, Chester County! 👋
With a growing population and limited housing supply, Kennett Square is weighing a cap on short-term rentals. Here’s what it could look like. Also this week, Westtown Township residents aren’t getting complacent about potential future commercialization near a swath of land they fought to preserve, men who posed as police during a Tredyffrin Township robbery have been charged, plus, a black bear has been spotted in West Vincent Township.
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Facing limited housing inventory and a growing population, some Chester County communities are looking to crack down on non-owner-occupied homes being used exclusively for short-term rentals, such as on platforms Airbnb or VRBO.
Kennett Square’s council is considering a revised ordinance that could cap short-term rental units at 20. Currently about 25 borough homes are registered as short-term rentals, so no more could be added. If any of those registered single-family homes sell, they couldn’t remain short-term rentals, The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz reports.
The ordinance is similar to one West Chester adopted in 2024, which also caps these types of rentals.
Read more about Kennett Square’s potential efforts to curtail short-term rentals.
Years after a lengthy battle to preserve the 206-acre Crebilly Farm, Westtown Township residents are now bracing for potential commercialization plans for a 19th-century inn at the busy intersection of Routes 202 and 926, which the township plans to auction off.
Westtown’s chairman of the board, Ed Yost, has assured residents “there is absolutely no initiative right now to rezone Crebilly Preserve in any fashion, period, full stop.” While that alleviates concerns for some, for others, it was a reminder to stay informed about plans in the community.
The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz delves into the latest debate over the land.
📍 Countywide News
Chester County’s Town Tours and Village Walks program is returning tomorrow and has been expanded in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday. Events are scheduled through Oct. 15 and include tours and lectures about local history.
Paoli Hospital was recognized as one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals for 2026 by Newsweek. The outlet partnered with Statista to name 460 facilities nationwide, taking into account hospital quality, patient experience, and the facility’s reputation.
Monday is the last day to register to vote if you want to cast a ballot in the May 19 primary election. We’ve put together a guide about frequently asked questions and also what you can expect to see on your ballot.
💡 Community News
Three men have been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and conspiracy after an incident along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Tredyffrin Township last month. The men posed as police and attempted to ambush and strong-arm a man out of $49,000, shooting him in the process and nearly hitting two members of his family. The Inquirer’s Vinny Vella has the details.
West Vincent Township police have received multiple reports of a black bear in the area and have warned residents to take steps to keep themselves, their pets, and the bear safe.
North Coventry Township’s zoning hearing board is considering an application for a Sheetz convenience store and gas station along South Hanover Street, Kutz Drive, and Temple Road, with a meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 7 p.m. Sheetz requires additional approvals given a small part of the 4.55-acre site is in a public well protection area and its plans exceed the number of allowed gas pumps.
A public hearing about a West Vincent housing development proposal will continue Monday at 7 p.m. when the township’s board of supervisors meet. Pulte is looking to build 28 single-family homes and 46 townhomes near Pottstown Pike, Birchrun Road, and Lexington Boulevard.
Garrett Nicholas, the West Chester University student who died after being hit by a driver earlier this month, helped save three lives through organ donation, and will help up to 100 more people through tissue donation, according to the Gift of Life Donor Program. To honor the memory of the 21-year-old, dozens of his fraternity brothers ran in the nonprofit’s 10K Gift of Life Donor Dash last weekend, which promotes organ donation awareness.
Chester Springs home decor and apparel shop The Iron Bird has expanded, soft opening its second location at 320 W. Uwchlan Ave. in Downingtown yesterday. There will be a grand opening Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In case you missed it, the newest Kimberton Whole Foods opened on Monday at Eagleview Town Center in Exton. It’s the largest Kimberton location so far.
Phoenixville Bike Park at 610 Franklin Ave. is reopening for the season on Saturday.
Heads up for drivers: Little Conestoga Road between Green Valley Road and Dominic Drive in Upper Uwchlan Township will be closed for about a month starting Monday for work on the turnpike overpass. Sheeder Road between Pughtown and Ridge Roads in East Vincent Township will be closed today through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for pipe replacement work. And PennDot will be paving a number of roads over the next week, resulting in possible delays. Phoenixville Pike between King Road and Lancaster Avenue in West Whiteland and East Whiteland Townships will have a lane closure today through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Several other roads will have lane closures overnight starting at 7 p.m. See the full list here.
Have unwanted electronics? You can recycle them at East Goshen Township’s “Anything with a Plug” recycling event Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at East Goshen Township Park. The event is open to non-residents, but registration is recommended. There’s a fee to recycle some items like TVs, computer monitors, and microwaves.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Registration for the Phoenixville Area School District’s Let’s Go to Kindergarten Camp opens Friday. The four-day program runs from Aug. 10 to 13 and gives incoming kindergarteners time to meet teachers and explore their new school. Learn more here.
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District has named two new administrators from its ranks. Hillendale Elementary School Principal Josh Leight will become director of human resources at the end of the current school year, overseeing staff recruitment, development, and retention, as well as serving as the district’s Title IX coordinator. And Rachel Lomas has been named director of pupil services after serving in the role on an interim basis since the fall. She will focus on special education, gifted education, and health services.
🍽️ On our Plate
One of the best thing an Inquirer report ate last week? The Madras nachos at relative newcomer Vibe Haus in Berwyn. The Indian brewpub’s take on the dish subs papdi chips for tortilla chips, which are then topped with spiced queso, black beans, cilantro crema, and tangy masala corn, Michael Klein reports.
Looking to try locally grown produce? AgConnect has launched its Chester County Farmers Market Trail for 2026, spanning 10 markets throughout the region.
Speaking of farmers markets, a number of local ones are reopening for the season this weekend. KSQ Farmers Market in Kennett Square is open Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m. starting this week. Downingtown Farmers Market returns to Kerr Park this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Malvern Farmers Market is back starting Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Burke Park. And Berwyn Farmers Market opens for the season on Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon.
🎳 Things to Do
🎶 Music Festival: Now in its second year, this music festival features family-friendly performances to benefit United Way of Southern Chester County. ⏰ Thursday, April 30, 6-9 p.m. 💵 $20 for general admission, free for kids under 18 📍 The Creamery, Kennett Square
🖼️ Gay Street Open-Air Market and Spring Gallery Walk: The open-air market season kicks off in West Chester and coincides with the Spring Gallery Walk, a self-guided tour of local artists’ works displayed in galleries and other businesses. ⏰ Friday, May 1, 4-8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Downtown West Chester
🐑 Sheep and Wool Day: See Springton Manor Farm’s resident sheep get their annual haircut. There will also be spinning demonstrations, face painting, wagon rides, food trucks, and craft vendors. ⏰ Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Rain date: May 3) 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Springton Manor Farm, Glenmoore
🎷 Spring on King: There will be jazz music, food trucks, and a beer garden at this family-friendly event. ⏰ Saturday, May 2, noon-6 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 King Street and Burke Park, Malvern
💐 Mother’s Day Floral Workshop: Celebrate mom by making a custom bouquet. ⏰ Wednesday, May 6, 6 p.m. 💵 $79 📍 Braeloch Brewing, Kennett Square
🏡 On the Market
Situated on 84 acres and with multiple outbuildings, this sprawling West Marlborough Township property is suited to horses and crops alike. The property includes a three-bedroom main house with exposed wood beams, stone floors and walls, vaulted ceilings, a conservatory, and a patio. Elsewhere on the property, there’s a six-stall barn with office space, a wine barn that could be converted into a guest house, a detached garage with living space, four fenced paddocks, and five ponds.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $4.3M | Size: 4,624 SF | Acreage: 84
🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:
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