Student renter behavior prompts pushback | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, a pub is taking over the former Iron Hill in West Chester.
Hi, Chester County! 👋
After years of complaints, residents in Tredyffrin Township are seeking more meaningful guardrails for off-campus student housing. Also, two Coatesville men were convicted for their involvement in a 2023 shooting, another restaurant is taking over the former Iron Hill space in West Chester, plus, a guide to everything you need to know about next week’s primary.
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Residents in part of Tredyffrin Township are worried about the upcoming opening of Villanova University’s Cabrini campus and are asking local officials, the police, and the school to take action to head off more potentially disruptive behavior from students living nearby.
The push comes after years of issues with off-campus rentals catering to students, especially along Mount Pleasant Avenue, that’s resulted in increased noise, trash, and other interruptions, including vomit on personal property.
While there is a student housing ordinance in place, the township’s solicitor is now working to beef up its language. But some residents say that’s not enough.
The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz spoke with residents about their concerns.
📍 Countywide News
The primary election is Tuesday. Here’s everything you need to know before heading to the polls.
Bad news for peach lovers: The hot weather followed by a cold snap last month killed many local crops, including at Highland Orchards in West Chester. It’ll mean a multimillion-dollar setback for the state, which is the No. 4 peach grower in the nation.
💡 Community News
Two Coatesville men were convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and aggravated assault last week for their involvement in an August 2023 attempt to target a rival, resulting in one of their friends being killed. The convictions carry life sentences, The Inquirer’s Vinny Vella reports.
West Bradford Township released a draft ordinance last week that would update its zoning in regards to future data center developments. The goal of the ordinance, which has not yet been adopted, is to “establish clear, strong, and legally defensible regulations now,” Township Manager Justin Yaich said in a letter to the community. There are currently no data center proposals in West Bradford.
Phoenixville’s planning commission is reviewing a proposal for 14 twin-style houses on two sides of the intersection of Vanderslice and Gay Streets, which will be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting.
Memorial Park in Oxford will get a makeover after the borough’s council approved the final designs earlier this month. The grant-funded project includes a new performance pavilion, a rain garden, updated sidewalks, a new crosswalk, and ADA accessibility improvements.
Two decades after a difficult first pregnancy that resulted in a stillborn birth, Talonda Rogers opened a Downingtown center in 2020 aimed at closing the postpartum care gap for families of color. Inquirer contributor Jade Pennyman delves into how The 4th Trimester MOMMIE came to be ahead of its free community event on Saturday.
Paoli Hospital received a “B” in the latest Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade report, which was released last week, outperforming Phoenixville Hospital, which got a “C.” Chester County Hospital didn’t participate in the survey. Leapfrog assesses a hospital’s ability to protect patients from medical errors, accidents, injuries, and infections.
East Marlborough Township is hosting a multi-day community design charrette beginning Monday and wrapping up next Wednesday as part of the development of the Unionville master plan.
Two new businesses are planning to open within a block of each other in West Chester in the coming months. Independent bookstore Leaves & Lore is taking over the former Nightingale Materials space at 118 N. High St. No opening timeline has been announced. And the woman-only personal fitness studio Train & Nourish is opening at 109 N. High St., targeting a summer debut.
Heads up for drivers: Pennsylvania State Police will have a sobriety checkpoint in London Grove Township sometime between Friday through May 25. And on Sunday, expect to see cyclists on Corinne, Locust Grove, and South Wawaset Roads in Pocopson Township for the Chester County Velo Bike Race, which takes place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There’s an electronics recycling event at Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli on Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m.
🚧 Roadwork to watch out for
Charlestown Township: Pickering Dam Road between Peakes Pike Road and Charlestown Road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through next Friday.
East and West Nantmeal Townships: Bulltown Road between Conestoga and Manor Roads will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through this Friday for PennDot repairs.
Phoenixville: Second and Third Avenues from Main Street to Starr Street will be closed through Monday for the Dogwood Festival (more on that below).
Spring City: The borough will be paving segments of North and South Cedar Street, Vincent Street, Icehouse Alley, and Oyster Alley starting Friday. Work is expected to last about a month and will cause intermittent closures.
West Bradford Township: Marshallton Thorndale Road between Shadyside Road and Crestmont Drive will be closed for paving on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until next Thursday.
West Pikeland Township: Art School Road between Yellow Springs and Tiptop Roads is slated to be closed today through May 27 for PennDot to replace two bridges over Pickering Creek.
West Vincent Township: There will be work over the next two weeks on the following: Crescent and Veronica Drives; Eagle Farms, Powell, and Thorndale Roads; Lobella and Marigold Courts; Kennard and Trillium Ways; and Sweet Birch Lane.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Parents in the Phoenixville Area School District are among those pushing back against screen use in the classroom. Alair Southerton is organizing parents in the district, noting she’s worried about how screens can impact her son’s attention span and brain development. The district said it will launch an app this fall allowing parents to monitor their kids’ school-related screen usage, The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna reports.
Coatesville Area School District is hosting a meet-and-greet for two of its new principals this evening at 5 p.m. at the Octorara Primary Learning Center. Kelly Bourne, new principal of Octorara Primary Learning Center, and Jonathan Blake, principal of Octorara Intermediate School, will both be on hand.
Downingtown Area School District is hosting a community forum Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Downingtown High School West. Registration is encouraged.
Oxford Area School District’s board will meet on Tuesday to adopt its final budget proposal for 2026-27. The most recent proposal calls for a 4.7% property tax hike.
Also in OASD, registration is now open for the Summer Academies program. The free sessions for students completing second through eighth grade this school year will take place in July and offer focuses on music, computer science, reading, and STEM.
Owen J. Roberts School District will present its final budget for adoption on Monday at 6 p.m. at the high school. The proposed budget calls for a 3% property tax hike, the largest hike in the past decade.
🍽️ On our Plate
A new restaurant is taking over the former Iron Hill Brewery space in West Chester. Magerk’s Pub & Grill dishes up things like cheesesteaks, jumbo crab pretzels, tempura pickles, wings, burgers, and nachos.
The long wait for Steel City Brewing is almost over. The operators behind the brewery and community space at 132 E. Lincoln Hwy. in Coatesville are hoping to be open within the next 45 days.
🎳 Things to Do
🌸 Phoenixville Dogwood Festival: The event includes a three-day carnival and the annual parade on Saturday. ⏰ Wednesday, May 13-Saturday, May 16, 6-10 p.m.; parade is at 1 p.m. 💵 Carnival rides are $35 for wristbands or pay as you go 📍 Reeves Park, Phoenixville
🎨 Chester County Studio Tour: Get a peek inside 59 artists’ studios and meet 172 artists during this annual two-day event. ⏰ Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, May 17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Chester County
🎶 West Chester Porchfest: Now in its fifth year, this event features musical performances throughout the borough. ⏰ Saturday, May 16, 1-7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 West Chester
🏡 On the Market
This recently built six-bedroom Malvern home has ample privacy thanks to its large lot, but is close to several town centers. The sprawling ranch features a kitchen with high-end appliances and a large island with two wine refrigerators. It also has a separate butler’s pantry. The kitchen opens onto a family room with vaulted ceilings and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, and a nearby dining room. There’s another family room in the finished basement and additional living space on a back patio.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $3.3M | Size: 8,189 SF | Acreage: 14.43
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