Reining in raucous student housing | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, look inside a nearly $7 million Malvern home on 15 acres.
Hi, Chester County!
After years of dealing with raucous student tenants, Tredyffrin Township officials have voted on a new ordinance aimed at better curbing problems. Here’s how it will work. Also this week, Vanguard has shifted its focus amid its mutual fund and exchange-traded industry peak and then decline, Phoenixville is temporarily morphing into Gilmore Girls’ beloved Stars Hollow, plus, we look inside a nearly $7 million Malvern property that’s for sale.
— Lisa Dukart (chestercounty@inquirer.com)
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Tredyffrin Township officials voted to approve a new ordinance this week aimed at giving them more power to address unruly student tenants.
It allows the township to hold landlords “directly responsible” for the behavior of student tenants and their guests, including directing landlords to evict students with too many violations, and fining landlords for violations.
The move comes after some residents have dealt with years of bad student behavior ranging from drunkenness and rowdiness to yards and streets strewn with detritus, something they worried could intensify thanks to Villanova University’s new nearby Cabrini campus.
“I hope this makes a difference, and I hope that we can hold the landlords or the companies, whoever [owns] the property, responsible for this,” said board member Carlotta Johnston-Pugh.
The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz delves into the details and what prompted the change.
📍 Countywide news
As measles cases continue to climb — as of Monday, the county has reported 76 confirmed cases this year — some parents, including one in Kennett Square, are moving up vaccination timelines, delaying daycare, and altering interactions with others.
Chester County Health Department is kicking off its seasonal vaccine clinics tomorrow at Great Valley Middle School, with more throughout the fall and winter at other sites.
Residents of the 158th legislative district in southeastern Chester County can recycle lithium batteries, drop off unwanted drugs, and get paper shredded at a Saturday event from 9 to 11 a.m. at Embreeville Park in West Bradford Township.
Permit-only archery deer hunting season began Saturday in select county-owned parks and continues through Dec. 13. Visitors are advised to keep pets on a leash and consider wearing orange for added visibility.
There’s more roadwork taking place this week, including a lane closure on Route 30. Here’s what to keep an eye on.
💡 Community news
Malvern-based investment giant Vanguard has seen its share of the U.S. mutual fund and exchange-traded industry plateau in recent years and shrink this year, marking the end of an era of decades-long growth in the segment, as it shifts focus under a relatively new CEO. The Inquirer’s Joseph N. DiStefano explores the changes.
The Garces Foundation, which provides access to English classes, free healthcare, and other support for immigrants, regardless of their status, is expanding its free community health days to Kennett Square, where more than a quarter of the population is foreign-born. It’s also rebranding to Comunidad Garces.
Several businesses in Phoenixville will be transformed into ones straight out of Stars Hollow from beloved TV show Gilmore Girls this weekend, including Le Chat Club, Doose’s Market, the Dragonfly Inn, and Luke’s Diner.
A “magical” 15-acre Willistown Township property with walking paths, a waterfall, a meditation garden, and a more than 6,000-square-foot, four-bedroom fieldstone house is on the market for just under $7 million. Take a peek inside.
Several gold vehicles have been spotted at the Devon Tesla dealership recently, fueling speculation that the company is looking to expand its autonomous Cybercab program to the region. Here’s what we know so far.
Tredyffrin-Easttown Fire Commission has appointed Eric Felker as chief of fire and emergency medical services. Felker is a physician assistant who has a combined four decades of experience with fire and EMS departments.
A developer is looking to create a mixed-use residential community at 3200 Horseshoe Pike in Honey Brook. Planebrook Partners, LLC is proposing 35 townhomes and 34 twin homes on the roughly 18.6-acre parcel. Township supervisors will consider the proposal at Monday’s 7 p.m. meeting.
East Whiteland Township’s board of supervisors will consider adopting a curative amendment at tomorrow night’s meeting regarding future data center developments.
On Tuesday, West Brandywine Township’s board of supervisors will resume discussions about Imaging Associates’ and Toll Brothers’ plans to develop 500 Hibernia Rd. into 163 single-family homes and 74 twin homes. The meeting will take place at North Brandywine Middle School from 6 to 9 p.m.
Uwchlan Township officials will present master plans for Lionville and Rossi Parks tonight at 7 p.m.
🏫 Schools briefing
There are several homecoming events this weekend: Avon Grove, Henderson High School, and Unionville Chadds-Ford are hosting festivities on Friday and Saturday. Octorara Area’s takes place throughout next week. And West Chester University’s runs Friday through Sunday. Atglen Borough is also hosting its community parade Monday at 6 p.m.
Renaissance Academy’s varsity football team posted its first-ever victory in five seasons during its opening game. Inquirer contributor Dave Caldwell explores how Harold Smith coached the Phoenixville team through a difficult time to overcome adversity.
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District plans to launch full-day kindergarten next year.
West Chester Area School District has named two new assistant principals: Jackie Longan at Henderson High School and Amy Terkanian at Fugett Middle School.
🍽️ On our plate
Beef and Bird Public House is taking over the former Slow Hand space in West Chester. The new concept at 30 N. Church St. is from the team behind Bar Avalon.
Wimpy & Dee’s Diner has reopened under new ownership at 5051 Horseshoe Pike in Honey Brook following a monthslong closure.
🎳 Things to do
🎭 Shakespeare in the Park: High school performers will take on the bard’s romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 25, 5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 East Bradford Park amphitheater
🍎 Cider Fest: Get a taste of fall at this annual festival featuring locally made apple cider, bread-baking demonstrations, and live music. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 $5-$10 📍 Mill at Anselma, Chester Springs
🍻 Bistro on Bridge Oktoberfest: Sip Bavarian-inspired beers and nosh on German-style eats at this celebration where lederhosen and dirndl are encouraged. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Bistro on Bridge, Phoenixville
🍂 Warwick Fall Fest: Celebrate the season with pumpkin painting, crafts, vendors, food trucks, and pony and highland cow rides. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Warwick County Park, Pottstown
🍷 Catalina Wine Mixer: This Step Brothers-inspired 21-and-over event features local wines from Penns Wood, Chaddsford, East Cooke, and Harvest Ridge Wineries; Paradocx Vineyard; and Turks Head Wines, as well as beer from Locust Lane Brewery. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 26, 2-6 p.m. 💵 $25-$50 📍 American Helicopter Museum, West Chester
🖼️ Fall Arts Fest: Explore local arts and vendors, and grab a bite to eat at this festival benefiting the Chester County Mural and Arts Project. ⏰ Sunday, Sept. 27, noon-3 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Kerr Park, Downingtown
🏡 On the market
This four-bedroom Kennett Square home has plenty of outdoor living space thanks to a covered front porch, a large back deck, a separate gazebo-covered patio with a hot tub, and a fire pit. Inside, the updated home has a striking dining room with a built-in buffet and beverage refrigerator, a kitchen with granite countertops, and a family room with vaulted ceilings and a stone fireplace.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $919,000 | Size: 3,937 SF | Acreage: 0.83
📈 Chester County market report
Median listing price: $599,000 (down $900 from July) 📉
Median sold price: $568,200 (down $41,800 from July) 📉
Days on the market: 33 (down one day from July) 📉
This Chester County market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for August from realtor.com.
🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:
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