Downingtown Retail Proposal Seeks Residential Zoning Exception

Borough of Downingtown

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — A property owner is seeking permission to operate a retail memorial-monument business in a residential zoning district along East Lancaster Avenue, a proposed commercial use that will require approval from the Downingtown Borough Zoning Hearing Board at a Nov. 17 hearing.

GY Realty LLC has applied for a use variance at 700 E. Lancaster Ave., where the property is designated R-4 residential and the proposed retail operation is not otherwise permitted under the borough’s zoning regulations.

The application, identified as ZHB26-004, seeks relief from Section 287-32(A) of the borough’s zoning ordinance to allow the business at the location.

READ:  Phoenixville Club Plan Faces Residential Zoning Test

The applicant is also requesting two dimensional variances involving a freestanding sign.

One would provide relief from restrictions on the maximum permitted sign area in a residential district. The other would allow an exception to minimum setback requirements from the public right-of-way for a permanent freestanding sign.

The requests fall under Section 287-117 and its associated zoning appendices.

The application also seeks any additional relief the Zoning Hearing Board determines necessary.

Approval would establish an exception to the property’s residential zoning restrictions, allowing the proposed commercial operation and associated signage subject to the board’s decision.

READ:  Downingtown Retail Proposal Seeks Residential Zoning Exception

The Zoning Hearing Board will consider the requests Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Downingtown Borough Hall, 4 W. Lancaster Ave.

Residents and other interested parties may attend and provide testimony during the public hearing.

Copies of the application are available for inspection without charge through the borough’s Codes Department during regular business hours. Copies may also be purchased at a cost not exceeding the borough’s reproduction expenses.

Anyone requiring disability-related accommodations or auxiliary assistance should contact the Codes Department at 610-269-0344, ext. 210.

READ:  West Goshen Revisits Data Center Rules in Zoning Overhaul

The borough’s official hearing notice is available at https://www.downingtown.org/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/213.

Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.