New heights of concern in West Chester

Supporters of an effort to restrict building heights in West Chester hope their quest will not be too tall an order for Borough Council.

On tonight's agenda for a Borough Council worksession: Consider proposing an ordinance revising the height ordinance area that falls within the outline of streets of Gay to Market, Matlack to Darlington.

"Please understand that your support is the ONLY thing that can enable Borough Council members to stand firm in the face of the immense pressures and deep pockets of developers and their lawyers. If you don't participate, they win at your expense. It's that simple," said an email urging attendance at tonight's meeting.

The initiative follows the recent sale of portions of the downtown, historic courthouse complex to Exton developers Eli Kahn and Jack Loew, who must now bring plans for the 153,000-square-foot parcel to the borough. One of their early plans included replacing one of the buildings with a structure that would have dwarfed the 75-foot-tall parking garage across from the YMCA.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall, 401 E. Gay St.