Two Vetri restaurants proposed for Devon Yard project

At a packed meeting Monday night, Devon residents showed a mix of excitement and concern about plans for Devon Yard, the long-stalled proposed Urban Outfitters development in Chester County.

At the Easttown Township Planning Commission meeting, David Ziel, Urban Outfitters' chief development officer, announced a partnership between Urban and the Philadelphia restaurateur Marc Vetri. Devon Yard would host two Vetri restaurants, along with a cafe affiliated with Urban's Terrain brand.

Contacted Monday night, Vetri said he was unsure what the restaurant concepts would be. His restaurants include Vetri, Osteria, Alla Spina, Amis, Lo Spiedo, and Pizzeria Vetri.

The six-acre development would have four stories of luxury residences above stores designed to have a "Main Street" feel, developers said.

They touted the project as an upscale, walkable town center unlike anything Devon has. The project would include widening Waterloo Road and Lancaster Avenue, and creating about 620 parking spots, they said.

The meeting was held to discuss a zoning amendment - which the commissioners did not vote on Monday - requested by the developers.

Changes have been made since Devon Yard was proposed two years ago, including the elimination of a boutique hotel developers had planned for the site. At the time, they also proposed using land that belongs to the Devon Horse Show, something that caused controversy.

On Monday, developers repeated that the project had nothing to do with the horse show and would not use the parking lot or abandoned gas station the horse show owns adjacent to Devon Yard.

"The horse show has not been approached to sell any of its property," said Louis Colagreco, a lawyer who spoke on behalf of the project.

At least 70 residents came to the Planning Commission meeting. About two dozen spoke during the public-comment portion, many asking about what effect the development would have on their homes and neighborhoods, particularly parking.

One resident seemed to sum up the conflict for many. "I love the idea of walking to a Vetri restaurant. I don't love the idea of being woken up in the middle of the night by people leaving a very enjoyable dinner," she said.

Devon Yard is expected to generate $1.4 million a year in tax revenue, said developer Eli Kahn, with $1 million going to the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District.