February 28, 2013 | A. Roy Smith

The recently issued Statewide Historic Preservation Plan (an 88 page document) references West Chester and its recently adopted Preservation Plan. Below is the very glowing description of the Borough quoted from the statewide plan and with it an expectation that we will follow through on the recommendations in our plan.
 
West Chester Borough, Chester County
Historic preservation has been an established force in planning and development in West Chester, which has enabled it to remain an attractive, compact, and walkable community.

While the borough is considered one of Pennsylvania’s most successfully preserved small towns, its preservation plan was prepared to ensure that preservation efforts continue.

The plan addresses a number of needs identified through public participation, including the need for education/better information, protection of resources outside the local historic district, preservation/rehabilitation of historic resources, expansion of the National Register Historic District(s), and others. Goals identified to address these needs are:

• Preserve and protect the historic character of the borough;

• Increase public awareness about West Chester’s historic and architectural resources and appropriate preservation techniques;

• Identify historically significant resources; and

• Provide a list of plan recommendations that identify implementation responsibilities

See the entire plan at the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.