Planning staff introduced the "Parks for All" West Chester Borough Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan at the Nov. 17 Planning Commission working session and described it as an amendment to the borough's comprehensive plan intended to provide a rational basis for fee-in-lieu calculations and to outline park priorities and ordinance amendments.

A staff member summarized the plan's scope: an inventory of borough parks, recommendations for maintenance and improvements, and suggested changes to the zoning ordinance, SALDO and design standards to support park funding. A legal/technical staff speaker told the commission that to assess a fee in lieu of open space the municipality must have a current recreational/open-space plan.

Why it matters: The plan would shape what developers must provide on‑site for recreation versus the fee they owe in lieu of on-site open space. That determination affects development costs, how parks are funded, and which neighborhoods receive investment.

Key questions raised
Commissioners focused on several implementation questions: whether elevated courtyards or private rooftop spaces should count fully, partially or not at all as public recreational space; whether the plan supplies a defensible formula for calculating a reasonable fee in lieu; and how the borough will ensure equitable allocation of funds across parks and neighborhoods.

Commissioner concerns about engagement and equity
Several commissioners praised the report's breadth but said the document did not fully capture community groups that have sustained particular parks. One commissioner noted strong "friends" groups at parks such as Everhart that have organized volunteer investment and questioned whether the plan connected that community energy to recommendations for less-developed parks.

Process and next steps
Staff and commissioners agreed the plan should be presented by the project lead (Keith) at a future meeting so commissioners can ask technical questions about mandatory dedication, fee formulas and how the plan would be reflected in ordinance amendments. Staff said the plan is scheduled before borough council and that the commission should submit questions or suggested amendments ahead of that hearing.

The commission did not adopt any formal recommendation on Nov. 17; members asked staff to secure a presentation by the plan lead and to return with clarifications on fee calculations and ordinance language.