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Chester County Press

Kennett Square Borough approves intergovernmental cooperative agreement with Kennett Township

01/06/2015 01:24PM ● By Steven Hoffman

Kennett Square Borough Council unanimously approved an intergovernmental cooperative agreement with Kennett Township at the council meeting on Monday night that will expedite the development of a property that is situated along the boundary between the two municipalities.

Kennett Square Borough solicitor Marc Jonas said that a mixed-use project is being planned for the property. Most of the land, approximately 3.9 acres, is located in Kennett Township, while the remaining 1.3 acres is in Kennett Square Borough. The property is adjacent to the new Victory Brewing Company facility. Kennett Realty is involved with the Cannery Row project, which right now includes apartments, retail space, office space, and a restaurant.

The intergovernmental cooperative agreement applies to zoning issues only and will allow the developer to have reasonable use of property without going through the process of obtaining variances to have that use. Parking and storm-water issues will primarily be in Kennett Township. The project will still need final land-development approval from both municipalities.

In other business at the council meeting, Mary Hutchins, the executive director of Historic Kennett Square, said that in an unofficial survey of downtown business owners, most of them reported that the holiday season of 2014 was equal to or better than the previous year’s holiday season. Some merchants reported significant year-to-year gains during the holiday season, Hutchins said. A collaboration with Longwood Gardens worked well, as a shuttle transported people back and forth between downtown Kennett Square and the popular tourist destination during the busiest days of the holiday season. On some days, the number of people to use the shuttle exceeded the self-imposed limit.

Borough council president Leon Spencer offered a reminder that a forum regarding public safety will be taking place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at the Michael Walker Building. Spencer said that the forum will be a good opportunity for residents to bring up any public safety issues or concerns that they might have.

Mayor Matthew Fetick said that the second annual Mushroom Drop celebration on New Year’s Eve was a success.

I think it was a great event,” Fetick said. “There were no arrests, no incidents. It was well-organized and well-attended.”

Kennett Square Borough Council will meet again on Tuesday, Jan. 20.