A plan by developer Francis Taraschi to construct 66 housing units in the Johnsontown section of Downingtown is continuing to face hurdles as it slowly inches forward, writes Jen Samuel for the Daily Local News.

Earlier this week, the Downingtown Planning Commission held its bimonthly meeting, where members voiced their concerns with the developer.

Taraschi, a Downingtown native, said he has been working on the Trestle View Village for close to two decades. In response to previously voiced concerns, he has now reduced the number of townhouses he plans to construct from 79 to 66.

He said that his goal was the revitalization of Johnsontown.

With the reduced number of homes, the developer is proposing to build 12 houses per acre. However, the current zoning for R-3 in Downingtown allows for only eight houses per acre.

Instead of approving a special overlay district that would amend the zoning of the property, which would set a precedent for developers, the commission has recommended that the developer pursue a conditional use variance.

“We have to be careful” with setting a precedent, said Steven Henning, the commission’s vice chairman.

Read more about the development plans in the Daily Local News here.

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