Developer Eli Kahn will construct a 185-apartment complex at Mitch’s Gym property in West Chester, writes Bill Rettew for The Daily Local News.

After much discussion, West Chester Borough Council managed to reach a compromise with Kahn and gave the green light for construction to start. The apartment complex at 322 West Market will have 185 units.

The sticking point during the discussion was the fee amount developers will have to pay instead of allocating open space for recreation. Most borough council members and Kahn agreed that the wording of the ordinance is confusing. The ordinance states that when a builder does not designate five percent of the overall square footage of a development for open space, the borough assesses the fee the developer is obliged to pay.

Khan argued that his project met the threshold through trees, grass, benches, and possibly a fountain that would be placed behind the proposed building.

After some back and forth, it was decided that Kahn would set aside $109,076, instead of the $272,000 that was previously determined by Borough Manager Sean Metrick.

Khan was “happy” with the compromise, he said after the meeting.

Read more about Eli Kahn’s newest development at Mitch’s Gym property in The Daily Local News.

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