Kennett Square residents discussed the long term trajectory of Kennett’s residential development at a recent township meeting, writes Jen Samuel for The Daily Local News.
The borough held two days of strategic planning sessions on Jan. 12 and 13. Roughly 120 people attended to discuss Kennett’s future as businesses continue to close and affordable housing remains a concern.
Residents describe the closures of commercial businesses in favor of residential expansion as “alarming.” Kennett Square’s last pharmacy closed in 2024, and Genesis Healthcare, one of the borough’s largest corporate employers, filed for bankruptcy last summer.
In another major project, development company Rockhopper, LP is moving forward with a plan to transform the former National Vulcanized Fiber (NVF) 22-acre site into high-density townhomes.
However, residents are skeptical about the follow-through on the project. Speakers shared fears about such quick growth, and a desire for fewer short-term rentals.
About the expansion, resident Gina Donato said, “We’re losing our feel of a small community and we’re starting to grow too fast.”
Other residents voiced concern about balancing such rapid residential development with open space preservation.
As for next steps, the creation of a long term strategic plan will move to a workshop and council vote this spring. Borough manager Kyle Coleman shared that policymakers aim to keep resident feedback in mind as they draft tangible plans for the future.
Read more about residents’ opinions on residential development in Kennett Square in The Daily Local News.
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