For years now, we’ve been panting to be let loose in Devon Yard. (Terrain! Anthropologie! A Terrain Garden Cafe! Pizzeria Vetri! Amis!)
So what’s the hold up?
Postponing our grazing pleasure is the project’s residential side – specifically, a proposed five-story mixed-use building that’s giving some folks fits. (Too tall! Too dense! Too out of character!)
Note to Easttown Supervisors: Come caffeinated and clear your next-morning calendars. The public meeting you called for Feb. 3 will run long and late. Impassioned partisans on both sides of Eli Kahn’s Waterloo Do-Over – and the zoning change it requires – are sharpening their stump speeches.
At issue are the apartments that Kahn, the site’s owner/developer, says are necessary for his walkable “downtown Devon” project to move forward.
If he can’t house empty nesters and yo-pros and put shops below them, his leasing deal with Urban Outfitters ain’t happening, folks, Kahn tells SAVVY.
Indeed, Devon Yard has been a mixed-use plan from the get-go. “I need the residential to support the quality of product I’m bringing in … The Urban deal relies heavily on the apartment development.”
You may recall that Urban Outfitters (URBN) was so distressed about online competition that it recently bought the Vetri restaurant group, banking on all those good smells enticing shoppers to its stores. So the notion that Urban might insist on a captive pedestrian audience for the Waterloo deal shouldn’t raise eyebrows.
Kahn’s initial plan for built-in foot traffic was a 92-room hotel (part of which, incidentally, was five stories). But he scrapped the Devon Inn when he “couldn’t structure a deal to close Devon Blvd,” among other reasons. Turns out making a public road private is a little complicated.
Kahn now wants to erect a 60-foot-high building with below-grade parking for 240, eight to 12 street-level shops and 125 luxury apartments on floors 2 through 5. To appease those miffed at the building’s monolithic front, Kahn has amended his blueprints, setting back the fifth floor and adding penthouse decks.
The apartments come with 9- and 10-ft. ceilings, on-site concierge, fitness center, community gathering space and, for the deepest pockets, rooftop decks. “The most luxurious rentals ever built on the Main Line,” the place “will be run with a staff of people” and will “look like a SoHo boutique hotel” with “Center City condo-like finishes,” Kahn tells me, with a touch of heat/pride/frustration in his tone.
He projects rents at $2,500 to $5,000, the high end for ultra la-di-da penthouse units Clearly, we’re not talking about another Home Props here.
The building’s rear abuts the horse show’s main Dorset Ave. parking lot. The front faces Devon Blvd. with Anthro, Terrain, Pizzeria Vetri and Amis across the street.
Pretty much everyone is raving about the retail and restaurants. They’re even OK with a three-level parking garage – although fingers are crossed for a more charming peaked roof perhaps and shmancier camouflage landscaping.
It’s the five-story, 60-ft. high whopper that’s pitting neighbor against neighbor. “It saddens me to see how personal people are getting about it,” laments project supporter Richard Decker, a two-year resident of Berkeley Rd. “Some have been especially venomous. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion.”
A good number (but not all) of those with front-row seats in the family-friendly Berkeley/Chester/Waterloo/Dorset Rd. neighborhood are organizing against it. Those living further afield are generally in favor (again, with exceptions).
The Not-In-My-Backyard camp has enlisted attorney and longtime Easttown resident Joe Kohn to plead their case Feb. 3.
A letter, drafted with Kohn’s help, has been making the rounds to rally the opposition.
The Cliff Notes version: Letting Waterloo Devon L.P. (aka Kahn) put up a 60-ft. building when storefronts along Rt. 30 are capped at 35 ft. sets a slippery-slope precedent and is, in effect, spot zoning that would “change forever the residential character of this part of Devon” and create “unnecessary traffic, noise and density.” Signed by seven neighbors, the letter hints at Devon Yard turning into another Eastside Flats, Kahn’s massive mixed-use Malvern project that’s “now operated by Korman Suites” and allows leases as short as three months. (Eastside Flats is four stories, btw.)
Signers like 41-year Devon Blvd. homeowner Joan Berquist want lower-density multi-family housing. In other words, townhomes.
Berquist calls Kahn’s apartment plan “laughable,” objects to the “bulk of the thing,” and claims Kahn wants to “obliterate current zoning” laws. “Easttown supervisors have cut people slack over they years and they shouldn’t have,” Berquist tells SAVVY. “The notion that Devon needs to be revitalized and made more walkable is bunk,” she says. Her neighborhood is “already vital,” with plenty of walkers, skateboarders, cyclists and dog-walkers (not to mention hotshots test-driving cars from nearby dealerships). She worries, too, that the tall building will “cast a shadow over the horse show in the afternoon … We don’t want the Horse Show to leave. They’re marvelous neighbors.” Kahn’s building will also strain Easttown’s police and firefighters, Berquist says.
A younger neighbor, Tim Phelan, tells SAVVY he wouldn’t have bought his house at the corner of Berkeley and Dorset four years ago if Kahn’s five stories had been looming nearby. He also worries about congestion and Devon Elementary School “busting at the seams.”
Meanwhile, Kahn and Co. cry hogwash.
- First, Kahn says he’s not suggesting a radical zoning variance. The “apartment overlay district” allows him to go to 50 feet, he says, so he’s only asking for 10 more feet, not 25. Decker, too, emphasized that the township planner clearly stated that “we’re talking about 10 feet here.”
- Second, the plan has already been approved by the township (unanimous with one abstention) and Chester County’s planning commissions. It’s “exactly” what the township and the county have been envisioning for years, Kahn says, and he shared with me two documents to bolster his stance.
(The first, Easttown’s 2001 Land Use Plan, recommends the “creation of a new zoning district at the east end of Rt. 30 to provide for high density mixed use residential and commercial development.” The second, a letter from Chester County’s senior planner to Easttown’s manager (dated Dec. 2015), notes that Devon Yard “is located within the Suburban Center Landscape designation” of the 2009 County Comprehensive Plan and “recommends that municipalities should update their zoning ordinances to support infill and redevelopment efforts to create walkable neighborhoods” in Suburban Center Landscape areas.)
- Third, Kahn says Eastside Flats is not a Korman Suites. Korman Commercial Properties is merely “managing” the property and allowing “a limited number” of short-term leases. A percentage of the Flats was sold to Stultz but Kahn still has an ownership stake. And Korman will be replaced in February, by the way.
“Many, many of my immediate neighbors are in very strong support of the project,” Chester Rd. resident Kristin Schappell tells SAVVY. “We’re very excited about it.” Schappell talks about “misinformation” in the opposing camp. “People believe this will get developed without a dwelling. This is a lifestyle concept … Terrain is a beautiful company and if this doesn’t get built, be prepared for the alternative – a big box store or another car dealership.”
Schappell also points to the $1 million in potential tax revenues the T/E School District stands to gain, and the district’s demographic study which project that the apartments will add 16 students total (across 12 grades). As a point of comparison, Chesterbrook’s new townhomes will add 45.
Longtime Devon residents, Schappell’s parents are also firmly in Kahn’s corner. With a winter home in Florida, they’re looking to downsize and the prospect of renting a luxury apartment in their own hometown is appealing. The snowbirds’ daughter will read their letter of support at the Feb. 3 meeting.
And so, the battle lines are drawn: Kahn vs. Kohn. Neighbor vs. Neighbor. Yuck.
Who knows how this hot mess will play out with Easttown’s supervisors?
My two cents: Make a decision already.
Waterloo’s been a shantytown since it went dark in July 2012. Kahn’s had the property for years.
Every day that his do-over is delayed is hitting him where it hurts. Long term, I’m not so sure that’s a good thing for Easttown. And I know it’s a bummer for all of us who just want to get our paws on Vetri’s world-class pizza pie.
Sidne Baglini says
Don’t be fooled by the charming architect’s rendering. Malvern got the same treatment with window boxes full of flowers and greenery breaking the monotonous exterior. Come look at the finished product which more nearly resembles an old mill structure that was updated. Also, the original plans were for a three story structure but later in the approval process, a fourth story was demanded in order to make the project financially viable. Also, might be worth checking if the extravagant tax benefits promised have actually be reaped in Malvern.
Caroline O'Halloran says
Interesting points, Sidne! Sounds like more digging may be in order. And thanks for reading SAVVY!
KMO says
Growing up near Wayne, schooling in Malvern, I think Eastside Flats are a nice addition. Not many places are able to maintain their window boxes in this weather 😉 Plus, a place with “Buttery” in its name is a boon to any neighborhood, no?
We are experiencing the same debates – to put it mildly – here in Ardmore. It has gotten to the point where the opposition to change & development have stalled the largest project for so long that it will now coincide with the train station renovations. The potential for traffic & congestion has now become a certainty. I’m of the camp that is willing to endure a couple of years of inconvenience (IN my backyard!) in the spirit of a punch in the arm to a wonderful area that has been lagging.
Kristin says
I would be so sad to see this area look like that monstrosity in downtown Malvern. We aren’t a big city. I really hope construction doesn’t ruin the charm of Chester County! It would be a major eyesore.
Jl says
While I do not live in that area, I am often in the area. Personally I do not like to see changes on this level to an area, with that said, this area is and will be a huge eye sore. I do not think there should be a bunch of cutout type residential homes erected nor do I think it should be massive retail. Both will cause extreme changes to both public services (ie schools, police, fire etc) as well as traffic increase not only on 30 but also all of those ‘wonderful’ back roads that everyone is affraid of losing. Devon Horse show needs some retail assistance along with parking – so I think there should be retail along 30 with residential along the back with parking and upgraded roads throughout the area. Currently there are more empty buildings and the like that the area is not appealing to anyone. Folks need to reach an agreement, like adults. Stop the childish antics and compromise. In the end there willl be things that will happen that neither side will like if things do not change. Right now the area is losing potential draw both in residential and business and will get worse if things keep lingering. My neck of the woods, as it were, has changed so much in the past fifteen years that I do not recognize the wonderful place I bought into. While I recognize the need for change, I also recognize the sentimentality in keeping things the same. My two cents; grow up, act like adults and comprise. Stop the childish whining.
Caroline O'Halloran says
Thanks for weighing in. I’m not sure about the potential strain on fire/police resources but I do know that “the experts” expect very few children to live in these apartments. The school district’s demographer estimates 16-17 children total from grades K through 12 might be added to the rolls if this is built as currently proposed. Which is really just 1 or two new students per grade. I absolutely agree that the area does need some updating and it would be nice for Devon to have a walkable downtown near the train station.
Lancasterave says
As thorough an article on this tempest I’ve read. And, fair.
Caroline O'Halloran says
Thanks. I tried to present both sides objectively. There’s a lot to chew on here, for sure.
Leah says
Why not townhomes? Why the strong push for rentals and not owned properties?
Caroline O'Halloran says
I hear you – and others have echoed your thoughts. The developer gave two reasons. First, townhomes are a whole lot less “dense.” Kahn implied that his leasing deal with Anthro/Terrain depended on high-density residential units and the extra “every day” retail (8 to 12 stores/cafes on the apartment building’s first floor) to ensure plenty of native shoppers and diners across the street at the Waterloo site. He insisted that he wouldn’t move forward with the Urban deal without the apartment building. (Some have suggested that he is bluffing…) Second, Kahn talked about how the super-high-end amenities he planned to offer in the apartment building would need the “support” of 125 rental units. But that doesn’t answer your question: why can’t those folks be condo buyers instead of renters? Kahn talks about empty nesters not being able to buy anything new (a lower-maintenance townhome) on the Main Line for under $1 million (the new Chesterbrook townhomes being an exception), a claim which, by and large, is true. He believes there’s a demand for luxury rentals in walk-to-train/walkable suburban “downtowns.” His new West Chester rental units are fetching $4,000/month so he believes that $2,500 – $5,000/month in Devon is quite doable. (I’m not sure the demand completely panned out at Malvern’s Eastside Flats, however.) It will be interesting to see how Easttown handles this, that’s for sure!