Analysis shows no need to zone for more residential development in West Cornwall

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

West Cornwall Township has sufficient land zoned for residential development to accommodate community growth for the next three to five years, supervisors were told at their Monday meeting.

“We do not need to expand residential development capacity at this time,” said Eric Gibson, township solicitor, citing the conclusion drawn by an analysis of the township’s developable land.

In July, supervisors voted to have a Fair-Share Housing Analysis done so as to evaluate the number of acres available in each residential zone. West Cornwall and Cornwall Borough contracted with GFT — previously, Gannett Fleming — for the study.

The Municipalities Planning Code stipulates that zoning ordinances must provide for land use for a variety of residential housing units including single-, two-, and multi-family dwellings as well as mobile home parks. The code also states that zoning must take into consideration projected population and employment growth.

The analysis noted that the majority, or 83.1 percent, of housing units in the township in 2020 were single-family. Multi-family housing accounted for 3 percent and mobile homes, 14 percent. Those percentages suggested the township had adequate capacity for single-family and mobile home units but a deficit in multi-family housing.

But 238 new housing units are currently completed or under development, most of which provide multi-family housing, the report noted. Those include 419 Apartments with 104 units, Iron Mill Townes with 16 townhomes, and Calvary at Quentin with 100 senior-living apartments.

Combined, those exceed the “projected demand for multi-family housing by 2040,” according to the report by GFT’s Michelle Brummer.

But the report cautioned that the township planning commission should monitor land development activity annually to ensure adequate residential capacity to accommodate future growth. Of particular focus should be the R-2, medium-residential density zone, and R-3, special purpose residential including mobile home parks and group family dwellings.

Supervisors also were provided updates on the township’s 2025 public works projects. Notable was that the North Zinns Mill Road/Main Street curb, sidewalk and drainage project should go out for bids in the near future with a contract likely to be awarded in October, said township engineer Alex Kauffman, Steckbeck Engineering and Surveying Inc. This project has been waiting on PennDOT approval for several months.

Under subdivision and land development, Kauffman also reported:

• Site work at Cavalry at Quentin, the site of the former Quentin Riding Club, is likely to start in the near future;
• Two of the 24-unit buildings of 419 Apartments are complete and occupied. Two other 24-unit buildings and an 8-unit building are under construction;
• The new stormwater management system for Iron Mill Townes and Foundry Drive was completed, and Foundry Drive paved.

Residents were reminded that the township’s ordinance does not permit burning of materials that create noxious smells or burning after sunset and before sunrise. Supervisors encouraged residents to contact Cornwall Borough police or the Quentin fire chief with complaints of noxious odors or burning outside of permitted hours.

West Cornwall Township supervisors meet at 73 S. Zinns Mill Road on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 13. These meetings are open to the public and do not require registration.