The West Chester Borough Council adopted an ordinance that will prevent the expansion of student housing in the borough’s town center, according to the Delaware County Times.
The council claims they adopted the ordinance, which passed in a 6-1 vote, in order to promote a more diverse downtown area and prevent an over-saturation of college students. The meeting took place last Wednesday.
The town center district runs from Franklin Street on the east to Wayne Street on the west and Chestnut Street in the North to Cedar Alley in the south.
The council is allowed to restrict student housing since the students are not considered a protected class of citizens under the fair housing act.
Borough officials say students, mostly at West Chester University, make up 25 percent of the housing in Town Center.
“A balance and a mix is what makes a healthy community,” Mayor Carolyn Comitta said to the Delaware County Times. “This is not an effort to eliminate students from any place. They are an important part of our community.”
