Chester County · Westtown Township · #LD-06-25-18584
WCASD - Sarah W. Starkweather Elementary School
Westtown Township, PA · 8,871 sq ft non-residential, school · 37.9 acres
About this project
Three building additions totaling 8,871 sq ft at Sarah Starkweather Elementary School in Westtown Township, plus removal of modular classrooms and new stormwater, sewer and playground work on about 37.9 acres.
Official description: Three building additions totaling 8,871sf. Removal of existing modular structures and construction of building additions at the existing Sarah Starkweather Elementary School and appurtenant improvements, including stormwater management facilities, new sanitary sewer lines, and playground improvements.
- Plan type
- Land development
- Land use
- Addition to Existing
- Status
- Reviewed
Filing history
- 2025-06-30 · #LD-06-25-18584 · Land development · 8,871 sq ft
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
West Chester Area School District plans three small additions to Sarah W. Starkweather Elementary School in Westtown Township. Together they add about 8,871 square feet, which is roughly the size of three or four houses. The work also removes the temporary modular classrooms now on the site and adds new stormwater, sewer and playground work.
The school sits on about 37.9 acres. It already has a permanent building, which was expanded in the past, and modular classrooms are used for extra space. The new additions would replace that temporary space with permanent rooms.
Township documents show the Zoning Hearing Board granted a special exception for the school in March 2025. The district filed its land development application in June 2025, and the plans were revised in the following months. A traffic review expected enrollment to grow by about 35 students. No news coverage or organized opposition was found.
What it could mean nearby
- Enrollment is expected to rise by about 35 students, so there may be slightly more drop-off and pick-up traffic.
- New stormwater work is meant to manage runoff from the added building and paving.
- Sewer changes are part of the plan, and the township's sewer engineer reviews them.
- Removing the modular classrooms and adding a playground changes how the school grounds are used, but the large site stays mostly open.
Where it stands
The township was reviewing the district's land development plans through late 2025, and the county's latest filing is dated June 2025. The usual next steps are a Planning Commission recommendation, a vote by the township supervisors, and then building permits. The sources found do not say whether final approval has been given.
- Sep 2025 Traffic review follow-up noted the Planning Commission did not recommend extra sidewalks or paths
- Aug 2025 Plans were revised twice, on Aug. 1 and Aug. 28, after township reviews
- Jul 9, 2025 Application was tentatively scheduled for the Planning Commission
- Jun 30, 2025 Latest county planning filing
- Jun 18, 2025 Township received the district's land development application
- Mar 26, 2025 Zoning Hearing Board granted a special exception for the school
Want to weigh in? The Westtown Township Planning Commission and the township supervisors review the plans at public meetings, and residents can comment there or by contacting the township.
Who's behind it
West Chester Area School District · The public school district that owns and runs Starkweather Elementary and other schools in the West Chester area.
Around the web
- Planning CommissionWesttown TownshipThe township's Planning Commission page, where meeting agendas and materials for local projects are posted.
Planning terms explained
- Land development plan
- A detailed site plan the township reviews for new buildings, parking, drainage and utilities.
- Special exception
- A use the zoning code allows only after a hearing board confirms it meets set conditions.
- Modular classrooms
- Temporary, prefabricated classroom units placed beside a school.
- Stormwater
- Rain runoff from roofs and pavement that must be controlled so it does not cause flooding.
- Planning Commission
- A volunteer township board that reviews plans and advises the supervisors.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $3.1M
- ~44 roofing squares (assumes 2 stories)
- ~22 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
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