Chester County · East Caln Township · #LD-04-26-18906
Downingtown Area Regional Authority WWTP Modernization
East Caln Township, PA · 9,470 sq ft non-residential, government & utilities · 12.4 acres
About this project
Land development at the existing wastewater treatment plant in East Caln Township on 12.4 acres. It adds a garage, screen building, pump building, three electric rooms and a UV building totaling about 9,470 square feet.
Official description: Garage, Screen Bldg, Pump Bldg, (3) Electric rooms & UV Bldg proposed for existing wastewater treatment plant - 9,470SF, INS
- Plan type
- Land development
- Land use
- Unique
- Status
- Reviewed
Filing history
- 2026-05-13 · #LD-04-26-18906 · Land development · 9,470 sq ft
- 2025-10-08 · #SD-10-25-18674 · Subdivision
- 2025-08-19 · #LD-08-25-18631 · Land development · 10,750 sq ft
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
The Downingtown Area Regional Authority wants to upgrade its existing wastewater treatment plant in East Caln Township. The plant treats sewage for Downingtown Borough and parts of Caln, East Caln, Uwchlan and West Whiteland townships. It is nearing the end of its useful life.
The county record lists about 9,470 square feet of new buildings on a 12.4-acre site. They include a garage, a screen building, a pump building, three electric rooms and an ultraviolet disinfection building. Related documents also mention floodproofing some buildings.
A neighboring township's authority minutes from May 2026 say the project needs zoning variances. These cover tree replacement, building separation and structures in the floodplain. A zoning board decision was still pending then. Bidding and awards were expected in fall 2026.
What it could mean nearby
- The work is at an existing treatment plant, so no new homes or change in land use are indicated.
- Floodproofing and a modernized plant could make sewage service more reliable for the five communities it serves.
- Variances for tree replacement and floodplain structures suggest some site and environmental effects that the township is reviewing.
- Construction traffic is likely during building, but no traffic study was found.
Where it stands
As of mid-2026, the land development application was under review by East Caln Township, with a zoning board decision on variances pending. After that, the planning commission is expected to recommend action and the Board of Supervisors votes on approval, followed by bidding and construction.
- Jun 2026 County planning commission review of the land development plan
- May 18, 2026 Caln Township Municipal Authority minutes report the East Caln zoning decision pending and bidding expected in fall 2026
- Nov 2025 County planning commission reviewed an earlier subdivision/land development filing for the project
Want to weigh in? The East Caln Zoning Hearing Board decides the variances, and the East Caln Board of Supervisors decides the land development plan. Residents can comment at their public meetings.
Who's behind it
Downingtown Area Regional Authority · A public authority that runs the regional wastewater treatment plant serving Downingtown and neighboring townships.
Around the web
- Caln Township Municipal Authority minutes, May 2026Caln Township · May 18, 2026Reports the pending East Caln zoning decision, the variances sought, the grant effort and the expected fall 2026 bidding.
- Chester County Planning Commission review report, June 2026Chester County Planning Commission · Jun 12, 2026Lists the land development review for the plant modernization.
Planning terms explained
- Land development
- A formal township review of new buildings or major site changes on a property.
- Variance
- Permission to depart from a specific zoning rule, granted by the zoning hearing board.
- Floodplain
- Low land near a stream that is prone to flooding, where building is tightly regulated.
- Waiver
- An exception to a technical requirement of the township's subdivision and land development rules.
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: $3.3M
- ~47 roofing squares (assumes 2 stories)
- ~23 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
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