Four-story apartments removed from project

Devon Yard plan presented to public

In a brief presentation updating the evolving plans for the proposed Devon Yard project on the site of the former Waterloo Gardens in Devon, the multi-family housing units that were to sit just west of the Devon Horse Show grounds have been eliminated, it was announced during a brief

Easttown Township Planning Commission meeting last week.

The purpose of the meeting was for the developer to present a brief review of the updated plans for the site. Because it was added to the agenda at the last minute, there was no discussion from the members of the commission or from the public.

A more detailed meeting has been scheduled for 7 p.m., Oct. 25 at Beaumont Elementary School.

Along with the four-story apartment building that was to be constructed, there will no longer be a parking structure with the building. Surface parking would now be on the site that is located between the Waterloo Gardens site and the horse show grounds.

The apartment building had been the primary concern with residents on the new development and as a result of the changes, they are satisfied with the results. “We are pleased the apartment component has been removed,” said Joseph Kohn, a resident, and attorney who is representing a group of neighbors living near the site.

Kohn went on to say as the process moves forward there could be minor points that could come up but nothing like the debates in the past.

With the fight over the apartment building now settled, developer Eli Kahn can continue to develop the remaining parts of the project that includes “… a largeformat Anthropologie store, Terrain garden center, and Terrain Cafe, alongside award-winning chef, Marc Vetri’s Amis and Pizzeria Vetri. We have pursued this goal for three years and have been gratified by the community’s strong support for our vision,” according to a letter submitted to Easttown Township by J. David Ziel, chief development officer for Urban Outfitters, the owner of the site.

Kahn did not return a call following the Easttown meeting but did tell Digital First Media a few weeks ago when details of the revised plan were first announced, “We’re very happy. We spent months working out a deal that was best for everybody and allowed the project to move forward expeditiously. There should be no complaints about this. One of the highest quality retailers anywhere in the country is doing a one-of-a-kind shopping, retail and restaurant environment in the heart of Devon. I couldn’t be happier.”