Borough plans ‘green curb’ extension plan

WEST CHESTER » In a bid to protect area streams from excess storm water runoff, the borough is working on a “green curb” extension plan.

To start, seven bump outs will be constructed on S. Everhart Street between Sharpless and Nields streets. A dozen residents and borough staff met last week on S. Everhart Street in the borough’s southwest section during a heavy rain storm to talk about the project.

Curbs will be removed. In spots, bump outs will stretch six feet into the existing street and three feet on the opposite side.

Gently graded grasses and plantings will replace some asphalt. The overall goal is for the ground to better collect and retain stormwater runoff, rather than water ending up in creeks and streams like Plum Run, which collects rainwater from West Chester University and the southwest area.

The subsurface clay layer will be removed for several feet and replaced with a more pervious type of soil.

Less phosphorus generated from fertilizers will end up in the watershed.

At a later date, the borough will also repair the bank of Plum Creek, which has significantly eroded, according to Borough Councilmember Don Braceland, W-5.

As part of his blogsite, “Politics: a View from West Chester,” Nathaniel Smith said that the neighbors he has spoken with are in favor of the project.

Smith said that this is the first of many similar borough projects and it will give residents a chance to check out firsthand some working examples. The program is mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

“The borough is very interested to make a good impression with this one,” Smith said.

The program is funded by the Storm Water Protection Fee.

In the program’s inaugural year, and as of Aug. 31, $637,200 has been collected.

The fee is based on six tiers and calculated by a property’s amount of impervious coverage.

A property’s tier determines the fee. The fee is paid by all property owners,

The overall goal is for the ground to better collect and retain stormwater runoff, rather than water ending up in creeks and streams like Plum Run, which collects rainwater from West Chester University and the southwest area.

including churches and schools.

The average annual stream protection invoice runs $100.50 for a Tier 2 property covering 1,001 to 1,500 square feet.

The public works committee will meet later this week. They will consider recommending a company to council to perform the work.

The lowest bidder was Total Site Development. Council will then vote Sept. 20 to pick a successful bidder.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Plantings are scheduled for installation next spring.

BILL RETTEW JR. – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The proper footwear is a must during a rainy on-site meeting concerning stormwater runoff.

BILL RETTEW JR. – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA About a dozen West Chester residents and borough staffers discuss stormwater runoff during a downpour last week.