We've been asked a lot recently to let you know what's going on in town? Well here you go!      
Downingtown Borough News
This is the inaugural issue of the Downingtown Borough Newsletter.   This e-newsletter will bring you monthly updates about new approvals, what's opening in town and upcoming events. 
Council News 

Highlights from recent Borough Council Meetings

  • Residents will soon be receiving a new recycling toter.    The toter is a 64 gallon can with a yellow lid to distinguish it from your trash toter.   The lids can be switched so if you recycle more than you trash, you can use your larger 96 gallon toter for recycling and the smaller one for trash.  
  • Council has been looking at ways to clean up the algae in the ponds.  Contract approval was given on 9/7/16 to begin the permit process for cleaning up the five ponds.     
  • Two new ordinances were approved concerning Borough Parks. Council approved a No Smoking ordinance.  Alcohol, but without tastings, may now be sold at Farmer's Markets held in the parks. Pending successful completion of the approval process, alcohol in a beer garden setting may now be offered during major events held in the parks.  
  • Chief Howard Holland was officially sworn in as Chief of the Downingtown Police Department on July 6, 2016.  
  • Council sought and received a second legal opinion concerning the digital billboard on Rt. 30. Both opinions state that Catalyst Outdoor, owner of the billboard, properly fulfilled its legal obligations per the zoning code and is entitled to have the sign lit during approved hours. Catalyst Outdoor has agreed to pay an estimated $60,000 for plants to help screen the billboard from neighbors.  The Mayor and members of Council attended a hearing on 9/7/16 regarding Senate Bill 1301, legislation calling for more thorough guidelines regarding the placement of large electronic and digital billboards alongside roadways and nearby local communities throughout Pennsylvania. 
  • The Woodbine Master Plan Application was unanimously approved.  Woodbine is an upscale apartment project proposed for land across the street from Bishop Shanahan High School.  
  • Conditional use approval was given to applicant Dr. John Riccardo for a 3,500 square foot, one story medical office building with accessory parking at 361 East Lancaster Ave. 

Council meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. (check the website for any changes to this calendar)


Link to Additional Resources
Zoning Hearing and Planning
Zoning

Zoning Hearing Board meetings ar on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.


Planning Commission 
The commission reviewed an application for a Conditional Use application for a fee in-lieu-of parking for 107 E. Lancaster Ave.  Apartments above the storefront will be upgraded. Owner is not sure what type of business will eventually go on the first floor.  This application was later approved by Borough Council.   

The Planning Commission meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Link to Additional Resources
Parks and Recreation Commission

Kids' Field Day tomorrow in Kerr Park 10:00 a.m. to Noon. 

Disc Golf Considered
The Parks and Recreation Commission has been working with to create an 18 hole "disc golf" (also known as Frisbee Golf) course on Borough parkland.  If approved, Downingtown would have the only disc golf course within 10 miles and one of the few in PA to be located near a commercial setting.      

Kayak Landing     
Parks and Rec is working with the Brandywine Conservancy to promote access to the Brandywine for recreation.  If approved, the Conservancy will assist the Borough in creating a canoe and kayak access point along the creek.

Holiday Home Decorating Competition
Do you love decorating the outside of your house for the holidays? If so, we invite you to register your home for the 1st Annual  DTown Home for the Holidays Decorating Competition.  Residents will be invited to buy a ballot ($5.00 to benefit Park and Recreations' future events).  They will receive a map and one ballot to vote for the best decorated house in Downingtown.  Registration information will be in the next issue of The News and on the Borough website.  

Park and Recreation Commission meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.    

Link to Additional Resources

Historic Commission

The Downingtown Historic Commission will hold its annual craft show on September 17, 2016.   The show will take place in the Kerr Park Log House Field from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.The group also opened the Log House to visitors on August 8, 2016 and September 4, 2016.  Money raised in the annual Good Neighbor Day Duck Race is used to care for our Borough's oldest structure.  

And speaking of the Log House, the Historic Commission invites you to take a chance on a dinner for 4 at the Historic Log House.  Tickets are $50 and benefit the placement of the Minquas Cannon in the Veterans Memorial.   For tickets and information, click here.

The Historic Commission meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Thank You!

Where would we be without our volunteers???

Thank you to the many volunteers who worked on the Gazebo Restoration Project at Kerr Park.  After years of neglect and vandalism, Downingtown Main Street Association took on the project along wiht members of the Downingtown Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Rotary Club of Thorndale-Downingtown.  Many many thanks to Sherwin Williams and Dane Decor for the donation of paint and new spindles.  

The Downingtown Main Street Association also sponsored the Summer Jam Series this summer. The Jam Series was held on the final Fridays of June, July and August.   A great many enthusiastic neighbors came out to enjoy the music, vendors and Beer Garden.


Link to Additional Resources

Upcoming Events
9/10/2016 - 10:00 a.m. Kerr Park - Kid's Field Day hosted by the Downingtown Parks and Recreation Commission (free) Click here for flyer.

9/17/2016 Log House Art and Craft Show. Click here for flyer. 

9/25/2016 - Downingtown Fall Fest 11 to 4 p.m.
                      Click here for more info

9/27/2016 - Library Love at the Downingtown         Country Club. Baskets and bidding to benefit books for our library!    Click here for more information. 

9/27/2016 - DHS West Homecoming Parade down Pennsylvania Ave. at 6:30 p.m.
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