Medium Density
Adaptive Reuse
Form: Conversions of commercial or industrial properties into residential apartments. May be rental or condos or a combination of both. Adaptive reuse buildings may result in the creation of other missing middle housing forms.
Local presence: Developers have achieved success in redeveloping Chester County's historical assets into multi-family apartment buildings.
Zoning considerations: Zoning regulations may need to be relaxed to encourage reuse opportunities. Variances may be required, but relief could be justified due to the unique physical characteristics of historic structures. Off-street parking regulations may need to be relaxed at older buildings.
See eTool: Adaptive Reuse
Zoning ordinance examples
- West Whiteland Township: "Additional Use Opportunities" are permitted in the township's historic resource areas. These uses allow more flexibility with older buildings and complement historic preservation standards found in the township's zoning ordinance. To support this ordinance, West Whiteland Township's Historical Commission maintains a Historic Resources Map and reviews proposed development applications for compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings."
