December 2021
Transportation Improvement Inventory
December 29, 2021
Chester County's Transportation Improvement Inventory is a comprehensive record of known transportation needs and projects throughout the county. Updated biennially, it contains projects recommended by municipalities and other stakeholders over time. The 2021 Transportation Inventory includes 529 proposed roadway, bridge, bicycle and pedestrian, freight and transit projects, with a total estimated cost of $4.53 billion. Learn more.
Water Resources Authority ACT 167 Update
December 20, 2021
Cory Trego, a Water Resources Planner with the Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA), attended the Chester County Planning Commission's December Board Meeting to provide an overview of the updated County-wide Act 167 Stormwater Management Model Ordinance. Trego discussed the reason for updating the ordinance and provided a summary of the provisions contained within the ordinance, proposed changes, and next steps during his presentation Learn more.
The Grove at Malvern
December 17, 2021
With plans to open right before the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, The Grove at Malvern — a $22 million redevelopment of the former Shops at Great Valley — had to prepare for the worst, but despite their many unanticipated challenges, The Grove is now open and thriving as we head into 2022. Learn more.
Encouraging Sketch Plans
December 16, 2021
Sketch plans play an important role in planning because they allow municipalities to conduct informal reviews before developers have occurred significant engineering costs. They can also help to avert potential development proposal issues during the project's official review, and make the process more efficient! Learn more.
VPP Round 2 Award Recipients
December 15, 2021
Chester County municipalities are looking ahead and planning their future, and we are excited to support their efforts through the county's Vision Partnership Program (VPP)! Congratulations to the award recipients for Round 2 of the 2021 VPP, including five cash grants to the municipalities of Kennett Township, Kennett Square Borough, East Marlborough Township, West Vincent Township, Penn Township, London Britain Township, Franklin Township, Elk Township, and New Garden Township. Learn more.
Meet Ann Lane
December 14, 2021
The Chester County Agricultural Development Council was created to support local farming through outreach and cultivating strategic partnerships in Chester County. As the Ag Council's Program and Communications Coordinator, Ann Lane enjoys telling residents about the unsung farming heroes throughout the county and the essential work they do. Learn more.
New Interactive Trailfinder Map
December 10, 2021
The Chester County Planning Commission released a new interactive Trailfinder Map which helps residents and visitors discover new trails and nature preserves to explore in Chester County! In order to help improve the accuracy of the data, the map is being released as a "beta version" to collect feedback on information and usability. Map users can easily identify and research a trail prior to visiting, rate their favorite trail, add comments, upload images, submit errors, and provide feedback. Learn more.
Chester County's 2021 Housing Forum
December 9, 2021
The Chester County Planning Commission hosted the 2021 Housing Forum, "What's our type? Missing Middle typologies to meet housing needs" on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Presentations focused on local Missing Middle typologies and approaches for municipalities to encourage Missing Middle Housing. Learn more.
Planning Commission to Hold Monthly Board Meeting
December 6, 2021
The Chester County Planning Commission will conduct its monthly board meeting at 2:00 p.m. on December 8, 2021. This will be a hybrid meeting allowing the public to attend in person or via Zoom. The location of the meeting is Suite 250 in the Government Services Building (601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA 19380). Please visit https://zoom.us/j/91604214510 to join the webinar or telephone 1-312-626-6799 and enter Webinar ID 916 0421 4510. We recommend beginning to log in at 1:45 in case of technical difficulties. The public is invited to join, and there will be an opportunity for public comment during the meeting. Learn more.
November 2021
Ag Economic Development Draft Plan Public Meeting
November 30, 2021
Join the Chester County Ag Council and Ag Task Force partners in-person for two Chester County Ag Economic Development Draft Plan Public Meetings, both on Thursday, December 9th. Learn how we can work together to make the county's top industry more resilient. Learn more.
Addressing Climate Change through eTools
November 29, 2021
Chester County has implemented various policies and initiatives that help address climate change in recent years, such as the adoption of the new Climate Action Plan this past October, the updating of the Clean Energy Webpage, which provides information and resources on topics like solar energy and electric vehicles (EVs), and the creation of an Environmental and Energy Advisory Board. Learn more.
Groundbreaking of New Coatesville Train Station
November 22, 2021
On Friday, October 22, the Chester County Commissioners joined Governor Tom Wolf, State legislators, transportation leaders, and Coatesville City officials to break ground on a new train station in the City of Coatesville. The station will help revitalize the Coatesville community and enhance multimodal connectivity throughout the region. Learn more.
Honoring George Fasic
November 19, 2021
Last month we received the unfortunate news of the passing of our former Executive Director and dear friend to many, Mr. George W. Fasic. George spent 19 years with the Chester County Planning Commission and made an incredible impact on the county both during this role, and long after. Although he's no longer with us, George's legacy and efforts will carry on through the initiatives he started, and the many lives he touched. Learn more.
Following Up: 2021 Urban Centers Forum
November 16, 2021
Chester County's 2021 Urban Centers Forum, "Great, Green, Growing Small Towns" took place on Tuesday, October 26, at Oxford Borough Hall and via Zoom. The forum welcomed municipal officials and other urban planning professionals from around the region — making for yet another excellent event! Learn more.
Brandywine Battlefield Historic Marker Unveiled in Westtown
November 16, 2021
Last month, Westtown Township unveiled a new historic marker recognizing the importance of the September 11, 1777 Battle of Brandywine. The sign is the sixth in a series of 15 to be installed in the Chester and Delaware county municipalities where the largest single-day land battle of the Revolutionary War took place. Learn more.
Planning Commission to Hold Monthly Board Meeting
November 5, 2021
The Chester County Planning Commission will conduct its monthly board meeting at 2:00 p.m. on November 10, 2021. This will be a hybrid meeting allowing the public to attend in person or via Zoom. The location of the meeting is Suite 250 in the Government Services Building (601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA 19380). Please visit https://zoom.us/j/91604214510 to join the webinar or telephone 1-312-626-6799 and enter Webinar ID 916 0421 4510. We recommend beginning to log in at 1:45 in case of technical difficulties. The public is invited to join, and there will be an opportunity for public comment during the meeting. Learn more.
October 2021
Community Planning Month
October 27, 2021
In recognition of National Community Planning Month, the Chester County Commissioners have issued a formal proclamation noting the importance of the county's local and regional planning initiatives. One important initiative, which happens to be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is the county's Vision Partnership Program! Learn more.
Looking Back — VPP Celebrates 25 Years of Success
October 26, 2021
Since its birth in 1996, the VPP has supported nearly all of Chester County's municipalities in one way or another. One of the very first projects was Elverson Borough's Zoning Update, completed in 1997, which was followed by five more VPP projects over the years! Learn more.
Smart Growth
October 22, 2021
When it comes to the growth and preservation of our communities, Smart Growth plays an important role in accommodating inevitable growth and development in a manner that preserves the best characteristics of a community. Smart growth can help protect an area's natural environment, preserve farmland and open space, and make attractive, economically competitive, and socially diverse communities. Learn more about Smart Growth.
Meet our Executive Director
October 21, 2021
As the face of the Chester County Planning Commission, our Executive Director, Brian O'Leary, plays many key roles that contribute to the success of the organization. Some of these roles include the implementation of Landscapes3, and helping to administer the Planning Commission's three boards — the Planning Commission Board, the Environmental and Energy Advisory Board, and the Agricultural Development Council. If you've attended one of the Planning Commission's recent meetings or events, you've probably seen Brian present or say a few words! Learn more about Brian.
New Climate Action Plan Adopted by Chester County Commissioners
October 14, 2021
The Chester County Board of Commissioners recently adopted the county's new Climate Action Plan with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050. These efforts, and more, stemmed from various public outreach methods in addition to the county's original Greenhouse Gas Report from 2010. Learn more.
Following Up: Chester County's 2021 Transportation Forum
October 13, 2021
We hosted the 2021 Transportation Forum, "Drivers, Deliveries, & Dollars," on September 29th via Zoom. The forum covered topics such as the impacts of COVID-19 on our transportation system, county trail planning and development, public transit and freight deliveries, land use impacts, major roadways, and funding. Learn more.
Following Up: Fall 2021 Planners' Forum
October 13, 2021
We hosted the Fall Planners' Forum on Wednesday, October 6, at the East Bradford Township Building and via Zoom. The forum was attended by local planners, developers, county officials, and many others from around the region, and started off with a networking session. Learn more.
Join us for the 2021 Housing Forum
October 12, 2021
We are hosing the 2021 Housing Forum,"What's our type? Missing Middle typologies to meet housing needs" on Thursday, November 18, 2021 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Government Services Center, and via Zoom. Presentations will focus on local Missing Middle typologies and approaches for municipalities to encourage Missing Middle Housing. This forum provides a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about the county's housing planning activities, and is open to all municipal staff, partners, and anyone else that would like to attend. Learn more and register.
Tredyffrin's Jones Log Barn Living History Center
October 12, 2021
The Jones Log Barn in Tredyffrin Township is likely one of the oldest barns in the region. However, twenty years ago, it was falling apart and set to be demolished to settle an estate. Thanks to the work of local historic preservationists who worked for years to dismantle, relocate, and reassemble the barn — it is now reopening as the Jones Log Barn Living History Center! The preservation of this barn supports the Appreciate goal in Landscapes3, as it helps to preserve historic resources in their context while supporting appropriate reuse as a vital part of our community infrastructure and character. Learn more.
Join us for the Fall Urban Centers Forum
October 11, 2021
Chester County's Urban Centers include the 15 boroughs throughout the county as well as the City of Coatesville. Each of these urban centers serves as a civic, economic, and population center with a traditional town character and identity of its own. To support the county's 16 Urban Centers, the Chester County Planning Commission and Chester County Department of Community Development host an annual Urban Centers Forum to present topics and information relevant to our Urban Centers while offering potential solutions and opportunities for discussion and networking. This year, the Fall Urban Centers Forum, "Great Green, Growing Small Towns," will be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. Learn more.