Commemorating 240th Anniversary of Battle of the Brandywine

Posted on by

Did you know Sept. 11 marks the 240th anniversary of the Battle of the Brandywine, the largest single day battle of the Revolutionary War? The Chester County Commissioners are honored to commemorate this anniversary, share news on opportunities to engage with our history, and celebrate a grant awarded for further studies of the battle.

There will be two days of re-enactments in Birmingham Township, Chester County on Sept. 16 and 17 to recreate a part of the historic confrontation between American and Crown Force soldiers at historic Sandy Hollow. This re-enactment is taking place on the very lands where some of the fiercest battle action occurred.

Click here to read more about the Brandywine Battlefield.

Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member Timothy Phelps

Posted on by

P. Timothy Phelps, an East Whiteland resident, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. Phelps is the executive director of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County, an organization based in East Whiteland that focuses on congestion mitigation and alternative commute options for transportation projects countywide.

Phelps’ areas of expertise and interest as a member of the steering committee include congestion mitigation and air quality, employer outreach for mobility options, multimodal transportation options, and transportation demand management.  Continue Reading →

Calling All Photographers to Participate in Photo Contest

Posted on by

The Chester County Planning Commission launched a Landscapes3 photo contest at noon Monday, Aug. 28 to highlight the county’s greatest asset: people. The Planning Commission is seeking photos of people who live, work, visit, or play in Chester County. The photos can focus on people in different settings, including businesses, homes, downtowns, public community events, and outdoors, among others.

The contest, “Putting a Face on Chester County,” ends at noon Friday, Oct. 13. To view the rules and submit a photo, click here.  Continue Reading →

Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member David Brant

Posted on by

David Brant, an East Goshen resident, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. Brant had two careers: first as an architect, including some residential projects and mainly commercial for Conrail, and second as a Realtor. He is currently a district vice president for the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors.

Brant will bring housing opportunity expertise to the steering committee. He was on the executive committee for the Chester County Housing Options Task Force, an action item for the county’s current comprehensive plan, Landscapes2. Brant also has been active in community leadership as a past district governor of the Lions Club and the past president of West Chester Area Communities That Care, a local coalition charged with following the evidence-based model supported by the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services.  Continue Reading →

New Urban Planner Discusses His Role

Posted on by

Chester County Planning Commission Urban Planner Kevin Myers has always had an appreciation for cities and boroughs.

Kevin, who will be providing technical assistance to the county’s 15 boroughs and the City of Coatesville, has firsthand knowledge of what it’s like to live in urban settings. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio and lived in downtown West Chester for some time when he first started his career as a community planner with the county’s Planning Commission 18 years ago. He currently resides in Media, a borough in neighboring Delaware County.

“I understand and live in the context of the environment I’m helping plan for,” Kevin said.  Continue Reading →

Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Co-Chair Molly Morrison

Posted on by

Molly K. Morrison, a Thornbury resident, is one of the three co-chairs of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee. Morrison is the president of Natural Lands, a nonprofit that protects land, cares for land, and connects people to nature throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond. The organization’s headquarters is near Media, Delaware County.

“The Landscapes3 process allows Chester County’s citizens to have a say in the future of the county,” said Morrison, who is also a board member of the Chester County Planning Commission. “By bringing many voices to the table, we will have a plan that reflects our collective priorities and that allows us to protect the essential qualities of this wonderful place where we live and work.”  Continue Reading →

Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Co-Chair Christopher Alonzo

Posted on by

Christopher Alonzo, a Kennett Square resident, is one of the three co-chairs of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee. Alonzo is the president of Pietro Industries, a third-generation family farm in Kennett Square, and the chairman of the Chester County Agricultural Development Council. As a mushroom farmer, his areas of interest include agriculture, business, and workforce housing. He believes Chester County is great place to raise a family.  Continue Reading →

Planning Commission Offers Sketch Plan Review Assistance

Posted on by

The Planning Commission offers free, optional sketch plan review assistance to help bring developers and municipalities together so that proposed developments better meet community planning goals. Planning Commission staff is available to discuss sketch plans and will provide an informal review of the plan. Plans can also be submitted to our office using the standard plan submittal process and Act 247 referral application by choosing “Unofficial Sketch Plan” under the “Type of Review Requested” section. Click here for the application.

Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Co-Chair Matthew Hammond

Posted on by

The Chester County Commissioners established a Landscapes3 Steering Committee in late June as part the development of the county’s next comprehensive plan. The steering committee will start meeting this fall to create the plan’s vision and goals.

In the meantime, we’ll be highlighting the 27-member committee in an effort to inform residents about the Landscapes3 process.

Matthew Hammond, a West Bradford resident, is one of the three co-chairs of the steering committee. A professional engineer who specializes in transportation planning and design, he is the executive vice president of Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. in West Goshen and the chairman of the Chester County Planning Commission. He is interested in the transportation aspect of the county (vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, rail, aviation, etc.), but is also interested in all facets of what makes Chester County such a great place.  Continue Reading →

New FEMA Floodplain Maps Are Available for Chester County

Posted on by

Portions of Chester County were restudied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and floodplain maps have been updated and finalized. Property owners in or near the floodplain should obtain information regarding how the new FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) may affect their property, flood insurance requirements and costs, if a policy is required. Property owners who are newly designated in the floodplain may be eligible to receive a discount on their new policy, if purchased prior to the maps going final on Sept. 29, 2017.  Continue Reading →