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Based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, Chester County grew by over 20,000 residents from 2010 to 2017, an increase of 4 percent. In terms of numerical population increases, Chester County ranked fourth in the state, behind Philadelphia, Montgomery and Lancaster counties. Clearly the population growth is concentrating in the southeastern part of the state.
Congratulations to the Chester County municipalities that received funding through the competitive cash grant portion of the spring 2018 Vision Partnership Program (VPP) to help with future planning,
The Planning Commission will be implementing a revised Plan Review Fee Schedule starting on June 1, 2018. Factors considered in the fee update included the rate of inflation, cost increases, level of effort required to complete more complex reviews, and fees charged by comparable counties.
Municipal representatives and residents in western Chester County provided input on Landscapes3, the county’s next plan for the future, during the fourth and final spring public meeting, which took place at the Public Safety Training Campus in South Coatesville on May 16.
Attendees were able to view display boards, take part in activities, listen to a presentation on the current status, and most importantly, share their comments and questions on issues to be considered in the county’s next comprehensive plan. During the question and answer period of the meeting, attendees raised the need to link parks, homes, and trails, in addition to posing questions on the future of retail areas, the importance of transportation, funding considerations, implications for utilities, and the benefits of rehabilitating existing homes.
Two Chester County Planning Commission employees – Heather Martin and Rachael Griffith – were recently recognized as “Top Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Professionals Under 40” by the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association (GVF).
Heather is a transportation planner for the county’s Planning Commission, and Rachael is the open space and trails planner. They received the awards during the GVF’s 28th annual meeting on May 7.
Chester County Planning Commission Planning Services Division Director Susan Elks received a service recognition for her work as the professional development officer for the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-PA).
Susan served in that role from 2009 until recently and oversaw the Chapter’s professional development training and certification efforts. The recognition plaque that she received from the APA-PA on April 27 highlighted her “outstanding service, hard work, and dedication” for the past decade.
“A Primer for Municipal Officials” event scheduled for May 19 has been canceled. Look for notices on rescheduling the event for this fall.
Chester County residents and municipal officials are continuing to help county officials develop a plan for the future, known as Landscapes3, by providing input during a series of public meetings, including the most recent one on May 1.
Over 50 attendees came out to the recent meeting at Penn State Great Valley in East Whiteland to view display boards, take part in activities, listen to a presentation on the current status, and most importantly, share their comments and questions on issues to be considered in the county’s next comprehensive plan.
As we continue to advance the development of Landscapes3, Chester County’s next long-range comprehensive plan, we encourage municipal officials and residents to attend our upcoming Landscapes3 public meeting to comment on the plan’s draft map, goals, and objectives. Please join us for the final public meeting this spring, which will take place May 16 at the Public Safety Training Campus, located at 137 Modena Road Coatesville, Pa., 19320.
When it comes to protected open space in Chester County, one thing is certain: It’s a priority for county officials to maintain it for future generations.
Since 2000, the Planning Commission has collected information summarizing the amount of open space protected in Chester County each year. This information is gathered from municipalities, land trusts, and various other state and county agencies. It is then mapped using the county’s Protected Open Space Tracking (POST) system, a web-based database and mapping program.