Recapping Semi-Annual Planners' Forum

Several topics, including the Chester Valley Trail, development trends in Great Valley, economic development in the Kennett area, and riparian buffers, were discussed at the Chester County Planning Commission’s fourth semi-annual Planners’ Forum on Oct. 5.

The 49 planners who attended heard a range of presentations, which can be viewed in the PowerPoint summary found hereContinue Reading →

Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member Blair Fleischmann

Blair W. Fleischmann, an Upper Oxford resident, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. She is the current executive director of S.A.V.E. (Safety, Agriculture, Villages & Environment).

Fleischmann serves as treasurer of the Chester County Historic Preservation Network and secretary of the Upper Oxford Township Historical Commission. She is a trustee of the Homeville Cemetery Co. and treasurer of the Oxford Regional Emergency Management group. She also serves on the Conservancy Committee of the Brandywine Conservancy and was previously on the boards of Chester County 2020, the Octoraro Watershed Association, and the Oxford Area Historical Association. Fleischmann is a former staff accountant and lives with her husband, Charlie, on a preserved farm in Upper Oxford.  Continue Reading →

Meeting Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member George Beer

George Beer, a Pennsbury resident, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. Beer is the founder and president of the Delaware Valley Development Company, a real estate development, building and investment company, specializing in affordable housing and land development in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Beer has worked in real estate development business and management since 1984 and in the housing business since 1992. In addition to being a member of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee, he was involved with Landscapes2, the county’s current comprehensive plan.  Continue Reading →

State Officials Alert Residents about Spotted Lanternfly

The Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive species native to Southeast Asia, has found its way to southeastern Pennsylvania, including parts of Chester County. It is known to destroy crops such as grapes, hops, and trees. In an effort to detect and control the Spotted Lanternfly, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has established an email (badbug@pa.gov) and phone number (866-253-7189) that they are asking residents utilize when sightings occur outside of the “quarantine area.”

Check out the quarantine areas in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Learn more about the Spotted Lanternfly by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture  or the Penn State Extension.

Seeking Input about Chester Valley Trail West Project

The Planning Commission is seeking input about a plan to extend the Chester Valley Trail west of Downingtown. To participate in a public survey about the Chester Valley Trail West project, click here. There also will be a public meeting from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 17 at Coatesville Area Senior High School, 1445 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville. To register for the meeting, click here.

The goal of the project is to connect the Chester Valley Trail with the future 29-mile multi-use Enola Low Grade Trail located just outside of Atglen in Lancaster County. The Chester Valley Trail West project includes eight Chester County municipalities: Caln, Downingtown, Coatesville, Valley, Parkesburg, Sadsbury, West Sadsbury, and Atglen. For more information about the project, click here.

Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member Mimi Gleason

Mimi Gleason, a West Chester resident, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. Gleason is the manager of West Whiteland Township.

Gleason will bring municipal and nonprofit consulting expertise to the steering committee. In addition to working for West Whiteland Township, she previously served as the township manager and assistant township manager of Tredyffrin Township.  Continue Reading →

Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member Jim Garrison

Jim Garrison, an East Pikeland resident, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. Garrison, an architect, is a project manager at the Vanguard Group in Malvern.

Garrison’s expertise and areas of interest as a member of the steering committee include historic preservation and open space. In addition to his background in architecture, Garrison is the chairman of the East Pikeland Historical Commission and the vice president of the Chester County Historic Preservation Network. He also has written a handful of books that include themes of architecture and historic preservation.  Continue Reading →

Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member Michael Grigalonis

Michael Grigalonis, an Uwchlan resident, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. Grigalonis is the chief operating officer and executive vice president of the Chester County Economic Development Council, a private, non-governmental entity that has been providing services to the business community and enhancing the quality of life in Chester County and the region for more than 50 years. Grigalonis will bring economic development expertise to the steering committee.

“Thoughtful planning has been a key factor in the success that we have enjoyed as a county,” Grigalonis said. “I have enjoyed being involved in the early stages of Landscapes3 and look forward to getting more involved through the steering committee.”   Continue Reading →

Meet Landscapes3 Steering Committee Member Ellen Ferretti

Ellen M. Ferretti, the director of the Brandywine Conservancy, is one of the Landscapes3 Steering Committee members. She lives and works on the campus at the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art in Chadds Ford–just across the line from Chester County and right along the banks of the Brandywine River. The Brandywine Conservancy has a long history of preserving land in Chester County and working with local municipalities and elected officials on conservation oriented land use policies and regulations, according to Ferretti.

Ferretti’s expertise and areas of interest as a member of the steering committee include land conservation, land use planning, and community engagement in planning and outdoor recreation. She has over 25 years of experience working in state, county, nonprofit, and private sectors. She started her career doing environmental site assessments and site cleanups, and expanded her interest and efforts into land and water conservation.  Continue Reading →