Local Municipalities Receive Grants to Improve Recreation, Community Revitalization

Some Chester County municipalities and local organizations are recipients of grants that will create new recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources, and help revitalize local communities.

The Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) awards are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The total amount distributed to Chester County applicants this year was $5,065,700.  Continue Reading →

Local Municipalities Receive Grants for Environmental, Transportation Projects

Some Chester County municipalities and local organizations are recipients of this year’s Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) awards for environmental and infrastructure projects and transportation improvements.

After the Nov. 14 CFA meeting, awards were announced for the Multimodal Transportation Fund (Act 89) and environmental funds created by Act 13. The total amount distributed to Chester County applicants was $2,909,354.    Continue Reading →

Upcoming Urban Centers Forum to Focus on Parking

If you are a municipal official, staff member, main street manager, or consultant for one of Chester County’s 16 urban centers, consider attending an upcoming Urban Centers Forum that will focus on ways to address parking challenges, opportunities, and strategies.

The forum will take place from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Coatesville Courtyard Marriott, located at 600 Manor Road, Coatesville. This free event is open to representatives of Chester County’s 16 urban centers, which include the City of Coatesville and the following boroughs: Atglen, Avondale, Downingtown,  Elverson, Honey Brook, Kennett Square, Malvern, Modena, Oxford, Parkesburg, Phoenixville, South Coatesville, Spring City, West Chester, and West Grove. RSVP for the forum now.  Continue Reading →

Congratulating Winners of Landscapes3 Photo Contest

Three adults and three youth from Chester County won awards for their entries in the Chester County Planning Commission’s Landscapes3 photo contest, which focused on the county’s greatest asset: people.

The photo contest, “Putting a Face on Chester County,” was a great way for the public to share how they spend their time in the county. The entries will help the Planning Commission better understand what is important in the daily lives of residents as the development of Landscapes3, the county’s next long-range comprehensive plan, continues.  Continue Reading →

Chester County Residents Provide Input at Landscapes3 Public Meeting

When it comes to planning Chester County’s future, there are many voices and viewpoints about ways to balance preservation with growth.

That’s why the Chester County Planning Commission recently conducted a public meeting about Landscapes3, the county’s next long-range comprehensive plan. About 50 county residents attended the meeting, which included an hour-long open house at the beginning with six stations about the key focus areas in Landscapes3: preserve, protect, appreciate, live, work, and connect. At these stations, different planners were available to answer residents’ questions about the topics.  Continue Reading →

Planning Commission Staff Wins Award for Commercial Landscapes Series

If you’re a municipal official, developer, real estate professional, or property owner who is looking for guidance on how to maximize the value of commercial areas, check out the Chester County Planning Commission’s award-winning Commercial Landscapes planning series.

The series includes four reports that discuss how current trends are affecting office parks, retail, brownfield, and train station areas throughout the county and provides recommendations for the continued health of our commercial landscapes. The reports focus on brownfields, transit oriented development, greyfields, and office parks and are available on the Chester County’s Planning Commission websiteContinue Reading →

Planning Commission Staff Attends Educational Sessions at Statewide Conference

Over 400 planners from across Pennsylvania, including members of the Chester County Planning Commission staff, recently converged in State College, Centre County for a three-day conference that provided opportunities for learning, training, and networking.

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association’s annual conference included many great educational sessions about various topics, including housing, aging in place, economic development, water quality, transportation, and healthy communities.  Continue Reading →

Chester County Association of Township Officials to Conduct Fall Conference

Local municipal officials will have an opportunity to learn more about how to plan for future growth at the Chester County Association of Township Officials (CCATO) fall conference on Nov. 9.

The Chester County Planning Commission will be leading an educational session at the conference that focuses on planning for future growth in the county. Planning Commission staff will discuss significant growth projections over the next 30 years and how municipalities can prepare for housing, transportation, open space, and community infrastructure impacts. Delaware County Regional Planning Commission and Chester County Planning Commission estimates indicate there will be 146,000 new residents, 88,000 new jobs, and 55,000 new housing units in Chester County in 2045.

Graphics Specialist Polly Chalfant Celebrates 25 Years with Planning Commission

For the past 25 years, Chester County Planning Commission Graphics Specialist Polly Chalfant has been able to use her design and communication talents to transform technical information to a more visually appealing and user-friendly format.

“I’m a designer/illustrator, so I’ve been able to use my skills to design documents and reports and, even last year, to help redesign the website,” she said.  Continue Reading →