Category: News and Updates
Housing Authority of Chester County Executive Director Discusses Affordable Housing for Low Income Residents
Residents of Chester County have a high quality of life, enjoying preserved open space, recreational amenities, and job and commercial service options. However, for many in the county, a barrier to a high quality of life is the high cost of homes.
Established in 1963, the Housing Authority of Chester County (HACC) works to provide low income residents with affordably priced housing options. Dale Gravett, Executive Director of HACC, attended the Chester County Planning Commission’s board meeting on November 13 and discussed HACC’s mission to provide, manage and develop quality affordable housing for individuals and families while promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization.
View Updated Brandywine Battlefield Map and Learn about Future Study
The 2010 Brandywine Battlefield Animated Map has been updated as part of a recent grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program. The update shows revised troop movements in the western portions of the battlefield based on the latest historical findings from Chester County Planning Commission’s phased battlefield strategic landscapes planning program. View the map.
Landscapes3 Earns More Recognition
Landscapes3, Chester County’s updated comprehensive plan, was recognized by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) with the 2019 Award for Plans. The award was presented to Chester County at the APA annual conference on Oct. 21 in Reading, Berks County where other outstanding planning projects, planners, and public officials from across the state were recognized for achievements in planning. This was not the first time the Planning Commission received recognition for Landscapes3. Continue Reading →
SEPTA Official Highlights Chester County Projects
Elizabeth “Liz” Smith, assistant treasurer of strategic initiatives at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), attended the Chester County Planning Commission’s board meeting on Oct. 9 and discussed the role of her public transportation agency and its partnership with the county. Continue Reading →
Check out the Status of Transportation Projects
County Planning Commission has updated its list on the status of Transportation Priority Projects. This list is updated every six months and includes highway and trail projects and public transportation. The status of the projects was last updated in August 2019.
Also, the Planning Commission updated the 2019-2022 Transportation Improvement Program after receiving input. View both updated lists. Continue Reading →
County Commends PennDOT for Progress on U.S. 202 Improvements
U.S. 202, one of Chester County’s major transportation arteries, has seen a lot of changes in recent years that have benefited people who live, work and visit here thanks to the work done by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Continue Reading →
Chester County Commissioners Highlight County Trails
No matter where you go in Chester County, you will find lots of people who are interested in trails. These trails provide unique experiences and places for residents and visitors to exercise and relax, and the County has been working to expand its trail system.
Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell took the opportunity to highlight the County’s growing trail network during their recent public meeting. To start out, the Commissioners adopted a resolution to signify the completion of the Chester Valley Trail West Study that was financed in part by the Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. Continue Reading →
Celebrating Community Planning Month
The Chester County Commissioners issued a proclamation in recognition of the work done by local, county, and regional planners in conjunction with the celebration of National Community Planning Month during today’s meeting.
“It’s important to take the time to acknowledge the valuable efforts and contributions of local planners, including those who work for the Chester County Planning Commission and municipal planning commissions,” said Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell. “Their work is significant when it comes to planning for our County’s future and balancing managed growth and preservation. In particular, we appreciate all the work that has been done this past year to implement aspects of Landscapes3, the County’s new comprehensive plan.” Continue Reading →
Urban Centers Forum Highlights Destination Towns
Chester County’s urban centers are becoming destination towns where more and more people want to live, work, and visit to enjoy unique experiences offered by breweries and tasting rooms, farmers’ markets, food trucks, and short-term rentals such as Airbnbs and VRBOs.
That was the message that came out of the Chester County Urban Centers Forum on October 8th at the Victory Brewing Company in Parkesburg. Continue Reading →
Two More Vision Partnership Program Projects Move Forward
Two projects in Chester County – one in Avondale Borough and one in Elverson Borough – that received assistance through the county’s Vision Partnership Program (VPP) are moving forward. The VPP provides grants to Chester County municipalities and multi-municipal groups seeking to improve their planning programs while achieving consistency with and implementation of the goals, objectives, recommendations, and map of Landscapes3. Avondale adopted a new comprehensive plan this year, and Elverson completed full updates to the borough’s zoning ordinance and subdivision and land development ordinance in 2018.