Category: News and Updates
Planning Commission Announces VPP Awards and Second Round Details
Congratulations to the Chester County municipalities that have been awarded through the competitive cash grant portion of the 2019 Round One Vision Partnership Program (VPP)! Brandywine Battlefield Group (Birmingham, East Bradford, Kennett, Pennsbury, Thornbury, and Westtown townships for a heritage interpretation plan), Caln Township (zoning ordinance update), East Fallowfield Township (Newlinville Village Master Plan), West Chester (High Street Corridor Study), and West Whiteland Township (historic resource survey update) were awarded in this grant cycle. Congratulations to these municipalities as they work to better plan their future and implement Landscapes3. Continue Reading →
Two Municipalities Complete Vision Partnership Program Projects
Two Chester County municipalities – East Bradford and Tredyffrin – recently completed projects that received funding through the Vision Partnership Program, a grant available 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. In East Bradford, the township completed a Plum Run Corridor Master Plan, and Tredyffrin completed a Gateway Multimodal Transportation Study.
Learn about Hexagonal Schoolhouse in Caln
School is out for the summer but at least one in Chester County – the Caln Hexagonal Schoolhouse – is open occasionally for historical tours.
“They say Caln Township was just 12 large farms to begin with when a group of Quaker settlers from Calne England arrived here,” said Caln Township Community Outreach Specialist Abbey Swan. “Those same families are connected to most of the historical buildings in the township (and there are a lot) including the Hexagonal Schoolhouse.”
GVF Executive Director Rob Henry Attends Planning Commission Board Meeting
Rob Henry, executive director of the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association (GVF), attended the Chester County Planning Commission’s board meeting on July 10th and discussed the role of his agency and its partnership with the county. Continue Reading →
Planning Commission Rolls Along with Active Transportation Inventory Project
These days, people crave the ability to walk and bike places. They don’t want to get in their cars every time they need to go somewhere.
During the development of the county’s new comprehensive plan, Landscapes3, Chester County residents identified the need for more bicycle and pedestrian facilities in their communities. These facilities provide residents with greater mobility, multimodal transportation options, and additional recreational options all leading to the development of healthier communities. Continue Reading →
Meet Planning Commission's New Housing and Economic Planner
Every month, the Planning Commission highlights one of its staff or board members. Housing and Economic Planner Libby Horwitz, AICP joined the team on June 17th. Libby, a former economic development coordinator for the City of Urbana in Illinois who is originally from Havertown, shared her journey to the Planning Commission and discussed her life philosophy, interests, and more. Continue Reading →
Coatesville Anticipates Economic Development Opportunities
Good things are coming to Coatesville.
The city is already reaping benefits from being designated as an Opportunity Zone, according to a recent Philadelphia Business Journal article. Opportunity Zones were created as part of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and are designed to spur job creation and economic development by providing tax benefits to investors. Coatesville is the only Chester County municipality that has this designation. Continue Reading →
Chesco Self Service Accepts Electronic Plans and Online Payments
Important changes have been made to the Chester County Self Service (CSS) portal, making the proposed land development review process more convenient for municipal officials and staff, engineers, and solicitors. This portal allows for online electronic submissions of land developments, subdivisions, ordinances and plans, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of this service.
Planning Commission Learns More about Kennett Area During Tour
Have you ever taken the time to explore the winding country roads, beautiful open spaces, and vibrant town centers in southern Chester County? The Chester County Planning Commission did just that during a recent tour of the Kennett area.
Planning Commission Releases Annual Housing Report
Looking for a snapshot of housing conditions in Chester County? The Planning Commission recently released its annual Housing Report for 2018, which documented an overall increase in recent years in both the cost of units and the number of units built. Continue Reading →