Category: News and Updates
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 website. Continue 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 →
Graphics Supervisor Diana Zak Celebrates 25 Years with Planning Commission
Though the days of using design tools such as the Leroy Lettering Set and polyester film are long gone at the Chester County Planning Commission, Graphics Supervisor Diana Zak has advanced with design technology at the agency over the years.
Diana celebrated her 25-year anniversary with the county in September. She landed a job with the Planning Commission while looking for the stability that comes with a full-time job. Continue Reading →
Planning Commission Welcomes New Design Planner
The Planning Commission welcomed a new employee in September: Design Planner Albert Park. Albert began working for the agency on Sept. 25.
In addition to assisting the graphics specialists with graphics related tasks, Albert will help in the evaluation of Act 247 land development proposals, assist in development of comprehensive plan planning concepts and illustrations, and help planners with stormwater, landscaping, site layout, and urban design issues they encounter. He will be using various tools to help with his daily tasks, including Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and AutoCAD. Continue Reading →
Join Landscapes3 Discussion at Oct. 26th Public Meeting
Lend your voice toward the development of Landscapes3, the county’s next long-range comprehensive plan, at a public meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the West Whiteland Township Building, 101 Commerce Drive, Exton. The meeting is an open house display from 5:30 to 6:30, with a formal presentation at 6:30, followed by an opportunity for public comment. Check out more details about the meeting.
Celebrating National Community Planning Month
The Chester County Commissioners issued a proclamation in recognition of the work done by professional and volunteer local, county, and regional planners in conjunction with the celebration of National Community Planning Month at the Oct. 17 public Sunshine 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 municipalities,” said Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Michelle Kichline. “Their work is significant when it comes to planning for our county’s future and balancing managed growth with preservation.”
In addition to the Commissioners’ proclamation, the Chester County Planning Commission board issued a proclamation earlier this month in recognition of National Community Planning Month. Check out more info about Planning Month and examples of successful projects in Chester County. Continue Reading →
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 here. Continue Reading →
Video Series: Planning Chester County's Future Together
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Come learn about what makes Chester County special, why we need to protect these treasures, and how we can plan the county’s future together. The first segment of a four-part video series on planning in Chester County has been released. This series hopes to engage you in the preparation of Landscapes3, the county’s next comprehensive plan.
Check out the video here.
There will be a Landscapes3 public meeting from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the West Whiteland Township Building, 101 Commerce Drive, Exton.