Category: News and Updates
CCWRA’s Municipal Stormwater Summit
The Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA) hosted the county’s first virtual Municipal Stormwater Summit on Friday, April 16, from 9:00am – 11:00am.
Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz and Michelle Kichline welcomed attendees to the Summit and highlighted Chester County’s legacy of land use and environmental planning and stewardship in their opening remarks. CCWRA’s Executive Director, Seung Ah Byun, then kicked off the presentations with an update on the county’s water conditions.
2020 Protected Open Space Numbers – Continuing to Preserve Chester County
The Chester County Planning Commission tracks and reports the acreage of permanently protected open space within the county each year – including farmland, nature preserves and parks – through its Protected Open Space Tracking System (POST).
While there were many uncertainties throughout 2020, one thing that remained consistent is the county’s commitment to open space preservation. This past year, the POST findings indicated an addition of 2,100 acres protected in 2020 – bringing Chester County’s total to 144,000 acres, or 29.7% of the county’s total land protected. More acres were preserved in 2020 than in each of the previous two years, which is a significant accomplishment given the administrative and technological hurdles the pandemic caused.
Chester County’s 2021 Open Space Summit
Chester County celebrated another great year of open space preservation achievements during the 2021 Open Space Summit on Thursday, April 29. The virtual event was widely attended, with representatives joining in from multiple counties, municipalities, land trusts, conservancies, local news agencies, non-profits, and other related organizations.
The summit began at 6:30pm with welcoming remarks from County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline. As a strong advocate of the county’s open space preservation since the late 1980s, Molly Morrison (Chester County Planning Commission Board Member and former president of Natural Lands), noted the importance of open space preservation to Chester County’s character as a kickoff to the evening.
Chester County Planning Commission Presents 2020 Housing Report
Each year, the Chester County Planning Commission collects and reports data on housing prices, housing affordability, and new housing units constructed across Chester County as part of the ongoing implementation of the county’s comprehensive plan, Landscapes3.
Despite a difficult year in 2020, recent trends of increasing housing prices, sales, and new construction carried on – proving that Chester County continues to be a desirable place to live.
In total, there were 1,732 new units constructed (the most since 2008), and 7,532 homes sold throughout 2020 (the most since 2006). The median home sale price also continued to rise last year, reaching the highest it’s been in inflation adjusted dollars since 2007 at $375,064.
Planning Commission to Conduct Monthly Meeting
The Chester County Planning Commission will conduct its monthly board meeting at 2:00 PM on June 9, 2021. This will be a hybrid meeting allowing the public to attend in person or via Zoom. The location of the meeting is Suite 351 in the Government Services Building (601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA 19380).
Please visit https://zoom.us/j/91604214510 to join the webinar or telephone 1-312-626-6799 and enter Webinar ID 916 0421 4510. We recommend beginning to log in at 1:45 in case of technical difficulties. The public is invited to join, and there will be an opportunity for public comment during the meeting. Please note that if you join by telephone you will not have the capability to comment or ask questions. You can email ccplanning@chesco.org and we will respond promptly. The agenda, and minutes from past meetings, are available on our website.
Updates from East Bradford Township
Vince Pompo, Chair of East Bradford Township’s Board of Supervisors, along with Rich Phifer, the township’s Director of Property and Recreation, recently attended the Chester County Planning Commission’s April Board meeting to provide an update on recent planning successes in East Bradford Township.
Their presentation demonstrated how strong planning can lead to exemplary results, with much of the township preserved as open space and growth focused in appropriate locations. To illustrate these successes, they described recent efforts and funding behind their Plum Run Corridor initiative, which includes a trail, riparian corridor plantings, and improvements to the Strode’s Barn located in the Strode’s Mill Historic District. All of these projects are included in the Plum Run Corridor Master Plan (2019), which was funded with a Vision Partnership Program grant.
Congratulations to CCPC’s Heritage Preservation Coordinator, Karen Marshall, on her Retirement!
The Chester County Planning Commission’s Heritage Preservation Coordinator, Karen Marshall, has retired from her position as of Friday, April 23. After 9 years with the Planning Commission and 14 years with the county (having started with Parks and Recreation back in 2007), Karen has played a key role in so many of the county’s historical efforts and achievements.
“Karen has been a passionate and effective leader in the historic community here in Chester County,” commented the Planning Commission’s Executive Director, Brian O’Leary. “She has done a great job of being an advocate of our region’s history, and has helped others to accomplish their goals on the historic preservation front as well. We wish Karen all the best in her retirement.”
Celebrate Trails Day: Top 5 Best Kept Secrets in Chester County
Celebrate Trails Day (formerly Opening Day for Trails) is an annual spring celebration of America’s trails hosted on the fourth Saturday of April each year. The celebration encourages people of all ages and places to get outside and enjoy our nation’s great trails and trail systems. In fact, Chester County has an exceptional list of trail options – and while some of these trails are known to many, we’ve compiled a list of “Top 5 Best Kept Secrets” in Chester County for you to check out this Celebrate Trails Day!
Chester County Environmental & Energy Advisory Board Quarterly Board Meeting
The Chester County Environmental & Energy Advisory Board will conduct its quarterly board meeting at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28th via Zoom. Please visit https://zoom.us/j/98503061778 to join the webinar or telephone 1-301-715-8592 and enter Webinar ID 985 0306 1778. We recommend beginning to log in at 2:20 in case of technical difficulties. The public is invited to join, and there will be an opportunity for public comment during the meeting. Please note that if you join by telephone you will not have the capability to comment or ask questions. You can email ccplanning@chesco.org and we will respond promptly. The agenda, and minutes from past meetings, are available on our website.
Protecting our Steep Slopes and Woodlands
Chester County’s landscape is defined by rolling green hills and picturesque woodland views which help to define our unique sense of place. One of the ways to help maintain this sense of place is by preserving our steep slopes and woodlands.
By limiting the disturbance of steep slopes, municipalities can greatly reduce soil erosion, stormwater runoff, and stream sedimentation. In addition to protecting water quality, wildlife habitats and scenic views are preserved.