The Planning Commission welcomed two new employees in June: Technical Services Specialist Doug Meneely and Senior Community Planner Chris Patriarca.

Doug began working for the agency on June 12; Chris started on June 26. 

As a technical services specialist in the Technical Services Division, Doug provides advanced GIS solutions for Planning Commission projects and special initiatives. As part of the GIS team, he also assists with geoprocessing operations and data maintenance.

Doug graduated this past May from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography. GIS was the focus of Doug’s studies and ArcGIS Pro and ESRI Story Maps are part of his skill set. He also has experience with SketchUp and JavaScript programing language, which is useful in customizing ESRI Story Maps. As part of his course project work, Doug helped lead the creation of a 3D ArcGIS Pro model of the WCU campus and built a geodatabase for the Serpentine Barrens. He also completed GIS field work in Costa Rica last summer. Doug is from Mechanicsburg in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He now resides in East Goshen.

“Attending West Chester University for four years gave me a growing relationship and deep appreciation for what this county has to offer,” said Doug. “The fact that I could stay and also work toward the continuation of the aspects that make Chester County great is a dream come true. I am very thankful to be a new resident and employee.”

As a senior community planner in the Planning Services Division, Chris works directly with municipalities on both cash grant and in-kind Vision Partnership Program projects, such as comprehensive plan and ordinance updates. Chris also will be leading housing efforts, including serving as the primary point of contact for the Housing Options Task Force.

Chris is an AICP-certified planner who comes to the Planning Commission from Westtown Township, where he served as the director of planning and zoning. He was with Westtown Township for more than three years. He previously worked for over six years as a planner with the Department of Community Development in Roanoke County, Virginia, and also worked in planning in North Carolina in local government and academic settings. His experience has provided him with a thorough understanding of how comprehensive planning, zoning ordinances, and subdivision and land development ordinances are accomplished. He considers one of the most rewarding aspects of planning work to be the opportunity to engage citizens in the planning and zoning processes. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Chris has a Master of Arts in geography from UNC Charlotte and a Bachelor of Arts in geography and political science from the University of Alabama. He and his wife Ashley relocated from Virginia to West Chester in the fall of 2013 after she accepted a tenure-track faculty position at West Chester University within the English Department. Living in downtown West Chester since moving to the area, Chris also loves to travel and is an avid fan of Alabama football.

“My wife and I relocated from Virginia to West Chester in late summer 2013 and have grown to love Chester County in the time since,” he said. “It is a privilege to work for the Planning Commission with so many passionate professionals working to ensure the county continues to be the special place it is. I look forward to serving the residents of my home county in my capacity with the Planning Commission.”