December 2023
Following Up: Transportation Public Meeting
December 21, 2023
CCPC provided updates on the future of the county's transportation network through a public meeting about the Trails Master Plan and Public Transportation Plan Update on December 12. View the recap.
2023 Economy Dashboard
December 21, 2023
The annual Economy Report provides a snapshot of information to help guide the county's future growth. This year's report shows that Chester County has a very strong economy which will help in its continued efforts to recover from the pandemic. See the 2023 Economy Dashboard.
Success Stories — Closing in on 2023
December 18, 2023
With another great year of Landscapes3 Success Stories coming to an end, we've compiled some highlights in preparation for the release of the complete list this spring. From open space initiatives to historic preservation efforts, there's so much that's happened (and is still happening) in 2023! Learn more.
Following Up: 2023 Housing Forum
December 13, 2023
The annual Housing Forum featured an engaging panel of housing experts who discussed strategies and tools to help minimize fear and encourage affordable housing opportunities. View the recap.
Reading to Philadelphia Intercity Passenger Rail Project Accepted in Federal Program
December 8, 2023
Acceptance of the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority's application by the Federal Railroad Administration, and an initial award of $500,000, are major steps in bringing intercity passenger rail service to Berks, Montgomery, and Chester Counties. View the press release.
Following Up: 2023 Urban Centers Forum
December 8, 2023
This year's Urban Centers Forum was held at the Downingtown STEM Academy and via Zoom on November 2, highlighting the benefits of preserving Chester County’s historic resources to help keep our urban centers thriving into the future. See the recap.
November 2023
2023 VPP Round 2 Recipients
November 15, 2023
Congratulations to the recipients of Round 2 of Chester County's Vision Partnership Program! With a variety of project types funded this round, CCPC is excited to watch these exciting initiatives unfold. See the recipients.
October 2023
ChesCo Receives Open Space Award
October 25, 2023
Chester County's Open Space Protection Planning Program was presented with an award from the PA Chapter of the American Planning Association this past week. Learn more.
ChesCo Joins Sustainable Energy Partnership of Southeast PA
October 25, 2023
Chester, Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties recently joined together to form the Sustainable Energy Partnership of Southeast PA. This group, managed by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, will take a strategic approach to purchasing low, transparent, and stable electricity for county operations. Learn more.
An Update on Watersheds 2045
October 25, 2023
Chester County is home to an abundance of water resources, and because of this, the Chester County Water Resources Authority is in the process of adopting a new plan for Chester County's waterways — Watersheds 2045. Learn more.
Solar Guidance and Resources
October 24, 2023
CCPC has several resources to assist Chester County municipalities in the advancement of solar power within their communities, including an inventory of each municipality's ordinances, training sessions (11/2 and 11/29), and a webpage with relevant information. Learn more.
Following Up: Fall 2023 Planners' Forum
October 23, 2023
CCPC's Fall Planners' Forum held on October 4 highlighted innovative Vision Partnership Program projects including implementable comprehensive plans, heritage tourism planning, and clean energy transition plans. Check out the follow up.
Chester County Commissioners Present Agriculture Awards
October 18, 2023
Chester County Commissioners, along with members of the Chester County Agricultural Development Council, presented two annual agriculture awards at Birchrun Hills Farm in Chester Springs. Learn more.
Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority to Host In-person Meeting on October 23
October 17, 2023
The Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority invites members of the media and the public to join for an in-person board meeting on Monday, October 23 at 3:00 p.m. at North Hall 202, Montgomery County Community College, 16 East High Street, Pottstown, PA. Learn more.
Chester County Recognizes National Community Planning Month
October 13, 2023
October is National Community Planning Month and in honor of the occasion, Chester County is recognizing the fifth anniversary of Landscapes3, which has played a pivotal role in shaping the county into a thriving and resilient community over the last five years! Learn more.
Chester County Receives Nearly $3.34 Million in 2023 C2P2 Awards
October 11, 2023
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently announced their 2023 Community Conservation Partnerships Program awards, including $500,000 for the design of the Chester Valley Trail submitted by CCPC, and nearly $3.34 million to Chester County applicants overall! Learn more.
Following Up: Chester County's Sustainability Summit
October 11, 2023
Chester County held its first-ever Sustainability Summit welcoming more than 300 passionate individuals, including over 60 students, to hear about, learn, and discuss sustainability in Chester County. It was a jam-packed day full of enthusiasm, networking, and great conversation! Check out the follow up.
Senior Demographer Celebrates 25 Years
October 10, 2023
Chester County recently recognized employees who are celebrating 25 years with Chester County Government. Congratulations to CCPC's Senior Demographer, Jake Michael, who was included in this outstanding group! Learn more about Jake.
September 2023
Chester County's Transportation Priority Projects
September 28, 2023
Every two years CCPC prepares a Transportation Improvement Inventory to identify and prioritize the transportation needs and projects that have been recommended by municipalities and stakeholders over time. While this provides the base of transportation needs and projects, CCPC also works with a cross sectional committee to produce its biennial Transportation Priority Projects brochure. Both are Chester County's first steps in the process of updating the region's Transportation Improvement Program. Learn more.
The Economic Revival of Oxford Borough
September 27, 2023
Oxford Borough has gone through quite the transformation in the last couple of decades. However, since then, the Borough experienced a devastating fire. Learn more and find out how to support Oxford through this difficult time.
Developing Municipal Composting Programs
September 21, 2023
The Chester County Solid Waste Authority and CCPC's Sustainability Division recently hosted a Community Composting Roundtable for municipalities to discuss and learn about different composting programs and opportunities. Learn more.
Following Up: 2023 Town Tours and Village Walks
September 29, 2023
This year's Town Tours and Village Walks program welcomed more than 1,500 individuals to explore Chester County's agricultural heritage. Check out the follow up to learn more.
Upcoming Fall Events
September 7, 2023
The Chester County Planning Commission would like to invite you to attend our upcoming fall events! Learn more.
August 2023
Sustainability Summit — Register Now!
August 23, 2023
Chester County is holding its first-ever Sustainability Summit on Tuesday, September 26, at Penn State Great Valley's Conference Center. Get inspired by the innovative sustainability efforts of organizations in our area, network with sustainability professionals, and get all the sustainability info you need! Learn more and register.
Chester County Freight Plan
August 23, 2023
The impacts of Chester County's robust freight network were recently addressed through the Chester County Freight Plan. Kristen Scudder, from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, presented an overview of the plan at CCPC's August Board Meeting. Check out the follow up.
Connecting to ChesCo's Past through the New West Grove History Center
August 23, 2023
A new History Center in West Grove, opened and funded by a local historian and Borough-native, showcases the town's history through a unique assortment of objects and stories. Learn more about the West Grove History Center.
Meet CCPC's Summer Interns
August 16, 2023
CCPC was fortunate to have three interns contributing to various roles at CCPC this summer: Elise Davis with Community Planning, Emily Kaplan with Sustainability, and Nick Ogborn with both Community Planning and GIS! Learn more about CCPC's summer interns.
July 2023
Encouraging Ag-Friendly Communities
July 19, 2023
The county has made it a priority in recent years to encourage ag-friendly communities by conducting a series of municipal outreach efforts throughout Chester County. These efforts were highlighted at the Chester County Planning Commission's July Board Meeting. Learn more.
Phoenixville Area Communities Adopt Clean Energy Transition Plans
July 18, 2023
Various municipalities from the Phoenixville area have been working to develop a series of Clean Area Transition Plans for their communities, with Practical Energy Solutions serving as their consultant as well as assistance from CCPC. Learn more.
Taking Chester County to New Heights with Coatesville's Piasecki Helicopter Plant
July 17, 2023
A new leader in aviation has landed in Chester County! Piasecki Aircraft Corporation acquired the former Lockheed Martin Sikorski Helipad in Coatesville with plans to use it for advanced research and development. Learn more about this month's Landscapes3 Success Story.
2023 VPP Round 2 Now Open
July 3, 2023
We are excited to announce the opening of Round 2 of the Vision Partnership Program (VPP) for 2023! This round of funding is anticipated to have approximately $215,000 available for municipal planning projects. Learn more.
June 2023
CCPC Board Tours Phoenixville
June 21, 2023
CCPC's June Board Meeting was held at The Colonial Theatre in the Borough of Phoenixville on Tuesday, June 13. Prior to the meeting, the group enjoyed a walking and bus tour of the borough, providing them with a unique opportunity to explore one of the county's urban centers. See the follow up.
Following Up: Open Space Training for Municipalities
June 18, 2023
CCPC and Chester County Parks + Preservation held an Open Space Training session on May 31 to provide municipalities with information about how to effectively implement open space policies and goals within their communities. It was a great turnout with a variety of engaging presenters and topics! See the follow up.
Willistown Conservation Trust Acquires 90 Acres of Kirkwood Farm
June 16, 2023
A portion of the recently purchased Kirkwood Farm property has been acquired through a collaborative effort between the private buyer, director M. Night Shyamalan, and the Willistown Conservation Trust. This is great news for Chester County as it supports the Preserve goal in Landscapes3! Learn more.
Chester County Ag Council Issues New Guide to Local Farms and Farm Products
June 2, 2023
With summer right around the corner, it's a great time to pick up the new edition of The Chester County Farm Guide to find local farms and markets near you. Learn more.
May 2023
Chester County Announces 2023 Town Tours & Village Walks Program
May 25, 2023
Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline are pleased to announce the 2023 Town Tours & Village Walks program "Our Agricultural Heritage," kicking-off at the West Chester United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 8. Learn more.
The Importance of Affordably Priced Homes
May 24, 2023
Chester County consistently has one of the highest median housing costs in the state which is causing strains on many household budgets. CCPC released a new video and Case Study about the importance of affordably priced homes in our communities, specifically when it comes to families. Learn more.
Transportation Awards — Professionalism & Leadership in Chesco
May 23, 2023
Steve Buck and Alex Sankaran of CCPC's Multimodal Planning Division were recently recognized as "Top TDM Professionals Under 40" at the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association's Annual Meeting. Additionally, Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline received the 2023 Elected Official Award for her leadership and dedication to the GVF Board. Learn more.
Following Up: 2023 Transportation Forum
May 23, 2023
CCPC's 2023 Transportation Forum was held on May 9 focusing on the county's Public Transportation Plan Update and Trails Master Plan. It was a great turnout, welcoming more than 50 attendees in-person and virtually to discuss and provide feedback on the county's public transportation planning initiatives! See the recap.
Celebrating History in Coatesville
May 22, 2023
The City of Coatesville honored the life and contributions of Dr. Whittier C. Atkinson — Chester County's first black physician and a true trailblazer of his time — with a street dedication and ceremony on April 23. Check out the follow up.
Chester County Takes Part in "Take Your Child to Work Day"
May 15, 2023
Chester County government hosted more than 90 children of county staff members as part of Take Your Child to Work Day on April 27. It was an exciting and informative day for those who attended, and we look forward to hosting again next year! Check out CCPC's recap, including a fun drone video.
2023 VPP Round 1 Recipients
May 12, 2023
Congratulations to the Round 1 recipients of Chester County's 2023 Vision Partnership Program, including cash grants to the municipalities of East Whiteland Township and West Goshen Township! Learn more.
April 2023
Planners Visit ChesCo during APA's National Planning Conference
April 26, 2023
More than 4,000 planners came together in Philadelphia during the American Planning Association's 2023 National Planning Conference. Some of CCPC's staff participated in the conference, leading mobile workshops and other sessions throughout the region. Learn more.
Transportation Awards — Nearly $12 Million Received by ChesCo
April 25, 2023
Chester County municipalities were recently awarded nearly $12 million through the Department of Community and Economic Development's Local Share Account and Multimodal Transportation Fund. Learn more about the awards.
2022 Metrics Released — Post Pandemic Recovery
April 25, 2023
In addition to the Success Stories, CCPC tracks a variety of metrics pertaining to the six goals of Landscapes3 each year. Despite much of 2022 focusing on recovering from the pandemic, the metrics proved that Chester County continues to thrive in many ways! Check out some highlights.
Open Space Preservation Efforts Remain Strong in ChesCo
April 24, 2023
The county's Protected Open Space Tracking system reported that 30.7% of the county's land had been protected by the end of 2022. While this increase might not be as significant as in the past, it shows that land preservation efforts continue to remain a priority for Chester County! See the POST summary.
2022 Housing Report Released
April 21, 2023
CCP's Senior Housing & Economic Planner recently presented the 2022 Housing Report, drawing focus to some of the recent data and findings from this past year. Check out the summary to learn more.
Spring 2023 Planners' Forum
April 21, 2023
CCPC's Spring Planners' Forum welcomed more than 80 attendees to learn about and discuss topics such as office park reinvention, planning for equitable community greening, and the expansion of passenger rail on March 29! Learn more.
Earth Day 2023 Events in Chester County
April 18, 2023
This Saturday, April 22, is Earth Day! We've compiled a list of some Earth Day events taking place throughout Chester County — from tree plantings to community cleanup activities. Check out the list to see what's taking place near you.
2022 Landscapes3 Success Stories Released
April 18, 2023
The Chester County Planning Commission released the 2022 Landscapes3 Success Stories, highlighting just a snapshot of the many positive initiatives that took place across Chester County this past year! Learn more.
March 2023
Keep Chester County Beautiful Launches Spring Giveaway
March 27, 2023
The county's Keep Chester County Beautiful program is featuring a Spring Giveaway to help a selected volunteer group get started with a cleanup event in Chester County this spring. The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. on April 2. View Guidelines and learn more.
Introducing Two New eTools
March 24, 2023
CCPC is excited to share two new eTools — Solar Energy Systems Zoning and Sign Regulations. View a summary of the eTools and check out some examples.
New Webpage Provides Resources for Woodlands & Tree Protection
March 23, 2023
CCPC launched a new webpage with information to assist in the protection and expansion of the county's wooded areas, tree canopies, and individual trees. Learn more and check out the webpage.
2022 Non-residential Construction Report Released
March 17, 2023
CCPC's Senior Housing and Economic Planner recently presented the results of the 2022 Non-residential Construction Report, concluding that 31 non-residential projects were completed in Chester County in 2022 for a total of 963,413 square feet. Learn more.
Meet Our New Technical Services Specialist
March 16, 2023
Our Design & Technology division covers a range of tasks — from technical services and graphics to GIS and mapping. We are excited to welcome CCPC's new Technical Services Specialist, Richard Drake! Meet Richard.
Beth Intoccia Named Volunteer of the Year
March 2, 2023
At this week's public meeting, the Chester County Commissioners presented Beth Intoccia of Litter Lifters of West Vincent Township with a citation, recognizing her as a Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Affiliate Volunteer of the Year. Beth was nominated for the award by Keep Chester County Beautiful for her dedication and passion towards helping the environment. Learn more.
February 2023
Trails Master Plan — Take the Survey!
February 28, 2023
Because of the increased demand for trails over recent years, the Chester County Planning Commission is developing a Trails Master Plan to establish a vision for an interconnected, multi-use trail network in Chester County. The plan will layout the framework and design for the county's future trails, priority connections, equitable access, funding, and other important factors. Learn more about the project and take the survey.
2022 Economy Report
February 27, 2023
Each year CCPC releases an economy report with information to help guide Chester County's future growth. Check out the summary to learn more.
2022 Annual Report Released
February 24, 2023
CCPC saw another great year of successful Landscapes3 implementation in 2022, including a new Sustainability Division and various other initiatives. The 2022 Annual Report highlights some of these initiatives! Check out the summary to learn more.
2022 Act 247 Reviews
February 23, 2023
CCPC recently wrapped up the Act 247 Reviews for 2022 which includes a comprehensive report on all Subdivision, Land Development, and Conditional Use Review Activity, as well as Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan Review Activity in Chester County. Check out the summary to learn more.
Meet CCPC's New Board Member
February 20, 2023
Each member of CCPC's Board brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, and we are excited to welcome our newest addition, Andy Wright! Andy is a familiar face to many as he worked in CCPC's Act 247 Review Division from 1996 to 1999. Learn more about Andy.
Modena Adopts New Comprehensive Plan
February 17, 2023
CCPC recently assisted the Borough of Modena with the adoption of their new Comprehensive Plan, serving as the consultant through the county's Vision Partnership Program. The plan provides the Borough with a clear and concise roadmap to implement issues most pressing for the community over the next 10-15 years. Learn more.
January 2023
Ag Production in Local Communities
January 26, 2023
Public interest in local food has increased significantly over recent years and because of this, many municipalities are receiving more requests for ag businesses or at-home food production. Check out this month's featured eTools to learn about backyard chicken keeping, Controlled-Environment Agriculture, and the Ag Council's latest info sheets. Learn more.
2023 Vision Partnership Program Round One
January 25, 2023
We are excited to announce that the first round of the 2023 Vision Partnership Program (VPP), Chester County's municipal planning grant program, opens on 2/1! Learn more about the program.
Meet Sally Warren
January 25, 2023
With a few decades of volunteer experience on the municipal level, we are excited to welcome CCPC's newest member to the Admin Team, Sally Warren! Sally has been able to hit the ground running as she understands some of what CCPC does. Learn more about Sally.
New Guide Supports "Missing Middle Housing" in Chester County
January 25, 2023
CCPC released a new guide to help municipalities implement "Missing Middle Housing" throughout Chester County's communities. The guide features information about missing middle such as challenges and opportunities, recent data and examples, and tips for getting started. See the guide.
Revitalization in Coatesville
January 25, 2023
It's an invigorating time for the City of Coatesville as nearly $200 million in projects are either underway or planned through various public and private investments! Check out some of the projects.
Chester County Farmers and Producers Earn Accolades at the Pennsylvania Farm Show
January 18, 2023
Chester County farmers and producers received high marks from Pennsylvania Farm Show judges in Harrisburg last week, resulting in an impressive array of medals and ribbons in the show's 107th year of operation. Learn more.
Recapping 2022 and Setting Goals for 2023
January 5, 2023
It was yet another challenging pandemic year, but the Chester County Planning Commission continued to move forward successfully implementing Landscapes3 and planning for Chester County's future. Check out achievements from 2022 and see what's happening in 2023.