Mission Statement
The mission of the Chester County Planning Commission is to provide future growth and preservation plans to citizens, so that they can enjoy a Chester County that is historic, green, mobile and prosperous.
Planning Commission
The Chester County Planning Commission is a nine-member advisory board appointed by the County Commissioners. Learn more about the Planning Commission.
Initially the work of the Planning Commission involved inventorying and mapping the County's features and resources. Over time, the Planning Commission has evolved into a modern, professionally staffed, planning organization that uses specialized knowledge and training, along with the latest techniques and technology, to plan for the future of Chester County. The Planning Commission's activities are enabled, and in some matters mandated, by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
Partnerships
The Planning Commission and its staff work in partnership with federal, state, and regional agencies and municipal governments to fulfill the mission that is devoted to preserving and improving the quality of life for all Chester County residents. The Planning Commission focuses its activities on Landscapes3, Chester County's comprehensive plan, which seeks to balance preservation and growth across the county's landscapes through six goal areas: Preserve, Protect, Appreciate, Live, Prosper, and Connect. Learn more about Landscapes3.
Work Program
The primary goal of the Planning Commission is to implement the department's strategic business plan. This will be accomplished through carrying out the recommendations of Landscapes3, the recently adopted County comprehensive policy plan.
To achieve the goals of both plans, the Planning Commission will partner with municipalities and other stakeholders. The department is focused on quality customer service and is organized into the following activities: Planning Services, Infrastructure and Plan Review Services, Planning Information Services, Transportation Services, and Agricultural Development Services.
The work program for 2019 will focus on implementing the six goal areas of Landscapes3: Preserve, Protect, Appreciate, Live, Prosper, Connect. In 2019, the Planning Commission expects to:
- Prepare a Chester County-specific update to the 2011 Return on Environment report on the economic value of open space;
- Prepare an annual summary of the amount of permanently protected open space;
- Create a program for assisting municipalities with their natural resources protection ordinances;
- Prepare an interactive map base on national historic register listed and eligible properties;
- Coordinate a housing summit to tackle affordable and workforce housing issues;
- Provide affordable housing zoning tools to municipalities;
- Create a web tool and design guide for urban centers;
- Prepare an inventory of municipal multi-modal regulations and model language;
- Revise the biannual Transportation Improvements Inventory;
- Update online tools that provide guidance on various planning topics; and
- Revise the Vision Partnership Program.
