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 Board.
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. Learn more about Planning Commission services.
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 by carrying out the recommendations of Landscapes3, the recently adopted County comprehensive policy plan.
To achieve the goals of both plans, the Planning Commission will continue partnering with municipalities and other stakeholders. The department is focused on quality customer service and is organized into the following service areas: Community Planning, Multimodal Transportation Planning, Sustainability, Design and Technology, and Agricultural Development.
The work program for 2023 will focus on implementing the growth and preservation recommendations of the Landscapes map, as well as the six goal areas of Landscapes3: Preserve, Protect, Appreciate, Live, Prosper, Connect. In 2023, the Planning Commission expects to have the following major initiatives:
- Public transportation plan
- County-wide trail master plan
- Historic tourism plan support
- Climate action plan implementation
- Ag economic strategic plan implementation
- Municipal open space outreach
- Sustainable practices for homeowners associations
- Adaptive reuse guide
- Village preservation guide
- A+ homes initiative
- Vision partnership program grants and technical assistance
- Rural landscapes design guide
Ongoing Landscapes3 initiatives include advocacy for good planning with our partners, maintaining the Pipeline Information Center, and continuing the Act 247 review process for subdivisions, land developments, ordinances, and plans. Also, during the year, we will be holding six events focused on the Landscapes3 goals, plus two Planners' Forums.
Annual Reports
This document is the official report to the Chester County Board of Commissioners by the Planning Commission providing a summary of the activities of the Planning Commission during 2022.
