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. The members represent Perse backgrounds, volunteering to serve four-year terms. The officers are elected annually. All are dedicated to promoting coordinated growth and preservation planning for all of Chester County.

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 twelve elements that are contained in Landscapes2, the County’s comprehensive plan. These elements include:

• Land use
• Natural Resources
• Open Space and Greenways
• Agriculture
• Historic Resources
• Transportation
• Housing
• Utilities and infrastructure
• Community services
• Economic Development
• Energy Conservation

2010 Work Program

For 2010, the primary goal of the CCPC will center on implementation of Landscapes2, the County comprehensive policy plan. The work program and its products can be viewed on the Landscapes2 Web site, dedicated to the plan update process.

Other objectives of CCPC will include: improving on state-mandated review requirements as they relate to Act 247 (subdivision and ordinance reviews) and Act 537 (sewage facilities planning reviews); maintaining and enhancing planning websites; continuing to advance the use of GIS technology in planning programs; continuing coordination activities with SEPTA, PennDOT, and DVRPC and other regional agencies; and providing technical and policy guidance to the Commissioners as requested.