Community Planning Month
Posted October 15, 2024
October is National Community Planning Month, and each year Chester County takes this time to celebrate the role planning plays in our communities. In support of this, the Chester County Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing October 2024 as Community Planning Month.
The proclamation notes, "Chester County has adopted a comprehensive plan, Landscapes3, which has successfully provided growth and preservation guidance to the county's municipalities while effectively maintaining a steady foundation for planning during change and disruptive times." Additionally, "The celebration of National Community Planning Month provides the opportunity to publicly recognize the dedication of the members of planning commissions and other citizen planners who have contributed their time and expertise to the improvement of Chester County."
The proclamation was followed by a presentation from the Chester County Planning Commission's Executive Director, Brian O'Leary, highlighting various aspects of Landscapes3's implementation in its first five years.
Some of the accomplishments O'Leary discussed include the county's progress made on farmland and open space preservation (with over 31% of the county's land now protected); the new Watersheds 2045 plan supporting watershed restoration and protection; the increase in cultural heritage tourism sites and the adoption of a county Heritage Tourism Plan; the increase in housing diversity; strong urban revitalization in the county's various urban centers; and a collaborative effort on trails and public transportation with 88+ miles of trails and sidewalks added.
O'Leary added that of the 57 recommendations in Landscapes3, a significant majority of them have been implemented, and more will continue to be implemented over the next five years. He also added that while the county doesn't control development, CCPC and others have been working with municipal partners to help with various aspects of growth and development through the Landscapes3 map.
We thank those who take part in the county's planning efforts, and we look forward to continuing another great five years of Landscapes3 implementation.
Read more about the successful implementation of Landscapes3.