Measuring Success
How we LIVE
2023
The Landscapes3 Live Goal is to "Nurture diverse and well-rounded communities with a balance of residential opportunities and convenient access to community facilities, services, and amenities." The following success stories represent key examples of how this goal has been realized through the actions of public and private entities throughout Chester County. This listing is not exhaustive and there are many more such success stories to be found around the county.
Keep Chester County Beautiful Giveaway
The county's Keep Chester County Beautiful program featured a Spring Giveaway in 2023 to provide a volunteer group with 15 safety vests and 20 litter grabber tools in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Great American Cleanup (a nationwide event). The Schuylkill Township Environmental Advisory Council was selected as the winning volunteer group. This initiative supports the Landscapes3 Live Objective F, "Support access to quality educational opportunities and community facilities through development, maintenance, and promotion of appropriate facilities and programs."
Former Retail Center Becomes Mixed Use Apartments
A former struggling retail center in Berwyn was reconstructed as a new 250-unit apartment building, known as the Ember at Berwyn. The space includes 250 apartments as well as amenities and coworking spaces, classifying it as a horizontal mixed use property. This initiative supports the Landscapes3 Live Objective A, "Provide opportunities for a diverse housing mix that complements community character and contributes to vibrant, safe, and inclusive neighborhoods."
Showcasing the Importance of Affordably-priced Homes
As part of the county's A+ Homes Initiative, CCPC addressed the importance of affordably priced homes with an interview of a resident at the Cambria Terrace Habitat for Humanity in Coatesville. Additionally, CCPC released a case study on the affordably priced rental community of Pinckney Hill Commons in the West Chester Borough. These initiatives showcase the importance of local considerations for affordable housing projects, and support the Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 2, "Identify new approaches for affordable housing."
Affordable Housing Development Provides Housing for Disabled
A new family rental community in Caln Township opened in 2023 featuring a mix of 60 market rate and affordable income units. The Willows at Valley Run features a selection of rentals for those with disabilities and is designed to Passive House standards, making it a leader in sustainability and energy efficiency. Phase two will offer an additional 60 rentals. This initiative supports the Landscapes3 Live Objective C, "Support safe and accessible places for people of all ages and abilities, from children to seniors, through development of appropriate housing, community facilities, and amenities."
Kennett Library and Resource Center Opens
The new Kennett Library and Resource Center opened in August of 2023, providing a multitude of resources and amenities to the Kennett community and surrounding areas. In addition to being a traditional library, the center features an Adult Literacy Program to assist native-born and newly arriving immigrant families in improving their literacy, language, and educational skills, as well as meeting spaces and supporting technology. This initiative supports the Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 12, "Integrate education facilities with communities."
2022
The Landscapes3 Live Goal is to "Nurture diverse and well-rounded communities with a balance of residential opportunities and convenient access to community facilities, services, and amenities." The following success stories represent key examples of how this goal has been realized through the actions of public and private entities throughout Chester County. This listing is not exhaustive and there are many more such success stories to be found around the county.
Missing Middle Housing Guide Published
CCPC produced a new Housing Guide focusing on ways to implement "Missing Middle" housing throughout Chester County's communities. The guide includes design examples and other resources for municipalities to get started, and helps implement Landscapes3 Live Objective C, "Support safe and accessible places for people of all ages and abilities, from children to seniors, through development of appropriate housing, community facilities, and amenities."
New Resources for Understanding Social Equity
In the summer of 2022 CCPC completed work on the Understanding Social Equity webpage. The web page was created to assist municipalities and organizations with addressing social equity when applying for grants, addressing six key social equity topics and mapping to assist local community planners who wish to determine where disadvantaged communities are located, and what sort of conditions exist. This initiative supports Landscapes3 Live Objective F, "Support access to quality educational opportunities and community facilities through development, maintenance, and promotion of appropriate facilities and programs."
A+ Homes Forum Addresses Affordably Priced Housing
CCPC's annual Housing Forum was held on November 15, bringing more than 50 attendees together at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester and via Zoom to discuss the costs of building A+ Homes in Chester County. Topics addressed included the need for affordably priced housing, the A+ Homes initiative, housing for an aging population, and more. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 1, "Provide housing policy and ordinance assistance."
Keep Chester County Beautiful Launched
The new affiliate group got off to a great start in 2022 with the creation of social media pages, a webpage, and various other initiatives to expand capacity within the county for litter abatement, waste reduction, beautification, and environmental stewardship. This initiative supports Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 13, "Implement county solid waste plan."
2021
The Landscapes3 Live Goal is to "Nurture diverse and well-rounded communities with a balance of residential opportunities and convenient access to community facilities, services, and amenities." The following success stories represent key examples of how this goal has been realized through the actions of public and private entities throughout Chester County. This listing is not exhaustive and there are many more such success stories to be found around the county.
Red Clay Manor Development
During 2021, construction progressed on the Red Clay Manor affordable housing development in Kennett Square Borough. The project consists of a three-story building with 61 senior apartment units within walking distance from the YMCA. The property includes 62 parking spaces but is situated amongst the borough's sidewalk system, so residents have pedestrian access to the downtown and nearby parks. The 2.4-acre property was consolidated from three existing parcels. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective B, "Accommodate housing at costs accessible to all residents in locations close to job opportunities."
New Housing in the County's Growth Areas
By the spring of 2021, the Hanover Exton Square apartments near the Exton Mall had all rented out. The location is close to shopping, a SEPTA rail station, and the Chester Valley trail. Construction progressed on the Blue Rock at Elverson Townhouses as well, which consists of 28 townhouse residential units. Additionally, the 78-unit Kennett Gateways development in Kennett Township is underway, including a mixed-use building with 24 apartments above 16,326 square feet of ground floor retail space, along with 53 townhouses. These initiatives help to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective A, "Provide opportunities for a diverse housing mix that complements community character and contributes to vibrant, safe, and inclusive neighborhoods."
Arbor Terrace Senior Housing Development
Capitol Seniors Housing completed the $22.5 million Arbor Terrace senior housing development in Exton in the spring of 2021, continuing a gradual transformation of Oaklands Corporate Center into a mixed-use community from a 1980s office park. The 78,032-square-foot building has a total of 88 units. Since the project was under construction during the pandemic, the facility was able to make alterations to accommodate for new health and safety procedures. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective C, "Support safe and accessible places for people of all ages and abilities, from children to seniors, through development of appropriate housing, community facilities, and amenities."
New Recreational Opportunities
In May 2021, East Pikeland Township completed a final plan for Ridge Road Park. The plan addresses construction of a dog park and the installation of a community garden. Additionally, French and Pickering Conservation Trust opened a new hiking trail located off of Route 401 at the Great Marsh Uplands Preserve. In April 2021, Westtown adopted a Master Plan for Oakbourne Park, which included the landscapes surrounding the historic Oakbourne Mansion. These initiatives help to implement Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 10, "Enhance and expand recreational opportunities."
CCHD Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Information
In March 2021, the Chester County Health Department (CCHD) began to roll out vaccine information based on the state's guidelines. The CCHD also helped the Delaware County Health Department with their vaccine distribution. This continued throughout much of 2021 as the CDC recommendations changed frequently.This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective D, "Maintain and support coordinated systems and organizations for emergency services, human services, and public health to protect and enhance individual and community well-being."
Housing Forum
CCPC hosted the 2021 Housing Forum, "What's our type? Missing Middle typologies to meet housing needs" on Thursday, November 18. Presentations focused on local Missing Middle typologies and approaches for municipalities to encourage Missing Middle Housing. The forum was presented both in person and virtually, welcoming individuals from across the county. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 1, "Provide housing policy and ordinance assistance."
Celebrate Trails Day
In honor of Celebrate Trails Day in April 2021, CCPC prepared a list of "Top 5 Best Kept Secret Trails in Chester County" to share with individuals looking for a new adventure to explore. Celebrate Trails Day serves to encourage people of all ages and places to get outside and enjoy our nation's great trails and trail systems each year. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 6, "Promote healthy lifestyle choices."
New Farm Guide Released
The 2021 Farm Guide introduces readers to some of the next generation of Chester County farmers including the Farmers of the Year, mushroom growers Sonya Beltran and her family; and Liz Hopkins, an unlikely farmer from the suburbs who left a public safety career for agriculture. The farm guide is produced each year by the Chester County Agricultural Development Council and includes a variety of resources and information to support the county's agricultural industry. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 7, "Promote increased access to fresh, healthy, and local food."
2020
The Landscapes3 Live Goal is to "Nurture diverse and well-rounded communities with a balance of residential opportunities and convenient access to community facilities, services, and amenities." The following success stories represent key examples of how this goal has been realized through the actions of public and private entities throughout Chester County. This listing is not exhaustive and there are many more such success stories to be found around the county.
Chester County Census 2020 Complete Count Committee
From January through October 2020, the Planning Commission coordinated the county's Census 2020 Complete Count Committee, a group of stakeholders whose mission was to encourage participation in the 2020 Census. Chester County's response rate was 78.3%, the second highest of all counties in the Commonwealth. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Collaboration Vision, "Promote effective multi-municipal and partner cooperation."
Spring Planners' Forum
In March 2020, the Planning Commission held its Spring Planners' forum at the Brandywine Conservancy. Presentations addressed the Brandywine Creek Water Trail, services of the Chester County Economic Development Council, and the need for diversified missing middle housing, such as duplexes and townhouses in Chester County. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Housing Diversity Vision, "Provide for diverse and affordable housing meeting the needs of all residents."
Increases in New Apartment Complexes
During 2020, tenants filled several newly built apartment complexes. In Phoenixville Borough, 48 units built in 2019 came on the market, while 171 units became available in East Pikeland Township. Hanover Square in Exton opened 342 apartments. Meanwhile, the 284 unit Eagleview Landing senior assisted living opened in Uwchlan Township, as did Kennett Square's Red Clay Manor development with 61 units of affordable senior housing. These developments help to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective A, "Provide opportunities for a diverse housing mix that complements community character and contributes to vibrant, safe, and inclusive neighborhoods."
Exton Station Reconstruction Project
In March 2020, SEPTA completed the Exton Station Reconstruction Project, a complete renewal of station facilities. It included new ADA compliant ramps, restrooms, passenger waiting areas, lighting, covered bicycle parking, vehicle parking, and stormwater management. This project helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 11, "Support human and social services to serve evolving community needs," as well as Landscapes3 Connect Objective C, "Provide universally accessible sidewalks, trails, and public transit connections to create a continuous active transportation network within designated growth areas, and develop multi-use trails to interconnect all communities."
Crosswalk Improvements at Route 100 in Exton
In summer 2020, the intersection of Route 100 and Commerce Drive in West Whiteland Township was reconstructed to improve the pedestrian crossing. The new design features a single crossing lane which will allow more time for pedestrians to cross. This improvement helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective C, "Support safe and accessible places for people of all ages and abilities, from children to seniors, through development of appropriate housing, community facilities, and amenities."
COVID-19 Response Webinars
In June and July 2020, Chester County presented a series of webinars addressing how business communities can adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. These webinars addressed training employees, operating youth sports, avoiding liability, and operating safely during the pandemic. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective D, "Maintain and support coordinated systems and organizations for emergency services, human services, and public health to protect and enhance individual and community well-being."
Local Farm Guide Spanish Edition
In August 2020, the Agricultural Development Council partnered with the Health Department and the American Heart Association to produce a Spanish language version of the county's annual Guide to Local Farm Products in Chester County. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 7, "Promote increased access to fresh, healthy, and local food."
Hopewell Big Woods Initiatives
In spring 2020, the Hopewell Big Woods Partnership joined with the Iron and Steel Heritage Partnership to conduct digital outreach in response to COVID-19. They distributed laminated flyers with QR codes that directed potential visitors to their web pages. These initiatives help to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective E, "Foster healthy living by supporting walkability and access to quality recreation options, and healthy and affordable food."
Walkability in Urban Trails
In 2020, work progressed in connecting the sidewalk grid of Phoenixville Borough with the multi-municipal trails that link into it. The paved trail bed extending from the Schuylkill Heritage Center to the county's Schuylkill River Trail is open to users, while nearby landscaping is ongoing. This project elps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective E, "Foster healthy living by supporting walkability and access to quality recreation options, and healthy and affordable food."
New Municipal Buildings
During 2020, several municipalities opened new municipal buildings. A new building was opened by East Pikeland Township in October and Valley Township in November. These buildings help to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective F, "Support access to quality educational opportunities and community facilities through development, maintenance, and promotion of appropriate facilities and programs."
Coatesville's new "Universal Design" Palmer Park
In 2020, Natural Lands received the Green and Sustainable Parks Award for their efforts on Coatesville's newly revitalized "Palmer Park." The park, which was completed in 2019, consists of design elements for both children and seniors to enjoy, as well as stormwater management and other environmentally-friendly features. This park helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 10, "Enhance and expand recreational opportunities."
Chester County Health Department Provides Community Health Services
Throughout 2020, the Chester County Health Department provided numerous community resources and clinical services including, but not limited to, free immunizations, the WIC program, maternal child health, drug and alcohol recovery, and "healthy lifestyle" resources. This helps to support Landscapes3 Live Recommendations 5 and 6, "Promote impactful public health policy and services," and "Promote healthy lifestyle choices."
Recreation Facilities Grants
In September 2020, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded grants to build municipal recreation facilities in East Brandywine, East Pikeland, Honey Brook, and Penn Townships, as well as Malvern and West Chester Boroughs. The largest grant was for an outdoor ice hockey rink and other outdoor courts in Penn Township. These grants help to implement Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 10, "Enhance and expand recreational opportunities."
Emergency Services Operations
2020 marked the first full year of upgraded facilities at the Emergency Services 9-1-1 Operations Center. This facility underwent a complete overhaul that was completed in late 2019. Key improvements included the purchase and installation of new consoles for 9-1-1 staff who are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 Protect Recommendation 8, "Provide exemplary emergency services."
Annual Housing Report
In June 2020, the Planning Commission released its annual Housing Report for the county which detailed 2019 housing data. In 2019, approximately 1,400 total new units were built, and the median home sale price was $355,000. The construction of multi-family apartments was lower than in previous years. This report helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective A, "Provide opportunities for a diverse housing mix."
West Chester University Receives Nationwide Ranking for online MBA Program
In January 2020, U.S. News rated West Chester University's online MBA program as #47 in their list of top 50 programs nationwide. Additionally, the program came in at #29 for veterans. This helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective F, "Support access to quality educational opportunities and community facilities through development, maintenance, and promotion of appropriate facilities and programs."
Melton Center Affordable Housing
In June 2020, the County Commissioners awarded funding to assist in the construction of 41 affordable housing units on an undeveloped lot owned by the Melton Center in West Chester. By December 2020, groundbreaking had begun on this project which will be called the "Pickney Hill Commons Housing." This development helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective B, "Accommodate housing at costs accessible to all residents in locations close to job opportunities."
Chester County Hospital Expansion
In January 2020, the Chester County Hospital in West Chester opened a $300-million expansion. By spring, the hospital was operating 301 beds. This expansion will eventually include 15 operating rooms and 99 private inpatient rooms. This expansion helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective D, "Maintain and support coordinated systems and organizations for emergency services, human services, and public health to protect and enhance individual and community well-being."
Planning tools facilitating housing diversity
During 2020, the Planning Commission posted housing related eTools on its municipal assistance web page. These eTools include guidance for affordable housing that accommodates the needs of farmworkers and their families, guidance for promoting diverse housing types such as apartments, townhouses, and twins through zoning ordinances, and guidance for affordably-priced homes, whose sales or rental prices require no more than 30% of household income. These tools help to implement Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 1, "Provide housing policy and ordinance assistance."
Discount Grocery Store to Open in Exton
Renovations were completed in the summer of 2020 for a new discount grocery store, Lidl, which will open in the Main Street at Exton shopping center in 2021. Lidl is an international chain originating in Germany that is now expanding into select U.S. markets. This new store helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective E, "Foster healthy living by supporting walkability and access to quality recreation options, and healthy and affordable food."
Big Elk 55+ Community near Jennersville Hospital
Penn Township saw the addition of 204 new townhomes and villas with the completion of Ryan Homes' Big Elk 55+ community in 2020. This development helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective C, "Support safe and accessible places for people of all ages and abilities, from children to seniors, through development of appropriate housing, community facilities, and amenities."
Habitat for Humanity — West Grove Project
The Chester County Habitat for Humanity obtained a 6.8-acre parcel in West Grove to build eight affordably priced townhome buildings (with five units each) in 2019, and in 2020, four of the eight units were completed. This development helps to implement Landscapes3 Live Objective B, "Accommodate housing at costs accessible to all residents in locations close to job opportunities."
2019
During 2019, public and private organizations undertook various initiatives that helped to implement the Landscapes3 Live Goal, "Nurture diverse and well-rounded communities with a balance of residential opportunities and convenient access to community facilities, services, and amenities." The following success stories highlight some of the more notable initiatives.
Housing Choices Committee Convened
In September 2019 the 19-member Chester County Housing Choices Committee which consists of municipal representatives, land use professionals, housing advocates, and developers from throughout the county. The committee works to promote the planning and developing housing that is attractive, affordably-priced, adaptable, and aging-friendly. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 recommendation, "Identify new approaches for affordable housing."
"Creating A+ Homes" Housing Forum
In 2019, Municipal Historic Atlas maps were initiated by nine of Chester County's municipalities. These maps are compiled by municipal historical commission members and interested volunteers, to identify historic resources (buildings, structures, sites, and objects) that are at least 50 years old, as a starting point to follow the guidelines of the National Register of Historic Places. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 recommendation, "Update historic resource inventories."
Steeltown Village opens in Phoenixville
In 2019, the Steeltown Village development opened in Phoenixville in 2019, providing affordable workforce housing for lower-income residents. Steeltown Village consists of 48-units on 3.2 acres. The investment for the development was $12.6 million, including contributions from both Chester County and the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation. This initiative helps to implement Landscapes3 recommendation, "Explore public/private partnerships for workforce housing."