CCPC Releases 2023 Annual Report
Posted February 21, 2024
The Chester County Planning Commission released their 2023 Annual Report which shows yet another successful year of Landscapes3 implementation throughout Chester County! This year marked the program's 5th anniversary and continuing implementation of the plan's goals and recommendations.
Chester County started the year off strong, with data showing that 149,000 acres, or 31%, of its land was protected in support of the Preserve goal in 2023. With continuous efforts, more agricultural and conservation land was added throughout the year. The county also received recognition from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association for its notable open space preservation planning.
In September, the county held its first Sustainability Summit (attended by over 300 people) at Penn State Great Valley under the Protect goal. Attendees were able to spend half a day networking with others and learning about different types of sustainability resources. Additionally, CCPC provided resources to assist homeowners' associations in becoming more sustainable.
In line with Appreciate, the county developed a new Draft Heritage Tourism Plan encouraging visitors to explore the county's historic sites and stories. As always, the Town Tours and Village Walks program saw a great turnout in 2023, attracting over 1,500 participants and showcasing the county's agricultural heritage. Planning efforts also continued with the Chester County America250 PA Commission to plan for the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.
Regarding the Live goal, the annual housing report revealed an 11% increase in home prices over the prior year. CCPC continued its efforts to promote attractive, affordably-priced, aging-friendly, adaptable, and accessible homes through the A+ Homes Initiative, Housing Forum, and Starter Home Initiative.
When it comes to Prosper, CCPC created the "Chester County Economy Dashboard" for ongoing updates and data; and the annual Chester County Farm Guide continued to offer comprehensive listings of locally produced farm products and locations.
Finally, at the end of 2023 came the approval of the Schuylkill River Passenger Authority's proposal to restore service to Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading, which contributes to the Connect goal. Additionally, draft plans for the county's Public Transportation Plan and Trails Plan were mostly completed in 2023.
Learn more about the 2023 Annual Report or each of the Landscapes3 goal areas.