Residents, officials map out plan for future growth

NEW GARDEN » More than 60 people provided feedback on Landscapes3 at a public meeting held recently at the New Garden Township building. Residents heard about the current status of the draft plan, and asked a range of questions. Hopefully attendees found the meeting’s information as valuable as the county found their input. When completed at the end of this year, Landscapes3 will guide all future growth in Chester County.

There were engaging conversations for the goal areas of “Preserve, Protect, Appreciate, Live, Prosper, and Connect,” with many in attendance providing comments. Numerous people stopped to discuss the draft Landscapes map, whether to better understand the Landscapes categories or to suggest a change. Others found the map amenities station worth their time, and suggested bike trails and a strong digital infrastructure system as amenities they’d like to see in the future.

Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Michelle Kichline discussed the importance of public input on the plan to start the formal presentation, and New Garden Supervisor Steve Allaband welcomed attendees. Chester County Planning Commission Executive Director Brian O’Leary provided attendees with information on the status of plan development, highlights of key issues, information on how the draft map of growth and rural resources areas was developed, and an overview of the six goal areas, including their objectives.

During the question and answer period that followed the formal presentation there were many questions from attendees. The interests of those in attendance ranged from county support of regional projects to how to address fairness and equity. There were questions on how planning fit into local government in Pennsylvania, as well as questions on county support for smaller green spaces in developed areas and how the success of the plan will be measured.

If you haven’t been able to attend a public meeting yet, there are two more this spring, as well as online opportunities to comment. The next Landscapes3 public meeting will be held May 1 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Penn State Great Valley at 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, with the final spring public meeting on May 16 at the Public Safety Training Campus at 137 Modena Road, Coatesville. Formal presentations at these meetings will begin at 6 p.m., following 30 minutes for the open house display and activities.

At each of those meetings the county will continue to take input on how well the goals and objectives reflect the broad, long-term desired outcomes (goals) and the more specific targets (objectives), as well as thoughts on actions to implement the goals and objectives. The county will also continue taking feedback on the draft map. The draft Landscapes3 map has retained the same categories as the Landscapes2 map, but has been updated to reflect existing and planned development and preservation in our communities.

In addition to attending upcoming public meetings, comments may be provided online.

Detailed recommendations will be developed over the spring of 2018 and available for public review at a later date.