September 23, 2009 eNewsletter

Chester County Comprehensive Policy Plan

The final draft Landscapes document was accepted by the Chester County Planning Commission on Wednesday, September 9th, including an errata sheet of recommended changes. The errata sheet is available to view online.

Most of the revisions involve actions to be taken by the county, local municipalities and citizens that are needed to implement the goals and objectives of the plan. In addition, new maps were included: Multi-Modal Transportation Corridors, and Major Freight Corridors.

The draft document with errata changes will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption as per state statute (the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code). Adoption will occur at a public hearing this fall.

Landscapes2 Related References

Attendees of the Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce Breakfast meeting Tuesday were given an update on transportation issues in the area, including the US 422 Transportation Plan.

Schuylkill Trail moves forward. Chester County is moving ahead quickly on three park projects, including the next phase of the Schuylkill River Trail from Phoenixville to East Vincent. The County is saving money by not paving the new section but using compacted crushed stone.

Where We Want To Be: Home Location Preferences And Their Implications For Smart Growth indicates that the existing stock of large-lot, exurban homes is sufficient to satisfy market demand for the next two decades, but the number of small-lot and attached housing in accessible locations with multi-modal transportation systems must approximately double to meet consumer needs.

The Council's Smart Growth work helps create diverse, convenient, transit-accessible, walkable communities. Smart Growth is a way to develop and grow communities in ways that are convenient, environmentally friendly and diverse.

Home Location Preferences And Their Implications For Smart Growth. Location, location, location. Choosing a smart home location can help households become healthy, wealthy and wise, since it affects residents’ physical activity levels, long-term financial burdens and opportunities for education and social interaction.

Select Greater Philadelphia is projecting the region's economy will begin a recovery from the worst recession in the post-World War II era during the final months of this year.

Multi-Municipal Planning in Pennsylvania. This wiki is a forum for information and commentary on multi-municipal planning, Pennsylvania's unique approach to regional land use planning. It is intended as a resource for Pennsylvania's planning community and for anyone interested in sound land use management in the commonwealth.

West Chester BLUER receives award at the 2009 Annual Green Power Awards Luncheon. PennFuture celebrate the people, businesses and institutions that are blazing the trail towards a cleaner and healthier Pennsylvania by purchasing green power, advancing policies that develop the renewable energy market, and taking the lead in creating new renewable supply. The West Chester BLUER's mission is to help our entire community—including our municipal and County government operations, residents, businesses, and nonprofits—reduce greenhouse gas pollution 10% over 2005 levels by the year 2015.

A bit of Chester County Farming History. Even before William Penn created the three original Pennsylvania counties in 1682: Chester, Philadelphia and Bucks, this area’s fertile soil, ample rainfall and temperate climate destined agriculture to be the dominant industry. Pennsylvania continues to be America’s fourth largest producer of food products with dairy being the number one agricultural industry.

National Lands Trust — Growing Greener: Conservation By Design is a state-wide program that helps municipalities and developers build new homes and businesses while protecting important local open space.

Planning Related References

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson Propose National Program to Improve Fuel Economy and Reduce Greenhouse Gases. New Interagency Program to Address Climate Change and Energy Security; jointly proposed a rule establishing an historic national program that would improve vehicle fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gases.

Natural Lands Trust Awarded National Accreditation. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission announced on August 5th that Natural Lands Trust has been awarded Accreditation. The accreditation seal lets the public know that the accredited land trust has undergone an extensive, external review of the governance and management of its organization and the systems and policies it uses to protect land.

SustainLane Presents: The 2008 US City Rankings, consistently among the top ten Philadelphia.

PowerMinders and PennFuture are sponsoring an Energy Efficiency Case Study Contest for college students from across Pennsylvania. Students submit case studies of energy efficiency projects documenting ways in which homes, businesses and institutions are transforming how people use energy and compete for a $500 prize. PowerMinders is a statewide college student network dedicated to saving homeowners on their energy bills.

Pocono gives solar the Green Flag. Pocono Raceway, one of NASCAR's most unique and largest venues, is going big again. Faced with rising energy bills, the raceway plans to build the world's largest solar energy project by any sports facility.

PostGreen — The 100k House, is slated to be the first LEED Platinum, single-family home in Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania. PostGreen is investigating the possibility of the 100K House being the most affordable LEED Platinum home ever built in the world.

Upcoming Events and Training

2009 PA Chapter of the APA Annual Conference “Investing in a Sustainable Future” October 4-6, 2009; Valley Forge, PA.

Master Planner Program will again be offered by Chester County 2020, Chester County Planning Commission and West Chester University’s College of Business & Public Affairs and Department of Geography & Planning, and the Chester County Association of Township Officials (CCATO). Master Planner Course to begin October 1st, with subsequent classes on October 8th and 15th. Please visit Chester County 2020 for registration in the very near future.

Smart Energy Initiative of South Eastern Pennsylvania and Montgomery County present a seminar Becoming A Solar Provider, September 29 Conshohocken. Topics include upgrading worker skills, certificates that are currently available, and becoming a qualified provider for work financed with public funding. This seminar is appropriate for individuals and businesses seeking to enter the solar marketplace.

US High Speed Rail Association 21st Century Transportation for America, High Speed Rail 2009 — October 22-23, 2009, Washington DC. Be part of the high speed rail event of the year! Hear the world's leading experts discuss high speed rail around the world and how it revolutionized their country. Hear about the many ways high speed rail can improve America. A national high speed rail system creates efficient, safe mobility for all, ends our dependency on oil, and is the most significant solution to climate change. US High Speed Rail Network vision for the 21st Century.

Bike Fresh Bike Local, September 27th. A fabulous bike tour of the Chester County countryside and a celebration of local foods.

Crow's Next Preserve's Restored Barn Contra Dance, Warwick township, October 3rd 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm.

Hopewell Big Woods Environmental Ed Workshop, October 7th, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Chester County Ag Issues: A Key Part of the Greater Philadelphia's Food System. Be among the first to hear the just-released results of a comprehensive study of the Greater Philadelphia Food System conducted by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

Longwood Gardens Harvest Celebration, Saturday October 10. Two separate events; a Harvest Dinner and a 2.5 mile trail walking tour that takes you behind the scenes, will introduce guests to Longwood’s land stewardship and wildlife conservation practices, composting and recycling facilities, farm lease program and innovative water treatment system, Student Gardens and a lush forest walk.

Full Moon Blues, Paoli Blues Fest & Street Fair "Paoli Sings the Blues" Paoli PA, October 3rd from noon to 6:00 pm. Concerts are FREE – Donation requested of non-perishable food item for the benefit of REACT food closet.

We are here to help in Phoenixville. Services and programs to help get through the economic downturn. October 22, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Chester County Association of Township Officials: CCATO Fall Convention November 5, Mendenhall Inn.

2009 World Green Energy Symposium, in Philadelphia September 25 - 26, 2009. The 2009 World Green Energy Symposium will showcase new, alternative, sustainable and innovative product development and green energy opportunities for businesses and the public.