July 27, 2010 eNewsletter

Landscapes2 Related References

NACo Celebrating 75th Anniversary 1935 - 2010. Chester County official earns national recognition for innovative governance. One County Courthouse Award is presented each year in three categories: Rural County, Suburban County, and Urban County. Each winner receives a $5,000 college scholarship to present to a local student of his or her choice. Commissioner Carol Aichele has won the 2010 Courthouse Award for Urban Counties from the National Association of Counties for her work with the Landscapes2 program.

The Planning Commission uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) across all sections for map production, spatial analysis, and for presentations. To support these activities, the Technical Services division assists planners by maintaining digital GIS data, providing necessary tools and custom applications, as well as providing technical assistance. The front counter kiosk is also maintained by Planning’s Technical Services staff and includes historical aerial imagery dating back to 1959. Maps are available for large format custom printing at the Planning Commission’s front counter. Several maps available to the public are on the Planning Commission’s Map Gallery. The Map Gallery offers a wide selection of maps to the public free of charge.

First lady honors East Pikeland's preservation accomplishments. East Pikeland Township was honored recently when first lady Michelle Obama designated it as one of the nation's newest Preserve America Communities.

Local Food Guide Now Available! The 2010 edition of the Buy Fresh Buy Local Food Guide reflects recent program initiatives of the Chester County Agricultural Development Council and introduces you to some of the farmers and organizations committed to bringing healthy, local food to the public. The Guide includes a list of almost 100 producers within the county and maps their locations to help you find their farm fresh products.

Rep. Joe Pitts (PA-16) introduced the White Clay Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act, H.R. 5813, a bill to protect additional waterways in the White Clay Creek watershed spanning Pennsylvania and Delaware. The bill, cosponsored by Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE), expands the National Wild and Scenic River designation first established in 2000 legislation that was introduced by Pitts.

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) in cooperation with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and AKFR, Inc. just released the Green Guide for Property Management, a Green Business Program of PWD's Green City, Clean Waters initiative. The guide is intended for commercial property owners, providing them with ideas for reducing their stormwater fees through innovative green projects on their properties.

New Regional Rail Line Schedules Effective July 25, 2010. The R5 will be the Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line. This change, which will go into effect on July 25th, is eliminating the confusing "R" and numbers and rebranding Regional Rail using the current destination names.

Planning Related References

PennDOT recently announced another round of a funding program called the Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative (PCTI) which will provide $24 million statewide over two years for planning, design, and/or construction of transportation projects that support Smart Transportation Themes and link land use with transportation planning. Applications are due to PennDOT by Wednesday, September 15, 2010.

Sustainable Communities: Live Event with HUD, DOT and EPA Leadership. Whitehouse.gov held a live online event on July 15th. The event can be viewed here.

HUD and its partners are making this summer a Recovery Summer. HUD is hard at work strategically planning how to service our nation's veterans and others in need of housing and related services.

Land Protection Videos You can help preserve land, water and wildlife near you.

Upcoming Events

Tredyffrin plans to honor DiFilippo with park gazebo. In honor of Judy DiFilippo's work in creating Wilson Farm Park along with her many years spent volunteering, throughout the township, officials plan to name a gazebo after her next Sunday at a ribbon-cutting dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. Aug. 1 at the park with refreshments and a chance to hear from DiFilippo.

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site invites you to the 72nd Establishment Day on August 7 at 10 a.m at Hopewell Furnace.

MidAtlantic Renewable Energy Association Presents: Pennsylvania renewable energy & sustainable living Festival, September 17, 18, 19.

APA PA Calendar of Events

Links

Please visit our eNewsletter Archive for past issues.