Municipal Project Examples

Penn Towsnhip Comprehensive Plan

Penn Township completed an update of their 2012 Comprehensive Plan with the adoption of a new plan in May of 2024. The plan provides guidance to the Township through their community vision for the future, and was prepared by the Township's Comprehensive Plan Task Force with technical assistance from the Brandywine Conservancy. Funding was provided in part through a grant from the county's VPP. Key planning elements of the plan include preserving open space and protecting natural resources; guiding growth; discovering heritage interpretation opportunities; expanding multi-modal transportation priorities; and resilience preparedness.

East Caln Towsnhip Comprehensive Plan

East Caln Township adopted a new comprehensive plan in March 2024, with assistance from the Chester County Planning Commission and funding through the county's VPP. The new plan replaces the township's 2011 comprehensive plan and includes six topic areas that were identified as issues or priorities: community mobility connections; natural resources and environmental sustainability; parks and recreation; commercial and economic development; community services and facilities; and future land use.

Oxford Borough Comprehensive Plan

Oxford Borough completed and adopted their first individual comprehensive plan in February 2024. The Borough formerly relied on the Oxford Region Multimunicipal Comprehensive Plan for their guiding policy. The 2024 Plan was prepared by the Borough's Comprehensive Plan Task Force with technical assistance from the Chester County Planning Commission's Community Planning Division. Funding was provided in part through a grant from the County's VPP. The Plan was informed by an extensive public outreach strategy that included reaching out to the Hispanic/Latino community that accounts for about 35% of the Borough's population. The hierarchy of policy in the Plan includes goals, objectives, recommendations, and actions and is organized into plan chapters that include Community Amenities, Resources, and Interaction; Circulation, Connectivity, and Safety; Economic Vitality and Community Revitalization; Land Use, Housing, and Community Character; and Borough Services and Infrastructure. The Plan also includes mapping, photos, and renderings that support and help to communicate the narrative. The Plan should serve the Borough well and help guide decisions for the next ten years.

Willistown Township Comprehensive Plan

Willistown Township retained Gaadt Perspectives, in association with Yerkes Associates, to assist them with development of an updated comprehensive plan (titled Guidelines for Growth & Sustainability), adopted in 2023. The plan is organized around three primary goals: Protect Community Values, Guide Future Growth, and Provide Community Facilities and Services. The plan builds on Guidelines for Growth, which was adopted in 1962 and has been revised and updated several times over the intervening years, ensuring the ongoing protection of natural resources, preservation of the Township's agricultural heritage, adequate provision of community services and infrastructure, and providing for sustainable growth in an equitable and socially-conscience manner. This project was funded by Willistown Township and a VPP cash grant.

Highland Township Comprehensive Plan

Highland Township retained the Brandywine Conservancy, in association with Thomas Comitta Associates, to assist them with development of an updated comprehensive plan, adopted in 2022. Recommendations focus on the areas of natural, historic, and scenic resources; open space and land preservation; climate resiliency; transportation; community facilities and services; and future land use. The plan builds on ongoing initiatives such as land preservation, ensuring a viable and vibrant agricultural community continues, implementation of road improvements, and incorporation of more climate resilience practices Township-wide. This project was funded by Highland Township and a VPP cash grant.

Malvern Borough Comprehensive Plan

Malvern adopted an updated Comprehensive Plan on September 20, 2022. This project was financed in part by a Vision Partnership Program Grant from the Chester County Board of Commissioners under the administration of the Chester County Planning Commission. Malvern Borough provided matching funds for this project and replaces the last plan adopted in 2012. Consultants assisting the Borough in developing the updated plan include the Brandywine Conservancy with additional assistance from Thomas Comitta Associates and McMahon Associates. The plan chapters include: Future Land Use; Economic Vitality, Revitalization and Housing; Historic Resources; natural Resources and Open Space, Parks and Recreation; Community Facilities and Services, and Multimodal Transportation and Circulation.

Modena Borough Comprehensive Plan

Assisted by the Chester County Planning Commission, Modena adopted a new comprehensive plan in November 2022. Recommendations focus on the areas of resource preservation, connectivity, housing, economic development, community services, and future land use. The plan builds on ongoing initiatives in seeing projects such as the Mode Park and house restoration fulfilled, having targeted commercial amenities such as a convenience store located within the Borough, and to continue to best address stormwater challenges. This project was funded by Modena Borough and a VPP in-kind grant.

West Vincent Township Forest Protection Ordinance

West Vincent Township retained Theurkauf Design & Planning, to assist them with the development of zoning ordinance and subdivision and land development ordinance amendments to better protect woodlands, which were adopted in 2022. The ordinance amendments address protecting the highest quality forests, clearing mitigation standards, greenways, specimen timber, and harvesting standards. These ordinance revisions helped to prioritize West Vincent's vital resources and provide better protection standards. This project was funded by West Vincent Township and a VPP cash grant.

London Britain Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance Update

London Britain Township retained the Brandywine Conservancy, to assist them with the development of an updated subdivision and land development ordinance, adopted in 2022. The ordinance update was coordinated with the recently adopted comprehensive plan, adopted in 2019. The updated ordinance took a comprehensive approach to ensuring best practices for a number of subdivision and land development regulations. Notably, provisions were included in the updated ordinance to further protect riparian buffers in the Township. This project was funded by London Britain Township and a VPP cash grant.

Thornbury Township Zoning Ordinance Update

Thornbury Township retained the Chester County Planning Commission to assist them with updating their 1983 zoning ordinance. Adopted in October 2020, this update included: a complete reorganization of the ordinance, bringing it into conformity with current planning practices, updated the zoning map, and addressed land uses not envisioned when the ordinance was first developed. The project was funded by Thornbury Township and a VPP technical services grant.

Elverson Borough Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance

Assisted by the Chester County Planning Commission, Elverson Borough completed full updates to their zoning ordinance and subdivision and land development ordinance in 2018. The updated ordinances will help guide future growth and ensure that new development is complementary with the character of Elverson. Both ordinances were updated to improve the ease with which they can be used by the borough's staff and elected and appointed officials, as well as landowners within the Borough. The project was funded by the Borough of Elverson and a VPP technical services grant.

Atglen Borough Zoning Ordinance

Atglen Borough officials retained the Chester County Planning Commission to assist them with a full update of their zoning ordinance that brought the ordinance into conformity with current planning practices. The updated ordinance addresses nonconforming uses, signs, definitions, and land uses not envisioned when the ordinance was first developed. Traditional Neighborhood Development requirements were incorporated into the "downtown" zoning district and a new "gateway" district leading from Route 41 into the borough. A new transit-oriented development (TOD) district was developed surrounding the future Atglen train station site north of the Amtrak railroad. The Atglen Borough Zoning Ordinance, adopted in 2015, was funded by the borough and a VPP in-kind grant.

Pennsbury Township Subdivision and Land Development Update

Pennsbury Township, assisted by the Brandywine Conservancy, updated its subdivision and land development ordinance. The subdivision ordinance update was coordinated with the recently adopted zoning ordinance, adopted in 2012, as well as with the updates to their stormwater management provisions. The update was adopted in 2015 and funded by the township and a VPP cash grant.

West Grove Borough Zoning Ordinance Update

West Grove Borough officials retained the Chester County Planning Commission to assist them with updating their 1970 zoning ordinance. The ordinance update provided support for the implementation of the borough's revitalization plans, brought the ordinance into conformity with current planning practices, addressed nonconforming uses in the borough, updated the zoning map, and addressed land uses not envisioned when the plan was first developed. West Grove Borough adopted the zoning update in 2015, which was funded by the borough and an in-kind VPP grant for planning services.

Route 41 Planning Study (Londonderry, London Grove, New Garden, and Kennett Townships, 2025)

Assisted by Bowman Consulting Group Ltd., the Route 41 Planning Study was a multi-municipal effort led by London Grove Township, for safety and mobility recommendations for the corridor through Southern Chester County. The Study envisions Route 41 as a safe, convenient, and accessible corridor for all users that also supports key local industries and businesses and reflects the character of the communities it serves. The 2025 study incorporated prior studies and conceptual plans, robust public participation, and feedback from Avondale Borough. Recommendations and implementation actions were uniquely tailored to meet the dynamic and differing needs of four separate segments, that encompass all six Landscapes3 map designations. The study was funded by the township and a VPP cash grant.

Economic Benefits of Rail Restoration Study (West Chester, 2022)

This Study was accepted by West Chester Borough Council on May 18, 2022. This project was financed in part by a Vision Partnership Program Grant from the Chester County Board of Commissioners under the administration of the Chester County Planning Commission. EConsult Solutions Inc. served as the consultant providing assistance to the Borough in drafting the study. This study reviews the potential benefits of the West Chester Rail Restoration (WCRR) project, including expenditure impacts of both construction and ongoing operations, catalytic impacts on residential property values, economic development and land use, and social and environmental benefits. These catalytic impacts can adjust the future trajectory of attractiveness and therefore activity in an area, and also have significant implications for equity in access to jobs, services and amenities. Finally, a survey of funding options outlines the potential federal, state and local funding sources available for transportation infrastructure projects and their potential suitability.

Gateway Multimodal Transportation Study (Tredyffrin Township, 2019)

Assisted by McMahon Associates, Tredyffrin Township completed a multimodal transportation study in 2019 that focused on the northeastern section of the township (in the vicinity of Gateway Shopping Center and Valley Forge Middle School). The study evaluated alternatives for closing gaps in the existing sidewalk network and creating a safe pedestrian environment at key intersections. The project was funded by Tredyffrin Township and a VPP cash grant, along with funds from Regency Centers.

Devault Rail Trail Feasibility Study (Charlestown Township, 2015)

Assisted by Campbell Thomas & Company and Ray Ott & Associates, Charlestown Township completed a feasibility study for the potential conversion of the currently unused Devault Branch of the former Pennsylvania Railroad to a rail-trail. The township coordinated with adjacent municipalities, the French and Pickering Trust, and Norfolk Southern for this study. The study developed an analysis and inventory of existing conditions with mapping and produced final recommendations, cost statements, and a trail study map. The study was accepted in 2015 and was funded by the township and a VPP cash grant.

Oxford Borough Parking Management Study (2015)

Oxford Borough, assisted by Steve Krug, P.E., AIA, examined ways to effectively meet the borough's current and future parking needs in the downtown core and fringe areas. The study identified and prioritized overall sustainable parking improvements, including both surface parking and sites for a garage location. The study provided a well-organized analysis, recommendations, and justification for pursuit of funding sources. Coordinated with the borough's revitalization plan and accepted in 2015, the study was funded by the borough and a VPP cash grant.

Jennersville Multi-Modal Connectivity Feasibility Study (Penn Township, 2015)

Assisted by MacCombie Consulting Engineers & Surveyors, Inc., and Menke & Menke, LLC Landscape Architects & Planners, Penn Township completed a connectivity study on how to best connect the numerous commercial, office, institutional, and residential uses in and around Jennersville. The 2015 study coalesced prior studies and conceptual plans into a single consolidated plan. Recommendations and implementation actions were focused on connecting and extending a safe network for pedestrians and bicyclists. The study was a recommendation of the 2012 Penn Township Comprehensive Plan and was funded by the township and a VPP cash grant.

Transportation Improvements in Uwchlan Township

There have been several transportation improvements to major roadways such as Route 100 and Route 113 in Uwchlan over the years. Uwchlan officials also have been working on the township's trail system.

East Whiteland Township Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan (2022)

East Whiteland Township retained Natural Lands, in association with Toole Recreation Planning and McMahon Transportation Engineers and Planners, to assist them with development of a new parks, recreation, and open space plan, adopted in 2022. The plan provides both an assessment of and recommendations for all parks facilities in the Township. It further provides recommendations for an interconnected network of trails and pedestrian facilities, how to best incorporate open space throughout the Township, and strategies to finance and operate these facilities. The plan is designed to leverage grant and other outside funding opportunities for its implementation as opportunities are afforded to the Township. This project was funded by East Whiteland Township and a VPP cash grant.

Honey Brook Township Land Preservation Plan Update (2019)

Honey Brook Township's Open Space Program has been very successful over the past 14 years, generating $840,000 each year on average and accounting for nearly 35% of the township's total farmland through a variety of land easements, partnerships, and county/state funded agricultural programs. Much of the success of the program can be attributed to a combination of private land stewardship efforts, outreach efforts from the township's Land Preservation Committee, township staff, local taxpayers, public input, and for-profit and non-profit partnerships who are committed to furthering farmland preservation in Chester County.

Plum Run Corridor Master Plan (East Bradford Township, 2019)

East Bradford Township retained the team of Laird Recreation and A.D. Marble to assist them with creating a guiding vision for the design and development of public improvements through a 1-mile segment of the Plum Run corridor. Completed in 2019, the plan focused on enhancing pedestrian navigation and recreational access, preserving and interpreting natural, historic, and cultural resources, and creating an inviting network of community open space that highlights the Strode's Mill Historic District as a hub of local, living history. In addition, the project implements a heritage interpretation recommendation of the 2013 Brandywine Battlefield Preservation Plan and 2015 Sconnelltown/Strode's Mill Brandywine Battlefield Strategic Landscapes Plan for a heritage center in Strode's Mill Village. The project was funded by East Bradford Township and a VPP cash grant.

Community Facility Visioning (Kennett Area, 2017)

Eight municipalities surrounding Kennett Library tackled a community facility visioning process to identify and build consensus around a new facility, laying the foundation for a community center to serve the area for decades to come. The outreach process for the study included a public survey and multiple workshops. Completed in 2017, the final study provided details on the needs identified through the process and recommendations regarding the siting, design, and development of a new library within the borough of Kennett Square. The municipalities were assisted by the team of RRMM Lukmire Architects and Providence Associates. The project was funded by the municipalities (Kennett Square Borough and the townships of East Marlborough, Kennett, Newlin, New Garden, Pennsbury, Pocopson, and West Marlborough) and a VPP cash grant.