Annual Urban Centers Forum
To support appropriate revitalization and growth of the 16 Urban Centers, the Chester County Planning Commission hosts annual Urban Centers forums.
The forums are centered on topics that pose both challenges and opportunities for the Urban Centers. They are designed to present information and technical resources while promoting data sharing and comparing experiences through friendly communication.
2025 Urban Centers Forum
The 2025 Urban Centers Forum was held on September 25th as an online webinar providing information to participants regarding Active Transportation Plans and Bike Parks including defining what these plans and facilities are and how they can be funded while also providing local examples of completed projects. The agenda included the following:
- Welcome and Introductions — Chester County Commissioners
- Active Transportation Plans Presentation:
- Active transportation plans overview — Mark Gallant, CCPC Senior Community Planner
- Elverson Active Transportation Plan — Lisa Palser, Elverson Borough
- Bike Parks Presentation
- Bike parks overview — Kevin Myers, CCPC Senior Urban Planner
- Kennett Bike Park (pump track) — Christina Norland, Kennett Trails Alliance
- Phoenixville Bike Park (skills park) — Christian Weirich, More Kids on Bikes PA
- Elverson Bike Park (skate park/pump track) — Justin Horrocks, Action-Impact
- Question and Answer Session
2024 Urban Centers Forum
The 2024 Urban Centers Forum was held in October in a regional format with forums held at Parkesburg Borough Hall (Western Region) and the West Grove History Museum (Southern Region) with 10 urban centers participating in round table discussions with each municipality citing success stories and expressing challenges including but limited to the following:
- Parking and (attainable) housing continue to be key issues.
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are gaining interest, and require modifications to regulations to permit them but regulate them appropriately.
- Regulating and enforcing rental properties is a common issue for boroughs.
- Boroughs have a higher proportion of land that is non-taxable than townships which is a challenge (non-profits, etc.).
- Budget for Police/EMS/Fire is a challenge.
- Funding (basically everything) is an issue, and finding matching funds for grants.
- Municipalities face a growing number of unfunded mandates.
- The County's Vision Partnership Program (VPP) for planning projects and the Department of Community Development's Community Revitalization Program (CRP), which provide funding for capital improvements, were both cited as extremely beneficial to the urban centers.
2023 Urban Centers Forum — Historic, Habitable, and Hospitable
The 2023 Urban Centers Forum was held Thursday, November 2, at the STEM Academy in Coatesville and virtually via Zoom.
2022 Urban Centers Forum — Density, Diversity, and Discussion
The 2022 Urban Centers Forum was held Tuesday, October 25, at the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus in South Coatesville and virtually via Zoom.
2021 Urban Centers Forum — Great, Green, Growing Small Towns
The 2021 Urban Centers Forum was held Tuesday, October 26, at Oxford Borough Hall and virtually via Zoom.
2020 Urban Centers Forum — Main Street R&R: Recovery and Restoration
View 10/13 Recording
View 10/15 Recording
2019 Urban Centers Forum — Your Town as a Destination
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