CCPC — 75 Years of Making a Difference in Chester County

Planning Month

Posted October 1, 2025

Each October, when National Community Planning Month rolls around, we take the time to celebrate the role planning plays in shaping our communities. But this year is especially meaningful as we prepare to celebrate the Chester County Planning Commission's (CCPC) 75th anniversary this November!

What began in 1950 as a small group of appointed members tasked with reviewing subdivision plans — with limited resources and no staff — has grown into a professional organization of 34 staff members working across multiple divisions and planning topics.

CCPC 75th Logo

Over the past seven and a half decades, CCPC has welcomed six executive directors, transitioned through three office locations, produced five comprehensive plans — including three generations of Landscapes — and most importantly, guided Chester County through immense growth and change.

Today, CCPC leads efforts in transportation planning — helping to improve roads, transit, and trail networks — while also advancing housing affordability, economic development, historic preservation, open space protection, and sustainability initiatives. From guiding municipalities with comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances, to promoting renewable energy and resilient landscapes, CCPC's work reflects the diverse needs of a growing county.

One of CCPC's most impactful initiatives has been the Vision Partnership Program (VPP). Since its introduction in 1996, the VPP's cash grants have supported 281 projects across Chester County, totaling over $6.2 million in direct funding, plus millions more in technical consulting services provided by CCPC staff. These projects include:

Each of these projects reflects CCPC's commitment to partnering with municipalities to achieve planning goals that align with the county's vision.

Another major success is the county's open space preservation effort. Today, nearly 32% of Chester County — more than 151,000 acres — is permanently protected as open space. CCPC contributes to this achievement each year through the Protected Open Space System (POST) which tracks all protected open space in the county, as well as through various tools, guides, and other ongoing efforts.

Housing has remained a key focus as well, with efforts aimed at ensuring growth occurs in the right places while promoting a variety of housing options for residents. Since 2000, CCPC's guidance through comprehensive planning, zoning assistance, and the implementation of Landscapes3 has helped direct the majority of new residential development to designated growth areas. In fact, from 2000 to the present, more than 34,000 new housing units have been built within the Landscapes3 growth areas — reflecting the county's commitment to balancing growth with preservation, promoting livable communities, and supporting the diverse housing needs of residents.

Beyond that, CCPC has been instrumental in developing and supporting a wide range of plans, publications, and initiatives over the last 75 years. Some notable ones include:

View a more comprehensive list.

As CCPC celebrates 75 years of service, we are proud to look back at the accomplishments that shaped Chester County, and we are equally excited to look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead of us.

Here's to continuing the work of making a difference in Chester County for the next 75 years and beyond!