Planning excellence for Chester County.

Events:

The Course in Community Planning
$160 ($110 is for PMPEI Costs and $50 for Programming)
9/25/25, 10/2/25, and 10/9/25
6:00-9:30 PM Arrive at 5:45 for the first week.
Food will be provided
West Chester University Graduate Center, Room 306
1160 McDermott Drive, West Chester, PA

This course teaches planning commissioners, local officials, and others how to carry out their responsibilities under the PA Municipalities Planning Code. Participants learn where planning fits in the framework of local government, how planning commissioners relate to the governing body, zoning hearing board, and zoning officer. Topics include basic knowledge of the Municipalities Planning Code, comprehensive planning, plan implementation including zoning, subdivision and land development regulations, the Official Map, and how effective planning commissions work together. Multi-municipal planning and implementing planning agreements is emphasized. The course is designed for new and experienced planners and officials.

The Course in Subdivision & Land Development Review
$160 ($110 is for PMPEI Costs and $50 for Programming)
10/23/25, 10/30/25, and 11/6/25
6:00-9:30 PM Arrive at 5:45 for the first week.
Food will be provided
West Chester University Graduate Center, Room 306
1160 McDermott Drive, West Chester, PA

This course deals with the work of planning commissions in the subdivision and land development review process—from pre-application meetings through project completion. Extensively revised in 2005, the course emphasizes the MPC as the source of authority to regulate development. Planning commissions have a central role play in the land development process which is an integral part of a community’s comprehensive planning program. New in the course are flexible design concepts and options for better project design. Participants learn new skills for administering the review process, reviewing plans, and calculating impacts of development. The course also covers techniques for incorporating internal and external reviews in plan review, and how information sharing can improve local and regional planning.