Delaware County Planning can help you update your municipal comprehensive plan to help shape the future of your community.
Comprehensive Planning provides the basis for moving municipalities forward by determining the development goals and aspirations of the community. Delaware County 2035, the County’s Comprehensive Plan, was informed by municipal comprehensive planning efforts and guides County policy.
The Department is committed to helping further the integration of a sound comprehensive planning process into the daily conduct of municipal decision-making and management. The Department can assist municipalities in Delaware County with updating their comprehensive plan, creating a comprehensive plan on a contractual basis, and finding potential funding.
Questions about Comprehensive Planning? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
When preparing a comprehensive plan, the Department’s professional planners work closely with stakeholders to identify a common vision for the future and develop strategies to achieve that vision.
A stakeholder task force is created which typically includes municipal leaders, local officials and staff, members of the business community, and local residents. The Department and task force review the history and development of the community, survey existing conditions, and project future trends. From this background and analysis, we develop recommendations to retain and enhance communities’ positive features and identify where and how improvements could be made. The entire process, from formation of a task force or steering committee to the publication of the final plan document typically takes 18-24 months. For more information on the comprehensive planning process, check out this information sheet.
FUNDING ASSISTANCE
Regional and state funding sources may be available to support your municipal comprehensive plan update. For currently available funding assistance programs, see the Funding page.
VIEW EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE PLANS
Read the most current Delaware County Planning Commission meeting agenda or research agendas from the past 5 years.
Current Meeting Agenda
The Current Meeting Agenda is available in PDF format. If you do not have the required Adobe Acrobat Reader software, it can be downloaded free from the Adobe site.
Previous Agendas
The Planning Commission meeting agendas for the current and three previous calendar years are available below in PDF format. Historical agenda information not listed can be obtained by contacting the Planning Department at (610) 891-5200
2025
2024
2023
2022
The Bates Awards Program honors excellence in site planning, development practices, and the innovate use of land resources.
| 2020 | No Award Presented |
| 2019 | No Award Presented |
| 2018 | Chester Charter School for the Arts, Chester City
|
| 2017 | East Lansdowne Memorial Park, East Lansdowne Borough Central Park, Swarthmore Borough |
| 2016 | Walgreen’s Center, Lansdowne Borough Town Center West (Inn at Swarthmore), Swarthmore Borough |
| 2015 | No Award Presented |
| 2014 | No Award Presented |
| 2013 | Louella House, Radnor Township |
| 2012 | Knowles Avenue Underpass Project, Glenolden Borough (Special Merit Award to Borough Council) |
| 2011 | Founders Hall/Widener University, Chester City Edgmont Township, Leadership in Alternative Energy Policy |
| 2010 | Health Center Four/Rothman Institute, Middletown Township PPL Park Sports Stadium, Chester City |
| 2009 | SAP America, Inc., Newtown Township University Crossing, Chester City |
| 2008 | No Award Presented |
| 2007 | The McKee Group, Foxfield, Bethel Township Harrah's Chester Casino & Race Track, Chester City |
| 2006 | No Award Presented |
| 2005 | DeLuca Homes, Creekside Village, Upper Chichester Township |
| 2004 | No Award Presented |
| 2003 | No Award Presented |
| 2002 | No Award Presented |
| 2001 | No Award Presented |
| 2000 | No Award Presented |
| 1999 | SAP America, Inc., Newtown Township Chestnut Ridge, Chester City William Penn Homes, Chester City |
| 1998 | No Award Presented |
| 1997 | No Award Presented |
| 1996 | Jefferies Square, Chester City Home Depot Plaza, Upper Darby Township |
| 1995 | Riddle Village, Middletown Township Garnet Oaks, Bethel Township |
| 1994 | No Award Presented |
| 1993 | No Award Presented |
| 1992 | No Award Presented |
| 1991 | PennDOT, The Blue Route |
| 1990 | Mallard Mill Run, Nether Providence Township |
| 1989 | The Birches, Radnor Township |
| 1988 | Market Square Memorial Park, Marcus Hook Borough |
| 1987 | No Award Presented |
| 1986 | No Award Presented |
| 1985 | No Award Presented |
| 1984 | Radnor Corporate Center, Radnor Township Woodlot, Parkside Borough |
| 1983 | Runnymeade Farms, for execution of the plan, Edgmont Township The Watkins Avenue Multi-Purpose Recreational Center, Upper Darby Township The Chesley Office Campus, Nether Providence Township Ravenscliff, Radnor & Newtown Townships |
| 1982 | Runnymeade Farms, for site design, Edgmont Township Toft Woods, Upper Providence Township Arco Research Center, Newtown Township |
The 1724 Chester Courthouse was once the Courthouse for Chester and Delaware Counties and City Hall for Chester. Since the 1920s it has been open as a historic site. It is now owned by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) and leased by Delaware County. It is the oldest building in continuous public use in the country. Both PHMC and Delaware County are rehabilitating the building in anticipation of America250 in 2026. Follow the progress here.
LATEST NEWS
- On October 5, 2024, the County hosted Lafayette Day in Chester with boarded up windows but new LED lighting so the interior of the courtroom was not dark. See photos and learn more about the event here.
- If you have ideas for what to use the building for, let us know here. The County would love to see the building used by the public on a regular basis and now is the time to start planning for its future.
- On December 12, 2024 at 11 am, there was a Lafayette Trail Marker Dedication and a short celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Courthouse. It was held at the park opposite Chester City Hall at the corner of 4th Street and Avenue of the States, moving inside the Courthouse for the anniversary celebration. Watch the Lafayette Marker Dedication Ceremony and 300th Anniversary Celebration here and see photos here.
- The project will be reposted on PennBid to invite contractors to bid on the construction portion of the project. The project is expected to start in October 2025. During the construction period, access to the building is limited and there will be a lot of changes happening.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
In 2021, PHMC signed a lease agreement with Delaware County for the County to take over the programming and maintenance at the Courthouse. As part of the agreement, PHMC will be doing the following improvements:
- Repair/repaint first floor windows, doors, and shutters
- Repair/replace first floor HVAC system
- Upgrade first floor lights
- Repair roof leaks and seal roof to last longer
- Selective first floor interior painting/plastering
In 2023, Delaware County was awarded a National Park Service Grant for the Rehabilitation of the Courthouse. See press release here.
The grant covers the following improvements:
- Exterior stone repairs/ repointing
- Repair/repaint cupola and second floor windows, shutters, eaves
- Upgrade electric, fire, alarm systems
- Repair plumbing/electric on second floor
- Remove carpet on second floor and refinish wood floors
- Interior painting/plastering on both floors
The County hired J&M Preservation to undertake the drawings, specifications, and construction management for the NPS grant project. They have regular meetings with Delaware County and PHMC staff about the project and coordination. The construction projects covered by the NPS grant have will be completed by May 2026.
Some of the work covered by PHMC has been completed or are underway, and progress can be seen by visitors:
| Completed | In Progress- expected Spring/Summer 2025 |
|---|---|
| Repair/repaint first floor shutters | Repair first floor HVAC |
| Repair first floor doors | Selective interior painting/plastering |
| Upgrade first floor lights | Repaint first floor doors |
| Repair roof leaks | |
| Repair/repaint first floor windows | |
| Seal roof | |
| Install first floor storm windows |
Keep checking back here for more progress about both projects.
PUBLIC USE OF THE COURTHOUSE
The Courthouse has the honor of being the oldest public building in continuous public use in the country. Apart from a few years in the 1780s between when Chester County moved the courthouse to West Chester and Delaware County was established, it has been in public ownership and use. While these construction projects are underway, public access is limited to a few times a year. Law Day, hosted by the Delaware County Bar Association, is on the first Friday in May each year. The Chester Historical Preservation Committee and Friends of the 1724 Chester Courthouse host the Reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8 each year in honor of when it was read at the Courthouse on July 8, 1776. 2024 marks the 300th anniversary of the Courthouse, but because there is no heat and no running water to the building, a small celebration was held on December 12, 2024. See the links above for details. The Delaware County Bar Association’s Law Day will be held on May 2 as the last event inside the building before construction starts.
The Delaware County Planning Department is hoping for public input for programming at the Courthouse after the construction is completed in 2026. The first floor is a courtroom which can hold audiences for mock trials, speeches, lectures, small performances, etc. The second floor has two restrooms (not ADA accessible), a room for meetings with a kitchenette, and a large room (former Grand Jury Room). This can be used as a museum for Chester and/or the Courthouse, a larger meeting room, or anything else. Delaware County Parks and Recreation will manage rental permits for the building (free/low cost for community groups and non-profits to have meetings/programs) in 2026 and beyond. Let us know what you think here.
Questions about the 1724 Chester Courthouse? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
To celebrate General Lafayette’s return to Chester during his bicentennial tour, Delaware County hosted an event at the 1724 Chester Courthouse and the Avenue of the States.
Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, Marquis de La Fayette was a French nobleman who volunteered to join the Continental Army under General Washington. On September 11, 1777, the Battle of Brandywine was fought on the fields of the Brandywine Valley at Chadds Ford, now in Chester and Delaware Counties. Although it was an American loss, the strategic retreat allowed General Washington to warn Congress of the British march on Philadelphia later that month. Lafayette was wounded in the leg on the field of battle, but he was able to retreat to Chester and prevent the British from entering the town. His wound was dressed in Chester and thus started his long-time connection to the town. Spilling his blood on American soil solidified his status as a hero. In 1824, Lafayette was invited by President James Monroe, who he had fought with during the Revolutionary War, to come visit the United States. He visited Chester on the night of October 5, 1824, arriving by boat from Philadelphia. He was greeted by the townspeople who lined the street from the docks with tall candles. He went to the place where his wound was dressed (location unconfirmed) and had dinner at 1 am in the Grand Jury Room of the Courthouse.
200 years later, the American Friends of Lafayette have organized a committee to commemorate this Farewell Tour of Lafayette to recreate his journey throughout the 13 months and 24 states he visited. More information about the Bicentennial tour is at lafayatte200.org.
On October 5, 2024, the Delaware County Planning Department, in partnership with other County departments, the City of Chester, American Friends of Lafayette, America250PADelco, and historical organizations, held an event to commemorate Lafayette’s return to Chester. He was greeted by visitors holding large ‘candles’, like they did in 1824, and several speeches were held in the Courthouse in his honor. Historical groups and vendors were along the street for the visitors to learn more about them or to purchase Lafayette-related memorabilia. County Council member Richard Womack, Chester City Mayor Stefan Roots, and other special guests were in attendance.
Questions about the 1724 Chester Courthouse? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
The Planning Department can assist in identifying zoning and regulatory information about specific parcels in Delaware County.
Most municipalities have zoning maps and district regulations on their individual websites or can provide copies to the public. Municipal officials will have the most current zoning information for their residents.
However, The Delaware County Data & Mapping Innovation Office provides the Delaware County Municipal Zoning application, an interactive map that provides zoning data from all 49 of its municipalities. It should be noted, overlay zoning districts must be turned on under the layers section to be viewed on the map. Lastly, documents may become outdated, as stated by the disclaimer page, it is always recommended to check with municipal officials.
Delaware County Planning Department provides the Delaware County Municipal Dashboard, which includes links to Municipal Plans, Zoning Ordinances, and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances, as well as a brief overview of the municipality.
If you need to ensure you have the most recently adopted ordinance, we recommend you contact the municipality.
The Delaware County Real Estate Parcels & Tax Records System and Homestead Status is a great resource for finding a site’s owner, building information, and folio and map numbers.
Need assistance finding your parcel’s regulatory information? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
DELCO GREEN WAYS PROGRAM, HISTORY AND IMPACT
In 2016, County Council convened the Delaware County Open Space Task Force to research opportunities to implement the County's Open Space, Recreation, and Greenway Plan, which was adopted in 2015. In 2018, the Task Force, comprised of leaders from local municipalities, nonprofit organizations, the business community, and several County staff members, presented a series of recommendations. Based on these recommendations, County Council authorized a $10 million bond allocation for open space in the County, which includes the Delco Green Ways grants to municipalities.
The objective of County’s grant program was to assist municipalities in achieving their local open space and recreation goals, while also furthering the objectives of Delaware County's goals for open space and recreation across the County. Eligible projects were to include fee simple acquisition of land or public trail easements on private land, improvements to existing public parks, regreening efforts, construction of new trails, and professional services such as comprehensive open space planning, feasibility studies, design/engineering and permitting.
Over the years, while the technical details of the Green Ways grant program evolved, the continued success of the County grant program is apparent. Since 2019, the County has committed approximately $16.8 million in conservation, trails, and recreation improvements across the County, leveraging that investment with more than $33.7 million in outside funding, including grants from other public, non-profit, and private funding sources. All four rounds were extremely competitive, with grant applications requesting twice as much money as could be funded.
Thank you to everyone who participated in Delaware County’s Green Ways grant program. We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure the successful completion of all these projects! We all benefit from a greener, more connected, modernized, and well-planned County-wide system.
DELCO GREEN WAYS ROUND 1 (2019)
ABOUT
The inaugural grant round of the Green Ways Grant program capped County contributions to a given project to a certain percentage of that project’s total cost and required municipalities provide a local cash match for any funded project.
PROGRAMS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS
Review Grant Round 1 program and application materials here:
• Green Ways Presentation given to Delaware County Planning Commission on July 18, 2019
• 2019 Program Guidelines & Application
Application Appendices:
• Appendix A: Evaluation Criteria
• Appendix B: Budget Worksheet
• Appendix C: Municipal Resolution Template
• Appendix D: Certificate of Title Form
• Appendix E: Declaration of Public Trust, Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
• Appendix F: 1099-S Verification Form
• Appendix G: Baseline Documentation Report Checklist for Conservation Easements
PROJECTS
In October 2019, County Council awarded 26 municipalities over $4 million for 38 individual projects. County funds leveraged an additional $20 million in matching funds. This supported the following:
• 102 new acres of preserved green space,
• 7.3 miles of trail development,
• 18 parks and recreation improvements, and
• 8 professional services projects (planning, engineering, and/or design)
For more detail regarding each conserve, Connect, Enhance, and Planning & Design award, download the Delco Green Ways Grant Round 1 Awards document.
DELCO GREEN WAYS ROUND 2 (2021)
ABOUT
The public’s appetite for utilizing public spaces surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, to address the unique needs of County residents and local municipalities, County Council convened the Green Space Task Force (GSTF), directing them to provide guidance on the County’s vision and policy direction for green space.
Based on GSTF feedback and a desire to build upon the success of the first grant round, County Council decided to adjust the grant program’s guidelines to encourage multi-municipal coordination and cooperation, and to boost capacity building among the County’s 49 local municipalities.
The following revisions to the program guidelines were made:
• The requirement for local municipal match was eliminated.
• Non-profits were permitted to apply, with a municipal partner.
• A new, non-competitive Park Recreation and Open Space Mini-Plan ("Mini-PROS") grant program for smaller
municipalities was established
• An allowance was made for up to 15% of an Enhance grant to pay for certain “soft” costs
• Up to $250,000 of a Connect grant could go to engineering costs.
• Inclusion of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) Indicators of Potential Disadvantage (IDP) as a
scoring category.
PROGRAMS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS
Review Grant Round 2 program and application materials here:
PROJECTS
In Round 2, the County received 74 grant applications from 46 of its 49 municipalities. Applications requested over $13 million in funding. In November 2021, Council awarded 38 municipalities and one non-profit a total of almost $7.2 million for 43 projects throughout Delaware County (due to issues with a few projects, the final grant award total was $6.4m).
The Round 2 Green Ways Grant awards breakdown is:
• 16 Mini-PROS Plan grants, for a total of $722,850.
• 9 Planning & Design grants, for a total of $848,315.
• 6 Conserve grants, for a total of $2,186,477.
• 6 Connect grants, for a total of $1,990,809.
• 6 Enhance grants, for a total of $1,424,070.
For details regarding Conserve, Connect, Enhance, Planning & Design, and Mini-PROS Plans awards, download the “Delco Green Ways Grant Round 2 Awards” document.
DELCO GREEN WAYS ROUND 3 (2022)
ABOUT
In the summer of 2022, County Council authorized a third round of the Green Ways Grant Program. Despite a quick turn-around time, the response to Round 3 was excellent with quality projects and application requests that well exceeded the money available.
PROGRAMS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS
Review Grant Round 3 program and application materials here:
- Users’ Guide
- Click here to see the Information Sessions’ power point presentation
- On-line Grant Application
PROJECTS
In Round 3, the County received a total of 48 grant applications from 39 communities and 2 nonprofits, with requests double the available funding. In December 2022 Council voted to invest $4.99 million in 24 projects located in 23 municipalities.
The Round 3 Green Ways Grant awards breakdown is:
• 3 Mini-PROS Plan projects, totaling $150,00
• 3 Planning and Design projects, totaling $242,500.
• 3 Conserve projects, totaling $892,500.
• 5 Connect projects, totaling $1,849,000.
• 10 Enhance projects, totaling $1,857,918
Highlights of Round 3’s outstanding accomplishments include:
• The grant awards leveraged an additional $5.84 million of outside matching funds, serving as a catalyst for $10.83
million in “on the ground” improvements, and
• Just over half of Round 3’s grant funds were devoted to investments in historically disadvantaged communities.
For a more detailed breakdown regarding each Conserve, Connect, Enhance, Planning and Design and Mini-Pros Plan award please download the “Delco Green Ways Grant Round 3 Awards.”
DELCO GREEN WAYS ROUND 4 (2023)
ABOUT
The County received 47 grant applications from 39 communities and 2 nonprofit organizations, requesting grants totaling over $10 million. This year’s funding recommendations were focused on the County’s commitment to supporting municipalities with a history of disinvestment, and to ensuring the County’s financial investments were leveraged to the extent practical. In addition to these two priorities, the program continues its support of projects based on strategic planning at the local and County level.
PROGRAMS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS
Review Grant Round 3 program and application materials here:
PROJECTS
In Round 4, the Council voted to invest just under $5 million for in 22 projects located in 20 municipalities.
The Round 4 Green Ways awards breakdown is:
• 13 Enhance Grant projects, totaling $2.83 million.
• 4 Connect Grant projects, totaling $1.08 million.
• 3 Conserve Grant projects, totaling $0.98 million.
• 2 Planning & Design projects, totaling $0.11 million
Highlights of Round 4 include:
• The County’s grant awards leverage an additional $5.08 million in outside investments, thereby serving as a catalyst for “on the ground” improvements worth approximately $10.08 million, and
• Just over half of Round 4’s grant funds are devoted to 12 historically disadvantaged communities, advancing 14 different projects.
Please download the "Delco Green Ways Grant Round 4 Awards" document for details regarding the Conserve, Connect, Enhance, Planning and Design and Mini-Pros Plan awards.
Peter was appointed to the Delaware County Planning Commission in 2021.
Peter is a lifelong resident of Delaware County and was raised and educated in the City of Chester. He is a graduate of Chester High School.
Peter was formerly the Planning Director/ Zoning Officer for the City of Chester. Before his employment with the City of Chester, he served as the Community Program Coordinator for State Representative Thaddeus Kirkland’s Chester District Office. In that capacity, his responsibilities included planning and organizing community meetings and forums on behalf of the State Representative which included the annual “Across Colors Cultural Festival”, and the annual Senior Christmas luncheon.
Retirement after 17 years in Commercial Banking opened the door to a new career in Social Service and Community Development. Peter is the Founding Member, Treasurer, and Executive Director of the Asbury Social Outreach Center, Inc. in Chester, a non-profit social service organization created to empower Chester residents economically, socially, and educationally. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and is the FY2021 Chairman of the DVRPC’s Regional Technical Committee. Peter is a member of the Delaware County Coastal Zone Task Force, an at large member of the Yeadon Zoning Hearing Board, a former member of the Chester Over town Revitalization Committee, and a former member of the Lansdowne/Yeadon Elm Street Neighborhood Advisory Committee. In 2018, Peter was appointed to serve as an officer on the Delaware Basin Regional Water Resources Committee by Governor Tom Wolf.
He is a member of Asbury A.M.E Church in Chester and is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
Peter earned a Master’s Degree in Community and Economic Development from Penn State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh.
He currently resides in Yeadon.
Upcoming Events
All events and meetings are open to the public and are generally held on the first Tuesday of the month unless otherwise noted.
| September 2, 2025 | Heritage Commission Meeting, 7 pm, Zoom |
| October 7, 2025 | Heritage Commission Meeting, 7 pm, Zoom |
| October 2025 | Heritage Commission Seminar, TBD |
| November 5, 2025 | Heritage Commission Meeting, 7 pm, Zoom (Wednesday because of Election Day on November 4) |
| December 2025 | Holiday reception, TBD (Invitation only) |
| January 6, 2026 | Heritage Commission Meeting, 7 pm, Zoom |
| February 3, 2026 | Heritage Commission Meeting, 7 pm, Zoom |
| March 3, 2026 | Heritage Commission Meeting, 7 pm, Zoom |
| April 7, 2026 | Heritage Commission Meeting, 7 pm, Zoom |
| May 2026 | Heritage Commission Awards Ceremony- Redwood Community Center, Upland County Park |
| June 2026 | Visit to historic site, TBD |
| No meetings July or August | |
| If you would like to attend a meeting, please email DelawareCountyHeritage@co.delaware.pa.us. | |
| In person address: 2 W. Baltimore Avenue, Suite 202, Media, PA 19063 | |
On August 21, 2018, at the Water’s Edge Banquet Room at the Ridley Marina, the Delaware County Planning Department hosted a Flood Resiliency Workshop. This event brought together a variety of speakers including representatives from several local, state, and federal organizations, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Delaware County Planning Department staff, and Delaware County Conservation District. Topics discussed included impacts of climate change on flooding, floodplain ordinances and permitting, use of FEMA’s Map Service Center, and how to use the County Hazard Mitigation plan when applying for hazard mitigation grants. Presentation materials and handouts can be found below.
Ed Magargee, Delaware County Conservation District:
Amy Verbofsky and Melissa Andrews, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
Mari Radford, Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Flood Risk Products Powerpoint
- Implementing and Enforcing Your Floodplain Ordinance Powerpoint
- Moody’s Report, November 2017
- Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves Fact Sheet
- Protecting Your Home Pamphlet
Other Resources
Additional public educational materials are available upon request from the Delaware County Planning Department and FEMA.
Questions about Floodplain Management? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.