Delaware County is committed to planning and providing support for open space, trails, and the protection of natural resources.
Open spaces, parks and trails are essential elements of a vibrant and healthy community. A variety of recreational offerings that include active facilities (ball fields and playgrounds) and passive recreation (nature parks, hiking paths, and multi-use trails) provide spaces for exercise, socialization, and opportunities to connect with nature. As such, the Delaware County Planning Department has developed a number of plans and initiatives that support open space protection, development of trails, and conservation of our important natural resources.
Questions about Open Space, Trails, and Natural Features Planning? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
| I am interested in... |
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| Open Space, Recreation, and Trail Planning |
| Natural Resource Protection |
| Rivers Initiatives |
| Land Stewardship Assistance |
| Finding Funding or Writing a Grant |
Delaware County Planning is committed to increasing safety and enhancing mobility through a smarter, more efficient transportation network.
The Planning Department provides professional planning services to assist Delaware County’s municipalities in enhancing their transportation networks. As the liaison between PennDOT and Delaware County municipalities, the Department’s staff offers a range of services to identify capital projects and funding that foster greater economic development, mobility, and safety within our communities.
Questions about Transportation Infrastructure? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
Delaware County Planning is committed to increasing safety and enhancing mobility through a smarter, more efficient transportation network.
The Planning Department provides professional planning services to assist Delaware County’s municipalities in enhancing their transportation networks. As the liaison between PennDOT and Delaware County municipalities, the Department’s staff offers a range of services to identify capital projects and funding that foster greater economic development, mobility, and safety within our communities.
Questions about Streets and Sidewalks? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
Delaware County Planning works with municipalities and SEPTA to obtain the highest level of service and access to public transit in the region.
The Planning Department provides professional planning services to assist Delaware County’s municipalities identify community transit needs. As the liaison between SEPTA and Delaware County municipalities, the Department’s staff offers a range of services from identifying capital improvements to addressing access to transit.
Questions about Public Transit? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
| I am interested in... |
|---|
| Developing a Transit Master Plan |
| View Interactive Transit Application of Delaware County* |
| Creating Safe Routes to Train or Trolley Stations |
| Conducting a Transit Service Assessment |
| Conducting a Travel Survey |
| Viewing routes and guide information on our transit map |
| Installing Attractive and Functional Bus Stop Shelters |
| Planning your transit trip on SEPTA |
| Finding Funding or Writing a Grant |
The Planning Department provides preservation planning services to maintain the historic integrity of Delaware County communities.
Delaware County’s Historic Preservation Planners use strategic planning tools to protect the County’s historic, cultural, and archaeological resources. These efforts help enhance the character of our communities and generate economic vitality. The Planning Department also provides a wealth of files, survey information, and historical atlases to other agencies and the public at large.
| I am interested in... |
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| Finding Funding or Writing a Grant |
| Reading the Delaware County 2035 Preservation Component Plan |
| Learning about identifying Historic Resources |
| Learning about ways to Protect my Community’s Historic Resources |
| Learning about the Heritage Commission |
| Learning about Delaware County’s National Register sites |
| Understanding the Section 106 Review process |
| Learning about Sustainability and Historic Preservation |
| Researching Historic Resources |
| Viewing Historic Maps |
| Preservation Briefs to learn how to take care of my historic property |
| Getting involved with the Preservation Organizations |
| Experiencing Virtual Heritage Tourism |
Questions about Historic Preservation? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
Multi-institutional efforts supported by the staff of the Delaware County Planning Department.
Delaware County initiatives often evolve into broader efforts that are collaborative in nature. Stakeholders frequently include the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, municipalities, non-profits and citizens. The Planning Department currently supports the following Commissions and Task Forces.
| Coastal Zone Task Force |
| Heritage Commission |
| Delaware County Planning Commission |
Questions about Commissions and Task Forces? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
Delaware County’s Planner’s Portfolio series can help identify options for improving your community.
The Planner’s Portfolio series is an easy-to-read information series on a range of planning-related community topics. Each issue covers a unique topic and provides strategies to achieving common community goals.
Questions about the Planner’s Portfolio series? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
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Delaware County Planning offers model ordinances that serve as guides for municipalities looking to update their current ordinances.
After working with municipalities, the Delaware County Planning Department often identifies a need for further guidance on complex topics. Often, municipalities request help in ensuring that their ordinances are compliant with new standards and techniques in the field. To address this need, the Planning Department has created several plans and models to assist municipal leaders in updating and maintaining their current ordinances. These guides can be found below.
Questions about a Model Ordinances? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.
Preservation Planners work closely with the Heritage Commission to promote historic preservation throughout the County.
The Delaware County Heritage Commission has regular monthly meetings open to the public. They meet the first Tuesday of each month (excluding June, July, and August) in the Planning Department, 2 W. Baltimore Avenue, Suite 202, Media, PA. The Commission is charged with coordinating and promoting the cultural heritage of Delaware County. It is composed of 11 members appointed by County Council who serve on a volunteer basis. Heritage Commission members elect their Chairman and Vice Chairman, and the Planning Department provides professional planning services for the Commission.
MISSION
The Heritage Commission’s mission is to oversee the rich heritage of Delaware County and to support those organizations within the County that are promoting and preserving our cultural legacy. Commission members accomplish this mission through outreach within the historic communities of Delaware County, as well as providing a resource base for these organizations and individuals.
To get in touch with a member of the Heritage Commission, contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or DelawareCountyHeritage@co.delaware.pa.us.
WHO WE ARE
WHAT WE DO
UPCOMING EVENTS
The 11th issue in the Planner’s Portfolio series focuses on nationwide trends that may affect local communities.
Research on trends occurring nationwide helps to provide insight into changing patterns and attitudes locally. It also helps to predict future pressures that may affect local communities. As such, it is important to have a broad understanding of several key national trends to understand the context of local trends. Many of these trends are influenced by the coming of age of millennials, a group that grew up during big events like the great recession and the popularization of the internet. Such events have had great influence on patterns of consumption and lifestyle, affecting housing, retail, transportation, and even changing the workplace itself. It is important that local officials continue to address the different needs of a changing population.
With significant changes in the age of population comes a need for different housing types. As population ages there is more demand for smaller housing units with less maintenance. At the same time, millennials entering the workforce are looking for high-quality units in locations that provide good access to jobs and flexibility in case they need to move for another job.
Transportation will also change as new technologies in the twenty-first century significantly alter the way that people get around. The invention of autonomous vehicles and transportation network companies (TNC’s) such as Uber and Lyft will have large impacts on transportation. Because TNC’s are so easily used through mobile devices, many communities will see an increase in drop-off/pickup traffic.
The cultural shifts that are occurring as a result of the economic recession and changing population of the country are significantly altering the workforce. Because millennials are on the verge of comprising the largest portion of the workforce, employers will also locate offices and employment centers in areas where millennials want to live and work – namely areas with a mix of uses and access to transit. As competition for talent between employers continues to grow, it is likely that the younger generations will continue to switch jobs much more frequently than any previous generation.
The retail industry has been significantly changed by the exponential growth of online shopping over the past decade. Many nation wide retailers have started to close physical stores to devote more resources to online commerce. At the same time, however, some online retailers have also started to develop physical stores. Online retail is changing the perception of in-store shopping from a ‘chore’ to a ‘leisure experience’ to be enjoyed.
For more information, check out the National Trends issue or the entire Planner’s Portfolio series.