Issues: Past Position Statement 2

Commissioners Forum: LWV & DLN

Question 3 • County Land Use

Regarding the use of land in Chester County, how can we promote agriculture, save open green space and promote a healthy economic development at the same time?

The role of County government in this era of unprecedented growth is to protect Chester County's character and integrity. Planning for land use and a healthy economy, more than ever, requires an integrated approach. My running mate, Kathi Cozzone, and I recognize this. Her accompanying response explains our plan for Open Space preservation. Below is our thinking on healthy economic development.

We support the objective of Chester County's 1996 land use plan, Landscapes, "to maintain agriculture as a significant sector of a growing, diversified economy." We understand that it is the farmer who needs encouragement and protection more so than the farm itself. We will work with the farming community to keep farming first and hold down taxes on farmland.

County government should discourage businesses from locating on our precious Open Space, and instead encourage business growth where it is most needed — in and around urban centers. Coatesville is a prime example of County government's failure in this respect. However, at the same time, we must also discourage businesses from locating in a way that will obliterate our rich history, especially in our many historic town centers. Both goals can be accomplished and are fully consistent with and dependent on improving mass transit and creating affordable housing.

Recently, our state film promotion office announced that they were responsible for convincing two companies to build major studios in Philadelphia, Bucks or Montgomery Counties. This would result in the creation of numerous jobs. Yet, news of filming major motion pictures in Chester County is now a monthly occurrence. Our County government did not advocate for this bit of Hollywood to locate here. It was Follywood on their part. Kathi Cozzone and I will provide the necessary advocacy for appropriate growth, to include bringing these projects here, if it is not too late.