Planning Department
Mission Statement
To promote appropriate development and redevelopment of the city through the application of sound and innovative planning principles. The staff adheres to a planning process that considers the needs of residents, looks at the big picture, and examines issues from all angles (social, environmental, hazard and physical).
Who We Are
The Planning Department’s staff includes a Planning Director, Assistant Director, and Planning Technician. At certain times of the year a planning intern maybe used for researching, analyzing and generating relevant data for various planning projects. The department is located on the ground floor in the Chester City Hall and the office hours are from 9:00am to 4:30pm. The Planning Department provides many services to other departments in city hall and to the residents, businesses, and visitors requesting information about the city. The types of services that are provided by the Planning Department are divided into the following categories; several of which are mandated by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
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Planning
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Information
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Development Review
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Zoning Information
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Permits and the Codified Ordinances
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Community Outreach
Peter Rykard
Director
Zoning and Subdivision / Land Development
The Zoning Officer in the Planning Department administers and enforces the City of Chester Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Zoning is usually the first step in the development approval process. Zoning regulations ensure that the land use and site layout on every parcel in the City of Chester is compatible with its surrounding context. Each land use activity must demonstrate that it is compliant with the Zoning Ordinance – whether it’s simply a change in land use, a brand new construction project, or a rehabilitation project. Generally, a project will need a zoning approval (i.e., a zoning permit) if it involves:
- Erection, construction, movement, placement or extension of a structure, building or sign, including but not limited to a swimming pool, deck, or a fence or wall that is more than 3 feet in total height,
- Change in the type of use of a structure or land, or expansion of use,
- Creation of a lot or alteration of lot lines,
- Creation of a new use,
- Demolition of a principal building, or partial demolition of the exterior of a principal building,
- Site alterations or mineral extraction as defined by Section 1365.02 of the Zoning Ordinance,
- Construction of a motor vehicle driveway, parking pad or parking lot,
- Installation of garbage dumpsters, and/or
- Certain temporary uses as described by Section 1363.03(g) of the Zoning Ordinance.
A zoning permit must be obtained prior to issuance of a building permit by the City of Chester Building Official, who is responsible for administering and enforcing construction codes.
How to Obtain Zoning Approval
There are three main ways to get a zoning permit from the Planning Department:
By Right
When the project proposal complies with all the zoning provisions applicable to the property (use, dimensions, parking, signs, etc.), it means an applicant can get a zoning permit by the Zoning Officer “by right” without any action by the Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, or City Council. Certain by right projects, however, must go through Planning Commission review and possibly reviewed by other commissions and boards, including:
- Subdivisions
- Drive-through facilities
- New principal buildings in the Central Business District
- Demolition of historic buildings
- Off-street loading facilities
- Any project seeking approval for the construction or alteration of a project that is not water-dependent and which is located south of Route 291 in the W-1 Waterfront District
- The construction of 10 or more off-street parking spaces
- The construction of 10,000 square feet or greater of new principal nonresidential building space
- Other projects that the Planning Department Staff determine may have significant impacts upon an adjacent neighborhood.
By Special Exception
The Zoning Ordnance permits certain uses and development by special exception, which is granted by the Zoning Hearing Board if the project is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Special exception uses are identified by the “SE” in the Table of Permitted Uses in Articles 1325 and 1327 of the Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Officer will review the application with the Planning Commission, then issue a “referral” so that the applicant can file an application for a hearing at the Zoning Hearing Board. The Zoning Ordinance may also require special exception approval of other aspects of a development proposal, such as signage or parking. The Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing and use the criteria specified in Section 1363.16c to ensure that the proposal does not adversely impact the surrounding neighborhood. If the Zoning Hearing Board approves of the special exception, the applicant can pick up the zoning permit from the Planning Department.
By Variance
Sometimes special circumstances prevent projects from conforming to the Zoning Ordinance. In these instances, applicants must obtain a variance from the Zoning Hearing Board in order to deviate from the zoning regulations. The Zoning Officer will review the application with the Planning Commission, then issue a “refusal” since the project proposal does not comply with the Zoning Ordinance. The applicant may then choose to either 1) alter the project to make it conform to the Zoning Ordinance, or 2) appeal the refusal to the Zoning Hearing Board for approval of the variance. The Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing and use the criteria in Section 1363.11(d)(3) of the Zoning Ordinance to verify that there are special circumstances at the property presenting an unnecessary hardship in complying with the Zoning Ordinance. Before the public hearing, the applicant needs to post notice of the hearing on the subject property. If the Zoning Hearing Board approves of the variance, the applicant can pick up the zoning permit from the Planning Department.
Document Links
2018 Planning & Zoning Ordinance Amendment
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance
Application for Zoning Approval of Signs
Application for Zoning Approval of Day Cares
Application for Subdivision and Land Development
Application for Special Exception
Application for Conditional Use
Instructions for Filing an Event Parking Lot Permit Application
Planning Commission Meeting Dates & Application Due Dates
The Chester City Planning Commission meetings will be held in the City Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 2nd Floor, One Fourth Street, Chester, PA. 19013 at 2:00 PM on the following dates.
| Dates | Applications Must Be Submitted by: |
|---|---|
| January 11 | December 29, 2022 |
| February 08 | January 27 |
| March 08 | February 24 |
| April 12 | March 31 |
| May 10 | April 28 |
| June 14 | May 26 |
| July 12 | June 30 |
| August 09 | July 28 |
| September 13 | August 25 |
| October 11 | September 29 |
| November 08 | October 27 |
| December 13 | November 24 |
Zoning Hearing Board Dates & Application Due Dates
| Dates | Applications must be submitted by: |
|---|---|
| January 18 | December 29, 2022 |
| February 15 | January 27 |
| March 15 | February 24 |
| April 19 | March 31 |
| May 17 | April 28 |
| June 21 | May 26 |
| July 19 | June 30 |
| August 16 | July 28 |
| September 20 | August 25 |
| October 18 | September 29 |
| November 15 | October 27 |
| *December 20 (Council Meeting) | November 24 |