CCPC's 75th — David Ward's 42-Year Legacy at CCPC
David Ward's journey with the Chester County Planning Commission began in the fall of 1976, when he was interviewed for an entry-level planner position. CCPC's staff was expanding at the time — and little did David know he was embarking on a career that would span the next 42 years.
During his tenure, David moved up the ranks to become CCPC's Assistant Director, working with four planning directors and twelve county commissioners. "The common thread was making planning relevant and important in decision making," he notes.
In his early years at CCPC, David remembers the office being divided into county and local assistance planning, with only 12-15 employees, no computers, and shared phone lines (one phone for every two planners). At the time, the office was located in the north wing of the old courthouse — just steps from the Commissioners' office.
David's first assignment was to create the Subdivision and Land Development (Act 247) review group, which consisted of him, an assistant, and a secretary. "We plotted the location of projects with colored pencils on USGS quadrangle maps," he recalls. "We were proud of those maps!"
CCPC has undergone significant changes since David was first hired, including the addition of staff dedicated to Chester County's diverse planning challenges; the adoption of computers for text, graphics, maps, and other communications; and the use of social media, website posts, public events, and workshops to share ideas.
David believes that CCPC has made a significant and permanent mark on Chester County, particularly through smart planning and growth management initiatives such as the open space preservation program. "The county is nearing permanently protecting one-third of its land mass. This is significant and not found in many other jurisdictions," he says.
There have also been several significant transportation projects completed since David first started, including the Route 30 Exton Bypass, Route 202 widening from 4 to 6 lanes, the Chester Valley Trail, the Chesco Transit Bus, and the Schuylkill River Trail — all of which play important an important role in Chester County today.
As he reflects on his time with CCPC, David offers his best wishes for the organization's future! His leadership, innovation, and passion for planning have left a lasting mark on the region — and certainly here at CCPC as well.