The Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) held its places2040 Planning Leadership Awards Celebration on June 23 at the Farm and Home Center. These awards recognize planning projects that demonstrate leadership and effectiveness in implementing places2040 during the last three years. The awards also recognize individuals who demonstrate leadership and effectiveness in bringing major community projects or projects of regional importance to fruition in Lancaster County.

Scott Standish, LCPC executive director, announced the award winners, and Alice Yoder, LCPC chair, presented the awards.

Leadership Awards - the top planning project awards - were presented to three projects. The Chiques Creek Watershed Report Card is a tool that was developed to use as a data-driven guide to engage multiple municipalities, stakeholders and agencies with a goal of quantifiable pollution reduction to meet federal mandates for the watershed. Also honored is 101 NQ, the redevelopment of the former Bulova building into a mix of residential, commercial, and office uses. The third honoree is the Little Conestoga Blue-Green Corridor, which proposes extensive streambank, floodplain, and wetland restoration and legacy sediment removal within a 2.5-mile corridor of the Little Conestoga Creek.

Achievement Awards went to three projects, as well. Lititz Shirt Factory is the redesign of a century-old brick warehouse as a gathering place for Lititz locals and visitors. Another honoree was the Lime Spring Square Floodplain Restoration, which resulted in the construction of 4,750 linear feet of stream channel restoration, removal of 38,500 tons of legacy sediment, creation of 8.5 acres of wetlands, and reduction of pollutants. The project also created an additional 8.5 acres of developable area. The last recipient was Passenger Coffee Roastery and Cafe, a modern micro-roaster that contracted with TONO Group to develop a new headquarters location and manufacturing space on North Plum Street in Lancaster city.

A Certificate of Merit went to Lancaster Urban Farming Initiative Vertical Greenhouse. This project proposes a vertical greenhouse in the heart of Lancaster. The expansive glass and steel structure on the Prince Street Garage would demonstrate new initiatives in urban farming in an underutilized public space.

Individual Awards were given to three people.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was given to William K. Ebel Jr. for his decades of dedicated leadership and service to planning, conservation, preservation, transportation, and environmental initiatives in Lancaster County.

A Distinguished Service Award was given to Robert M. Krasne for his sustained leadership of local companies and the Steinman Foundation and his efforts in education, farmland preservation, and economic development.

A Champion for Place Award was presented to Cindy McCormick, city engineer/deputy director of public works, for her consistent focus on making Lancaster more walkable and bikeable and for improving safety and mobility options for all residents.

For more information, contact Standish at 717-299-8333 or standish@co.lancaster.pa.us.