2008 Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Planning Grant Program
Overview & Guidelines
Eligible Applicants:
Two or more municipalities committed to prepare a multi-municipal comprehensive plan as authorized in Article III and XI of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).
Eligible Use of Grant Funds:
- A $500 total grant is available to cover costs of preparing and conducting public meetings and workshops to inform municipal officials and citizens about multi-municipal planning as authorized in the MPC. This grant may be requested by a letter from each participating municipality to the program manager. If desired, the program manager is available to assist with the workshops and public meetings. This grant is separate from subsequent requests.
- Up to $8,500 per municipality may be used to hire assistance for:
1. Preparation of a multi-municipal comprehensive plan consistent with the MPC and smart land use principles.
2. Preparation of zoning and subdivision/land development ordinances that will implement the comprehensive plan and that are generally consistent with it.
3. Cooperative projects implementing multi-municipal planning priorities. Such projects could include:
a. Review, development and implementation of a Transfer of Development Rights program.
b. An in-depth analysis of the traffic on a highway corridor to determine if it can fulfill a complete streets concept (sidewalks, bike lanes, street trees) or if traffic calming or expediting measures can be taken such as access management including frontage roads, traffic circles, etc.
c. Market analysis of a corridor to determine what goods and services can be offered with hope of commercial success.
d. Other implementation projects defined in the multi-municipal comprehensive plan which would affect more than one municipality but need a more in-depth analysis.
Cooperative projects are intended to supplement, not replace, analysis that should be included in the comprehensive plan scope of work. Local Government Academy staff will review requests during its regular grant approval process to make this determination. LGA places a priority on the successful implementation of planning projects and will consider applications for implementing projects that may run concurrent to the comprehensive planning project.
Drawdown of LGA grants are in phases and conditioned on several performance measures. A copy of the full procedures is available on this website. Two requirements of note are that consultants be selected in an open process involving public solicitation and interviews with qualified respondents and that the consultants have professional planning credentials.
Other Eligibility Requirements
- A meeting with the program manager is required. This must include the individual who will be the lead person throughout the process from each municipality in a group wishing to produce a multi-municipal comprehensive plan.
- An Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement generally consistent with the model available on this website, must be executed by each participating municipality.
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At least one member of each municipality's governing board plus the staff person who would serve as the lead contact for the program must attend a two evening workshop that is offered free by LGA twice a year. Others are also welcome to attend the workshops.
- Municipalities must provide at least 10 percent of the total cost in cash.
Priorities
The LGA Planning Grant Committee will take the following into consideration for the purpose of determining funding priorities:
- The number of municipalities in the group.
- The urgency of social, economic and natural environmental issues that will be addressed in the planning process and the degree to which the process will attempt to deal with the causes of these issues.
- Full county memebership in the planning Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement. Applications from Councils of Governments will be considered although county participation is preferred.
Technical Assistance
LGA is prepared to provide advice and models of: various authorizing resolutions, the Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement, and Request for Proposals for consultant assistance.
Applications & Deadlines
There is no formal LGA application. A grant request of two pages or less should include:
- The name, address, phone, fax and email of the person authorized to submit the application on behalf of all participating municipalities and be responsible for all communications.
- All sources of expenditures by amounts of funds for the process and the specific use of LGA funds.
- A discussion of the extnet to which the project addresses the priority factors.
Deadlines
The program accepts applications at any time; however, reviews take place twice annually. Deadlines for these reviews are May 1 & November 1.
Application should be submitted to:
Local Government Academy
800 Allegheny Avenue
Suite 402
Pittsburgh, PA 15233-1895
Contact LGA at 412.237.3171
Questions?
Questions should be addressed to Ray Reaves, program manager.
Telephone: 412.422.7877
Email: rayreaves1@msn.com
