Lebanon City to seek MAP grant to update 2004 comprehensive plan

Lebanon City officials said they will apply for a Pennsylvania Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) grant to update the city’s comprehensive plan, which was last adopted in February 2004.

Mayor (not specified) told the council the update would guide land use, infrastructure and zoning decisions, serve as the foundation for capital improvement planning and improve coordination with county and regional planning efforts. The total project cost is $79,000; the city will request $39,500 from MAP and propose a $39,500 local match to be budgeted in the 2026 city budget.

The comprehensive plan update is intended to determine whether the existing plan reflects current needs, priorities and growth patterns. Lebanon County is updating its own comprehensive plan first; city staff said Lebanon intends to align its update with the county’s effort once that plan is completed, which staff indicated could be this fall.

Council members asked about the likelihood of receiving the grant and about the county planning process. Mayor (not specified) said planning grants are typically less competitive and that the city is “pretty confident” about the request. Janelle, a city staff member, told council she is participating on the county committee and that the county committee had held two meetings so far.

No formal vote on the resolution occurred during the meeting; the council reviewed the resolution and scheduled the item for the council meeting on Monday, when a council member indicated they would “take” the resolution for action.

The resolution authorizes city officials to file the MAP grant application through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. If awarded, staff said the city would budget its required local match in the 2026 budget and proceed with consultant selection and public outreach as required under the MAP program.