Planning commission updates commissioners on Vision Partnership Program awards and new mini-grant

County planning officials presented an update May 2025 on the Vision Partnership Program (VPP), a planning commission-administered grant program that helps municipalities update zoning, comprehensive plans and other planning documents.

Planning Director Matt Edmond and Division Director Bambi Griffin Rivera told commissioners the VPP has awarded about $6.8 million in grants since 1996, funding 363 projects across 66 municipalities. Morning presentations listed typical uses for the grants — historic resource surveys, parking and corridor studies, zoning updates, feasibility studies and subdivision and land-development ordinance changes — and noted that county planners monitor projects and provide technical assistance.

Edmond said the commissioners’ 2025 budget includes $250,000 for the program. Griffin Rivera detailed the spring 2025 awards: a corridor study for East Vincent Township; an open-space, recreation and environmental resource plan for Londonderry Township; a comprehensive-plan update for Pennsbury Township; and a zoning-ordinance update for Valley Township. The planning division also launched a rolling mini-grant to support small projects under $10,000 and one year in duration; the first mini-grant award went to East Nottingham Township for an official map and ordinance.

Griffin Rivera explained municipalities must match awards at 40% and that award amounts typically range from $3,000 to $50,000 depending on project scope. Staff said the department helps municipalities navigate public meeting requirements and consultant procurement and that municipalities value the county planners’ technical assistance.

Commissioners thanked planning staff for the update; there were no votes on policy changes or funding increases at the meeting.