Ferguson supervisors back DCED STAMP grant application after narrowing scope language

Ferguson Township moved to seek state funding for strategic planning on June 3, authorizing submission of a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) STAMP Phase 2 grant application that could provide up to 50% of project costs.

The draft resolution proposed seeking grant support for three mutually related efforts identified in the township's STAMP report: (1) a local comprehensive plan to complement the Center Region Planning Agency (CRPA) regional update, (2) an update or rewrite of Chapter 27 (zoning), and (3) a facilities/assets master plan to assess space and capital needs. Manager noted the opportunity to leverage remaining DCED funds in the current fiscal year; DCED staff indicated they will prioritize municipalities that are ready to proceed.

Resident Trevor White spoke in support, urging zoning changes (reduced lot-size minimums, setbacks and height limits) to increase housing supply and reduce sprawl. Some supervisors voiced caution: members raised the large scope and cost uncertainty of a full zoning rewrite and suggested prioritizing the zoning update first or removing the comp plan from the immediate grant scope. Staff acknowledged cost estimates are not yet available and that if awarded the project(s) staff would solicit quotes and return with exact costs and prioritization for board direction.

Supervisor Strickland proposed a friendly amendment to align the resolution's third whereas paragraph with the manager's narrative (explicitly listing the three project components rather than the phrase earlier used). The board adopted the amendment by voice vote and then approved the amended resolution by roll-call (unanimous). Manager said the application will be submitted to position Ferguson for available funds; if awarded staff will return with scope, quotes and a plan for prioritization and budgeting.