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Planning commission pursues state grant to subsidize zoning rewrite, council told
Summary
Planning commissioners told the Borough Council they plan to rewrite commercial zoning districts and consider new rules for data centers; planners have an opportunity to apply for a DCED grant that could subsidize the work, with project costs estimated up to $70,000–$80,000 and an application fee to the consultant of about $7,300.
Planning commission members told the New Britain Borough Council on May 13 that they intend to revise commercial zoning districts and add code language for data centers to prevent surprise applications.
Commissioners said Gilmore planners have offered to help and that a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) grant could subsidize the zoning rewrite and remapping effort. Total project costs were discussed in the $70,000–$80,000 range; the consulting application fee to prepare the DCED submittal for Gilmore was estimated at about $7,300. Commission members said DCED officials sometimes waive or reduce matching requirements for municipalities that demonstrate financial need.
Commissioners plan a phone call with DCED to clarify requirements and said they will report back at the next council meeting with a recommendation if the grant appears viable. One commissioner said withdrawing from a prior DCED program was not the same as defaulting; staff confirmed that returning funds rather than starting and abandoning a project typically avoids a formal default finding.
If the grant application moves forward, the council may be asked to approve a resolution and the consultant contract at a subsequent meeting.
