DVRPC's Building Municipal Capacity program strives to better train municipalities with the tools and knowledge needed to implement DVRPC's Long-Range Plan. In both states, planning and zoning authority is delegated exclusively to local governments; the region's county governments (with the exception of Philadelphia, which is both a city and a county) have no land use power, which makes implementation of regional goals challenging. Municipalities may lack the capacity and funding to update their comprehensive/master plans, zoning, and subdivision ordinances to advance regional objectives.
Municipal Outreach Survey
DVRPC has conducted several surveys to our 350 municipalities, asking about their planning staff and capacity, smart growth challenges, progress on specific tools and ordinances, and their use of DVRPC resources.
Municipal Tools
- Municipal Implementation Toolbox
- Municipal Implementation Tool brochures
- Municipal Tools and Services to Protect the Environment
- Model Ordinances
Opportunities to Connect
- DVRPC Committees
- Alternative Energy Ordinance Working Group (AEOWG)
- Municipal Organizations:
- Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS)
- Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB)
- New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM)
- Pennsylvania Association of Zoning Officials (PAAZO)
- American Planning Association Pennsylvania Chapter
- American Planning Association New Jersey Chapter
- National Association of Regional Councils (NARC)
- National Association of Counties (NACo)