PENN TWP — The township plans to make a sweeping overhaul to its zoning ordinance.

The move is to coincide with the comprehensive plan that was adopted in late 2024. However, these updates will not begin until late 2025, after a decision is made by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development on a grant which could help the process along.

During the township’s monthly board of supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11, the township approved a proposal from their regular engineering firm — Herbert, Rowland & Grubic — to perform engineering services for the zoning ordinance update. HRG bid $40,250 for the right to perform the work.

They also voted to apply for a Municipal Assistance Program grant from DCED which, if given in the full amount, would give the township $20,125 — half the cost of the project.

HRG was the same firm that assisted Penn Township in putting together its comprehensive plan, a process that took over a year to complete. The final updated version of the plan was given approval by the board of supervisors in September 2024, after the process started in May 2023.

“That was the first step to moving on to really look at all of our zoning ordinances, to correct any issues that were there, bring them up to speed with the state requirements, and take recommendations from the zoning hearing board and planning commission to make improvements,” said township Supervisor Samuel Ward.

During the meeting, Ward said that no action would be taken on overhauling the zoning ordinance until late 2025, after the DCED had revealed whether or not Penn Township had received the grant.

“The problem is, we can't start the work before it's awarded,” Ward said. “The grant will pay for the invoices ahead of the award.”

Ward said Penn Township would go forward with the zoning ordinance whether or not it receives the grant.

“We’re still going to do it regardless, but we'd like to get reimbursed half of it, so we won’t start incurring costs before it’s awarded,” Ward said.

He added the township applied for a similar grant to help pay for putting together the comprehensive plan, but did not get it.