The Delaware County Planning Commission works with Planning Department staff to oversee development throughout the County.

Members of the nine-member advisory board are appointed by County Council for four-year terms and may be reappointed. Copies of the Planning Commission’s District Map, Past Agendas, and PA Act 247 Application Material are available here.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS

•  John Gillespie, P.E., Chairman, At Large
•  David Petrucci, P.E., Vice Chairman, District 5
•  Claudia Cueto, Secretary, District 2
•  Charles Ferguson, District 6
•  MJ Frumin, District 4
•  Brian Razzi, At Large
•  Peter Rykard, At Large
•  William Smith, District 3
•  David Walker, District 1

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Act 247, requires all subdivision and land development proposals to be submitted to the county Planning Commission for review prior to municipal action. The county review is advisory only and final approval for any proposal is made by the municipality.

The Planning Department is the Commission’s professional staff and prepares comments for the Commission’s review. Meetings are open to the public. Meeting dates are advertised in the newspaper each year and held on the third Thursday of the month at 4 p.m. in the Government Center Building in Media, 1st floor Council Meeting Room.

If you are interested in submitting a subdivision, land development, or municipal ordinance for review, please visit the Development Review page.

Delaware County Planning Department works with organizations throughout the region to promote better planning.

The County maintains partnerships with a number of state, regional, and local organizations to jointly accomplish common goals. Select the logo of the organization to be taken to their website, where applicable.

 

DELAWARE VALLEY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

The County’s partnership with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) is integral to the identification of regional priorities. The Department coordinates with DVRPC on numerous efforts, including the establishment of the regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which lists and schedules all projects that intend to use federal funds. Other efforts include specialized studies and regional task forces, such as the Regional Technical Committee and the Regional Community Economic Development Forum.

DELAWARE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

The Planning Department regularly supports the Delaware County Transportation Management Association (DCTMA) in its programs throughout the year. DCTMA initiatives include innovative traffic demand management efforts, such as Bike to Work Day in May each year, and Community Traffic Safety Program (CTSP).

DELAWARE COUNTY HERITAGE COMMISSION

The Delaware County Heritage Commission works jointly with the Planning Department to coordinate and promote the cultural heritage of the County. Efforts include educational workshops and the Annual Historic Preservation Awards, given to those who have contributed to retaining and maintaining the County’s Heritage.

 

COASTAL ZONE TASK FORCE

The Coastal Zone Task Force creates an opportunity for multi-jurisdictional collaboration to address opportunities along the Delaware Riverfront. This task force plays an important role in coordination of various community projects, from the reuse and redevelopment of industrial complexes along the riverfront to implementation of the East Coast Greenway.

Provider

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS)

The program receives funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and corporate sponsors Aqua PA and PECO, as well as substantial in-kind contributions from various partners.

Application Deadline

December 31, 2026

Summary

This program is focused on tree plantings along stream corridors, wetlands, adjacent upland areas, headwaters, and naturalized stormwater basins. Through this program, dozens of watershed restoration projects are conducted throughout the region every year, resulting in well over 100,000 trees planted in sensitive water protection zones. Projects can request a maximum of $25,000 in grant funds and have a total of $50,000 in total project expenses. If your project exceeds either of those amounts, please reach out in advance of submitting your application to discuss. Our budget for all cumulative grants varies from year to year. Past grants (not including grantee match) have averaged around $6,000. Trees for Watersheds will cover up to 75% of the total project costs. The remainder must be covered by other sources (cash, in-kind, volunteer) as part of the required minimum 25% match. Funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s other Growing Greener programs are not eligible to be used as match.

New applicants must complete PHS Tree Tenders Training.

Common Eligible Projects

Streamside and source water protection areas, on public lands or private permanently protected lands. Projects may include stream buffers, wetlands, plantings on adjacent uplands (where stormwater “sheet flow” across the land would drain directly into the stream below) and naturalization of stormwater basins. For additional priority criteria, please consult the grant announcement.

Grant applications should only be submitted for projects that are “shovel ready” (meaning that with sufficient funding, plantings can be completed and billed prior to the reimbursement request deadline, as all associated permits and/or authorizations have already been secured, where necessary). The project should be designed such that all site preparation and planting will take place within the grant period (Spring or Fall 2027). Projects not completed during the grant period will need to apply to the following grant cycle. For larger sites that might constitute multi-year projects, it is best to break the site down into a subsection that can be fully prepped and planted during the grant period, and then apply for the next phase in a future year.

More Information

Already Tree Tender Trained? Follow this link for program information: https://phsonline.org/programs/tree-programs/watersheds-grant-program or contact Delaware County Conservation District's Watershed Specialist: https://www.delcocd.org/district-information/

Interested in the program, but need to complete this training? Follow this link: https://phsonline.formstack.com/forms/tree_tender_class_inquiry

Provider

PA Department of Environmental Protection

Application Deadline

November 13, 2026

Summary

Each year, Pennsylvania invests in its schools, colleges and universities, county conservation districts, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to improve environmental literacy among youth and adults.

Administered through DEP, the Environmental Education Grants Program provides funds to support a wide range of environmental education projects including meaningful, hands-on programs for students, teacher training workshops, and community conservation projects for adults. Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis. All projects must occur in Pennsylvania and engage Pennsylvania audiences. Multiple applications may be submitted from the same organization. Each application will be viewed as an independent proposal and evaluated.

Program award tracks are structurally designed to encourage capacity and sustainability growth and development. Three award tracks are available for projects:

• Seed Grant (up to $5,000) may be awarded for local (school, county, partnering municipality, or other defined area) environmental education projects.
• Grow Grant ($5,001 - $30,000) may be awarded for implementation of large-scale environmental education projects, such as school district-wide projects, multiple community or county collaborations, countywide, regional, or statewide projects.
• Impact Grant ($30,001 - $65,000) may be awarded as a first-time project or for previously awarded DEP EE Grants project(s) for capacity and sustainability development. These projects must engage a broad-scale audience at county, regional, and state levels.

Common Eligible Projects

DEP’s Environmental Education Grants Program welcomes applications for the development of innovative formal and non-formal environmental education projects that:

1. Address grant program priorities;
2. Provide opportunities to expand the public’s understanding of Pennsylvania’s environmental issues; and
3. Develop skills required to make informed decisions and take responsible action on behalf of the environment.

2027 Environmental Education Grants Program Funding Priorities:

Land Use

• Land use project will expand audience understanding of environmental contamination, remediation, and brownfield re-development to make informed decisions that protect human health, leverage relationships with local governments and businesses, and effectively engage the community in acting.

Air Quality

• Air quality projects will expand audience understanding of air pollution, the Air Quality Index (AQI), and potential threats to human health to identify when and what actions should be taken in the event of unhealthy air quality.

Water

• Water quality projects will expand audience understanding of watersheds to identify and address non-point source and point source water pollution. Projects may emphasize subjects such as stormwater management, soil and water conservation, groundwater, agricultural nutrient management, abandoned mine drainage/reclamation, private water wells, road treatment, water quality monitoring, riparian buffers, and cold-water habitats.

Climate Change

• Climate change projects will expand audience understanding of the human behavior/climate change relationship, identify and adopt practical solutions to develop resiliency against extreme weather, pests, disease, agricultural disruptions, groundwater changes, and other climate change influenced threats to human and environmental health. 

Environmental Justice

• Programs should be designed to meaningfully engage people of all demographics who live, work, recreate, and/or attend school within Environmental Justice areas. Strong proposals will demonstrate established and developing relationships with trusted local organizations or leaders and an understanding of local needs and include community input and support in project design and implementation.

More Information

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/residents/environmental-education/environmental-education-grants

Provider

PA Department of Community and Economic Development

Application Deadline

November 30, 2026

Summary

The PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 2004-71), as amended, provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to support projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Grants are available for projects with a total eligible project cost of $25,000 or more. Grant requests shall not exceed $1,000,000 for any project.

Projects may not commence work prior to receiving CFA approval. Projects that begin prior to approval, including any proposed match, will result in the project being ineligible for funding consideration. Projects that may require a down payment prior to the CFA awarding funds should contact the program office to determine project eligibility.

Common Eligible Projects

Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization.

Eligible uses of funds include:

• Acquisition
• Construction to include renovation and rehabilitation
• Demolition
• Infrastructure
  • Sidewalks for public use will be considered eligible regardless of eligibility outlined in Section II. B. of the Program Guidelines
• Purchase of vehicles, machinery and/or equipment. The leasing of equipment in ineligible.
• Planning, consulting and design costs related to planning projects.
• Engineering, design and inspection, to include permitting fees, for construction projects not to exceed 10% of the total grant award. Limitation does not apply to a planning-only project.
• Administrative costs of the applicant only, which are necessary to administer the grant shall not exceed 2% of the total grant request/award. Administrative costs can include advertising and legal costs, as well as documented staff expenses.
• Contingency costs not to exceed 5% of documented construction and infrastructure costs.

More Information

https://dced.pa.gov/programs/local-share-account-lsa-statewide/

Provider

Natural Lands

Application Deadline

October 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM

Summary

Natural Lands is pleased to administer the PECO Green Region Open Space Program. Recognizing that open space in our communities is a crucial element of the quality of our lives, the PECO program awards grants for southeastern Pennsylvania municipal and non-profit (within the City of Philadelphia) efforts to preserve, protect, and improve open spaces. Over the program’s 20 years, PECO has awarded more than $3 million to over 400 open space improvement projects.

Any township, borough, city, or regional recreational authority within PECO’s service territory in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or York Counties is welcome to apply for funding. Eligible applicants must receive gas and/or electric service from PECO.

Grants are awarded in amounts up to $10,000, and may be used to fund up to 50% of a project, with 50% or greater of project expenses covered by cash match.

Recipients of PECO Green Region funding awards from the 2025 Round are ineligible to apply for the 2026 Round. Recipients of PECO Green Region funding awards from the 2024 Round and prior are eligible to apply to the 2026 Round once their prior award is officially closed out.

Common Eligible Projects

Eligible Projects and Expenses:

• Improving open space owned by municipalities, organizations, or regional recreational authorities, not including property owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Funds may be used for habitat improvements, such as improving or installing woodlands, riparian buffers, and meadows. Funds may also be used for the installation of capital improvements for passive recreation, such as ADA accessibility improvements, trails, boardwalks, kiosks, observation platforms, and installation of LED and energy efficient lighting. Fund expenditures may also include planning costs or fees for consultants, such as landscape architects, park designers, botanists, and engineers.
• For the purposes of this program, passive recreation refers to activities that place minimal stress on a site’s resources and as a result provide ecosystem service benefits, such as improved water and air quality.
• Developing or updating open space plans and feasibility studies. Expenses may include consultant fees, costs associated with obtaining public input (hall rental, advertising, etc.), and publication costs.
• Acquisition (by purchase or donation) of parcels of land to be used for open space. Expenses may include purchase costs, legal or consultant fees, surveying, environmental assessments, and appraisals.
• Acquisition (by purchase or donation) of conservation easements (also known as “development rights”). Eligible expenses may include purchase costs, legal or consultant fees, surveying, environmental assessments, and appraisals.
• In an effort to expand tree canopy in southeastern Pennsylvania, PECO encourages applicants to incorporate tree plantings into their application’s project proposal, including details such as number and species of trees to be planted. While such endeavors are not a required element of the grant application, Review Committee members will look favorably upon their inclusion in the application.

More Information

https://www.natlands.org/resources/for-municipal-partners/peco-green-region/

The Delaware County Planning Department is working toward a better future for Delaware County's municipalities.

Mailing Address:
Delaware County Planning Department
2 W. Baltimore Avenue
Suite 202
Media, Pennsylvania 19063

Business Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Telephone: 610-891-5200
Email: Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us

 

The Mission of the Delaware County Planning Department is to elevate quality of life, prosperity, and pride of place in Delaware County through innovative, sustainable, and equitable planning, and meaningful collaboration with communities, governments, and organizations.

The future of Delaware County and our municipalities is critically important, and we hope to provide resources to support a bright future.

The Department is organized into three functional planning areas: Environmental, Infrastructure, and Planning Services assisted and supported by a professional Administration staff.
 

I Am interested in…
Knowing more about the Delaware County Planning Commission
Viewing Planning Department Staff Directory information
Knowing more about the Bates Awards Program
Learning more about Planning Partners
Viewing the Annual Report
Learning about Career Opportunities

Provider

County of Delaware

Application Deadline

Rolling Application

Summary

Funding is available to local municipal governments for the demolition of Blighted Properties which meet at least three of the 9 stated blight criteria.

Interested communities should review the Program Guidelines, found here. Applications can be accessed here.

Common Eligible Projects

Eligible costs may include demolition and related clearance activities that may include a determination of environmental hazards on the property and proper removal, testing and disposal of hazardous materials, utility disconnections, and demolition permits as well as any associated site restoration.