The Bates Awards Program honors excellence in site planning, development practices, and the innovative use of land resources.

The William H. Bates Awards Program was established in 1980 by the Delaware County Planning Commission with the goal “to encourage developers and municipalities to cooperate in providing a more efficient use of land and public services for County residents.”

This long-standing program initially recognized innovative land developments but has now been expanded with two new categories: Adaptive Reuse and Municipal Innovation and Investment. This is not a strict competition. It is meant to recognize applicants and municipalities who strive to improve the built environment and the overall life experience within Delaware County. Additionally, the program is not limited to large scale efforts–we are equally interested in small scale projects and programs as every effort is important!

Questions about the Bates Awards Program? Contact the Planning Department at 610-891-5200 or Planning_Department@co.delaware.pa.us.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Nominations are open August 1 to December 18 and will be awarded in May 2027.

There are three categories:

1. Innovative Land Development: This award will be given to land development projects that demonstrate advanced planning principles.
   1. Examples include but are not limited to:
      1. mixed-use development that provides public amenities,
      2. public/private collaborations,
      3. exceptional designs,
      4. open space preservation projects
2. Adaptive Reuse: This award will be given to projects that demonstrate creativity in the conversion or expansion of an existing structure for a new use.
   1. Examples include but are not limited to:
      1. rail trails,
      2. industrial redevelopment to residential or mixed-use properties,
      3. short-term pop-up projects
3. Municipal Innovation and Investment: This award will be given to projects that demonstrate excellence in municipal/civic investment.
   1. Examples include but are not limited to:
      1. new parks or trails,
      2. public amenities,
      3. services,
      4. creative stormwater solutions,
      5. and forward-thinking planning efforts.

Applications must be submitted through the William H Bates Awards Nomination Form and must include:

1. Up to 3 pictures and/or supporting documents of the project
2. A description of the project explaining how it meets the criteria for its category
3. A list of partners involved in the project (i.e. consultants, community groups)

AWARD SELECTION PROCESS

The William H Bates Awards Program is not a strict competition. It is meant to recognize applicants and municipalities who strive to improve the built environment and the overall life experience within Delaware County and, as such, there are often multiple awardees for each category.

The process for determining awardees will start with Delaware County Planning Department staff reviewing all nominations and creating a short list for each category. This short list will be presented to the Delaware County Planning Commission who will select the final award recipients, which can include more than one recipient per category.

Awards will be presented in May 2027.

PREVIOUS AWARDS

List of Awarded Project

ABOUT WILLIAM H. BATES

In 1982, the Awards Program was renamed in honor of William H. Bates, the late Chairman of the Planning Commission and whose seventeen (17) years of service on the Planning Commission merited special recognition.

Mr. Bates served as Chair of the Planning Commission during an important time of growth for the County that saw significant residential and commercial developments, including the original Granite Run Mall (cutting edge for its time period). Mr. Bates oversaw the development and adoption of Delaware County Land Use Plan 2000, which identified growth areas and areas of limited growth. This plan helped to coordinate development and timing of public facilities across the County, such as Rose Tree Park.

During Mr. Bates’ tenure as Chair, the Planning Commission supported the creation of the first comprehensive plans for many municipalities. It also tracked and planned for evolving development patterns of the 1970s. Work included the development of Making Commercial Strips Work: An Urban Design Study, a handbook to help municipalities address commercial strips and their impact on surrounding communities. Mr. Bates also Chaired the Planning Commission as it developed the 1976 Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Study, which spurred countless conservation efforts across the County, including the Darby Creek Greenway Acquisition project.

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

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

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), via PA Department of Environmental Protection

Application Deadline

October 19, 2026, at 3:59 PM

Summary

The Coastal Zone Management Grant Program provides funding to implement its policies and focus areas in the Delaware Estuary and Lake Erie Coastal Zones, including hazards, wetlands, public access, intergovernmental coordination, ocean resources, and nonpoint source pollution. Typical projects funded through grant awards range from studies, planning, design, and research to land acquisition and minor construction projects. Activities must take place within the Coastal Zone boundaries of Pennsylvania. To apply for a Coastal Zone grant, applicants must be eligible as a government, partnership or non-profit for your entity type on the application. All other entity types will not be accepted.

Eligible Applicants: (Submissions by ineligible organizations will not be considered)

• Local Governments, Counties and Municipalities,
• Area-wide agencies - county and regional planning agencies,
• Incorporated non-profits,
• Educational Institutions - School Districts, Intermediate Units, Universities and Colleges,
• Incorporated Conservation and Educational Organizations,
• State Agencies,
• Conservation Districts, Port Authorities and Public Authorities.

Projects must be located within the Coastal Zone boundaries. Matching funds are required on a one-to-one basis. Matching funds must be non-federal. See Coastal Zone Grant Application Instruction Guide for more information.

Common Eligible Projects

Coastal zone grants may be applied to a wide variety of studies, plans, designs, research, acquisition and construction projects pertaining to one or more of the established CRMP policies, which guide the competitive selection process.

Examples of some typical project proposals are as follows:

• Efforts to educate the public regarding issues of environmental protection, nonpoint source pollution, protection of coastal resources or efforts to promote such action to the public.
• Preparation or revision of local comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, sub-division regulations and special ordinances containing provisions in support of CRMP policies.
• Plans, studies or other projects to improve port facilities and infrastructure, planned future use of coastal ports or providing public access for recreational use of docks, piers and wharves.
• Improving resource management and environmental protection programs at the state or local level, including disseminating information or providing technical assistance to coastal communities and the public.
• Plans, studies or projects that enhance economic development within the coastal zone, including activities to help economically revitalize under-used coastal and/or port facilities.
• Studies for interpretation and enhancement of coastal features and habitats and restoration and preservation of historic coastal sites and structures.
• Land acquisition of coastal properties, including real estate appraisals, to improve or provide for public recreational access or open-space preservation.
• Preparation of designs, engineering plans and specifications for coastal recreational sites owned or legally controlled by a government applicant.
• Low-cost (defined by NOAA as no more than a total project cost of $400,000) construction projects for recreational access facilities or for rehabilitating significant historic buildings and structures located within the designated coastal zones.

More Information

https://www.pa.gov/services/dep/grants/apply-for-a-coastal-zone-grant

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.