General Resources for Government

Local governments can help segments of the population that are disproportionately affected by the health consequences of physical inactivity and poor nutrition by planning and designing communities that facilitate healthy lifestyles for all residents. This guide describes how local managers, department heads and local government staff can design healthy communities for all residents, regardless of income, race or ethnicity, age, ability or gender. It explains the connections between active living and social equity, provides a toolbox of local government strategies for promoting active living equitably, and highlights notable examples of local initiatives from around the country.

This 144-page publication outlines many ways of developing attractive and sustainable communities, providing specific case studies and examples of solid planning practices. It includes six principles for better development.

A build-out analysis projects the development that could occur in an area under current law. It enables a community to test the reality of its development regulations against its vision for its future.

An overview of conservation choices available to municipalities, nonprofits, and the citizens of Montgomery County

If you've never provided this service for your municipality, "Community Recreation and Parks" gives you a starting point. If you currently offer some aspects of public recreation and parks, this handbook will help you enhance and expand your services.

How Runaway Development Threatens America's Wildlife

Guide to building and improving dirt and gravel roads in a way that minimizes erosion, runoff, and other environmental impacts.

The Impact of Land Use and Potential Local Disamenities on Residential Property Values and on the Location of Residential Development in Berks County, Pennsylvania

In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the primary responsibility for land use planning and development decisions rests at the municipal level. As a regional organization, DVRPC is available to facilitate or undertake the preparation of multi-municipal plans, particularly in areas or corridors of new transportation investments. We have assisted the townships and boroughs of our older suburbs to prepare coordinated economic development and revitalization plans for multi-municipal corridors. DVRPC has also worked with local community development corporations and neighborhood associations to prepare comprehensive neighborhood plans.

Map of environmental advisory councils, with basic contact information.

The Regional Open Space Priorities Report project identifies, prioritizes, and recommends protection strategies for natural resources, agricultural, and recreational lands in the five-county southeastern Pennsylvania area. It encourages partnerships between state, federal, local, and private conservation groups and others to protect critical open spaces in the region while sustaining economic growth.

This guidebook helps local planning commission to understand the reasons for, and roles of, the planning commission in municipal land use decisions. It addresses the statutory authority and composition of planning commissions in Pennsylvania and the specific powers and duties of the commission. It concludes with a detailed discussion of the common roles of commission members – particularly in terms of hiring planning consultants – and a series of appendices providing model ordinances and procedures for establishing planning commissions and the adoption of a community’s comprehensive plan.

Any municipality enacting a zoning ordinance must also create a zoning hearing board. The primary purpose of such a board is to help assure fair and equitable application and administration of the zoning ordinance by hearing appeals on the zoning officer’s determinations and by granting relief from the literal enforcement of the ordinance in certain hardship situations.