Understanding how local decisions are made and who is making them is fundamental to successful community engagement and project approval. Knowing who the decision-makers are and what they value gives a developer the necessary background for persuasive and constructive engagement with officials.
Receive Approval from Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
A Conditional Use Permit issued by the state was mentioned in the initial project intake form with the developer. It is not clear how this process would work or which state authority is responsible for issuing the approval. However, it would likely be an administrative process with clear requirements if it was managed at the state-level and would not necessarily need a public affairs campaign around decision-makers. Confirm this process using the Permit Application Consultation Tool (PACT).
Receive Approval from Skippack Township
(it appears that Skippack Township exercises its zoning authority, so there does not seem to be a clear role for county involvement). 200-30: CF Correctional Facility District of the Skippack Township Code governs zoning in the Correction Facility District where the Graterford Prison/SCI Phoenix operates. It appears the township does reserve the right to regulate the Correctional Facility zoning.
