CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Connoquenessing Township supervisors are primed to make a decision on a zoning proposal that stands to significantly influence the municipality’s long-term direction.

Just not yet.

During a meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 3, supervisors tabled that discussion and possible action until the close of business meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29.

“We obviously know that we don’t have zoning in our township right now,” said Supervisor Angela Fleeger, adding zoning will need to line up with the township’s Act 537 Plan submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection in July.

“With future development and future growth and making sure that we protect the rural values of our township, we need to get something lined out to make sure that we can protect the integrity of our township,” Fleeger said.

Over the last several months, township officials overheard presentations and were sent formal proposals from three local engineering firms, including LSSE Civil Engineers and Surveyors; Herbert, Rowland & Grubic and EADS Group.

The price tag for the proposals vary, with the cheapest option from EADS Group coming in at around $30,000, according to supervisors.

Fleeger emphasized cost will be a significant sticking point in any future decision.

“I believe cost is a huge factor in this,” she said. “However, we also need to make sure that they have every aspect lined out as far as support and what work load we need them to take on in order to make sure that we have success moving forward.”

As the township braces for a considerable increase in residential and commercial development over the next decade, supervisors said they understand what existing residents appreciate about the municipality.

“Most of the township is rural and full of farms and that’s important to the people in this community,” said outgoing Supervisor Bruce Steinhiser. “One way to help keep that is zoning.”

While Fleeger will be the lone returning supervisor in 2026, she did not rule out the possibility this version of the board could ultimately accept one of the proposals later this month.

“There is a chance of that,” she said.

If that were to happen, a company could then take steps toward drafting a zoning ordinance.

“They would start to look over our existing ordinances, working with the county and their planning commission, and looking at what direction to go in,” Steinhiser said.