A weekly roundup of real estate news, compiled by Suburban Realtors? Alliance-week of: 5/13/2022
John Ferron House, circa 1838, is a historic home located in Londonderry Township that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Londonderry is one of the Chester County municipalities seeking solutions to reduce traffic on the Route 41 corridor.?
Weekly News Briefs
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BUCKS ?
General
Rents in Philly grew 6% during the pandemic, and twice as much in the suburbs
Rents are up in Philadelphia by about 6% over the past two years, and rents in the suburban counties — Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Bucks — rose between 12% and 15%. In New Jersey, the three counties bordering Philadelphia have seen rents jump 14% to 20%. The data behind the conclusions come from real estate search firm CoStar Group, and it was analyzed by The Washington Post. Philadelphia’s comparatively lower rent increase may be linked in part to demand — while people kept moving to big metropolitan centers during the pandemic, they tended to favor the suburban parts of those areas, according to a recent Pew report. Monthly rent in Philadelphia is still relatively high. It averages $1,624, which is more than all but two of the surrounding counties, Montgomery and Chester. The high cost of housing in the city has been a problem for years. Over half of renters in the city are “cost-burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. When homeowners are included, 40% of the city’s households fall into the cost-burdened category. Philadelphia does not have a rent control program like some other places. Buying a home in the region has also gotten more expensive since 2020. Median home prices in the metro area grew more than 20% from March 2020 to March 2022, reaching $308K, according to data from Bright MLS. Additionally, homeowning residents throughout the city are likely to see their property tax bill grow in the near future. The city does offer relief programs. Read more?here .?
Source: Billy Penn; 5/6/2022
$20M HUD grant doubles size of eviction legal help
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is doubling the size of its eviction protection program, designed to fund legal assistance for tenants seeking to stay in their homes. The $20 million HUD grant will not provide any sort of direct rental relief; instead, it will fund legal services and representations for families facing eviction. The funds will be distributed through the Eviction Protection Grant Program to 11 nonprofit organizations and government entities, with grants ranging from $1 million to $2.4 million. None of the recipients are located in Pennsylvania, but Legal Services of New Jersey will receive $2.4 million. HUD launched the Eviction Protection Grant Program last November with an original $20 million awarded to 10 legal services providers. HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge described the new funding as a doubling down on a proven method of easing the financial damage wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding can also be used to help landlords access emergency rental assistance and will generally help reduce caseloads in eviction courts around the country, Fudge said.
Source: Daily Local; 5/10/2022?
Bucks
More electric vehicle charging stations being approved in county
Bucks County commissioners recently approved installing electric-vehicle charging stations at Peace Valley Park. Several other Bucks municipalities, including Middletown, Wrightstown and Quakertown, either have charging stations already available or in the works. Middletown Township recently received a $215,000 grant from the Department of Environmental Protection for the installation of four DC fast-charging stations at the municipal building. The electric vehicle market may be on the verge of being supercharged — with high gas prices, continued concern over climate change and $7.5 billion included in the federal infrastructure law to support public charging stations. According to the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center website, there are more than 100 publicly available EV charging stations throughout Bucks and eastern Montgomery County. On the flip side, there are nearly 300 gas stations in Bucks County alone. Read more?here .
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 5/6/2022
$26 million Dublin Town Center nearing completion
The Dublin Town Center, a $26 million mixed-use development of 17 acres in the heart of Dublin Borough, is in its final stretch. The first presentation on the center was in September 2016, and final approvals were received in October 2019. “We wanted to create a walkable community, and it’s coming together,” said Rob Loughery, CEO of Nehemiah Development Company. The centerpiece of the development is a brick building that was formerly an apparel factory. It has been restored and rebranded as The Square, and it contains a mix of office and retail space that is fully leased. A former gas station is now The Station, a food hall. A section of the assembled site was sold to NVR Inc., and Ryan Homes is developing 78 townhouses along Elephant Road. The final piece, a 15,000-square-foot building that will have 30 apartments and 7,500 square feet of retail space, is under construction. "What we've proved here is there are still infill opportunities in these older communities," Loughery said.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 5/9/2022
New council president selected in Yardley; borough seeks tax collector
Caroline Thompson was unanimously selected as Yardley Borough Council president during a brief reorganization at the April 19 meeting. Thompson is stepping up from the vice president position to replace David Bria. Bria will continue as a council member but found the “time commitment of being president a little hard to keep up with.” In other news, the borough is looking to fill the office of tax collector. Cheryl Lowe-Cler has been filling the position she had retired from because the elected tax collector stepped down after just two months on the job. Lowe-Cler would like to be replaced as soon as possible. Borough Manager Paula Johnson said applications will be accepted until May 23. Potential applicants can email her at?[email protected] ?or fill out an application on the?borough website .
Source: Bucks County Herald; 5/6/2022
Sunoco plans to replace part of pipeline from Bucks to New Jersey
Sunoco L.P.’s 14-Inch Twin Oaks to Newark Pipeline is a 111-mile pipeline that originates at the Twin Oaks pump station adjacent to Sunoco’s Marcus Hook Tank Farm, south of Philadelphia, and terminates in Newark and Linden, in northern New Jersey. Sunoco has a proposal under review by the Upper Makefield Township zoning board that will replace a section of the pipeline that runs through the township and into New Jersey. The pipeline has carried natural gas, jet fuel and other refined products for decades. Township officials estimate the Upper Makefield portion will take about four months to complete, and possibly longer if there is bad weather or other unforeseen setbacks. Upper Makefield Township Manager David Nyman said the township has worked with residents in the proposed construction zone. "Approximately 20 neighbors and residents attended the zoning hearing board meeting, and all of their questions were addressed," he said. Residents remain worried about the heavy equipment, noise and traffic impact. The Upper Makefield Township Zoning Hearing Board could render a decision as soon as the May 24 meeting.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 5/11/2022?
Chester
Coatesville school officials consider 4.4% tax hike
Property owners in Coatesville Area School District will pay 4.4% more in taxes next year if the district’s current budget proposal is approved without changes. The 4.4% tax hike is the largest allowed under Pennsylvania’s Act 1 index, but school directors said it is needed to close a $4.1 million budget gap. The Act 1 index determines the maximum tax increase each school district can levy without voter approval. If adopted, it would mean taxes would have increased 7.3% in just two years. The current tax rate is 39.691 mills, and the proposed budget would raise it to 41.437 mills. “We will continue to explore our options between now and the final budget adoption in June, and will continue to try to reduce the 4.4% as best we can,” said Richard Dunlap, substitute superintendent. More than 3,000 students from the Coatesville Area School District now attend charters, up from about 1,700 five years ago. In that time, Coatesville’s payments to charters have expanded by $33 million, to about $54 million per year. The school board will review the budget for preliminary adoption later this month, with final approval expected at the Tuesday, June 14, meeting.
Source: Daily Local; 5/5/2022
Townships sign on to Route 41 improvement study
A group of Chester County municipalities have banded together to conduct a study of the Route 41 corridor. With approval from the county planning commission, Londonderry, London Grove, New Garden and Kennett townships will use a $45,000 grant from the county — plus additional funds from each township — to develop a long-range plan to explore ways to reduce traffic. The study, which will be conducted by the local engineering firm McMahon Associates, has a stated goal of “synthesizing a regional consensus vision for the roadway.” The 18-month project will include a kick-off meeting, vision meetings with the general public, the development of conceptual traffic engineering improvements, the completion of a draft, and a final study that will provide a blueprint to assist the municipalities, county and PennDOT to achieve a sustainable solution for the corridor. One key municipality, Avondale Borough, has agreed in principle to participate in the study, but with a big stipulation — that no roundabout is constructed in the borough. Avondale Borough Council said in a 2021 resolution that “the only viable and long-term solution” to calming traffic would be a bypass around the municipality.
Source: Chester County Press; 5/3/2022
West Goshen supervisors reject apartment plan at Quality Inn
West Goshen Township supervisors nixed a developer’s plans to build more than 160 apartment units at the site of the Quality Inn, at Stanton Avenue and Route 202. The roughly 9-acre site is zoned Limited Commercial, or C-3, and without a zoning change apartments would not be allowed. Sam Tarantini, managing director of Branchport Capitol, pitched construction of 80 one-bedroom, 37 studio and 51 two-bedroom apartments for lease at market rates, with no student or Section 8 renters, at the former site of the Treadway Inn. He also proposed adding climate-controlled self-storage units on part of the lot. Board of Supervisors Chair Shaun Walsh noted that the possibility of increased traffic volume was a major concern at the proposed entrance to Route 202. The entrance/exit only allows motorists to turn right onto the highway and head north. A U-turn is required to go south. Crime has been an issue at the site. Police Chief Joseph Carroll said in 2020 police responded to 495 incidents at the hotel and made nine arrests, which took up 151 hours of officers’ time. The 144-room Quality Inn has 8,440 square feet of unused meeting space, and an unused 5,200 square foot bar, kitchen and restaurant, along with 286 parking spaces. The hotel opened in 1971. With current zoning, a new owner could expand to 104,000 square feet. Walsh said that, while he supports construction of new housing, he was opposed to rezoning the property.
Source: Daily Local; 5/6/2022
East Caln wins top honors for communications in statewide contest
East Caln Township has been recognized for its communication efforts in the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors’ (PSATS) 54th annual Citizen Communication Contest. The township took top honors in the category of Outstanding Citizen Communication (Population 5,000 and Under). PSATS officials presented the award to Township Supervisor Chuck DeLone at the group’s annual educational conference on April 25. East Caln also received two other awards, tying for first place in the newsletter category, and tying for third place for its website. In all, 31 townships submitted 102 entries for this year’s competition, and 17 individual townships won awards. All contest entries were judged on the usefulness of information presented and how well the information was communicated to township residents. Publications were also judged on their overall attractiveness and readability.
Source: Daily Local; 5/4/2022?
Delaware
Delaware County Council considers increasing hotel tax to 5%
Delaware County Council is considering raising the hotel tax from the current 3% to 5% starting in 2023, and tourism officials are hoping the added revenue will help infuse the industry with needed promotion. “This tax increase, while it is on the hotels themselves, it also by statute must go to promoting events and opportunities to fill those beds,” Councilwoman Christine Reuther said. “All it does is put them on an even playing field from a tax perspective against our neighboring counties, and … it puts more money into an organization whose statutory obligation is to promote tourism and overnight stays at those hotels.” In Delaware County there are 4,200 rooms in 41 hotels or inns, and in pre-pandemic years, 68% to 69% annual occupancy was considered a good year. “The increase amounts to $2.50 per room per night,” Delaware County Executive Director Howard Lazarus said. “I don’t believe it would be a deterrent to the hotels.” He added that the average cost of a hotel room in Delaware County is $100 to $110 a night. Steve Byrne, executive director of Visit Delco PA, said Delco has the lowest hotel tax of surrounding counties.
Source: Daily Times; 5/4/2022
New micro-grant program aimed at building communities gets $475K in federal funding
A new micro-grant program in Delaware County will benefit from $475,000 in federal funding, according to an announcement from U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D, PA-5). The Delaware County Community Partnering Program will use the money to help fund projects that are organized and sustained by neighborhood residents and community groups. Eligible projects include community gardens, pocket parks, bicycle facilities, pedestrian enhancements, elder transport coordination, snow removal for physically restricted persons, or education initiatives like energy awareness programs, among others. The average grant is expected to be $25,000, and the program is designed to provide outreach to historically underserved communities. Delaware County Executive Howard Lazarus said the programs receiving grants will be designed to engender trust not only between neighbors, but also in local government. Applications for the?Community Partnering Program ?are now being accepted.
Source: Office of Rep. Scanlon; 5/4/2022 & Daily Times; 5/5/2022
领英推荐
Ridley Park sets new public comment rules
Ridley Park Borough Council adopted a resolution spelling out the rules of conduct and decorum at its public meetings. The resolution states that citizens shall be limited to a period of five minutes when providing commentary on matters of concern, official action or deliberation which are, or may be, before borough council prior to taking official action. It provides a section calling for the removal of an individual who refuses to yield the floor when time is up and disrupts the orderly progression of the public comment period. The new rules of conduct say the public comment period is not a question-and-answer session or a period of open debate. The mayor, council members and borough manager are not required to respond to questions, challenges or inquiries during public comments. Also, public comment is limited to “citizens of the borough.”?
Source: Chester Spirit; 4/27/2022
Newtown recognized as certified sustainable municipality
Newtown Township?announced ?that it is among a select group of municipalities that are certified through the?Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification ?program. Newtown has been recognized at the silver level of certification for meeting the program’s rigorous performance criteria that track 131 policies and practices used to define a sustainable community. The certification, managed by the Pennsylvania Municipal League in partnership with Sustainable Pittsburgh, is designed to distinguish municipalities that are working to save money, conserve resources and serve vibrant communities. The silver certification recognizes efforts in such areas as community design and land use, energy efficiency, health and wellness, intergovernmental cooperation, recycling and waste reduction, fiscal controls, and internal management and operations.?
Source: Daily Times; 4/27/2022
Delco council points to positives in 2022 State of the County address
At the 2022 State of the County address, Delaware County Council members touched upon significant moments like the creation of the new county health department, the deprivatization of the county prison and the acquisition of the Don Guanella property. “Delaware County government has continued to do the important and hard work to make our community stronger and increase opportunity and equity as it builds upon all of the attributes that makes Delco a great place to live, work and raise a family,” said Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. The $10 million county health department, which officially opened last month, employs approximately 60 workers and has three divisions: personal health, population health, and environmental health. Also highlighted was the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which approved more than 8,900 grants totaling over $55.6 million, with $47.4 million used for rental assistance and $7.4 million for utilities for residents in jeopardy of eviction due to job losses or other reasons related to the pandemic. The program is expected to conclude this year after distributing more than $67 million. The average grant has been more than $6,000. In April, Delaware County received the Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence for its implementation of the rental assistance program.
Source: Daily Times; 5/6/2022?
Montgomery
Vacancy ordinance debate continues in Lansdale
Lansdale Borough officials are continuing discussion on whether and how the borough can create some sort of fee for owners of vacant buildings, while at the same time taking steps to help fill the vacancies. In February, Councilman Mark Ladley and Mayor Garry Herbert suggested the code committee consider a vacant property ordinance. The proposed ordinance is meant to either spur new development or a sale to someone who will develop a property. Herbert said the empty properties have a negative impact on the town. Ladley and Herbert also reported that there is a proposed bill that would establish a vacant property registration statewide.?HB 1791 ?would mandate an annual reassessment of the property, levy a fine based on the reassessment, and apply to all vacancies, including residential properties. The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee for further discussion. Read more from?The Reporter here . The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors?opposes HB 1791 , and the Suburban Realtors Alliance is closely monitoring the local debate in Lansdale.?
Source: The Reporter; 5/6/2022
Proposed ‘Creekside at Mainland’ outlined in Lower Salford
Lower Salford Township supervisors recently reviewed plans for the proposed “Creekside at Mainland” development. The development includes three properties — the closed Mainland Inn restaurant, a neighboring property and a second neighboring property with an office building. The existing Mainland Inn would be reopened as a restaurant, the office building would remain, and 45 apartments would be built. Four of the apartments would front Mainland Road with the remainder farther back on the site. The sidewalk system within the development would support the apartments, the restaurant, office use and the rest of the village commercial district. There would also be modern stormwater controls. Waiver requests, including those related to parking space and trees, will be formally voted on at a future meeting when the final approval of the plan is considered.
Source: The Reporter; 5/9/2022
County extends Ida disaster declaration
Montgomery County commissioners have authorized the extension of a Hurricane Ida-related emergency disaster declaration for the fourth time. Ida produced historic flooding and an EF-2 tornado that displaced numerous people in the county. The commissioners first formalized the order in the days following the September 2021 storm. It was renewed again in October, December and March, according to the resolution. “As we are still dealing with the fallout from that in both property and the lives that have been touched by this, it is recommended that we re-up this for another 60 days,” county solicitor Josh Stein said.
Source: The Reporter; 5/6/2022
Municipal building improvements planned in Souderton
Souderton Borough Manager Mike Coll reported that floor plans have been laid out for forthcoming renovations to the municipal building. The borough administrative offices and police department share a former school building on Summit Street. Coll said it would be more economical to do the entire renovation at once instead of breaking it down into separate phases. The next step will be to get cost estimates for the work. The borough plans to use the $740,000 it is receiving in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act for the project.
Source: The Reporter; 4/22/2022
Lower Moreland to hold stormwater workshop
Lower Moreland Township, in partnership with the Penn State Extension, will hold a workshop via Zoom to discuss stormwater management for homeowners. The workshop will be on Thursday, May 19, at 7 p.m. For registration information,?click here .
Source: Lower Moreland Township?
Philadelphia
Philly housing program pairs first-time buyers with 1,000 affordable homes
As part of a broader neighborhood improvement initiative, Philadelphia has launched a housing program that will see private developers build at least 1,000 affordable homes on public land on a rolling basis. Through a partnership with the Kenney administration, the Turn the Key program will give eligible first-time buyers the opportunity to purchase homes across the city for between $190,000 and $230,000 — far less than the current median home price. Construction on some of the homes, most of which will have three bedrooms, is expected to start in the coming months. Forty-one affordable homes will be built on vacant lots at the corner of 55th and Poplar streets in West Philadelphia. Income-qualified city workers are slated to have a competitive advantage when homes hit the market. A bill to that end is expected to pass city council as early as next month. To qualify for the Turn the Key program, applicants must earn no more than 80% of the area median income (AMI), which translates to $94,500 for a family of four. Subsidies available through the program will make it possible for a family earning as low as 60% of AMI to purchase one of the homes. Participating developers, who will be incentivized in the form of nominally priced land, will ultimately decide which applicants will become first-time home buyers. The initial budget for the program is expected to be between $7 million and $8 million. The money will come from the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, the massive bond-backed program created to increase the city’s stock of affordable housing, revive commercial corridors and improve neighborhood infrastructure, among other priorities. A second phase of the program is planned, but not finalized.
Source: PlanPhilly; 4/28/2022
Philly relaunches $10,000 home assistance program for first-time buyers
The city’s “Philly First Home” program launched in June 2019, offering $10,000 to help first-time buyers with their down payment or closing costs. After handing out more than $24 million in assistance, the program closed in September 2020. This week, the program was relaunched by the Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation. It is again offering $10,000 or 6% of the purchase price — whichever is lower — to help new homeowners move in. The program is “one more tool in the city’s toolbox to help make home ownership a reality for our residents,” Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement. To be eligible, recipients must be first-time buyers or have not owned a home in the past three years. Recipients must have a household income of less than the city’s Area Median Income (AMI). The AMI for a household of four in Philadelphia is $105,400. The home purchased must be in the city. New homeowners must also complete housing counseling at a DHCD funded counseling agency. Within the first 15 years after the grant money is issued, the financial aid must be paid back to the program if the recipients sell or lease the home, or if it’s refinanced to take cash out of the property. The first iteration of the program distributed 2,700 grants worth nearly $8,900 on average. About half the homes were purchased for less than $175,000, and 60% of recipients moved into a home less than three miles from their previous address.
Source: PlanPhilly; 5/7/2022?
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