A weekly roundup of real estate news, compiled by Suburban Realtors? Alliance week of: 1/28/2022
Gov. Wolf and other officials broke ground last fall on a new train station in Coatesville. Work is currently underway on the $65 million project, which is expected to revitalize the community and improve connections to the Amtrak Keystone Corridor.?
Weekly News Briefs
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General
PA residents can apply for help to avoid foreclosure starting Feb. 1
Gov. Tom Wolf recently?announced?the launch of the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which offers $350M in new COVID aid available for PA homeowners. Applications will be accepted through the?PHFA website?beginning Feb. 1. The money comes via the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Eligible households in Pennsylvania earn no more than 150% of the area median income. In the Philadelphia suburbs, that’s $141,750 for a family of four. According to federal guidelines, 60% of each state’s funds must go to households with incomes at or below 100% of area median income, which is $94,500 for a family of four. Applicants need to provide government-issued identification, income and bank statements, tax returns, mortgage statements, and other documents that show eligibility and need for assistance.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/24/2022
DEP: One-third of PA waterways are ‘impaired’
One-third of all Pennsylvania waterways are now considered polluted enough to harm wildlife, recreation or drinking water, according to a recent report from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The state has 85,000 miles of rivers and streams. Overall, Southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia and the surrounding counties, has some of the most impaired streams in the state, according to an Inquirer analysis of DEP data. Philadelphia has the highest rate of all counties in the state with nearly 97% of streams considered impaired. Delaware County is second at 94% impaired. Lancaster County is third-highest at nearly 90% but is also the county with the highest number of overall impaired miles (1,286) in the state, likely because of agricultural runoff. The top three known causes of impairment are agriculture, stormwater runoff and acid-mine drainage, which occurs when water flows over sulfur-bearing materials. Read more?here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/19/2022
New web tool tracks proposed changes to PA Constitution
Spotlight PA has introduced a?new tool tracking?changes to the Pennsylvania Constitution. Since January 2021, Pennsylvania legislators have proposed more than 70 changes to the state constitution, some of which could radically reshape how parts of state government work. The slow, multiyear process of amending the Pennsylvania Constitution has become the tool of choice for some lawmakers seeking to enact policy and avoid the governor’s veto. Despite the potential significance of these constitutional changes, it’s difficult to track them. Amending the constitution, though cumbersome, does not involve the governor. Instead, proposed constitutional amendments, after passing both chambers of the General Assembly two sessions in a row, become referenda that voters can approve or reject in the following election. If a majority of voters approve an amendment — and it survives any legal challenges — it goes into effect and becomes part of the constitution.?
Source: Spotlight PA; 1/26/2022
Free smoke detector resources
The city of Philadelphia offers free smoke detectors through its 311 service, and residents who live in the suburbs may be able to get free smoke detectors through the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania by filling out?an online form. The Red Cross says that in-home visits are currently on pause due to COVID-19 — but applicants will be contacted once they begin offering them again, or if a local fire department can do the installation. Many local fire departments also offer free smoke detectors.?
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/6/2022
Bucks
Upper Southampton Municipal Authority outlines new procedures for sewer lateral inspections
For the past two years, the Upper Southampton Municipal Authority (USMA) has required sanitary sewer lateral inspections prior to the resale of a property connected to its system. During that time, the authority has noticed inconsistencies in submissions. With the goal of receiving uniform video presentations by all contractors, USMA is laying out new video inspection procedures that go into effect on Feb. 1. Click?here?to review the updated procedures.?
Source: Upper Southampton Municipal Authority; 1/2022
Bensalem seeks injunction to force cleanup at motel
Bensalem Township is seeking a court injunction to allow it to enter an economy motel in order to conduct inspections. The lawsuit filed by the township states that the Neshaminy Inn on Route 1 contains such an “immense amount of trash” that it poses a danger to first responders who must enter the property on emergency calls. According to court records, Bensalem has spent over two years trying to get the owners, NI Properties, to clean up the property. Violations were issued in December 2019 and August 2020. In April 2021, property owners met with Bensalem’s code inspector and public safety director to review code violations and public safety hazards. Another violation was issued in August 2021 requiring that each room be cleaned of rubbish, the property be treated for pests, and nonfunctioning or missing toilets be repaired or replaced. Read more?here.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 1/25/2022
Middletown seeks resident volunteers for boards, commissions
Middletown Township is seeking residents to serve on boards and commissions, which serve as advisory bodies to the board of supervisors and other township officials. Vacancies currently exist on the Citizens Traffic Commission, which has two open positions, and the Historic Preservation Commission, which has one open seat. Application forms can be?found online?and submitted to?[email protected].?
Source: LevittownNow.com; 1/20/2022
Durham seeks to increase supervisor compensation
Durham Township supervisors will consider a proposed ordinance establishing supervisor compensation. The proposal sets supervisor compensation per meeting and limits the compensation to the maximum allowed under the Pennsylvania Second Class Township Code. The board of supervisors will consider the draft ordinance at a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m., at the Durham Township Building, 215 Old Furnace Road. Copies of the full text of the draft ordinance are available to any interested party for inspection and/or copying at a nominal cost at the township building.
Source: The Intelligencer; 1/20/2022?
Chester
Coatesville experiencing high demand for inspections?
Coatesville has seen increased requests for certificates of occupancy for the transfer of real estate. The high demand coupled with ongoing rental inspections means that requests for inspections should be sent as soon as an agreement of sale has a closing date. The inspectors are working on a first-in, first-out basis to keep up with demand. Currently, there is a 30-day wait.
Work is underway on new Coatesville rail station
Work at the $65 million Amtrak train station at Fleetwood Street in Coatesville is underway following an October 2021 groundbreaking attended by Gov. Tom Wolf. According to a release issued by the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance, the new station is being developed to provide ADA accessibility and improve station function and amenities, while supporting revitalization of the area. City Manager James Logan said he expects the project to be completed within three and a half years, depending on supply availability and weather. “It will make a tremendous difference,” Logan said. “It opens up a lot of possibilities for the city.” Logan also said that SEPTA is expected to reestablish regional rail service for Coatesville, and commuters on the Route 30 Bypass headed for other train stations will get off the highway a little bit sooner. The new station will sit east of the existing historic station building. The current building has been closed for more than 25 years. The new facility along Fleetwood Street between 3rd and 4th avenues will feature: 530-foot-long high-level (accessible) platforms with canopies and seating; stair/elevator towers; an audio/visual public address system and security cameras; bicycle racks; expanded parking; and accommodation for multimodal connections.
Source: Daily Local; 1/24/2022
No tax hike in Downingtown despite ongoing Ida cleanup
Downingtown Borough is still repairing damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ida. “We have always experienced flooding in Downingtown, but I don’t think anyone had seen a storm like Ida on Sept. 1,” said Downingtown Borough Manager Stephen Sullins. According to Sullins, damages caused by the storm reached $2.5 million for borough property alone, with substantial damage to all borough buildings. Despite the costs incurred, there is no tax increase in 2022 for residents. Among the damaged properties were Borough Hall, the annex, the public works facility and the Downingtown Police Department. The borough is still a month away from having the entire complex operational.
Source: Daily Times; 1/26/2022
Chester County watershed protection projects awarded $1.3 million from state
Five projects to protect and restore watersheds in Chester County and the surrounding region will receive more than $1.3 million in total state funding through the Growing Greener Program. “As we continue to face the growing impacts of climate change, including more intense precipitation and potential flooding, it’s imperative that we work together with local and regional organizations to better manage the impacts of stormwater runoff on our streams and waterways,” said state Rep. Carolyn Comitta (D-19), minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. The grants?include:
Source: Daily Local; 1/26/2022
Kennett Township to explore ideas for a coat of arms design
Newly elected Kennett Township Supervisor Geoffrey Gamble has recommended that the township create a coat of arms seal as a way to leave a dignified and permanent imprint on the township for years to come. Francis Smith, a landowner on Pocopson Creek, is said to have named the area after his birthplace in England, the Valley of the Kennett River, a tributary of the Thames River in southern England. Gamble referred to the graphic identities found in the coats of arms for the three original Pennsylvania counties: the County of Philadelphia’s seal featured a sailing ship, Bucks County’s seal featured a plow, and Chester County used three wheat sheaves, called “garbs,” on a green field. Gamble asked those attending the meeting online to offer ideas to him on the proposed design of the township’s coat of arms via email:?[email protected].
Source: Chester County Press; 1/25/2022?
Delaware?
Upper Darby council to vote on $20M worth of American Rescue Plan allotments
Upper Darby Township Council will vote Feb. 2 on Mayor Barbarann Keffer’s proposal to allocate more than $20 million of American Rescue Plan Act money to a number of township projects. The?draft proposal?consists of $6 million for flood mitigation and sewer upgrades, $6 million toward lost revenue, $3 million for police, fire and EMS support, $2.5 million for COVID relief and negative impacts, and $3 million for parks and public spaces. The flood and sewer mitigation upgrades include $2 million towards the Cobbs Creek sewer system interceptor, $2 million to the Fernwood sewer system interceptor and $1 million to the Naylors Run streambank stabilization, as well as $1 million towards sewer relining. In 2021, the township received $20.5 million in the first round of the $350 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, part of the American Rescue Plan signed by President Biden in March 2021. A second round of $20.5 million will be allotted in 2023, and all money must be allocated by the end of 2024.
Source: Daily Times; 1/25/2022
Haverford has plans for American Rescue Plan funds
Haverford Township was allotted $20 million in federal funding from the American Recovery Plan Act, much of which it has put toward infrastructure and small business grants. The township awarded 45 grants of $2,500 each in Phase 1 of its?Back to Business program. It is now accepting applications for Phase 2, and has so far awarded 48 more grants. Township officials have also been working on a facade-improvement program called “Discover Haverford” through a partnership with the Haverford Partnership for Economic Development. Phase 1 of the facade program is expected to provide matching grants up to $10,000 to businesses, nonprofits or commercial property owners for the purpose of promoting economic recovery and community revitalization through aesthetically improved business properties.?
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Source: Daily Times; 1/25/2022
Upper Chichester to have presentation of Boothwyn Town Center
The Upper Chichester Board of Commissioners will hold a special virtual meeting for the presentation of the Boothwyn Town Center plans. The hearing can be viewed live on the?Upper Chichester Township Youtube account, or by calling 571-748-4021 and entering the passcode 357-1690#. To participate during the public comment section, residents must be on the call. The meeting will take place on Monday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m.?
Source: Daily Times; 1/20/2022
Folcroft will consider standards for contractors
Folcroft Borough Council will consider a proposed ordinance to establish requirements for contractors selected to perform public contracts. The draft ordinance establishes requirements for prospective contractors and subcontractors to meet minimum standards relating to responsibility, technical qualifications, competency, expertise, adequacy of resources (including equipment, personnel and financial) and records demonstrating past project performance, safety, law compliance and business integrity. The ordinance will be considered for adoption at a public meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. at Folcroft Borough Hall located at 1555 Elmwood Ave.
Source: Daily Times; 1/20/2022
Sparks fly between Chester’s mayor, receiver over Covanta contract
Tensions heightened between Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland and city receiver Michael Doweary after a presentation in which the receiver’s office maintained the city has lost almost $10 million in the 2017 Covanta contract. The company operates a waste incinerator in the city. On Jan. 11, Covanta sent Chester city officials a letter informing them that it is extending its host agreement with the city for another three years with the terms remaining the same. Based on the existing agreement, Covanta had the option to extend the agreement by 10 years, either in one 10-year allotment or in successive increments no shorter than a year. Kirkland and Doweary’s exchange occurred after Doweary muted Kirkland and Chester solicitor Kenneth Schuster as Schuster attempted to talk at a meeting. Doweary said only members of the Municipal Financial Recovery Advisory Committee could speak at that time. In a presentation just prior, Doweary stated that the city of Chester has missed out on $5.5 million in unescalated fees, or $6.8 million if escalation is considered, from 2017 through the third quarter of 2021. If an additional three years remain the same, the total would be increased to $10.5 million in unescalated fees, or $12.3 million in escalated totals.
Source: Daily Times; 1/26/2022?
Montgomery?
Limerick open space plan targets more than 1,000 acres
Limerick Township supervisors recently looked at an update to the township’s 16-year-old open space plan. Consultant Sarah Leeper presented the plan, which identifies 33 parcels as worthy of consideration for preservation, for a total of 1,111 acres. According to Leeper, placing the parcels on the plan does not preserve them, “but it gives you a seat at the table with developers and willing owners.” Having those parcels as part of the official plan also makes it easier to seek grant funding for their protection, she said.?No decisions on the plan were made — the supervisors want to allow surrounding municipalities time to comment on the?open space update plan.?
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 1/21/2022
Public hearing scheduled for Lower Frederick comprehensive plan
The Lower Frederick Township Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to consider adopting a comprehensive plan. The plan sets forth the township’s land use, zoning and development goals for the next 10 years, will supplement the regional comprehensive plan, and acts as the basis for the passage of amendments to the township’s zoning and subdivision and land development ordinances. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 53 Spring Mount Road, Schwenksville. The draft comprehensive plan is posted on the?Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee webpage.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 1/20/2022
Ambler looks to limit single-use plastics
Ambler Borough Council will consider an ordinance that will prohibit the distribution of single use plastics in connection with the sale of food and merchandise, including carryout bags, Styrofoam and polystyrene foam containers, and plastic straws. The proposed ordinance also limits the cost of recyclable bags and containers to 10 cents per item and will be effective six months after adoption. The proposed ordinance can be viewed on Page 17 of the?Dec. 21, 2021, council meeting agenda.
Source: Times Herald; 1/22/2022
Towamencin Township building mailing address update
Towamencin Township is no longer using P.O. Box 303, Kulpsville, PA 19443 for mail. Residents and business owners are asked to use the township’s physical address — 1090 Troxel Road, Lansdale, PA 19446 — when mailing any correspondence, payments, forms and permits. This change includes mail for the Towamencin Township Police Department as well. For more contact information,?click here.
Source: Towamencin Township; 1/2022
Largest homeless shelter in Montco to relocate
The Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC) on the grounds of Norristown State Hospital is itself soon to be homeless with the hospital grounds slated for sale. CHOC is Montgomery County’s only year-round homeless program for single adults, according to director Christina Jordan. Other shelters are for families only or for women and children escaping domestic violence. The 50-bed facility has been searching for a place to relocate, but has been unable to find one. The Norristown-based facility seldom has available space, and if the beds are taken offline, there will be an increase in homelessness, according to Owen Camuso, regional director of Resources for Human Development, the nationwide nonprofit organization under which CHOC operates.?Click here?for more information.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 1/24/2022
Sears at Willow Grove Park mall to close
Sears has announced the closure of its store at Willow Grove Park mall. Spokesperson Larry Costello said Transformco plans to “redevelop and reinvigorate the property” to “unlock the value of the real estate and pursue the highest and best use for the benefit of the local community.” Transformco manages Sears and a number of other brands, including Kmart, Shop Your Way, Kenmore, Craftsman at Sears, DieHard, Sears Auto Center and Sears Home Services. Details of the redevelopment will be announced as plans are finalized.?
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 1/20/2022
Philadelphia
First legislative response to deadly Fairmount fire is a proposed tax credit for landlords
A bill moving through Philadelphia City Council would effectively reimburse property owners and landlords who purchase and install fire-escape ladders in their apartments. If passed, they would be repaid — potentially in full — in the form of a business tax credit, as long as they comply with the terms of the legislation, which includes agreeing to properly maintain the ladder. Fire escape ladders, which are made from a variety of materials, can range in price from below $100 to more than $1,000. The bill, geared toward multi-family apartment buildings, also calls for an engineer or qualified professional to confirm in writing that the ladder is safe for the property in question, positioned near a window or another point of egress, and meets other safety regulations established by the city. A property owner or landlord who fails to properly maintain the ladder would be required to repay the tax credits to the city, unless the city determined the ladder was compromised as a result of circumstances beyond the control of the landlord or property owner. The measure does not say whether landlords and property owners can claim a tax credit for each ladder they install, but it indicates the tax credit will be limited to a certain dollar amount.
Source: PlanPhilly; 1/2022
How to get free smoke detectors in Philadelphia
The City of Philadelphia will give residents free smoke detectors and even install them. Residents can request the devices by contacting 311 by phone or through the?Philly 311 app, or by filling out a?smoke detector request form online. It can take up to 60 days from request date to installation. The Philadelphia Fire Department recently tweeted that it installed roughly 1,100 free smoke detectors throughout the city in December. If a rental property does not have working smoke detectors in the unit, that is a violation of the city’s?Certificate of Rental Suitability?requirements. The rules state that property owners need to “maintain all fire protection and smoke detection equipment for the premises.” Landlords must provide smoke alarms on each level of the home, according to the city’s website.?
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/6/2022
Philly poised to pass new (very similar) city council map amid complaints of opaque process
After weeks of private talks, Philadelphia City Council leaders have released their proposal for the once-a-decade redrawing of the city’s legislative district lines. The plan makes few significant changes to the existing version. Council, though, isn’t making it easy for city residents to see exactly how they fit into the proposed new shapes. The bill contains no actual map — just a list of which divisions are in which district. Read more?here.?
Source: PlanPhilly; 1/20/2022
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