A weekly roundup of real estate news, compiled by Suburban Realtors? Alliance week of: 2/3/2023
Moland House — also known as Washington's Headquarters Farm — is an old stone farmhouse built around 1750 in Warwick Township, Bucks County. Warwick is served by Central Bucks School District, which is undergoing a contentious political redistricting process.
Weekly News Briefs
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General
Gov. Shapiro signs executive order requiring review of PA licensing practices
Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed an?Executive Order?to improve the state’s licensing, permitting and certification processes. The order requires a comprehensive review of how long it takes agencies to process applications and how workers and businesses apply online. According to a press release announcing the Governor’s action, the Executive Order will lead to the establishment of a “date-certain” for each license, permit, or certificate by which applicants will hear back. If applicants don’t receive a response by that date, the state agency responsible will refund their application fee. “State government’s top priority should be serving the people of our Commonwealth, but for too long, Pennsylvanians have had to endure long wait times, outdated systems, and bureaucratic delays,” Shapiro said. “Under my administration, Pennsylvanians will have certainty – they will know how long it will take for agencies to respond, and if any agency doesn’t live up to that promise, they deserve their money back.”?
PA takes over troubled mortgage relief program from contractor after complaints, backlogs
In an abrupt change, Pennsylvania’s struggling mortgage relief program will no longer work with the private company originally hired to run it, and will temporarily stop accepting new applications starting Feb. 1 while it makes the transition. The move comes less than a week after a?Spotlight PA investigation found?that the program has been struggling to get the information it needs from mortgage companies, leaving homeowners grasping for answers and waiting months to get help. As a result, some applicants had their utilities shut off and saw their credit scores plummet. It is unclear how long the program will be closed to new applications. Homeowners with pending applications will not have to resubmit them, but they will need to register with the new system, a spokesperson for the agency said. The program, funded by $350 million in federal pandemic aid, launched last February and covers mortgage and utility debt, delinquent property taxes, and other housing costs, as well as ongoing mortgage payments for some homeowners. As part of the overhaul, applicants will be assigned new contacts the week of Feb. 6, according to?FAQs?posted online by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, which is administering the program. Read more at?Spotlight PA.
Source: Spotlight PA; 2/1/2023
EPA launches lead pipe replacement initiative in underserved communities
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials recently announced the?Lead Service Line Replacement Accelerators?initiative. The initiative is a partnership with the federal Department of Labor, and the states of Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Wisconsin. Through the program, the EPA will provide hands-on support to guide 40 communities in those states through the process of lead service line removals, including support in developing replacement plans, conducting inventories to identify lead pipes, increasing community outreach and education efforts, and supporting applications for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. As a result, more communities will be able to access their fair share of federal funds to secure a lead-free future. Read more?here.
Source: EPA; 1/27/2023
PA auditor general audits 12 school districts over tax increases
Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor?released an audit of 12 Pennsylvania school districts?for a legal standard practice where districts are raising local property taxes while holding millions of dollars in their general funds. State law allows school districts to ask for a special tax increase — something that usually is decided by voters — only if the amount of unspent cash they have on hand is less than 8% of their total annual budget. A press release from the auditor general explains the 12 districts collectively had some $500 million in surplus cash among them, but they asked the state for special taxing permission anyway — and even moved that extra money around to make it look like they needed more. The practice is not illegal, but DeFoor describes it as a “loophole” that state lawmakers should close in the upcoming session by requiring districts to use all the cash they have on hand before asking for more tax increases. Three Montgomery County school districts were audited — Abington, Lower Merion and North Penn. Neshaminy School District in Bucks County and West Chester Area School District in Chester and Delaware counties were also evaluated in the audit. Read more?here. The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials?said?districts have needed to save money, as costs for things like pensions and charter school tuition have risen by several billion dollars in the last few years. The probe did not examine whether public charter schools are holding onto surplus cash unnecessarily. According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, almost half of Pennsylvania school districts have reserve funds that exceed 20% of their spending. View data for individual districts?here.
Source: Daily Local; 1/26/2023?
Bucks
Central Bucks voters protest school board redistricting plan
More than 3,670 residents of the Central Bucks School District have signed a petition recently filed in Bucks County Court opposing a plan to realign the district's voting regions. The school district needs to realign its voting districts because of unequal representation on the board. The school board voted 6-3 to advance a redistricting plan in mid-November that would shift 12 voting precincts in six of Central Bucks’ nine regions. Five of those regions include school board seats up for election in 2023. The nine-district plan would move about 6,000 voters to a region that does not elect a member until 2025. These District 5 voters, including New Britain Borough and Doylestown Township, last had an opportunity to vote for a school director in 2019 and under the school board plan, would not be able to vote again until 2025. Petitioners have formed an organization called “CBSD Fair Votes" to fight the majority on the current school board’s plan to realign the voting districts. They want the court to consider instead a plan that would split district voters into three regions represented by three board members each, rather than nine regions in the district proposal. Read more?here.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 1/27/2023 & Doylestown Patch; 1/29/2023
Lower Makefield putting $10M from sewer sale in trust
Lower Makefield Township sold its sewer system to Aqua Pennsylvania for $53 million. The township paid off some major debts with proceeds from the sale and has about $23 million remaining. Supervisors recently approved an agreement that calls for an initial deposit of $10 million from the remaining proceeds into a trust. The idea for the trust is to protect the principal deposited there and have the interest keep accumulating, or apply interest to the township’s general fund or use it for other purposes. Supervisors hope to put more in the trust soon but are waiting to determine how much of the remaining $13 million might be needed for other purposes.?
Source: Bucks County Herald; 1/27/2023
Grant will help Bucks residents with tainted water
A new $3.6 million state grant will support plans to connect more than 50 homes with PFAS-contaminated water to the Perkasie Regional Authority’s water supply. PFAS, a family of hazardous synthetic chemicals used for decades in a wide range of consumer products and firefighting foam, has been found in groundwater across the country. Bucks County state representatives Craig Staats (R-145) and Shelby Labs (R-143) announced the grant’s approval by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. The grant comes at the same time?Pennsylvania adopted new regulations?around PFAS chemicals, setting new limits on two forms of the pollutants.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 1/26/2023
Council Rock School Board prepares to fill vacancy as Marcell resigns
Kristin Marcell has tendered her resignation from the Council Rock School Board, effective Feb. 9. Marcell is the recently sworn-in freshman state representative for the 178th District. She had served on the school board for about four and a half years. The school board must now schedule a special meeting to consider Marcell's resignation date and appoint a replacement within 30 days. The board will advertise the vacancy, consider applicants and then vote on a temporary replacement. Watch the?Council Rock School District website?for more information.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 1/27/2023?
Chester
Malvern residents draft ordinance to stop bike park; council rejects it
Malvern Borough Council voted unanimously on Jan. 3?to deny a proposed ordinance?introduced via resident petition that would have placed a conservation easement on land where the borough plans to build a bicycle park. A?group of residents?drafted the ordinance to prevent the bike park, saying it would be detrimental to the existing natural habitat, and gathered 322 signatures, of which the council determined 280 were permissible. According to the meeting minutes, Malvern’s home rule charter permits registered voters in the borough to file a petition to propose legislation to borough council, and the residents’ proposal was duly advertised before the vote. A recent?borough document?describing the planned bike park states, “This project will provide a safe biking area for Malvern’s youth, while preserving the tree canopy and enhancing native habitat. … The trails will incorporate bumps and curves to encourage physical activity. A preliminary design provides 1,114 feet (0.21 miles) of trails, including an expert area (800 feet), beginner area (190 feet), and starting loop (124 feet).”
Source: Malvern Borough; 1/3/2023
East Fallowfield considers changing chicken regulations
East Fallowfield Township supervisors are considering amending the zoning ordinance regarding the keeping of chickens as an accessory to a residential use. The proposed ordinance amends the definition of “agricultural operation” and adds definitions for chicken run or pen, domesticated chicken and other terms. It also amends and adds provisions related to keeping large domestic animals as pets as an accessory use. According to township?meeting minutes, one township supervisor requested the planning commission consider a minimum half-acre requirement rather than the current recommendation of one acre. A copy of the proposed ordinance is available for inspection at the township building. A public hearing will be held Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the township building, 2264 Strasburg Road.
Source: Daily Local News; 1/31/2023
More public comment allowed in Kennett Township
Kennett Township residents will have two dedicated public comment periods at the supervisors’ meetings this year. There will be a period for comments regarding agenda items at the start of the meeting, and a general public comment period at the end of the meeting, Supervisors Chairman Geoff Gamble said at the Jan. 18 meeting. Agenda comments will be limited to three minutes. “We feel we need to have public input before we have votes,” he said. “It must pertain to a specific agenda item. This public agenda comment time — everybody’s comments should end with vote yes, vote no” or table it. The general public comment will give those wanting to speak five minutes each.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 1/29/2023
Utility improvements in West Chester and West Goshen fell large trees
PECO is investing $4.8 million to enhance local electric infrastructure in West Chester Borough and West Goshen Township. The work includes upgrading and installing new equipment, including poles and aerial wires. “This project is part of our Reliability and Resiliency Plan, which will help prevent customer outages, modernize the electric grid, reduce the impact of extreme weather on electric infrastructure, and support the adoption of clean energy resources,” a PECO representative said. PECO and its contractors are working on tree removal and tree trimming on both public and private property. PECO will work with each individual property owner affected by tree removal or tree trimming. Much of the work will be contracted out to certified arborists and professional foresters.
Source: Daily Local; 1/26/2023
DCCC consolidates Exton and Downingtown campuses
Delaware County Community College (DCCC) will close its Exton Center location and consolidate the staff and resources with the Downingtown Center, located at 100 Bond Drive in Downingtown. “The college enjoyed 26 successful years in Exton, and the decision was a difficult one,” said DCCC president Dr. L. Joy Gates Black. “However, in the recent past our Downingtown Center has expanded significantly and offers more robust resources and state-of-the-art facilities to our students. That, coupled with a shift in enrollment, led us to determine that this consolidation makes sense.”?
Source: Daily Local; 1/31/2023
Officials launch ‘Fresh Air, Self-Care Chesco’
Chester County announced the launch of?Fresh Air, Self-Care Chesco, a campaign that encourages residents to practice effective self-care for better health and wellness through easy outdoor activity. The campaign website features many trail, park, preserve and outdoor activity resources available in Chester County.
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Source: Chester County; 1/25/2023?
Delaware
Judge scolds Chester, gives administrative power to city receiver
In an order highly critical of Chester City government, Commonwealth Court Judge Ellen Ceisler granted the city’s state-appointed receiver expanded administrative duties while limiting his ability to spend city funds. “The testimony presented at the hearing revealed to the Court a culture of denial, blame-shifting, arrogance, and nepotism within the City’s government,” Ceisler wrote in her order. “The testimony also demonstrated the existence of significant operational issues within the City’s departments, as well as City officials’ lack of transparency, lack of cooperation, and blatant disrespect of Receiver and his team.” The order confirms without change receiver Michael Doweary’s capacity to oversee administrative duties and professional management in the city. The judge indicated that the receiver’s initiatives relating to human resources, finance, auditing, procurement and legal will help provide the city with consistency, stability and direction.?
Source: Daily Times; 2/1/2023
Equus' final phase of the mixed-use development gets underway in Newtown Square
Construction on a five-story, 106,000-square-foot office building at Newtown Square’s Ellis Preserve is set to pick up in earnest with the start of footing and foundation work. The project is slated to open in summer 2024.The build-to-suit site with a single tenant is part of the final phase of Equus Capital Partners’ Ellis Preserve development. Equus senior vice president of acquisitions and development Steve Spaeder declined to say who the tenant is. The office building is part of a final development phase that also includes a 140-room Marriott AC Hotel, 75,000 square feet of retail made up of restaurants and entertainment venues, an 18,000-square-foot wedding venue and 200 apartments. The apartments are opening in February. In total, Ellis Preserve spans 213 acres. It has 364,000 square feet of new retail, dining, event and hotel space as well as 1.4 million square feet of office, lab and manufacturing space. The mixed-use project has been in the works for 20 years, with phases opening in stages. The sprawling Delaware County campus is already home to a Main Line Health medical center, various styles of luxury homes and an events venue, the Ballroom at Ellis Preserve. The adjacent Shoppes at Ellis Preserve are anchored by a Whole Foods Market.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 1/27/2023
Radnor School District tax hike for 2023-2024 to be limited to 4.1%?
The Radnor Township School Board agreed to limit any upcoming tax hike for the 2023-2024 budget to the Act 1 index of 4.1%. This year’s Act 1 index limiting how much schools can increase property taxes is higher than in most recent years.?
Source: Daily Times; 1/31/2023?
Volunteers sought for improvements to Brinton Run Preserve
North American Land Trust is seeking community volunteers to help plant trees, make improvements and monitor wildlife at its Brinton Run Preserve, which the trust opened to the public in spring 2022. The site of the 71-acre preserve located in Chadds Ford Township played an important role in the final engagement at the Battle of the Brandywine. It is located at 6 Oakland Road, across the street from the historic Brinton 1704 House. The conservation organization is planning a community tree-planting event. People interested in volunteering can visit the?North American Land Trust website.?
Source: Daily Times; 1/28/2023?
Montgomery
Jamila Winder is appointed to Montco commissioners
Common Pleas Court Judge Carolyn T. Carluccio signed an order appointing Jamila Winder to serve the remainder of Val Arkoosh’s term on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. The court received more than 20 applications. Arkoosh resigned to join Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration. Winder is chair of the East Norriton Board of Supervisors and previously served as a director of the Norristown Area School District. She is a vice president at a global online learning platform and is responsible for the company’s U.S. operations. Winder will be the first Black woman to serve on the Montgomery County board. The seat will be on the ballot in the May primary election, as will the seat of Commissioner Ken Lawrence, who is not seeking reelection.?
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/30/2023
Lower Merion discusses new start times, full-day kindergarten
The Lower Merion School Board approved plans for the district to move forward with preparing for implementation of full-day kindergarten, as well as engagement strategies for proposed changes to school start times. Parents and students in the school district have been asking for later high school start times and full-day kindergarten for many years. Now the district has advanced both issues. If the new start times were implemented, the middle schools would begin at 8 a.m. and dismiss at 2:50 p.m. The high schools would run from 8:40 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and elementary schools from 9:20 a.m. to 4:05 p.m. Current start times for Lower Merion schools are 7:30 a.m. for high schools, 8:15 a.m. for middle schools, and 9 a.m. for the elementary schools. Dismissal times are 2:40 p.m., 3:05 p.m., and 3:35 p.m., respectively. Challenges to the proposed new start times include childcare hardships and finding drivers for later bus runs. The board also voted for the administration to begin to move forward with planning for the 2024-2025 implementation of universal full-day kindergarten. Lack of space for full-day kindergarten is a challenge to implementation, and the district may have to look at ideas like partner school programs, clusters or larger class sizes.
Source: Main Line Times; 1/30/2023
Lower Frederick to consider zoning amendments
Lower Frederick Township supervisors will consider a proposed ordinance amending the Chapter 170 of the municipal code, Zoning. The proposed ordinance includes: amending provisions to allow lots to front public and private roads; revising traffic impact study requirements; creating provisions for uses not specifically permitted within the township, for requiring well depletion agreements, and for multiple principle uses on a lot; revising natural resource protection standards concerning lakes, ponds, watercourses, riparian buffers, heritage trees and woodlands; revising maximum height and lane stacking standards; and revising use and dimensional standards in various zoning districts. Copies of the proposed ordinance are available at the Lower Frederick Township Municipal Building. A public hearing will be held during the supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 53 Spring Mount Road, Schwenksville.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 1/25/2023
Norristown Citizens’ Leadership Academy starts Feb. 15
Norristown residents will get a look at the functions of their local government with the return of the Citizens’ Leadership Academy (CLA). The CLA will convene for an eight-week course starting Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. The class will continue every Wednesday through April 5, with a course-completion certificate awarded to each participant who attends at least six of the eight classes. Each week will focus on a different area of municipal government, from finance to public works, emergency services to zoning. Representatives from Montgomery County government and Norristown Area School District will also speak to residents about their respective functions in the community. The CLA is a free program limited to 16 participants. Applications for the CLA will be accepted through?the municipal website, in person at Municipal Hall, or by mail or e-mail on a first-come, first-served basis through Feb. 6.
Source: Norristown Municipality?
Philadelphia?
Luxury development is coming to East Kensington following artist evictions
The future of East Kensington’s Viking Mills complex as a luxury apartment project is coming into focus, as the Chatham Bay Group releases details for review by a board of city-appointed architects and planners. The project, located at 2019-2053 E. Boston St., will transform the longtime warren of artisan workshops, recording studios and gallery spaces into a 178-unit apartment building with top-of-the-line amenities, such as infrared saunas, a lap pool, a 2,000-square-foot gym and a pickleball court. The project calls for the demolition of the existing one-story industrial building on the south side of the site to be replaced by a six-story apartment midrise with 100 new units, a basement and a roof deck. On the north end of the site, the existing building will have its roof removed and replaced with amenity space and another roof deck. The other 78 units will be in this refurbished structure, which used to house artist studios. The complex will include a mix of studios renting for an average of $1,550, one-bedrooms in the low $2,000s, and two-bedrooms in the mid-$2,000s. According to city records, Chatham Bay CEO Patrick Duffy and his partner Jay Freebery bought the existing site, which is zoned for industrial and residential use, for $9.6 million on Aug. 29, 2022. Chatham Bay estimates the price of construction, which has begun, between $45 million and $47 million.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/25/2023
More Philly tenants facing eviction will be able to get free legal representation
Philadelphia tenants with low incomes who are facing eviction and live in parts of Port Richmond, Kensington, Germantown and East Germantown can get free legal representation starting next week. On Feb. 1, the city is expanding its Right to Counsel initiative, which started last February as a pilot program for tenants living in zip codes 19139 and 19121 in West and North Philadelphia. Tenants with attorneys are much more likely to avoid evictions and to negotiate more favorable terms in agreements with landlords. But four out of five Philadelphia tenants facing eviction don’t have a lawyer, largely due to cost. Now, tenants in the 19134 and 19144 zip codes, which includes small sections of West Mount Airy and East Falls, can access lawyers for free under the expanded initiative. Renter households are eligible if they make at or below 200% of the federal poverty level — $29,160 for one person and $49,720 for a household of three. Eligible renters have the right to legal counsel for eviction cases, lease terminations and terminations of Philadelphia Housing Authority housing subsidies. Last year, 38% of tenants in the pilot zip codes received representation in Municipal Court, according to city officials. Citywide, about 21% of tenants had representation. The city plans to expand Right to Counsel to additional zip codes each year as long as it receives additional funding. Services are included in Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project’s budget. Read more in the?Inquirer?and?WHYY.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & WHYY; 1/30/2023
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