GENERAL INFORMATION
Property tax rebate deadline extended
The deadline to apply for Pennsylvania ’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for older adults and residents with disabilities has been extended from June 30 to December 31. The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. A 2006 program expansion increased the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 (which excludes half of Social Security income) for homeowners and raises the maximum standard rebate for both homeowners and renters from $500 to $650. The program expansion also provides for supplemental property tax rebates of up to $325 - on top of the standard rebates - to homeowners in Philadelphia , Pittsburgh , and Scranton ; and to those in other parts of the state who pay more than 15 percent of income on property taxes. Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and information are available online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com and by calling 1-888-222-9190. Forms and assistance also are available at Department of Revenue district offices (listed in the government section of telephone directories), local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators’ offices.
Source: Daily Times; 6/3/09
Urban Land Institute Philadelphia hosts “Urban Marketplace: Investing for Impact” forum
The Urban Land Institute will host a day-long forum convening the private, public and community development sectors of the region’s real estate industry to promote investment opportunities and development strategies to revitalize urban and suburban neighborhoods and corridors on Thursday, June 25 at the Union League. Visit http://philadelphia.uli.org/events.aspx for more information. Registration for this event is $175 for non-members before June 18.
BUCKS COUNTY
Palisades passes budget with $141 tax hike
Palisades school board members passed the final budget of $36.4 million for the 2009-2010 school year, which will include a property tax increase of $141 for the average property owner. The board voted unanimously to increase taxes from 100 mills to 104.1 mills. Residents who signed up for the state’s tax rebate program will see $221 reduced from their tax bills, saving an average of $80.
Source: The Intelligencer; 6/4/09
Pedestrian accessibility grants awarded to Chalfont
Chalfont officials report that the borough has received nearly $1.2 million in grants for pedestrian accessibility construction in the Route 202 area. New cross-borough sidewalks, crosswalks and curbing leading toward Pine Run Elementary School will be paid for with nearly $720,000 in federal Safe Routes to School funds. Another grant program, the Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative, offers $463,500 for two new parking areas, trails, and a pedestrian bridge connecting two parks in the southern part of town. Chalfont’s projects were among 50 “smart transportation” and 30 “Safe Routes to School” efforts statewide selected for funding, according to Gov. Rendell’s office.
Source: The Intelligencer; 6/3/09
Pennridge approves $98 tax increase
The Pennridge School Board passed a $109.1 million final budget for 2009-2010 which will raise taxes by about $98 for the average homeowner in the district. The property tax millage was increased by 2.53 percent – or 2.95 mills – to 119.55 mlls. For a home assessed at the district’s median of $30,400, annual property taxes would be $3,634. The 2009-2010 budget exceeds the 2008-2009 budget by about $1 million.
Source: The Intelligencer; 6/2/09
Perkasie and Quakertown join forces to seek stimulus funds for streetlights
Together, Perkasie and Quakertown hope to secure $1.5 million in grant money from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority to save money on streetlights. The grant application outlines the boroughs’ attempt to replace the streetlight bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. Perkasie plans to replace all 880 of its streetlights, and the state grant would cover 75 percent of the $969,674 price tag. Quakertown has about 1,200 streetlights, but borough officials doubt that Quakertown’s half of the grant money will cover every lamppost. The boroughs expects to save about 50 percent of their energy consumption, since the 175-watt lights that make up the majority of the lighting could be replaced by LEDs that only use 33 to 50 watts of energy to get the same brightness. Additionally, LED lights last longer than traditional bulbs; for streetlights, LEDs have a life expectancy of 20 years.
Source: The Intelligencer; 6/3/09
CHESTER COUNTY
Pennsbury to vote on open-space funding
Voters in Pennsbury will be asked to approve a 0.79 mill real estate tax for open space on the fall ballot. This would replace the 0.45 mill real estate and 1.88 percent earned income tax that currently support open space preservation efforts. Those with a home assessed at $100,000 would pay $34 toward open space. The mean real estate tax increase would be around $70. Meanwhile, the earned income tax rate would be reduced by 1.88 percent. As an example, those earning $50,000 would see that tax drop by $94.
Source: Daily Local; 6/1/09
Great Valley approves final budget
Residents living in the Great Valley School District will see a tax increase of 1.7 percent next year. In April, the board approved the preliminary budget at $76.1 million, which included a 1.8 percent increase over last year. Administrators and the finance committee worked to refine the tentative budget over the past two months. This is the lowest tax increase the district has seen in 25 years. A 1.7 percent hike would raise the tax rate to 18.22 mills, with one mill equal to $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value. An average taxpayer with a home in the district assessed for tax purposes at $228,900 would therefore generate a school property tax bill of $4,171 — an increase of $69 over the prior year. Residents with approved homestead exemptions will be eligible for tax credits from the state's gaming revenue. The rebate in Great Valley this year is $124 which is based on the 2009-10 gaming allocation released by the state on May 1, according to district officials.
Source: Daily Local; 6/4/09
South Coatesville looking to fill Planning Commission vacancy
The South Coatesville Planning Commission is looking for resident candidates who might like to be appointed to this board. The Planning Commission members meet on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 P.M. to conduct their business. Interested persons may submit their resume to the Borough of South Coatesville at 136 Modena Rd , Coatesville PA 19320.
Source: Daily Local; 6/2/09
Unionville-Chadds Ford to adopt budget
The Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board plans to adopt its final budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year at the regular public meeting on June 15, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gymnasium of Pocopson Elementary School, 1105 Pocopson Road , West Chester , PA. The proposed 2009-2010 budget includes revenues of $69,579,003 and expenditures of $70,049,336. Real estate tax rates supporting this proposed budget are 23.91 mills in Chester County and 20.97 mills in Delaware County . A copy of the proposed 2009-2010 budget is available for review on the District's website at www.ucfsd.org .
DELAWARE COUNTY
Marple Newtown budget calls for 4.1 percent hike
The Marple Newtown School Board recently approved the proposed final budget for the 2009-2010 school year. The board voted 6-2 in favor of the $58.2 million budget and 4.1 percent increase, raising the rate from 14.5367 to 15.1327 mills. Based on the previous year’s average assessment of $249,218 for homes within the district, the typical tax bill would be $3,771, an increase of $148. Many homeowners would have slightly lower bills due to the rebate provided by the Homestead Act.
Source: Daily Times; 6/3/09
SEPTA ready to renovate its regional rail stations
SEPTA will be making major renovations to 17 Regional Rail stations in Delaware County as more than 50 of its 151 stations in the region will be replaced, repaired or repainted in the next five years.
The total cost is about $240 million, of which $37 million will come from federal stimulus money while the remainder will be funded by state and federal aid. The Villanova R5 Station historic reconstruction project will be the most costly — $21.8 million earmarked for station rehabilitation and high platforms. Enhancements to the Wayne R5 Station in Radnor will include historic preservation and a high-level platform to improve accessibility. The Secane Station project in Upper Darby involves completely renewing the facilities. Pre-cast continuous high-level passenger platforms and stairs and ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act to access the high-level platforms will be constructed. On the inbound side, a station building with a canopy will be installed. On the outbound side, a passenger shelter will be built and improvements will be made at the existing grade crossing at Providence Road . The SEPTA board also approved rehabilitating and painting the Morton and Clifton-Aldan R3 stations on the Media-Elwyn line. Other stations that will see improvements are the Primos R3, Folcroft R2, Clifton-Aldan R3, Morton R3, Marcus Hook R2, Eddystone R2, Crum Lynne R2, Ridley Park R2, Prospect Park R2, Norwood R2, Glen Olden R2, Sharon Hill R2, Curtis Park R2 and Darby R2.
Source: Daily Times; 5/30/09
Garnet Valley School Board approves proposed final budget
The Garnet Valley School Board approved the proposed final budget for the school district. The proposed budget includes a tax increase of 2.37 mills which equates to about $73 for residents of Concord and Chester Heights and about $77 for residents of Bethel . The final adoption of the budget is scheduled for the June 23 meeting of the school board. The proposed fiscal spending plan is available on the web at www.garnetvalleyschools.com or by visiting the district administration office.
Source: CountyPressOnline; 5/27/09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Commissioners choose county economic director
Current Rendell administration official Kenneth Klothen was chosen by the County Commissioners out of a pool of 30 candidates for the county position of economic development director. Klothen, currently the state deputy secretary for Community Affairs and Development, could be approved at the June 11 commissioners’ meeting, which would put him in the position of “lead deal maker” for Montgomery County revitalization projects. The job would include leveraging deals that will transform the aging commercial areas such as Norristown ’s Lafayette Street Corridor. Last month, commissioners approved economic development guidelines for the first year of the $105 million plan that calls for spending $20 million on revitalization programs in 2009. A total of $14 million would go to the Renaissance Fund for major redevelopment projects in Norristown and Pottstown , with most of the money coming from loans. The plan also includes a Central Business District Fund to improve other downtown areas in the county, and a Business Location Fund to attract new businesses to areas slated for revitalization. Additionally, a Workforce Fund would train workers and help them secure jobs in the region.
Source: Times Herald; 6/1/09
Pottstown seeks stimulus funding for bus depot
As part of the federal stimulus bill, Pottstown became eligible for $1.1 million in transit funding, $600,000 of which went toward the purchase of two new buses for the Pottstown Area Rapid Transit, or PART. The borough wants to use the remaining money for a project that would transform the little used area adjacent to the old Reading Railroad station platform and tracks into the borough’s new bus depot. Borough Council must approve the funding application, a vote that will likely take place on Monday, June 8. Currently, PART’s five bus lines use the intersection of High and Hanover streets as their hub, but residents have complained about the traffic congestion it brings.
Source: The Pottstown Mercury; 6/5/09
Ardmore Station public meeting scheduled in Lower Merion
In person visits from the township manager and project developer have kicked-off the next phase of the Ardmore Station and downtown redevelopment in Ardmore . Developer Carl Dranoff, of Dranoff Properties, presented several options for the redevelopment plan on June 4. The options can be found on the Lower Merion Township website www.lowermerion.org. The presentation includes pros and cons of each parking option. The public will have a chance to comment at the second meeting scheduled for June 10 at 6 p.m. in the Board Room of the Lower Merion Township Building , 75 E. Lancaster Ave. , Ardmore .
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Update: Week of May 25, 2009
GENERAL INFORMATION
Tax Credit Guidance Announced by HUD
At the National Association of REALTORS® Real Estate Summit on May 12, 2009, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced a program that allows borrowers to use the first-time homebuyer tax credit for a down payment or closing costs on an FHA-insured mortgage. Further details of the program were announced on May 29. Government entities and instrumentalities of government may provide a second mortgage. Currently, 10 state housing finance agencies offer a product buyers can use that will effectively monetize the tax credit for down payment purposes. These states are Colorado , Delaware , Idaho , Kentucky , Missouri , New Jersey , New Mexico , Ohio , Pennsylvania , and Tennessee . The 3.5 percent down payment may also be a gift from a family member, employer or nonprofit, charitable organization. Click here to read a copy of just-released mortgagee letter. Guidance also released allows lenders to offer the monetized tax credit for down payments in excess of 3.5 percent, closing costs and interest rate buy downs. Mortgage industry leaders have indicated that this type of product may not be immediately available to consumers as lenders will need time to develop documentation for what will effectively be personal loans to the home buyer. If you have questions about this new HUD program, please contact Jerry Nagy (jnagy@realtors.org).
New Philadelphia BRT data may be flawed from the start
In the Philadelphia Board of Revision of Tax’s records, garages often appear where there aren't any and three-story townhouses mysteriously grow another floor. One home seemed to shrink - from about 5,000 square feet to 3,700. With its new, "actual value" numbers, the city will ask thousands of Philadelphia homeowners to pay sharp increases in property taxes. The proposed assessments are, in fact, generally much closer to the homes' real value than the current ones. But an Inquirer examination of the BRT's records for the block reveals a number of mistakes in the descriptions of properties - errors likely to throw off the new numbers as well. Although the new computer-driven values are an improvement, experts say there is no way that the formulas - without a huge number of inspections by appraisers - can find all the errors in the BRT's property records. This could be a massive headache for the BRT and the city's elected officials. Fixing the assessments is already a tough sell; it will be immeasurably harder if the public decides the BRT's numbers can't be trusted. Click here for the full article.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 5/24/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Central Bucks approves $172 tax hike
The Central Bucks School Board unanimously approved the $276.5 million 2009-2010 budget this week with a tax increase of 3.9 percent. The millage rate was set at 114.8 mills, which will result in a tax increase of $172 for the average homeowner with a property assessed at $40,000. Homeowners who have signed up for the state’s homestead rebate program could receive as much as $203 from the state, resulting in a $31 average tax reduction.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/27/09
Hilltown sees immediate use of newly passed development law
Hilltown Township’s newly passed traditional neighborhood development law has already resulted in new development plans for an 80-acre tract along Green Street . Three years ago, plans were approved to create a 45-unit residential development, but since then, the land changed ownership. The new owners, Middletown Mortgage, presented the township supervisors with a village-style proposal for the land that included 115 housing units, space for a civic building and a section for commercial space. In order for the development to proceed, a zoning change must be approved.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/29/09
County dedicates 180 acres for land preservation
Bucks County commissioners approved the purchase of three tracts of land for preservation totaling 180 acres. The largest purchase is in Bridgeton Township, which the county will use $1 million in state Department of Conservation and Natural resources funds and another $500,000 from the open space bond referendum. The 102-acre tract has access to the Delaware River , and will be available for camping and recreation. The county also plans to purchase 57 acres for $675,000 for a conservation easement on the grounds of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation in Hilltown. Over 20 acres in Nockamixon that is located next to the Bucks County Horse Park will be purchased for $335,000.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/29/09
CHESTER COUNTY
West Chester Borough leaves rental fees unchanged
West Chester Borough Council voted 5 to 2 earlier this month to keep the borough's annual rental unit license fees at $42. Some Borough Council members argued that the cost of running the rental inspection program justified increasing the fees to$43.31. The majority of council, recalling lawsuits landlords brought against the borough over rental fees earlier this decade, said it would be best to leave the fees alone. A lawsuit filed nearly a decade ago in which borough landlords argued that the rental unit license fee was unfair because it was based on the cost of running the inspection program as well as on other administrative and operating costs. Judge Juan Sanchez sided with the landlords and ordered the borough to refund to them nearly $200,000. Sanchez also developed a formula which the borough now must use to calculate its rental license fees. Borough Manager Ernie McNeely said the Sanchez Formula determined next year's fees should have been $43.41. He said the figure would have been higher if the inspection department had been fully staffed. McNeely said he expects the inspection department to be fully staffed next year, which means the Sanchez Formula is likely to yield an even higher 2011 fee rate.
Source: Daily Times; 5/29/09
DASD plans 2.5% property tax hike
Residents living in the Downingtown Area School District will see a tax increase of about 2.5 percent next school year, finance administrators said at a meeting on Tuesday night. The school board approved the preliminary 2009-10 budget in February. At that time, the budget stood at $184 million and included a 3.75 percent property tax increase. At Tuesday's finance meeting, district officials announced that the budget now stands at $183.9 million and includes a 2.5 percent tax increase. This is the lowest proposed tax increase the district has had in 14 years. A 2.5 percent hike would raise the tax rate to 25.48 mills, with one mill equal to $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value. An average taxpayer with a home in the district assessed for tax purposes at $175,000 would therefore generate a school property tax bill of $4,459 — an increase of $109.28 over the prior year. Eligible residents will receive a tax credit of $209 in their school property tax bill from slot revenues. The school board is expected to vote on next year's budget at its June 10 meeting.
Source: Daily Local; 5/29/09
West Chester School District hikes taxes 5.9% in Chester County and 9.4% in Delaware County
School taxes for property owners in the Chester County portion of the West Chester Area School District will increase by 5.9 percent next year. For property owners in the district's Delaware County section, school taxes will go up 9.4 percent. The West Chester Area School Board approved a 2009-2010 final budget on Monday night that calls for $198.7 million in spending. This represents an increase of 3.3 percent over the current year budget, but it comes in the face of a decrease of 6.6 percent in local tax revenue, the district's biggest source of funding, district officials said. Earlier this year the board approved a preliminary budget that included a 6.6 percent tax increase for Chester County and a 10.1 percent increase for Delaware County . The board's finance committee last week recommended dropping these increases a full percentage point. The 2009-2010 tax increase is above the limit set by Act 1, but it does not need to go to referendum, officials said, because the district was able to use several Act 1 exemptions. The district in December 2008 projected a $13.3 million 2009-2010 budget deficit, but due to budget cuts and federal stimulus funding, the gap has been brought down to $6.4 million. The average residential tax bill in the District's Chester County portion will be $3,391, while the average bill in the District's Delaware County portion will be $4,036, officials said. This is based on an average Chester County assessed value of $189,950, and an average Delaware County assessment of $285,000. The millage in the district's Chester County portion will rise 1 mill, to 17.85 mills, while the millage in the district's Delaware County portion will rise 1.22 mills, to 14.16 mills. A mill is a dollar of tax on $1,000 of a property's assessed value.
Source: Daily Times; 5/27/09
Coatesville: A Diamond in the Rough?
Crippled by decades of crime, corruption, poverty and neglect, Coatesville is struggling to redefine its precarious future. Yet, there is life among the ruins—signs that all is not lost. The June issue of Main Line Today provides an in-depth look at the City of Coatesville here.
Source: Main Line Today; 5/29/09
DELAWARE COUNTY
RTM approves final budget
The Rose Tree Media School Board Thursday unanimously approved a general-fund budget of slightly more than $79 million for 2009-2010 that raises the tax rate to 21.625 mills, representing a 2.5 percent increase over the existing millage rate. This is significantly lower than the 6.33 percent increase shown in a preliminary $80.8 million budget that was unveiled in January. It generated overwhelmingly negative public response. Based on an average property assessment of $236,106, the average annual tax increase is just under $126. Property owners who applied and qualified for homestead/farmstead property-tax relief will see a $9,516 reduction in their assessed property value. This equates to a $205.80 reduction in their real-estate tax for the coming school year. Based on the average property assessment, these residents actually will pay almost $80 less in taxes for the 2009-2010 school year than they paid for the current year.
Source: Daily Times; 5/29/09
Springfield School District calling for 4.3 percent tax hike
Springfield School District recently approved its proposed final budget of $57.7 million, which calls for a 4.3 percent tax increase. School directors strongly indicated they will attempt to tighten that figure by the time final budget approval is called for in June. The proposed millage is 26.372, making taxes $3,854 for an average appraisal of $145,155. This is 1.088 mills more than the current year. That $159 increase would be offset by the homestead exemption or tax rebate figure of $168, which is a flat rate for every qualifying property.
Source: Daily Times; 5/29/09
Lines officially drawn on Philly Airport plan
The proposed capacity enhancement plan could expand the airport’s footprint, bringing those planes even lower while displacing at least 72 residences and 3,300 jobs from Tinicum, according to a draft environmental impact statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. Delaware County officials said they hope to gain leverage in negotiations with Philadelphia on the expansion through a joint complaint filed in the Court of Common Pleas Tuesday. The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment on the validity of a 1925 statute that provides first-class cities the authority to acquire lands for airports and landing fields outside their borders only “with the consent of the local authorities where such land is situated.” A previous agreement between the township and the city required Philadelphia to get approval from commissioners before buying land in Tinicum, but that pact expired in 2007 and the two sides have been unable to come to terms on a new agreement. If the current runway plan were implemented, Tinicum would suffer the loss of about $216,000 per year in real-estate taxes and $226,000 per year in parking revenues, according to the suit, as either plan requires the acquisition of three privately owned parking facilities. The Interboro School District would similarly lose about $348,000 annually in taxes with the loss of those facilities and Delaware County would lose an estimated $267,000 per year in real-estate taxes, according to the suit.
Source: Daily Times; 5/27/09
Springfield billboard zoning hearing continues
The testimony centered on the comments of civil engineer Michael Tantala Thursday night as the zoning board continued the hearing regarding the installation of six billboards along Baltimore Pike. Bartkowski Investment Group has proposed placement of illuminated, back-to-back billboards measuring 672 square feet in the 100, 500, 700 and 800 blocks of the highway. The signs would be mounted on free-standing monopoles at a height of 62 feet. The company also has filed an application with Morton Borough to install a billboard in the 400 block of the street.
The next meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. June 25.
Source: Daily Times; 5/29/09
Chester residents slam council over trash fees
Confronted by a barrage of irate homeowners at Wednesday morning’s Chester City Council meeting, council members said they are considering an amnesty program to forgive interest on late trash-fee bills.
Councilwoman Willie Wells, who heads the city’s accounting and finance office, said council will vote next month on a resolution that would forgive the interest, but retain penalty fees, on trash delinquency bills recently mailed to thousands of city residents. Residents would need to contact the finance office and set up a payment plan to qualify for the amnesty. Homeowners who have already paid would qualify for a refund.
The bills, some of which include thousands of dollars in late fees dating to the 1990s, took many residents by surprise. Most never received any notice over the past decade saying they were delinquent with their trash payments. City officials say they haven’t made a concerted effort to collect the outstanding fees in the past because an outdated computer system kept them from generating delinquency bills. Any residents who believe they received a bill in error or for the wrong amount can file with the city’s Treasury Department, which will look at each bill on a case-by-case basis. Senior citizens on a fixed income below $15,000 can also apply to the city to have all their trash bill fees dismissed. They must contact the Treasury Department at 610-447-7801 and show proof of their income to qualify for the exemption. A community meeting scheduled by state Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-159, of Chester, to discuss the bills and the possibility of a lawsuit will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the Chester Fine Arts Center, 17 E. Seventh St., Chester.
Source: Daily Times; 5/27/09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Rates increase for Horsham Water and Sewer Authority customers
The 8,000 customers of Horsham Water and Sewer Authority will pay about $100 more for service. The average bill will increase from $545 to $656 annually. The authority sites several factors for the increase, the biggest being the rising costs associated with running the facility that is undergoing an expansion project. On average, bills have increased 51 percent over the last three years, as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has tightened its regulations for drinking water and for treating water that is discharged into creeks. Those standards force authorities to spend money on upgrades – a cost that is passed along to the consumer. According to authority officials, 2008 was the first time in the last 20 years that the authority operated at a loss. For a breakdown of the Water and Sewer Authority’s rate structure, go to www.horshamwater-sewer.com
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/24/09
Final hospital plans approved
East Norriton’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the final site plan this week for the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network’s 180-bed hospital and trauma center at Wood’s Golf Center on Germantown Pike. Construction is expected to being in January 2010 for the 360,000-square-foot, five-story structure and the separate 75,000-square-foot medical office building. Now that the site plans are approved, Einstein will look to secure financing for the $300 million project.
Source: The Times Herald; 5/27/09
Erdenheim Farm will be permanent open space
Whitemarsh commissioners signed off on a $2 million county open space grant that will go toward the $12.5 million purchase of the 450-acre Erdenheim Farm, known locally as the Sheep tract. The farm, owned by the late Fitz Eugene Dixon, will link over 2,000 of open land in Montgomery County. It is one of the largest land conservation deals ever for the county.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/29/09
Methacton approves 3.92 percent tax increase
The Methacton School Board approved the 2009-2010 budget of $86,889,440 which includes a 0.91 millage increase, or 3.92 percent. The board worked to trim the budget, and ended up reducing five teaching positions, decreasing retirement contributions, not upgrading technology, and reevaluating the transportation and facilities budgets. The board will utilize $475,000 from the fund balance and another $1.1 million from the capital reserve fund.
Source: Montgomery Life; 5/28/09
Upper Moreland School Board OK’s final budget
The Upper Moreland School Board trimmed about $1.2 million before passing a $52.3 million final budget for the 2009-2010 school year, which will include a tax hike from 23.99 mills to 25.32 mills. For a property assessed at the district average of $126,830, the tax hike will result in a $169 increase in property taxes. Upper Moreland residents who applied for homestead exemptions could pay $208 less in property taxes for the upcoming school term.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/28/09
Spring-Ford to hike taxes for 2009-2010
The Spring-Ford Area School Board adopted a $120.1 million preliminary budget for the 2009-2010 school year that includes a projected 3.95 percent tax increase. For the average homeowner in the district with a $200,000 property, the tax bill will increase by about $176. The tax increase was lowered from 4.94 percent since budget negotiations began in February. The budget will be formally approved at the June 27 board meeting.
Source: The Times Herald; 5/26/09
Tax Credit Guidance Announced by HUD
At the National Association of REALTORS® Real Estate Summit on May 12, 2009, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced a program that allows borrowers to use the first-time homebuyer tax credit for a down payment or closing costs on an FHA-insured mortgage. Further details of the program were announced on May 29. Government entities and instrumentalities of government may provide a second mortgage. Currently, 10 state housing finance agencies offer a product buyers can use that will effectively monetize the tax credit for down payment purposes. These states are Colorado , Delaware , Idaho , Kentucky , Missouri , New Jersey , New Mexico , Ohio , Pennsylvania , and Tennessee . The 3.5 percent down payment may also be a gift from a family member, employer or nonprofit, charitable organization. Click here to read a copy of just-released mortgagee letter. Guidance also released allows lenders to offer the monetized tax credit for down payments in excess of 3.5 percent, closing costs and interest rate buy downs. Mortgage industry leaders have indicated that this type of product may not be immediately available to consumers as lenders will need time to develop documentation for what will effectively be personal loans to the home buyer. If you have questions about this new HUD program, please contact Jerry Nagy (jnagy@realtors.org).
New Philadelphia BRT data may be flawed from the start
In the Philadelphia Board of Revision of Tax’s records, garages often appear where there aren't any and three-story townhouses mysteriously grow another floor. One home seemed to shrink - from about 5,000 square feet to 3,700. With its new, "actual value" numbers, the city will ask thousands of Philadelphia homeowners to pay sharp increases in property taxes. The proposed assessments are, in fact, generally much closer to the homes' real value than the current ones. But an Inquirer examination of the BRT's records for the block reveals a number of mistakes in the descriptions of properties - errors likely to throw off the new numbers as well. Although the new computer-driven values are an improvement, experts say there is no way that the formulas - without a huge number of inspections by appraisers - can find all the errors in the BRT's property records. This could be a massive headache for the BRT and the city's elected officials. Fixing the assessments is already a tough sell; it will be immeasurably harder if the public decides the BRT's numbers can't be trusted. Click here for the full article.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 5/24/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Central Bucks approves $172 tax hike
The Central Bucks School Board unanimously approved the $276.5 million 2009-2010 budget this week with a tax increase of 3.9 percent. The millage rate was set at 114.8 mills, which will result in a tax increase of $172 for the average homeowner with a property assessed at $40,000. Homeowners who have signed up for the state’s homestead rebate program could receive as much as $203 from the state, resulting in a $31 average tax reduction.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/27/09
Hilltown sees immediate use of newly passed development law
Hilltown Township’s newly passed traditional neighborhood development law has already resulted in new development plans for an 80-acre tract along Green Street . Three years ago, plans were approved to create a 45-unit residential development, but since then, the land changed ownership. The new owners, Middletown Mortgage, presented the township supervisors with a village-style proposal for the land that included 115 housing units, space for a civic building and a section for commercial space. In order for the development to proceed, a zoning change must be approved.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/29/09
County dedicates 180 acres for land preservation
Bucks County commissioners approved the purchase of three tracts of land for preservation totaling 180 acres. The largest purchase is in Bridgeton Township, which the county will use $1 million in state Department of Conservation and Natural resources funds and another $500,000 from the open space bond referendum. The 102-acre tract has access to the Delaware River , and will be available for camping and recreation. The county also plans to purchase 57 acres for $675,000 for a conservation easement on the grounds of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation in Hilltown. Over 20 acres in Nockamixon that is located next to the Bucks County Horse Park will be purchased for $335,000.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/29/09
CHESTER COUNTY
West Chester Borough leaves rental fees unchanged
West Chester Borough Council voted 5 to 2 earlier this month to keep the borough's annual rental unit license fees at $42. Some Borough Council members argued that the cost of running the rental inspection program justified increasing the fees to$43.31. The majority of council, recalling lawsuits landlords brought against the borough over rental fees earlier this decade, said it would be best to leave the fees alone. A lawsuit filed nearly a decade ago in which borough landlords argued that the rental unit license fee was unfair because it was based on the cost of running the inspection program as well as on other administrative and operating costs. Judge Juan Sanchez sided with the landlords and ordered the borough to refund to them nearly $200,000. Sanchez also developed a formula which the borough now must use to calculate its rental license fees. Borough Manager Ernie McNeely said the Sanchez Formula determined next year's fees should have been $43.41. He said the figure would have been higher if the inspection department had been fully staffed. McNeely said he expects the inspection department to be fully staffed next year, which means the Sanchez Formula is likely to yield an even higher 2011 fee rate.
Source: Daily Times; 5/29/09
DASD plans 2.5% property tax hike
Residents living in the Downingtown Area School District will see a tax increase of about 2.5 percent next school year, finance administrators said at a meeting on Tuesday night. The school board approved the preliminary 2009-10 budget in February. At that time, the budget stood at $184 million and included a 3.75 percent property tax increase. At Tuesday's finance meeting, district officials announced that the budget now stands at $183.9 million and includes a 2.5 percent tax increase. This is the lowest proposed tax increase the district has had in 14 years. A 2.5 percent hike would raise the tax rate to 25.48 mills, with one mill equal to $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value. An average taxpayer with a home in the district assessed for tax purposes at $175,000 would therefore generate a school property tax bill of $4,459 — an increase of $109.28 over the prior year. Eligible residents will receive a tax credit of $209 in their school property tax bill from slot revenues. The school board is expected to vote on next year's budget at its June 10 meeting.
Source: Daily Local; 5/29/09
West Chester School District hikes taxes 5.9% in Chester County and 9.4% in Delaware County
School taxes for property owners in the Chester County portion of the West Chester Area School District will increase by 5.9 percent next year. For property owners in the district's Delaware County section, school taxes will go up 9.4 percent. The West Chester Area School Board approved a 2009-2010 final budget on Monday night that calls for $198.7 million in spending. This represents an increase of 3.3 percent over the current year budget, but it comes in the face of a decrease of 6.6 percent in local tax revenue, the district's biggest source of funding, district officials said. Earlier this year the board approved a preliminary budget that included a 6.6 percent tax increase for Chester County and a 10.1 percent increase for Delaware County . The board's finance committee last week recommended dropping these increases a full percentage point. The 2009-2010 tax increase is above the limit set by Act 1, but it does not need to go to referendum, officials said, because the district was able to use several Act 1 exemptions. The district in December 2008 projected a $13.3 million 2009-2010 budget deficit, but due to budget cuts and federal stimulus funding, the gap has been brought down to $6.4 million. The average residential tax bill in the District's Chester County portion will be $3,391, while the average bill in the District's Delaware County portion will be $4,036, officials said. This is based on an average Chester County assessed value of $189,950, and an average Delaware County assessment of $285,000. The millage in the district's Chester County portion will rise 1 mill, to 17.85 mills, while the millage in the district's Delaware County portion will rise 1.22 mills, to 14.16 mills. A mill is a dollar of tax on $1,000 of a property's assessed value.
Source: Daily Times; 5/27/09
Coatesville: A Diamond in the Rough?
Crippled by decades of crime, corruption, poverty and neglect, Coatesville is struggling to redefine its precarious future. Yet, there is life among the ruins—signs that all is not lost. The June issue of Main Line Today provides an in-depth look at the City of Coatesville here.
Source: Main Line Today; 5/29/09
DELAWARE COUNTY
RTM approves final budget
The Rose Tree Media School Board Thursday unanimously approved a general-fund budget of slightly more than $79 million for 2009-2010 that raises the tax rate to 21.625 mills, representing a 2.5 percent increase over the existing millage rate. This is significantly lower than the 6.33 percent increase shown in a preliminary $80.8 million budget that was unveiled in January. It generated overwhelmingly negative public response. Based on an average property assessment of $236,106, the average annual tax increase is just under $126. Property owners who applied and qualified for homestead/farmstead property-tax relief will see a $9,516 reduction in their assessed property value. This equates to a $205.80 reduction in their real-estate tax for the coming school year. Based on the average property assessment, these residents actually will pay almost $80 less in taxes for the 2009-2010 school year than they paid for the current year.
Source: Daily Times; 5/29/09
Springfield School District calling for 4.3 percent tax hike
Springfield School District recently approved its proposed final budget of $57.7 million, which calls for a 4.3 percent tax increase. School directors strongly indicated they will attempt to tighten that figure by the time final budget approval is called for in June. The proposed millage is 26.372, making taxes $3,854 for an average appraisal of $145,155. This is 1.088 mills more than the current year. That $159 increase would be offset by the homestead exemption or tax rebate figure of $168, which is a flat rate for every qualifying property.
Source: Daily Times; 5/29/09
Lines officially drawn on Philly Airport plan
The proposed capacity enhancement plan could expand the airport’s footprint, bringing those planes even lower while displacing at least 72 residences and 3,300 jobs from Tinicum, according to a draft environmental impact statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. Delaware County officials said they hope to gain leverage in negotiations with Philadelphia on the expansion through a joint complaint filed in the Court of Common Pleas Tuesday. The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment on the validity of a 1925 statute that provides first-class cities the authority to acquire lands for airports and landing fields outside their borders only “with the consent of the local authorities where such land is situated.” A previous agreement between the township and the city required Philadelphia to get approval from commissioners before buying land in Tinicum, but that pact expired in 2007 and the two sides have been unable to come to terms on a new agreement. If the current runway plan were implemented, Tinicum would suffer the loss of about $216,000 per year in real-estate taxes and $226,000 per year in parking revenues, according to the suit, as either plan requires the acquisition of three privately owned parking facilities. The Interboro School District would similarly lose about $348,000 annually in taxes with the loss of those facilities and Delaware County would lose an estimated $267,000 per year in real-estate taxes, according to the suit.
Source: Daily Times; 5/27/09
Springfield billboard zoning hearing continues
The testimony centered on the comments of civil engineer Michael Tantala Thursday night as the zoning board continued the hearing regarding the installation of six billboards along Baltimore Pike. Bartkowski Investment Group has proposed placement of illuminated, back-to-back billboards measuring 672 square feet in the 100, 500, 700 and 800 blocks of the highway. The signs would be mounted on free-standing monopoles at a height of 62 feet. The company also has filed an application with Morton Borough to install a billboard in the 400 block of the street.
The next meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. June 25.
Source: Daily Times; 5/29/09
Chester residents slam council over trash fees
Confronted by a barrage of irate homeowners at Wednesday morning’s Chester City Council meeting, council members said they are considering an amnesty program to forgive interest on late trash-fee bills.
Councilwoman Willie Wells, who heads the city’s accounting and finance office, said council will vote next month on a resolution that would forgive the interest, but retain penalty fees, on trash delinquency bills recently mailed to thousands of city residents. Residents would need to contact the finance office and set up a payment plan to qualify for the amnesty. Homeowners who have already paid would qualify for a refund.
The bills, some of which include thousands of dollars in late fees dating to the 1990s, took many residents by surprise. Most never received any notice over the past decade saying they were delinquent with their trash payments. City officials say they haven’t made a concerted effort to collect the outstanding fees in the past because an outdated computer system kept them from generating delinquency bills. Any residents who believe they received a bill in error or for the wrong amount can file with the city’s Treasury Department, which will look at each bill on a case-by-case basis. Senior citizens on a fixed income below $15,000 can also apply to the city to have all their trash bill fees dismissed. They must contact the Treasury Department at 610-447-7801 and show proof of their income to qualify for the exemption. A community meeting scheduled by state Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-159, of Chester, to discuss the bills and the possibility of a lawsuit will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the Chester Fine Arts Center, 17 E. Seventh St., Chester.
Source: Daily Times; 5/27/09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Rates increase for Horsham Water and Sewer Authority customers
The 8,000 customers of Horsham Water and Sewer Authority will pay about $100 more for service. The average bill will increase from $545 to $656 annually. The authority sites several factors for the increase, the biggest being the rising costs associated with running the facility that is undergoing an expansion project. On average, bills have increased 51 percent over the last three years, as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has tightened its regulations for drinking water and for treating water that is discharged into creeks. Those standards force authorities to spend money on upgrades – a cost that is passed along to the consumer. According to authority officials, 2008 was the first time in the last 20 years that the authority operated at a loss. For a breakdown of the Water and Sewer Authority’s rate structure, go to www.horshamwater-sewer.com
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/24/09
Final hospital plans approved
East Norriton’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the final site plan this week for the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network’s 180-bed hospital and trauma center at Wood’s Golf Center on Germantown Pike. Construction is expected to being in January 2010 for the 360,000-square-foot, five-story structure and the separate 75,000-square-foot medical office building. Now that the site plans are approved, Einstein will look to secure financing for the $300 million project.
Source: The Times Herald; 5/27/09
Erdenheim Farm will be permanent open space
Whitemarsh commissioners signed off on a $2 million county open space grant that will go toward the $12.5 million purchase of the 450-acre Erdenheim Farm, known locally as the Sheep tract. The farm, owned by the late Fitz Eugene Dixon, will link over 2,000 of open land in Montgomery County. It is one of the largest land conservation deals ever for the county.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/29/09
Methacton approves 3.92 percent tax increase
The Methacton School Board approved the 2009-2010 budget of $86,889,440 which includes a 0.91 millage increase, or 3.92 percent. The board worked to trim the budget, and ended up reducing five teaching positions, decreasing retirement contributions, not upgrading technology, and reevaluating the transportation and facilities budgets. The board will utilize $475,000 from the fund balance and another $1.1 million from the capital reserve fund.
Source: Montgomery Life; 5/28/09
Upper Moreland School Board OK’s final budget
The Upper Moreland School Board trimmed about $1.2 million before passing a $52.3 million final budget for the 2009-2010 school year, which will include a tax hike from 23.99 mills to 25.32 mills. For a property assessed at the district average of $126,830, the tax hike will result in a $169 increase in property taxes. Upper Moreland residents who applied for homestead exemptions could pay $208 less in property taxes for the upcoming school term.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/28/09
Spring-Ford to hike taxes for 2009-2010
The Spring-Ford Area School Board adopted a $120.1 million preliminary budget for the 2009-2010 school year that includes a projected 3.95 percent tax increase. For the average homeowner in the district with a $200,000 property, the tax bill will increase by about $176. The tax increase was lowered from 4.94 percent since budget negotiations began in February. The budget will be formally approved at the June 27 board meeting.
Source: The Times Herald; 5/26/09
Update: Week of May 18, 2009
GENERAL INFORMATION
HUD: Homebuyer Tax Credit Loans Still on Track
News reports that the federal government is backing away from its plan to permit eligible borrowers to monetize the first-time homebuyer tax credit are off the mark, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says. "The technical details are still being finalized and will soon be published in a mortgagee letter and posted on our Web site," Lemar Wooley, a HUD spokesperson, told REALTOR® Magazine Wednesday afternoon. Under the guidance that's under development, state agencies and other HUD-approved entities would be able to provide short-term bridge loans that borrowers could use to help with their down payment. The loans would then be repaid with the proceeds from the home buyer’s federal tax credit. The bridge loans were announced on the opening day of NAR's 2009 Midyear Legislative Meetings in Washington , D.C. , last week.
Source: REALTOR® Magazine Online; 5/21/09
Study: Philadelphia not alone in budget troubles
Philadelphia has plenty of company as it grapples with a $1.5 billion five-year budget deficit. A study released Monday by the Pew Charitable Trusts looks at how 13 major cities are dealing with the recession. It says Philadelphia is one of four cities studied that is planning at least one major tax hike, a five-year increase in the sales tax. The study looks at Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Seattle. Only New York is looking at two major tax increases, including hikes in property and sales taxes. Atlanta is considering a property tax increase. Columbus is looking at an income tax hike. Some cities have proposed cuts for libraries, recreation facilities and trash collection.
Source: Daily Times; 5/14/09
House Bill 1474 would require justification for electric rate hikes
State Rep. Tim Solobay, sponsor of House Bill 1474, has heard from residents from all over the state complaining about the “uncontrolled, unsubstantiated” electric rate hikes. His proposed bill would force municipal electric departments to justify their rate increases. Montgomery County Republican Bob Godshall, who sits on the House Consumer Affairs Committee, reports a considerable increase in complaints over rates for public utilities such as PECO and PPL. While the bill has gathered support from members, it has also generated some early opposition. The Pennsylvania Municipal Electric Association reached out to House members immediately to express “strong opposition” to the legislation, citing that “municipal electric systems are directly controlled by the elected borough council, and they are thus self-regulated by their consumers. This direct self-regulation by the electric consumers obviates the necessity of state government regulation.”
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/17/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Doylestown takes suit against Water and Sewer Authority
Stemming from a dispute over bills the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority issued to several downtown business owners, Doylestown Borough Council has voted to authorize solicitor David Conn to negotiate with and potentially sue the Authority. Several businesses in Doylestown have been subject to extensive sewer tapping fees after the buildings had all changed use in recent years with fees ranging from $11,400to $68,400. After a 2005 audit of its records, the Authority discovered that more sewage was flowing through the sewer system in Doylestown than was accounted for in the Authority’s records. Authority officials believe this is because seven businesses had not submitted the required planning paperwork, as mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection when a property changes use. According to the DEP, it is the municipality’s responsibility to have property owners complete the planning paperwork and pass it along to the Authority and DEP, but Borough officials insist that they did not violate DEP regulations.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/19/09
Buckingham designates 233 acres for open space
Officials in Buckingham Township voted to approve two conservation easements for open space in the township. Buckingham paid $3.87 million for the Histand property, a 155-acre parcel between Smith and Township Line roads. Another 78 acres owned by Frank and Katherine Wicen was preserved for a total payment of $224,987.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/20/09
Community and housing improvement dollars available in Bucks
Bucks County municipalities and social service agencies can apply for $637,881 in community and housing improvement dollars from the federal stimulus package. Grants must expand housing options, improve community facilities and services and create jobs for low-and moderate-income residents. The stimulus infusion accounts for just under one-third of the county’s $2.4 million allocation in 2008. The Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board, which is made up of 24 municipal and citizen representatives, will review the applications and make recommendations to the county commissioners. A final vote is set for June 3.
Source: The Bucks County Courier Times; 5/16/09
CHESTER COUNTY
West Whiteland lacks deed for land municipal building constructed on
A long-awaited decision on whether the developer of Main Street at Exton will be forced to turn over the deed to the land for West Whiteland Township 's new municipal building will be made by the end of June. The new municipal building, located on Commerce Drive , has been under construction since 2002, but the township does not have the deed to the property. There was a hearing before Judge Edward Griffith in November 2008 on the issue and the judge has been considering it ever since. The dispute has actually grown over the years. Initially, it was over whether the township had fulfilled the terms of the original settlement agreement made between the developer and the township whereby the township would get 8.9 acres to build a new township building. A part of that dispute is whether the township is obligated to pay Wolfson & Verrichia for taxes the developer has paid on Lot 11, the township building parcel. Another dispute is a claim by Wolfson & Verrichia that the township improperly granted itself waivers in approving its own land development plan for the township building. The third part is a suit by Wolfson & Verrichia that the township is improperly not allowing it to revise its land development plan for the shopping center to construct apartments rather than a hotel. Wolfson & Verrichia contends that the township owes it $31,935 in taxes it paid on the land for a period it was doing site work as a favor to the township.
Source: Daily Local; 5/22/09
West Chester Area school board weighing budget options, tax hike
The West Chester Area School Board's Finance Committee Monday night recommended two options for the 2009-10 budget. One option would drop next year's tax increase from the planned 6.6 percent in the Chester County portion of the district to 5.6 percent. The increase in the Delaware County portion of the district would drop from 10.1 percent to 9.1 percent. This option would come with the recommendation that, over the next four years, the board manage the district budget so the general fund balance would increase to 3.9 percent of the total budget. The board wants to increase the general fund balance so that its credit rating won't be downgraded. According to projections by Finance Director Suzanne Moore, the higher 2009-10 tax rate would have resulted in a total tax increase over the next four years of 15.6 to 16.6 percent. The lower tax rate means a four-year increase of 18.6 to 19.7 percent. The average tax increase for Chester County homeowners if the board adopts the first option would be $198. All district taxpayers are entitled to a Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion Act credit of $146. The full school board plans to select one of these options at its May 26 meeting.
Source: Daily Times
Avon Grove to consider final budget on June 11
Avon Grove School District Board Members will vote on the final 2009-2010 fiscal year budget during a meeting on June 11. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Avon Grove Intermediate School , 375 S. Jennersville Road, West Grove , PA.
Source: Daily Local News; 05/18/2009
Landscapes II Community Information Meetings
The Chester County Planning Commission invited residents to attend one of their Community Information Meetings to hear about the draft update to the county’s land use policy plan, Landscapes. These meetings provided an opportunity to be briefed on the plan update and offer your input and observations about the draft plan prior to beginning the formal review and adoption process.
DELAWARE COUNTY
Upland officials seek to pull out of CUSD
Edward Mitchell, former Chester Upland school director and current borough council president, feels the time has come for the borough to pull out of the Chester Upland public school union that was mandated by the state in 1972. A provision in the mandate allows the merger to be dissolved if the district’s enrollment falls below 4,000 students. This year’s Chester Upland School District enrollment is just over 4,100, and is expected to drop next year. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has run Chester Upland schools since 1994. While test performance and enrollment have slipped, spiraling costs have led to high cost-per-student ratios. According to Mitchell, who served 16 years on the Chester Upland School Board, the district spent $47 million to educate 12,400 students in 1994. The annual budget has now risen to $117 million for about one-third the number of students. The borough currently has an elementary school, but no secondary school. Mitchell did not propose where Upland students would go to high school. He did note that at the Chester Upland rate of roughly $27,000 per student per year, the borough “could afford to send each of our kids to parochial school.” Upland officials have held informal meetings with Chester Township leaders, who also want to break away from Chester schools. Mitchell is now proposing a formal joint coalition to explore the best avenue for both satellite communities to void the court-ordered merger. Upland Borough has expressed support for Gov. Ed Rendell’s recent proposal to reduce the state’s school districts from the current 501 down to 100. Mitchell described the governor’s cost-cutting proposal as “music to our ears.”
Source: Daily Times; 5/21/09
Open house for Franklin Mint plan is a big hit with residents in Middletown Township
A plan to transform the 150-acre former Franklin Mint property into a walkable community met generally favorable response from a sizeable number of people attending a three-hour open house on the site Wednesday night. The event was hosted by the development team. Traffic was the greatest concern of attendees who talked one-on-one with team members about the proposed mixed use of the property. The proposed new community would include 980 residential units, 230,000 square feet of office space, 798,000 square feet of commercial use space and a 225-room hotel. McKee said the residential aspect would appeal to first-time homebuyers, empty nesters and single professionals. Already, he said, five people attending the open house offered to be part of a focus group for the residential piece of the plan.
More information on the project can be found at www.planningfranklin.com, by calling 610-397-0237 or e-mailing info@planningfranklin.com.
Source: Daily Times; 5/21/09
Chester looks for input on comprehensive plan
The Chester Planning Commission will be soliciting public input this summer as the city prepares to update its decade-old comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan is required by the state to guide zoning decisions and planning and economic development policies, although findings are not binding. Residents will have the opportunity to fill out a survey, which will be posted on the city’s website. The following community meetings have been scheduled throughout June:
·Wednesday, June 24: 6:30 p.m., location TBA
·Tuesday, June 30: 6:30 p.m., North Chester Baptist Church, 2331 Providence Ave., Chester
Source: Daily Times; 5/20/09
Party-endorsed candidates sweep Delaware County Council Primaries
The party-endorsed candidates swept their primary opponents for every seat at the county level Tuesday in the unofficial election returns. Republican Party-endorsed candidates Jack Whelan, the incumbent county council vice chairman, and longtime Upper Darby State Representative Mario Civera, both secured ballot positions in the November election with 21,523 and 20,813 votes, respectively. Democratic Party-endorsed candidates Keith Collins, a pastor from Ridley Park , and Nancy Baulis, a Philadelphia school teacher from Springfield , will also appear on the November ballot, having received 7,014 and 9,640 votes, respectively.
Source: Daily Times; 5/20/09
Haverford adopts proposed final budget, lowers tax increase
The Haverford School Board adopted an $87.8 million proposed final budget for 2009-2010. The budget process began in January with a projected 5.9 percent tax hike, but officials succeeded in cutting the increase to 4.4 percent. As proposed, the millage rate would increase to 23.1020 mills, which translates to an additional $143 for the owner of a home at the median assessed value of $146,900.
Source: Daily Times; 5/21/09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Montgomery County makes top-50 list for per-capita income
Montgomery County ranked 24th on a Bureau of Economic Analysis list of top-50 counties with the highest per capita income in the United States in 2008. The per capita income for the county was $62,086, compared to the $132,728 per capita income for the top-ranked municipality, Teton County , Wyoming .
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/20/09
Commissioners’ vote makes TIF available to Willow Grove developers
Montgomery County Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of making tax increment financing, or TIF, available to developers proposing projects to help revitalize the Willow Grove area. Upper Moreland Township and the school district, the other two taxing authorities, have already signed off on the TIF guidelines. The commissioners, as well as local officials, hope that the incentive will attract more private investment in the area.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/15/09
East Norriton to vote on proposed hospital May 26
Final site plans for the Albert Einstein Healthcare Hospital will be voted on at the regular township meeting on May 26. The proposed 360,000 square-foot, five-story hospital includes a separate 75,000 square-foot medical office building and 1,137 parking spaces. A dedicated traffic light will control the new driveway entrance on Germantown Pike.
Source: The Times Herald; 5/13/09
HUD: Homebuyer Tax Credit Loans Still on Track
News reports that the federal government is backing away from its plan to permit eligible borrowers to monetize the first-time homebuyer tax credit are off the mark, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says. "The technical details are still being finalized and will soon be published in a mortgagee letter and posted on our Web site," Lemar Wooley, a HUD spokesperson, told REALTOR® Magazine Wednesday afternoon. Under the guidance that's under development, state agencies and other HUD-approved entities would be able to provide short-term bridge loans that borrowers could use to help with their down payment. The loans would then be repaid with the proceeds from the home buyer’s federal tax credit. The bridge loans were announced on the opening day of NAR's 2009 Midyear Legislative Meetings in Washington , D.C. , last week.
Source: REALTOR® Magazine Online; 5/21/09
Study: Philadelphia not alone in budget troubles
Philadelphia has plenty of company as it grapples with a $1.5 billion five-year budget deficit. A study released Monday by the Pew Charitable Trusts looks at how 13 major cities are dealing with the recession. It says Philadelphia is one of four cities studied that is planning at least one major tax hike, a five-year increase in the sales tax. The study looks at Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Seattle. Only New York is looking at two major tax increases, including hikes in property and sales taxes. Atlanta is considering a property tax increase. Columbus is looking at an income tax hike. Some cities have proposed cuts for libraries, recreation facilities and trash collection.
Source: Daily Times; 5/14/09
House Bill 1474 would require justification for electric rate hikes
State Rep. Tim Solobay, sponsor of House Bill 1474, has heard from residents from all over the state complaining about the “uncontrolled, unsubstantiated” electric rate hikes. His proposed bill would force municipal electric departments to justify their rate increases. Montgomery County Republican Bob Godshall, who sits on the House Consumer Affairs Committee, reports a considerable increase in complaints over rates for public utilities such as PECO and PPL. While the bill has gathered support from members, it has also generated some early opposition. The Pennsylvania Municipal Electric Association reached out to House members immediately to express “strong opposition” to the legislation, citing that “municipal electric systems are directly controlled by the elected borough council, and they are thus self-regulated by their consumers. This direct self-regulation by the electric consumers obviates the necessity of state government regulation.”
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/17/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Doylestown takes suit against Water and Sewer Authority
Stemming from a dispute over bills the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority issued to several downtown business owners, Doylestown Borough Council has voted to authorize solicitor David Conn to negotiate with and potentially sue the Authority. Several businesses in Doylestown have been subject to extensive sewer tapping fees after the buildings had all changed use in recent years with fees ranging from $11,400to $68,400. After a 2005 audit of its records, the Authority discovered that more sewage was flowing through the sewer system in Doylestown than was accounted for in the Authority’s records. Authority officials believe this is because seven businesses had not submitted the required planning paperwork, as mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection when a property changes use. According to the DEP, it is the municipality’s responsibility to have property owners complete the planning paperwork and pass it along to the Authority and DEP, but Borough officials insist that they did not violate DEP regulations.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/19/09
Buckingham designates 233 acres for open space
Officials in Buckingham Township voted to approve two conservation easements for open space in the township. Buckingham paid $3.87 million for the Histand property, a 155-acre parcel between Smith and Township Line roads. Another 78 acres owned by Frank and Katherine Wicen was preserved for a total payment of $224,987.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/20/09
Community and housing improvement dollars available in Bucks
Bucks County municipalities and social service agencies can apply for $637,881 in community and housing improvement dollars from the federal stimulus package. Grants must expand housing options, improve community facilities and services and create jobs for low-and moderate-income residents. The stimulus infusion accounts for just under one-third of the county’s $2.4 million allocation in 2008. The Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board, which is made up of 24 municipal and citizen representatives, will review the applications and make recommendations to the county commissioners. A final vote is set for June 3.
Source: The Bucks County Courier Times; 5/16/09
CHESTER COUNTY
West Whiteland lacks deed for land municipal building constructed on
A long-awaited decision on whether the developer of Main Street at Exton will be forced to turn over the deed to the land for West Whiteland Township 's new municipal building will be made by the end of June. The new municipal building, located on Commerce Drive , has been under construction since 2002, but the township does not have the deed to the property. There was a hearing before Judge Edward Griffith in November 2008 on the issue and the judge has been considering it ever since. The dispute has actually grown over the years. Initially, it was over whether the township had fulfilled the terms of the original settlement agreement made between the developer and the township whereby the township would get 8.9 acres to build a new township building. A part of that dispute is whether the township is obligated to pay Wolfson & Verrichia for taxes the developer has paid on Lot 11, the township building parcel. Another dispute is a claim by Wolfson & Verrichia that the township improperly granted itself waivers in approving its own land development plan for the township building. The third part is a suit by Wolfson & Verrichia that the township is improperly not allowing it to revise its land development plan for the shopping center to construct apartments rather than a hotel. Wolfson & Verrichia contends that the township owes it $31,935 in taxes it paid on the land for a period it was doing site work as a favor to the township.
Source: Daily Local; 5/22/09
West Chester Area school board weighing budget options, tax hike
The West Chester Area School Board's Finance Committee Monday night recommended two options for the 2009-10 budget. One option would drop next year's tax increase from the planned 6.6 percent in the Chester County portion of the district to 5.6 percent. The increase in the Delaware County portion of the district would drop from 10.1 percent to 9.1 percent. This option would come with the recommendation that, over the next four years, the board manage the district budget so the general fund balance would increase to 3.9 percent of the total budget. The board wants to increase the general fund balance so that its credit rating won't be downgraded. According to projections by Finance Director Suzanne Moore, the higher 2009-10 tax rate would have resulted in a total tax increase over the next four years of 15.6 to 16.6 percent. The lower tax rate means a four-year increase of 18.6 to 19.7 percent. The average tax increase for Chester County homeowners if the board adopts the first option would be $198. All district taxpayers are entitled to a Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion Act credit of $146. The full school board plans to select one of these options at its May 26 meeting.
Source: Daily Times
Avon Grove to consider final budget on June 11
Avon Grove School District Board Members will vote on the final 2009-2010 fiscal year budget during a meeting on June 11. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Avon Grove Intermediate School , 375 S. Jennersville Road, West Grove , PA.
Source: Daily Local News; 05/18/2009
Landscapes II Community Information Meetings
The Chester County Planning Commission invited residents to attend one of their Community Information Meetings to hear about the draft update to the county’s land use policy plan, Landscapes. These meetings provided an opportunity to be briefed on the plan update and offer your input and observations about the draft plan prior to beginning the formal review and adoption process.
DELAWARE COUNTY
Upland officials seek to pull out of CUSD
Edward Mitchell, former Chester Upland school director and current borough council president, feels the time has come for the borough to pull out of the Chester Upland public school union that was mandated by the state in 1972. A provision in the mandate allows the merger to be dissolved if the district’s enrollment falls below 4,000 students. This year’s Chester Upland School District enrollment is just over 4,100, and is expected to drop next year. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has run Chester Upland schools since 1994. While test performance and enrollment have slipped, spiraling costs have led to high cost-per-student ratios. According to Mitchell, who served 16 years on the Chester Upland School Board, the district spent $47 million to educate 12,400 students in 1994. The annual budget has now risen to $117 million for about one-third the number of students. The borough currently has an elementary school, but no secondary school. Mitchell did not propose where Upland students would go to high school. He did note that at the Chester Upland rate of roughly $27,000 per student per year, the borough “could afford to send each of our kids to parochial school.” Upland officials have held informal meetings with Chester Township leaders, who also want to break away from Chester schools. Mitchell is now proposing a formal joint coalition to explore the best avenue for both satellite communities to void the court-ordered merger. Upland Borough has expressed support for Gov. Ed Rendell’s recent proposal to reduce the state’s school districts from the current 501 down to 100. Mitchell described the governor’s cost-cutting proposal as “music to our ears.”
Source: Daily Times; 5/21/09
Open house for Franklin Mint plan is a big hit with residents in Middletown Township
A plan to transform the 150-acre former Franklin Mint property into a walkable community met generally favorable response from a sizeable number of people attending a three-hour open house on the site Wednesday night. The event was hosted by the development team. Traffic was the greatest concern of attendees who talked one-on-one with team members about the proposed mixed use of the property. The proposed new community would include 980 residential units, 230,000 square feet of office space, 798,000 square feet of commercial use space and a 225-room hotel. McKee said the residential aspect would appeal to first-time homebuyers, empty nesters and single professionals. Already, he said, five people attending the open house offered to be part of a focus group for the residential piece of the plan.
More information on the project can be found at www.planningfranklin.com, by calling 610-397-0237 or e-mailing info@planningfranklin.com.
Source: Daily Times; 5/21/09
Chester looks for input on comprehensive plan
The Chester Planning Commission will be soliciting public input this summer as the city prepares to update its decade-old comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan is required by the state to guide zoning decisions and planning and economic development policies, although findings are not binding. Residents will have the opportunity to fill out a survey, which will be posted on the city’s website. The following community meetings have been scheduled throughout June:
·Wednesday, June 24: 6:30 p.m., location TBA
·Tuesday, June 30: 6:30 p.m., North Chester Baptist Church, 2331 Providence Ave., Chester
Source: Daily Times; 5/20/09
Party-endorsed candidates sweep Delaware County Council Primaries
The party-endorsed candidates swept their primary opponents for every seat at the county level Tuesday in the unofficial election returns. Republican Party-endorsed candidates Jack Whelan, the incumbent county council vice chairman, and longtime Upper Darby State Representative Mario Civera, both secured ballot positions in the November election with 21,523 and 20,813 votes, respectively. Democratic Party-endorsed candidates Keith Collins, a pastor from Ridley Park , and Nancy Baulis, a Philadelphia school teacher from Springfield , will also appear on the November ballot, having received 7,014 and 9,640 votes, respectively.
Source: Daily Times; 5/20/09
Haverford adopts proposed final budget, lowers tax increase
The Haverford School Board adopted an $87.8 million proposed final budget for 2009-2010. The budget process began in January with a projected 5.9 percent tax hike, but officials succeeded in cutting the increase to 4.4 percent. As proposed, the millage rate would increase to 23.1020 mills, which translates to an additional $143 for the owner of a home at the median assessed value of $146,900.
Source: Daily Times; 5/21/09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Montgomery County makes top-50 list for per-capita income
Montgomery County ranked 24th on a Bureau of Economic Analysis list of top-50 counties with the highest per capita income in the United States in 2008. The per capita income for the county was $62,086, compared to the $132,728 per capita income for the top-ranked municipality, Teton County , Wyoming .
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/20/09
Commissioners’ vote makes TIF available to Willow Grove developers
Montgomery County Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of making tax increment financing, or TIF, available to developers proposing projects to help revitalize the Willow Grove area. Upper Moreland Township and the school district, the other two taxing authorities, have already signed off on the TIF guidelines. The commissioners, as well as local officials, hope that the incentive will attract more private investment in the area.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/15/09
East Norriton to vote on proposed hospital May 26
Final site plans for the Albert Einstein Healthcare Hospital will be voted on at the regular township meeting on May 26. The proposed 360,000 square-foot, five-story hospital includes a separate 75,000 square-foot medical office building and 1,137 parking spaces. A dedicated traffic light will control the new driveway entrance on Germantown Pike.
Source: The Times Herald; 5/13/09
Update: Week of May 11, 2009
GENERAL INFORMATION
Nutter: Philadelphia BRT board must go
The future of the Board of Revision of Taxes provoked a full fledged political battle yesterday, with Mayor Nutter asking board members of the maligned agency to resign. In the wake of a searing investigation by the Inquirer, which revealed a long tradition of mismanagement and flawed property-tax assessments, Nutter yesterday announced what he called the first in a series of steps to reform the BRT. Saying that he needed to "restore trust" in the BRT, Nutter called on board members to resign voluntarily. He also asked City Council to approve legislation that would strip board members of their salaries - between $70,000 and $75,000 a year for part-time work - and move much of the BRT budget under the authority of the city finance director. The BRT board pushed back hard against Nutter's request, saying that they intended to stay on the job, to work on improving the city's property-tax assessment system. Click here to visit the Board Revision of Taxes website.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 5/8/09
Court ruling on sidewalk ramps could cost the state $820 million
PennDOT expects to spend $820 million over the next decade to rebuild 117,000 sidewalk curb cuts, the result of a lawsuit that argued existing ramps need to be easier to navigate. The state installed 117,000 curb ramps between 1992 and 1995, but in 2007 the U.S. District Court in Erie ruled that PennDOT must upgrade the ramps to new standards that comply with the Americans for Disabilities Act. Local municipalities could face the same problem, as local government officials have been notified by the Department of Transportation that they must abide by federal law and stay informed on design criteria. PennDOT plans to use $21.3 million in federal stimulus funds to upgrade ramps statewide, which must include a less-steep grade and include small bumps called truncated domes to aid the visually impaired and slow wheelchairs. According to bids received by PennDOT, each ramp could cost $4,000 to $5,000 and will be reconstructed as PennDOT performs roadway resurfacing.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/6/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Tight budget for Neshaminy forces board to look for cuts
Neshaminy School Board officials continue to revise a potential budget for the 2009-2010 school year. With the district facing a $14 million deficit for the coming year, officials must either make significant cuts to the budget or raise taxes above the Act 1 limit of 4.1 percent. Possible cuts could include: eliminating 65 positions; imposing a “pay to play” policy for student activities; canceling the district’s summer work program; and consolidating schools. The district does expect to receive approximately $1.5 million in stimulus funds, but even implementing all the possible budget cuts combined with stimulus money, the district will face a $2.5 million deficit.
Source: Newtown Advance; 5/7/09
Yardley Council yet to vote for proposed Country Club development project
Talks continued at a recent Yardley Borough Council meeting about a proposed development project on a piece of the Yardley Country Club property off of Reading Avenue . Holding up the decision is a disagreement about a fee for stormwater management for a portion of the property. About 68,000 square-feet of the Country Club property is to be developed into two residential duplexes and one single home. Of the 68,000 square-feet, 11,000 square feet must be designated as open space.
Source: The Yardley News; 4/30/09
Morrisville district residents won’t see tax increase
The Morrisville School Board passed the $18.9 million preliminary budget on April 29 without a tax increase for the 2009-2010 school year. Even with the possible permanent closing or sale of M.R. Reiter Elementary School , the budget will not require a tax increase, as other expenditures were reduced. M.R. Reiter was closed earlier this year due to a furnace explosion. Without a tax increase, the school tax bill for the average assessed property of $18,000 would remain at $3,371 with the millage rate holding at 187.3 mills.
Source: The Yardley News; 5/7/09
Palisades homeowners should expect tax increase
Palisades School Board members voted to accept the $17.8 million proposed budget this week. The proposed budget includes a tax millage increase from 100 mills to 104.1 mills, and is less than a preliminary plan that would have included a school construction exception that would have raised the rate to 105.6 mills. On average, homeowners in Palisades can expect a tax increase of $141.27 unless they signed up for the state’s rebate program. In that case, residents could see an estimated $221.68shaved off their tax bills, an amount that would save the average homeowner $80.41 overall.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/7/09
CHESTER COUNTY
Phoenixville school officials tighten budget
After being told by the Phoenixville Area School Board to make additional cuts to the budget, Superintendent Terry Mancini presented a plan that was characterized as "very tight." The budget, an increase of 3.14 percent from last year's spending plan, reduces the tax increase from 2.36 percent, or 0.69 mills, to 1.93 percent, or 0.5 mills. The administrators, both of whom are acting on an interim basis, also offered suggestions to further reduce the budget, although they emphasized they were not recommending them. After reviewing the suggestions and the changes to the budget, the board decided it would attempt to approve a preliminary budget at a May 14 workshop and make the budget available to the public within the mandated timeline for approval.
Source: Daily Local; 5/6/09
Upper Uwchlan looking to replace township manager
A seven-member committee, which has been tasked to find a new township manager after longtime manager John Roughan Jr. was fired in March, met for the first time last week. In addition, the township has hired Daniel Olpere of Local Government Management Services LLC to act as a consultant to the search committee, which is made up of township residents. The search committee will meet three times. The first meeting, which took place April 28, was to gather background data for recruitment. The second meeting will be to review applicants and the third will be to conduct interviews. There is currently not a set date for when the committee has to present its recommendations to the board.
Source: Daily Local, 5/7/09
Mushroom hearings continue to attract crowds in London Grove Township
An ongoing conditional-use hearing for a large-scale mushroom-growing facility on the 115-acre White Horse Farm off West London Grove Road in London Grove Township continues to attract standing-room-only crowds. About 70 to 100 people have attended each of the six hearings over the last five months, during which details of the new facility proposed by Superior Growers LP were discussed. The next hearing is scheduled for May 21. Eventually, township supervisors will decide whether to allow the new facility and under what conditions.
Source: Avon Grove Sun; 5/7/09
DELAWARE COUNTY
Billboard battle enters Haverford front
Thursday marked Round 1 of the Bartkowski versus Haverford Township billboard battle, held before the Haverford Township Zoning Hearing Board at Lynne wood Elementary School . A crowd of about 150 to 200 residents turned out from neighboring communities as well as Haverford. With two proposed billboards at 600 and 658 Lancaster Ave. in Bryn Mawr, Lower Merion Township has taken a stand against the supersized signs, and authorized attorney William Kerr to participate in the hearing. In addition to the Lancaster Avenue locations, the Bartkowski Investment Group wants to develop three more billboards at 2040, 1157 and 1330 West Chester Pike in Havertown. The double-face signs would measure 672 square feet and range in height from 52 feet to 77 feet. The company is also attempting to construct additional billboards in Marple, Springfield and, most recently, in Morton. The hearing will resume at 7:30 p.m., June 4 at Lynne wood.
Source: Daily Times; 5/8/09
Franklin Mint plan unveiled in Middletown
A conceptual plan for development of the 150-acre former Franklin Mint property was shown for the first time to Middletown Council’s Land Planning Committee. The proposed lifestyle center concept to be considered is similar to the community plan that was developed by the charrette process, a week of meetings with residents and the business community that took place in August 2008. Although the new plan “has been refined,” according to Victor Dover of Dover Kohl & Partners, facilitators of the charrette, the proposed density is unchanged. The plan to be filed by the development team has been downscaled to show 980 residential units, 230,000 square feet of office space, 798,000 square feet of commercial use and a 225-room hotel. The focus of development would be Mint Hill, with the fronts of buildings facing West Baltimore Pike. Residents are invited to an Open House at the Mint, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on May 20 to examine the proposed plan and talk one-on-one with the developers. More information also is available at www.planningfranklin.com.
Source: Daily Times; 5/5/09
Southeast Delco approves budget draft
The Southeast Delco school board approved its proposed final budget for the 2009-10 school year, which calls for a 1.7 mill tax increase. The hike would add about $119 to the school tax for homes assessed at $70,000. Despite this year’s increase, the tax bill for next year will still be $169 lower than their 2006 tax bill because the state will disburse gaming funds at the same level as last year, said district business manager Rick Henderson. The final budget will be voted on at the board meeting on May 28.
Source: Daily Times; 5/5/09
Radnor to approve 3.9 percent tax hike
The Radnor Township Board of School Directors on Saturday expressed satisfaction with a proposed final budget of $74.5 million that would carry a 3.9 percent real estate tax increase for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
The 3.902 mills per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation increase would bring the millage rate to 20.2731 mils for the 2009-10 fiscal year from its current rate of 19.5118 mils. While expenditures are healthy and on target, revenues are not, according to school district officials. In January, school board members said that they wanted a budget that carried no more than a 4.1-percent tax increase, so the administration has since gone on a cost-cutting effort that includes eliminating late-day busses at Radnor's high school and middle school. Click here to access the final budget presentation.
Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 5/6/09
MONTOGMERY COUNTY
Souderton refinances to the tune of $675,000 in savings
The Souderton Area School Board voted to approve two measures to refinance two bond issues, saving the district $675,000 in interest payments. One action was for $14.4 million worth of bonds that restructured the debt service on bonds issued through 2001 and 2004. The second measure was for $8.2 million that restructures the debt on a series of 2003 bonds. These measures, combined with earlier debt restructuring measures by the board, will save the district close to $2.5 million.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/7/09
Hatboro-Horsham hears recommendations for school closures
The Hatboro-Horsham School Board held a meeting this week to hear recommendations on how it should deal with declining enrollment and whether schools should be closed. Faced with declining enrollment, the board must make decisions based on population trends, enrollment patterns, building capabilities and other factors. Previous discussions have included the possible closing of Pennypack Elementary School in Hatboro, which educates 266 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. There are five elementary schools in the district that were involved in a study to determine possible solutions, and a separate study is being conducted for Keith Valley Middle School . To date, the district has only decided to close Limekiln-Simmons School in Horsham, which houses about 130 kindergartners.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/4/09
Residents, officials attend Routes 611 & 263 corridor open house
The Delaware Valley regional Planning Commission hosted an open house at the Upper Moreland Township Building this week that highlighted a two-year study aimed at improving the Routes 611 & 263 corridor. Community residents in attendance were given a sticker to place on the project they deemed most important; there were approximately 15 projects on display. The Willow Grove Redevelopment Project received the most stickers. According to the Willow Grove Redevelopment Board, the project improvements are projected to cost upwards of $500,000 and include updating the area surrounding the train station, and possibly relocating the train station. The multi-municipal effort included Upper Moreland, Hatboro, Abington, Jenkintown and Cheltenham , and ultimately aims to revitalize the corridor.
Source: The Public Spirit; 5/7/09
Nutter: Philadelphia BRT board must go
The future of the Board of Revision of Taxes provoked a full fledged political battle yesterday, with Mayor Nutter asking board members of the maligned agency to resign. In the wake of a searing investigation by the Inquirer, which revealed a long tradition of mismanagement and flawed property-tax assessments, Nutter yesterday announced what he called the first in a series of steps to reform the BRT. Saying that he needed to "restore trust" in the BRT, Nutter called on board members to resign voluntarily. He also asked City Council to approve legislation that would strip board members of their salaries - between $70,000 and $75,000 a year for part-time work - and move much of the BRT budget under the authority of the city finance director. The BRT board pushed back hard against Nutter's request, saying that they intended to stay on the job, to work on improving the city's property-tax assessment system. Click here to visit the Board Revision of Taxes website.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 5/8/09
Court ruling on sidewalk ramps could cost the state $820 million
PennDOT expects to spend $820 million over the next decade to rebuild 117,000 sidewalk curb cuts, the result of a lawsuit that argued existing ramps need to be easier to navigate. The state installed 117,000 curb ramps between 1992 and 1995, but in 2007 the U.S. District Court in Erie ruled that PennDOT must upgrade the ramps to new standards that comply with the Americans for Disabilities Act. Local municipalities could face the same problem, as local government officials have been notified by the Department of Transportation that they must abide by federal law and stay informed on design criteria. PennDOT plans to use $21.3 million in federal stimulus funds to upgrade ramps statewide, which must include a less-steep grade and include small bumps called truncated domes to aid the visually impaired and slow wheelchairs. According to bids received by PennDOT, each ramp could cost $4,000 to $5,000 and will be reconstructed as PennDOT performs roadway resurfacing.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/6/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Tight budget for Neshaminy forces board to look for cuts
Neshaminy School Board officials continue to revise a potential budget for the 2009-2010 school year. With the district facing a $14 million deficit for the coming year, officials must either make significant cuts to the budget or raise taxes above the Act 1 limit of 4.1 percent. Possible cuts could include: eliminating 65 positions; imposing a “pay to play” policy for student activities; canceling the district’s summer work program; and consolidating schools. The district does expect to receive approximately $1.5 million in stimulus funds, but even implementing all the possible budget cuts combined with stimulus money, the district will face a $2.5 million deficit.
Source: Newtown Advance; 5/7/09
Yardley Council yet to vote for proposed Country Club development project
Talks continued at a recent Yardley Borough Council meeting about a proposed development project on a piece of the Yardley Country Club property off of Reading Avenue . Holding up the decision is a disagreement about a fee for stormwater management for a portion of the property. About 68,000 square-feet of the Country Club property is to be developed into two residential duplexes and one single home. Of the 68,000 square-feet, 11,000 square feet must be designated as open space.
Source: The Yardley News; 4/30/09
Morrisville district residents won’t see tax increase
The Morrisville School Board passed the $18.9 million preliminary budget on April 29 without a tax increase for the 2009-2010 school year. Even with the possible permanent closing or sale of M.R. Reiter Elementary School , the budget will not require a tax increase, as other expenditures were reduced. M.R. Reiter was closed earlier this year due to a furnace explosion. Without a tax increase, the school tax bill for the average assessed property of $18,000 would remain at $3,371 with the millage rate holding at 187.3 mills.
Source: The Yardley News; 5/7/09
Palisades homeowners should expect tax increase
Palisades School Board members voted to accept the $17.8 million proposed budget this week. The proposed budget includes a tax millage increase from 100 mills to 104.1 mills, and is less than a preliminary plan that would have included a school construction exception that would have raised the rate to 105.6 mills. On average, homeowners in Palisades can expect a tax increase of $141.27 unless they signed up for the state’s rebate program. In that case, residents could see an estimated $221.68shaved off their tax bills, an amount that would save the average homeowner $80.41 overall.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/7/09
CHESTER COUNTY
Phoenixville school officials tighten budget
After being told by the Phoenixville Area School Board to make additional cuts to the budget, Superintendent Terry Mancini presented a plan that was characterized as "very tight." The budget, an increase of 3.14 percent from last year's spending plan, reduces the tax increase from 2.36 percent, or 0.69 mills, to 1.93 percent, or 0.5 mills. The administrators, both of whom are acting on an interim basis, also offered suggestions to further reduce the budget, although they emphasized they were not recommending them. After reviewing the suggestions and the changes to the budget, the board decided it would attempt to approve a preliminary budget at a May 14 workshop and make the budget available to the public within the mandated timeline for approval.
Source: Daily Local; 5/6/09
Upper Uwchlan looking to replace township manager
A seven-member committee, which has been tasked to find a new township manager after longtime manager John Roughan Jr. was fired in March, met for the first time last week. In addition, the township has hired Daniel Olpere of Local Government Management Services LLC to act as a consultant to the search committee, which is made up of township residents. The search committee will meet three times. The first meeting, which took place April 28, was to gather background data for recruitment. The second meeting will be to review applicants and the third will be to conduct interviews. There is currently not a set date for when the committee has to present its recommendations to the board.
Source: Daily Local, 5/7/09
Mushroom hearings continue to attract crowds in London Grove Township
An ongoing conditional-use hearing for a large-scale mushroom-growing facility on the 115-acre White Horse Farm off West London Grove Road in London Grove Township continues to attract standing-room-only crowds. About 70 to 100 people have attended each of the six hearings over the last five months, during which details of the new facility proposed by Superior Growers LP were discussed. The next hearing is scheduled for May 21. Eventually, township supervisors will decide whether to allow the new facility and under what conditions.
Source: Avon Grove Sun; 5/7/09
DELAWARE COUNTY
Billboard battle enters Haverford front
Thursday marked Round 1 of the Bartkowski versus Haverford Township billboard battle, held before the Haverford Township Zoning Hearing Board at Lynne wood Elementary School . A crowd of about 150 to 200 residents turned out from neighboring communities as well as Haverford. With two proposed billboards at 600 and 658 Lancaster Ave. in Bryn Mawr, Lower Merion Township has taken a stand against the supersized signs, and authorized attorney William Kerr to participate in the hearing. In addition to the Lancaster Avenue locations, the Bartkowski Investment Group wants to develop three more billboards at 2040, 1157 and 1330 West Chester Pike in Havertown. The double-face signs would measure 672 square feet and range in height from 52 feet to 77 feet. The company is also attempting to construct additional billboards in Marple, Springfield and, most recently, in Morton. The hearing will resume at 7:30 p.m., June 4 at Lynne wood.
Source: Daily Times; 5/8/09
Franklin Mint plan unveiled in Middletown
A conceptual plan for development of the 150-acre former Franklin Mint property was shown for the first time to Middletown Council’s Land Planning Committee. The proposed lifestyle center concept to be considered is similar to the community plan that was developed by the charrette process, a week of meetings with residents and the business community that took place in August 2008. Although the new plan “has been refined,” according to Victor Dover of Dover Kohl & Partners, facilitators of the charrette, the proposed density is unchanged. The plan to be filed by the development team has been downscaled to show 980 residential units, 230,000 square feet of office space, 798,000 square feet of commercial use and a 225-room hotel. The focus of development would be Mint Hill, with the fronts of buildings facing West Baltimore Pike. Residents are invited to an Open House at the Mint, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on May 20 to examine the proposed plan and talk one-on-one with the developers. More information also is available at www.planningfranklin.com.
Source: Daily Times; 5/5/09
Southeast Delco approves budget draft
The Southeast Delco school board approved its proposed final budget for the 2009-10 school year, which calls for a 1.7 mill tax increase. The hike would add about $119 to the school tax for homes assessed at $70,000. Despite this year’s increase, the tax bill for next year will still be $169 lower than their 2006 tax bill because the state will disburse gaming funds at the same level as last year, said district business manager Rick Henderson. The final budget will be voted on at the board meeting on May 28.
Source: Daily Times; 5/5/09
Radnor to approve 3.9 percent tax hike
The Radnor Township Board of School Directors on Saturday expressed satisfaction with a proposed final budget of $74.5 million that would carry a 3.9 percent real estate tax increase for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
The 3.902 mills per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation increase would bring the millage rate to 20.2731 mils for the 2009-10 fiscal year from its current rate of 19.5118 mils. While expenditures are healthy and on target, revenues are not, according to school district officials. In January, school board members said that they wanted a budget that carried no more than a 4.1-percent tax increase, so the administration has since gone on a cost-cutting effort that includes eliminating late-day busses at Radnor's high school and middle school. Click here to access the final budget presentation.
Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 5/6/09
MONTOGMERY COUNTY
Souderton refinances to the tune of $675,000 in savings
The Souderton Area School Board voted to approve two measures to refinance two bond issues, saving the district $675,000 in interest payments. One action was for $14.4 million worth of bonds that restructured the debt service on bonds issued through 2001 and 2004. The second measure was for $8.2 million that restructures the debt on a series of 2003 bonds. These measures, combined with earlier debt restructuring measures by the board, will save the district close to $2.5 million.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/7/09
Hatboro-Horsham hears recommendations for school closures
The Hatboro-Horsham School Board held a meeting this week to hear recommendations on how it should deal with declining enrollment and whether schools should be closed. Faced with declining enrollment, the board must make decisions based on population trends, enrollment patterns, building capabilities and other factors. Previous discussions have included the possible closing of Pennypack Elementary School in Hatboro, which educates 266 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. There are five elementary schools in the district that were involved in a study to determine possible solutions, and a separate study is being conducted for Keith Valley Middle School . To date, the district has only decided to close Limekiln-Simmons School in Horsham, which houses about 130 kindergartners.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/4/09
Residents, officials attend Routes 611 & 263 corridor open house
The Delaware Valley regional Planning Commission hosted an open house at the Upper Moreland Township Building this week that highlighted a two-year study aimed at improving the Routes 611 & 263 corridor. Community residents in attendance were given a sticker to place on the project they deemed most important; there were approximately 15 projects on display. The Willow Grove Redevelopment Project received the most stickers. According to the Willow Grove Redevelopment Board, the project improvements are projected to cost upwards of $500,000 and include updating the area surrounding the train station, and possibly relocating the train station. The multi-municipal effort included Upper Moreland, Hatboro, Abington, Jenkintown and Cheltenham , and ultimately aims to revitalize the corridor.
Source: The Public Spirit; 5/7/09
Update: Week of May 4, 2009
GENERAL INFORMATION
Court: Allegheny must reassess
Allegheny County must conduct a property-tax reassessment for next year, the state Supreme Court said yesterday, though it stopped short of ruling that a county statute setting 2002 values as the baseline for taxation was illegal. Because the court didn't rule the county's "base year" assessment system illegal, other counties using the same system won't necessarily have to stop doing so across the board. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania had filed a friend-of-the-court brief before the county argued its appeal in September, fearing that if the court struck down the county's statute, all 67 counties in the state would have to reassess property values annually. Click here to read the full article.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 4/30/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Pennridge residents to pay more in taxes
Pennridge School Board members approved a $109.8 million preliminary budget this week, but hope to cut spending further before passing the final budget in June. As it stands, the budget would increase the millage rate by 3.5 percent – to 120.68 mills. Taxes for a home assessed at the district’s average of $29,200 would increase by about $119 to $3,524. The board will discuss the budget at its next meeting on May 26 before voting on it on June 1.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/28/09
New Hope-Solebury officials lower tax increase for 2009-2010 budget
The 2009-2010 preliminary budget was approved this week at $33.3 million and is expected to be adopted at the board’s meeting on June 1. Residents of New Hope-Solebury School District will likely see a tax increase of 4.24 percent after district officials reported a lower-than-anticipated jump in health insurance rates for the district. The district still faces a 9.2 percent increase in Blue Cross rates, however, it is lower than the initially estimated 16.2 percent increase. With the 4.24 percent tax increase, homeowners assessed at the district average of $56,829 will see their tax bill increase from $4,359 to $4,543.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/29/09
Middletown hopes to save with bond refinancing
Middletown Township will save upwards of $165,000 this year if a proposed refinancing of $7.75 million from a 2004 bond is approved. With the refinance, the average interest rate would decrease to 3.28 percent form 4 percent. Township officials hope to save an additional $10,000 to $15,000 by switching the township’s credit rating agency from Moody’s to Standard and Poor.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/29/09
CHESTER COUNTY
West Chester approves 87 townhomes for Davis Lumber site
West Chester Borough Council granted Davis Realty Holdings final approval to build 87 townhomes on the 3.85-acre Davis Lumber site at Franklin and Barnard streets. The Davis Lumber site is in an industrial sector of the borough and is near the former site of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, which is also considered a prime candidate for residential redevelopment. Hunter Davis, who owns the lumberyard, declined to say when construction would begin. Davis first submitted development plans for the site last summer. The first draft of the plan showed 98 townhomes, but due in part to stormwater issues, the number of residences has been reduced. Davis ' site is one of the few remaining lots in the borough suited to a large-scale housing development. McCool Properties recently received preliminary approval to build 58 townhomes on another such parcel, the former Bishop Shanahan High School site at West Gay and Brandywine streets. Some borough officials have criticized Davis ' proposal, saying it is too dense and could create traffic problems in surrounding neighborhoods. However, the proposal conforms to borough zoning, leaving Borough Council members little power to negotiate the number of planned homes.
Source: Daily Local; 4/27/09
Oxford Area budget hikes property tax by 3 percent
The Oxford Area School Board has approved a preliminary budget with a 3 percent increase in real estate taxes. The property tax rate will rise from this year’s 28.6865 mills to 29.5479 mills. The final version of the budget is set for adoption at a May 18 board meeting.
Source: Daily Local; 4/27/09
Avon Grove to tap fund balance
Saving money in good times has left Avon Grove school officials in a position to avoid raising taxes. Even though the proposed 2009-10 budget is 3/6 percent larger than the current year’s spending plan, the preliminary budget shows no increase in real estate taxes. The budget is available for public review here.
Source: Daily Local; 4/26/09
Chester County Commissioners' meetings headed for Web
Sometime this month, the four-times-monthly meetings of the commissioners will make their way to the county's Internet site on video. For the first time in history, people will be able to see the commissioners vote on grants, adopt resolutions, approve contracts and discuss their short- and long-term goals on the Web.
The videos will likely not be available at www.chesco.org until the end of May.
Source: Daily Local; 5/1/09
West Goshen residents fret road-widening project
West Goshen Township's plans to widen a section of Boot Road near the Route 202 interchange to deal with heavy traffic from QVC and other business parks has drawn the ire of local residents. The area to be widened is Boot Road between Greenhill Road and Wilson Drive . Township Manager Casey LaLonde said the project, which is a joint endeavor of West Goshen and East Goshen , is just in a preliminary stage. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has not approved it yet.
Source: Daily Local; 5/1/09
Developers propose shopping center for The Flats in Coatesville
Without a slide show, architectural renditions or any other frills, developers hoping to put a grocery store and other retail shops on what is currently a contaminated, desolate site made their pitch to City Council on Monday night. City Council did not take any action on the proposal, which the city's Redevelopment Authority approved last week. But council is expected to support or reject the plan at its May 11 meeting.
Mosaic developers said they hope to construct a roughly 82,000-square-foot shopping center with a grocery store as an anchor. It will occupy the southern half what is known locally as The Flats — 26 acres north of West Lincoln Highway and west of Route 82 along the east bank of the Brandywine Creek. It's still unclear what will be done with the northern portion of the site. Previously, Iacobucci Homes was in the mix with the intention of building row homes and condominiums on the site. But the company has since pulled out of the project. Last week, Chetty Builders and The Shelter Group presented their hopes for the site to the authority.
Chetty Builders' plan includes building about 90 townhouses. The Shelter Group told the authority it would like to build about 75 apartments for senior citizens at The Flats. The authority has made no decisions on either company's proposals.
Source: Daily Local; 4/30/09
DELAWARE COUNTY
Radnor Township revenues continue to cause concern
Real estate transfer tax and license and permit revenues were down for the first quarter of the year in Radnor Township . If the first three months are any indicator, actual revenues could fall bellow the $2 million amount budgeted. The realty transfer-tax revenue, earned whenever a property is sold, was down 45 percent for the first quarter. However, April 2009 was higher than April 2008 by about 20 percent.
Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 4/24/09
Rose Tree Media approves budget
Rose Tree Media School Board on Thursday adopted a proposed 2009-2010 budget of $78.46 million that requires a 2.5 percent tax millage increase to balance. Raising the tax rate to 21.6251 mils amounts to an annual increase of $125 in school taxes, based on an average property assessment of $236,106. Taxpayers who applied for and are eligible to receive a Homestead/Farmstead exception — predicted to be about $200 to offset property taxes — may get a slight reduction in their next school tax bill. The final budget is subject to change before it is adopted by the board at its May 28meeting; however, at the present time, the administration is committed to having no greater than a 2.5 percent tax millage increase for the coming year, while maintaining a program that will not cut items that directly impact learning.
Source: Daily Times; 04/26/09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Norristown Area School District reduces proposed tax increase
Citing budget cuts, a spending freeze, along with the elimination through attrition of eight employee positions and add in federal stimulus money for tax reductions, the Norristown Area School District was able to reduce the proposed real estate tax increase for 2009 to 0.491 percent. This reduction of the recently proposed 3.566 percent increase was the result of the administration working harder to review the budget. If passed, this will mean an average increase to the taxpayer of about $38.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/28/09
Limerick Township nixes electronic signs
The Limerick Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously against an ordinance to allow businesses to display messages with letters and numbers but no pictures or rolling script. Although initially in support of the measure, the supervisors voted down the ordinance as to not open up the township to potential challenge. However, businesses can apply for a variance to the ordinance on a case-by-case basis if they wish to pursue electronic signage.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/28/09
Norristown to send public notice reduction question to voters
Norristown Council recently discussed publishing a synopsis of proposed ordinances in the public notices rather than publishing the entire ordinance. This was brought to light over the recent publication of a proposed sign ordinance in the classifieds which cost Norristown $16,000. The classified advertising is a requirement of public notice laws. Any change to the public notices required placing a ballot question on the general election ballot and making changes to the home rule charter.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/27/09
Hatfield Revitalization Plan nearing completion
The final version of the Hatfield Borough Revitalization Plan will be presented on May 13 at the borough council meeting. Once approved by the council and the county, the Plan will serve as a guide for future redevelopment projects, economic vitality, and commercial revitalization. A complete draft of the plan can be viewed at: www.hatfieldborough.com.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/01/09
Court: Allegheny must reassess
Allegheny County must conduct a property-tax reassessment for next year, the state Supreme Court said yesterday, though it stopped short of ruling that a county statute setting 2002 values as the baseline for taxation was illegal. Because the court didn't rule the county's "base year" assessment system illegal, other counties using the same system won't necessarily have to stop doing so across the board. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania had filed a friend-of-the-court brief before the county argued its appeal in September, fearing that if the court struck down the county's statute, all 67 counties in the state would have to reassess property values annually. Click here to read the full article.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 4/30/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Pennridge residents to pay more in taxes
Pennridge School Board members approved a $109.8 million preliminary budget this week, but hope to cut spending further before passing the final budget in June. As it stands, the budget would increase the millage rate by 3.5 percent – to 120.68 mills. Taxes for a home assessed at the district’s average of $29,200 would increase by about $119 to $3,524. The board will discuss the budget at its next meeting on May 26 before voting on it on June 1.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/28/09
New Hope-Solebury officials lower tax increase for 2009-2010 budget
The 2009-2010 preliminary budget was approved this week at $33.3 million and is expected to be adopted at the board’s meeting on June 1. Residents of New Hope-Solebury School District will likely see a tax increase of 4.24 percent after district officials reported a lower-than-anticipated jump in health insurance rates for the district. The district still faces a 9.2 percent increase in Blue Cross rates, however, it is lower than the initially estimated 16.2 percent increase. With the 4.24 percent tax increase, homeowners assessed at the district average of $56,829 will see their tax bill increase from $4,359 to $4,543.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/29/09
Middletown hopes to save with bond refinancing
Middletown Township will save upwards of $165,000 this year if a proposed refinancing of $7.75 million from a 2004 bond is approved. With the refinance, the average interest rate would decrease to 3.28 percent form 4 percent. Township officials hope to save an additional $10,000 to $15,000 by switching the township’s credit rating agency from Moody’s to Standard and Poor.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/29/09
CHESTER COUNTY
West Chester approves 87 townhomes for Davis Lumber site
West Chester Borough Council granted Davis Realty Holdings final approval to build 87 townhomes on the 3.85-acre Davis Lumber site at Franklin and Barnard streets. The Davis Lumber site is in an industrial sector of the borough and is near the former site of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, which is also considered a prime candidate for residential redevelopment. Hunter Davis, who owns the lumberyard, declined to say when construction would begin. Davis first submitted development plans for the site last summer. The first draft of the plan showed 98 townhomes, but due in part to stormwater issues, the number of residences has been reduced. Davis ' site is one of the few remaining lots in the borough suited to a large-scale housing development. McCool Properties recently received preliminary approval to build 58 townhomes on another such parcel, the former Bishop Shanahan High School site at West Gay and Brandywine streets. Some borough officials have criticized Davis ' proposal, saying it is too dense and could create traffic problems in surrounding neighborhoods. However, the proposal conforms to borough zoning, leaving Borough Council members little power to negotiate the number of planned homes.
Source: Daily Local; 4/27/09
Oxford Area budget hikes property tax by 3 percent
The Oxford Area School Board has approved a preliminary budget with a 3 percent increase in real estate taxes. The property tax rate will rise from this year’s 28.6865 mills to 29.5479 mills. The final version of the budget is set for adoption at a May 18 board meeting.
Source: Daily Local; 4/27/09
Avon Grove to tap fund balance
Saving money in good times has left Avon Grove school officials in a position to avoid raising taxes. Even though the proposed 2009-10 budget is 3/6 percent larger than the current year’s spending plan, the preliminary budget shows no increase in real estate taxes. The budget is available for public review here.
Source: Daily Local; 4/26/09
Chester County Commissioners' meetings headed for Web
Sometime this month, the four-times-monthly meetings of the commissioners will make their way to the county's Internet site on video. For the first time in history, people will be able to see the commissioners vote on grants, adopt resolutions, approve contracts and discuss their short- and long-term goals on the Web.
The videos will likely not be available at www.chesco.org until the end of May.
Source: Daily Local; 5/1/09
West Goshen residents fret road-widening project
West Goshen Township's plans to widen a section of Boot Road near the Route 202 interchange to deal with heavy traffic from QVC and other business parks has drawn the ire of local residents. The area to be widened is Boot Road between Greenhill Road and Wilson Drive . Township Manager Casey LaLonde said the project, which is a joint endeavor of West Goshen and East Goshen , is just in a preliminary stage. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has not approved it yet.
Source: Daily Local; 5/1/09
Developers propose shopping center for The Flats in Coatesville
Without a slide show, architectural renditions or any other frills, developers hoping to put a grocery store and other retail shops on what is currently a contaminated, desolate site made their pitch to City Council on Monday night. City Council did not take any action on the proposal, which the city's Redevelopment Authority approved last week. But council is expected to support or reject the plan at its May 11 meeting.
Mosaic developers said they hope to construct a roughly 82,000-square-foot shopping center with a grocery store as an anchor. It will occupy the southern half what is known locally as The Flats — 26 acres north of West Lincoln Highway and west of Route 82 along the east bank of the Brandywine Creek. It's still unclear what will be done with the northern portion of the site. Previously, Iacobucci Homes was in the mix with the intention of building row homes and condominiums on the site. But the company has since pulled out of the project. Last week, Chetty Builders and The Shelter Group presented their hopes for the site to the authority.
Chetty Builders' plan includes building about 90 townhouses. The Shelter Group told the authority it would like to build about 75 apartments for senior citizens at The Flats. The authority has made no decisions on either company's proposals.
Source: Daily Local; 4/30/09
DELAWARE COUNTY
Radnor Township revenues continue to cause concern
Real estate transfer tax and license and permit revenues were down for the first quarter of the year in Radnor Township . If the first three months are any indicator, actual revenues could fall bellow the $2 million amount budgeted. The realty transfer-tax revenue, earned whenever a property is sold, was down 45 percent for the first quarter. However, April 2009 was higher than April 2008 by about 20 percent.
Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 4/24/09
Rose Tree Media approves budget
Rose Tree Media School Board on Thursday adopted a proposed 2009-2010 budget of $78.46 million that requires a 2.5 percent tax millage increase to balance. Raising the tax rate to 21.6251 mils amounts to an annual increase of $125 in school taxes, based on an average property assessment of $236,106. Taxpayers who applied for and are eligible to receive a Homestead/Farmstead exception — predicted to be about $200 to offset property taxes — may get a slight reduction in their next school tax bill. The final budget is subject to change before it is adopted by the board at its May 28meeting; however, at the present time, the administration is committed to having no greater than a 2.5 percent tax millage increase for the coming year, while maintaining a program that will not cut items that directly impact learning.
Source: Daily Times; 04/26/09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Norristown Area School District reduces proposed tax increase
Citing budget cuts, a spending freeze, along with the elimination through attrition of eight employee positions and add in federal stimulus money for tax reductions, the Norristown Area School District was able to reduce the proposed real estate tax increase for 2009 to 0.491 percent. This reduction of the recently proposed 3.566 percent increase was the result of the administration working harder to review the budget. If passed, this will mean an average increase to the taxpayer of about $38.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/28/09
Limerick Township nixes electronic signs
The Limerick Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously against an ordinance to allow businesses to display messages with letters and numbers but no pictures or rolling script. Although initially in support of the measure, the supervisors voted down the ordinance as to not open up the township to potential challenge. However, businesses can apply for a variance to the ordinance on a case-by-case basis if they wish to pursue electronic signage.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/28/09
Norristown to send public notice reduction question to voters
Norristown Council recently discussed publishing a synopsis of proposed ordinances in the public notices rather than publishing the entire ordinance. This was brought to light over the recent publication of a proposed sign ordinance in the classifieds which cost Norristown $16,000. The classified advertising is a requirement of public notice laws. Any change to the public notices required placing a ballot question on the general election ballot and making changes to the home rule charter.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/27/09
Hatfield Revitalization Plan nearing completion
The final version of the Hatfield Borough Revitalization Plan will be presented on May 13 at the borough council meeting. Once approved by the council and the county, the Plan will serve as a guide for future redevelopment projects, economic vitality, and commercial revitalization. A complete draft of the plan can be viewed at: www.hatfieldborough.com.
Source: The Intelligencer; 5/01/09
Update: Week of April 27, 2009
GENERAL INFORMATION
Casino revenue expected to yield over $200 in tax relief for homeowners
Governor Rendell announced this week that homeowners outside Philadelphia will see at least $200 in property tax reductions as a result of slot-machine gambling revenue boosting the tax-relief fund to over $770 million this year. Gov. Rendell assured Pennsylvanians that the amount of gambling revenue available for tax relief has remained stable despite the troubled economy. The exact number of Pennsylvania households receiving rebates this year will not be known until May 1, when counties report the number of homeowners who signed up for them.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer; 4/14/09
Title-fraud ring prompts calls to strengthen notary regulations
A title fraud ring that collected about $400,000 by selling off more than eighty properties through the help of corrupt notaries has affected some local homeowners. With a notary seal, criminals can steal the title to a house, take out a mortgage, drain the equity in the property and even give themselves power of attorney to access a victim’s bank accounts. Experts on real estate fraud say the year-long scheme demonstrates why a patchwork of state laws governing the work of notaries, who certify title transfers and other official documents, should be strengthened. States have widely varying rules for becoming a notary public, many not requiring a background check. Under current law, Pennsylvania notaries need personal knowledge, “satisfactory evidence” in the form of a government issued ID card or a credible witness to verify someone’s identity.
Source: Daily Times; 4/15/09
Weak tax take worries officials
Realty transfer taxes collected from property sales are significant sources of revenue for towns and the state government, but they have plummeted all over Pennsylvania . It is impossible to gauge how the real estate market might affect tax revenue over the long haul, but statewide, collections in the first two months of 2009were less than half of what they were a year earlier. For the first quarter, transfer tax collections were about $80 million under projections, Revenue Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Brassell said. Pennsylvania imposes a 1 percent tax on all real estate sales prices, with the town, the school district, or both typically collecting an additional 1 percent. The state's $491.9 million total for fiscal 2008 was off 17 percent from $591.4 million a year earlier.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 4/13/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Milford Village plans submitted to township
Efforts to build a 216-acre residential and commercial development on Route 663 between Portzer and Mill Hill roads have taken a step forward, as sketch plans were recently submitted to Milford Township . Plans for the development have been in the works since 2006 and include 576 congregate care units, 224 apartments, 46 residential cottages and 28 townhomes. Additionally, the development would have two clubhouses and 265,000 square feet of retail space, 98,000 square feet for office space and 75,000 square feet for other uses, including a day care and wellness center. If plans are approved, developers hope to start the project within two years, but expect completion to take up to 15 years.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/16/09
Neshaminy Creek Watershed targeted for $10M in stimulus money
Bucks County will receive more than $10 million in federal stimulus money to prevent future flood damage in the Neshaminy Creek Watershed, an area that tends to flood after tropical storms and hurricanes. The Neshaminy project will enjoy the largest share of the $84.4 million set aside through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money for watershed improvements and job creation. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Neshaminy Watershed money will be used to elevate 25-28 homes and do flood-proofing work on dozens more to reduce flood damage in the 100-year flood plain. The project could create as many as 200 jobs in the area and save the taxpayers $1million annually in flood costs.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/17/09
New Britain says “No” to Central Bucks bus depot
New Britain Council shot down the Central Bucks School District ’s controversial plan to build a bus depot near the Bristol Road-Route 202 intersection, voting to deny zoning approval needed by the district. Central Bucks hoped to save $430,000 a year by having a more centralized bus depot, but is now looking for an alternative location. Last year, the school board approved a $2.5 million agreement of sale for the property, pending approval from New Britain to construct the bus depot.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/16/09
CHESTER COUNTY
Alliance staff discuss sign ordinance with Birmingham Township Planning Commission
Suburban REALTORS Alliance staff discussed a possible amendment to Birmingham ’s permit requirement for off-site direction signs with the Planning Commission. The Commissioners reviewed a letter and amendment which had been submitted to them by the Alliance . Alliance staff expressed a commitment to working with the Commission to modify the existing ordinance, which currently includes a $50 per sign fee and 10 day limit.
PA limits Transco gas pipeline project
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has granted natural gas company Transco the permits it needs to begin work on the controversial Downingtown pipeline replacement project — with one important exception. Transco does not have permission to start construction in a 2,600-foot segment that spans the East Branch of Brandywine Creek in East Brandywine and East Caln . The most environmentally sensitive way to cross the creek would be by horizontal directional drilling, which involves digging under the creek, proponents of this method said. But Transco resisted this approach, saying it would be too expensive. Instead, the company proposed a cross-cut method, which diverts surface waters. But this approach would release a lot of sediment into the creek, which is a source of drinking water in Chester County , and so state legislators appealed to state DEP Acting Secretary John Hanger to carefully review Transco's permit applications. The DEP issued a statement Thursday saying that while the agency has granted the permits that Transco needs to start construction, the company must submit an amendment advising the state how it proposes to proceed in the 2,600-foot section around the creek. About 177 county residents are affected by the project.
Source: Daily Local; 4/12/09
London Britain lowers real estate taxes 19%
It's not often that a municipality can brag that it has lowered taxes. But that's the case in London Britain . Through budget cuts that the supervisors formulated last fall and put into effect in January, residents are now seeing a 19 percent decrease in real estate taxes. Township Supervisor Chairman David Owens said the average resident who last year paid $550 in township taxes this year will spend $410.
London Britain is a rural township with about one-third of its land in preservation. Last year, London Britain had raised taxes in order to leverage grants. One in particular yielded about $500,000 for a trail system project. When residents complained about the previous increase, the supervisors promised that after the year of the increase they would bring it back to previous levels.
Source: Daily Local; 4/12/09
Route 29 ramp supporters say turnpike commission slipped up
Members of both political parties in Chester County are decrying the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's recent decision to suspend work on the Route 29 slip ramp to the turnpike in Charlestown . The long-planned project was designed to decrease traffic congestion on Route 202 and nearby residential roads. The slip ramp would feature unmanned toll booths that allow motorists with E-ZPass to get on and off the turnpike between the Downingtown and Valley Forge exits. The decision to shelve the project followed a decision to halt a turnpike widening project set for the 13-mile stretch between those exits. The turnpike commission issued a statement that the decision to suspend development was made in reaction to a major cost increase required to meet the demands for alternative stormwater-control methods that include features such as spray irrigation and underground storage. The (commission) has investigated several alternative stormwater-control methods and concluded that the requested methods would increase overall construction costs by as much as 50 percent. The Route 29 slip ramp had been anticipated for years. As recently as 2007, the commission trumpeted it as the answer to traffic concerns in the Great Valley area.
Source: Daily Local; 4/12/09
DELAWARE COUNTY
Morton mandates carbon monoxide detectors
Morton Council recently enacted an ordinance requiring carbon monoxide detectors in every residence and commercial establishment in the borough. The ordinance requires compliance by July 1. Solicitor Jay Wills said the detectors are to be installed on every floor in a building used for habitation. The detectors will be needed before a certificate of occupation will be issued when a property changes hands, or for new construction.
Source; Daily Times; 4/13/09
New state requirements prompt retirement of local plumbing inspectors
Newtown Township Plumbing Inspector Joseph Standen and Chester Heights Plumbing Inspector George Ormsby both announced their retirement due to a state mandate that requires inspectors to be computer literate. As of Friday, April 10, 2009 Municipal code enforcement officers assigned to inspect residential dwellings must hold a PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC) certification in each category of work that they perform. Persons who hold Department–issued registration cards (i.e., were “grandfathered” and temporarily relieved of certification requirements) may no longer engage in any aspect of UCC enforcement. Click here for more.
Source: Daily Times; 4/15/09
Township manager removed in Radnor
The Radnor Township Board of Supervisors voted Monday to formally remove suspended Township Manager David Bashore as Manager. Board members said they had lost confidence in him for not informing them of certain expenditures throughout the years of his employment with Radnor.
Source: Daily Times; 4/14/09
Zoning code updated in Newtown
A concerted effort by a host of township officials over recent months has produced an updated 180-page zoning code that is ready for adoption by township supervisors. The revised zoning code addresses some hot-button issues that have arisen in the past. Historic preservation will receive a boost from new language in the code, which makes it more difficult to get demolition permits for historically significant structures. Another change limits the erection of commercial to light Industrial zones in the amended code. Adoption of the updated code is expected in May.
Source: Daily Times; 4/16/09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Norristown proposed sign ordinance would limit open house directional signs
At the Norristown Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, April 21, council will consider for adoption an ordinance that includes a limit on open house real estate signs. The new ordinance would allow directional signs from hour prior, to one hour after an open house. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Norristown municipal building at 235 East Airy Street . Anyone wanting more information, or interested in attending the meeting should contact Kate Brown at (610) 981-9000 or kbrown@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com.
Stimulus money slated for homeless prevention
Montgomery County officials are proposing to spend half of the $1.5 million in federal stimulus funds the county will receive for homeless prevention on financial aid, and the other half on management of the program and its clients. Under the county’s proposal, $378,600 will be used for case management, housing search and placement; $75,732 for outreach; $151,500 for legal services, mediation and credit repair; $151,500 for short-term rental assistance; $378,660 for medium-term rental assistance; and $227,195 for security deposits, utilities and moving costs. The remaining money will be split for data collection and program evaluation as well as administration of the program.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/17/09
Norristown approves DeKalb Streetscape grant application
Norristown Council approved grant applications to continue the DeKalb Street streetscape project and implement a municipal marketing initiative with Montgomery County community revitalization funding. The approval earmarks $900,000 to rebuild sidewalks and curbs, and install street trees and new lighting from Lafayette to West Marshall Street on DeKalb Street . Another grant approval earmarks $50,000 to plant 200 trees under the Urban Forest Renewal Project matched by $50,000 in volunteer services and an in-kind match from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/8/09
Cell tower approved by Montgomery Township
Montgomery Township supervisors approved an application by Verizon Wireless to erect a new cell phone tower in the industrial park at 125 Hartman Road . The 113-foot tower will be topped with a 3-foot lightning rod on a 50-foot by 50-foot lot that Verizon will lease in the Montgomeryville Industrial Center .
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/14/09
Casino revenue expected to yield over $200 in tax relief for homeowners
Governor Rendell announced this week that homeowners outside Philadelphia will see at least $200 in property tax reductions as a result of slot-machine gambling revenue boosting the tax-relief fund to over $770 million this year. Gov. Rendell assured Pennsylvanians that the amount of gambling revenue available for tax relief has remained stable despite the troubled economy. The exact number of Pennsylvania households receiving rebates this year will not be known until May 1, when counties report the number of homeowners who signed up for them.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer; 4/14/09
Title-fraud ring prompts calls to strengthen notary regulations
A title fraud ring that collected about $400,000 by selling off more than eighty properties through the help of corrupt notaries has affected some local homeowners. With a notary seal, criminals can steal the title to a house, take out a mortgage, drain the equity in the property and even give themselves power of attorney to access a victim’s bank accounts. Experts on real estate fraud say the year-long scheme demonstrates why a patchwork of state laws governing the work of notaries, who certify title transfers and other official documents, should be strengthened. States have widely varying rules for becoming a notary public, many not requiring a background check. Under current law, Pennsylvania notaries need personal knowledge, “satisfactory evidence” in the form of a government issued ID card or a credible witness to verify someone’s identity.
Source: Daily Times; 4/15/09
Weak tax take worries officials
Realty transfer taxes collected from property sales are significant sources of revenue for towns and the state government, but they have plummeted all over Pennsylvania . It is impossible to gauge how the real estate market might affect tax revenue over the long haul, but statewide, collections in the first two months of 2009were less than half of what they were a year earlier. For the first quarter, transfer tax collections were about $80 million under projections, Revenue Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Brassell said. Pennsylvania imposes a 1 percent tax on all real estate sales prices, with the town, the school district, or both typically collecting an additional 1 percent. The state's $491.9 million total for fiscal 2008 was off 17 percent from $591.4 million a year earlier.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 4/13/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Milford Village plans submitted to township
Efforts to build a 216-acre residential and commercial development on Route 663 between Portzer and Mill Hill roads have taken a step forward, as sketch plans were recently submitted to Milford Township . Plans for the development have been in the works since 2006 and include 576 congregate care units, 224 apartments, 46 residential cottages and 28 townhomes. Additionally, the development would have two clubhouses and 265,000 square feet of retail space, 98,000 square feet for office space and 75,000 square feet for other uses, including a day care and wellness center. If plans are approved, developers hope to start the project within two years, but expect completion to take up to 15 years.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/16/09
Neshaminy Creek Watershed targeted for $10M in stimulus money
Bucks County will receive more than $10 million in federal stimulus money to prevent future flood damage in the Neshaminy Creek Watershed, an area that tends to flood after tropical storms and hurricanes. The Neshaminy project will enjoy the largest share of the $84.4 million set aside through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money for watershed improvements and job creation. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Neshaminy Watershed money will be used to elevate 25-28 homes and do flood-proofing work on dozens more to reduce flood damage in the 100-year flood plain. The project could create as many as 200 jobs in the area and save the taxpayers $1million annually in flood costs.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/17/09
New Britain says “No” to Central Bucks bus depot
New Britain Council shot down the Central Bucks School District ’s controversial plan to build a bus depot near the Bristol Road-Route 202 intersection, voting to deny zoning approval needed by the district. Central Bucks hoped to save $430,000 a year by having a more centralized bus depot, but is now looking for an alternative location. Last year, the school board approved a $2.5 million agreement of sale for the property, pending approval from New Britain to construct the bus depot.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/16/09
CHESTER COUNTY
Alliance staff discuss sign ordinance with Birmingham Township Planning Commission
Suburban REALTORS Alliance staff discussed a possible amendment to Birmingham ’s permit requirement for off-site direction signs with the Planning Commission. The Commissioners reviewed a letter and amendment which had been submitted to them by the Alliance . Alliance staff expressed a commitment to working with the Commission to modify the existing ordinance, which currently includes a $50 per sign fee and 10 day limit.
PA limits Transco gas pipeline project
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has granted natural gas company Transco the permits it needs to begin work on the controversial Downingtown pipeline replacement project — with one important exception. Transco does not have permission to start construction in a 2,600-foot segment that spans the East Branch of Brandywine Creek in East Brandywine and East Caln . The most environmentally sensitive way to cross the creek would be by horizontal directional drilling, which involves digging under the creek, proponents of this method said. But Transco resisted this approach, saying it would be too expensive. Instead, the company proposed a cross-cut method, which diverts surface waters. But this approach would release a lot of sediment into the creek, which is a source of drinking water in Chester County , and so state legislators appealed to state DEP Acting Secretary John Hanger to carefully review Transco's permit applications. The DEP issued a statement Thursday saying that while the agency has granted the permits that Transco needs to start construction, the company must submit an amendment advising the state how it proposes to proceed in the 2,600-foot section around the creek. About 177 county residents are affected by the project.
Source: Daily Local; 4/12/09
London Britain lowers real estate taxes 19%
It's not often that a municipality can brag that it has lowered taxes. But that's the case in London Britain . Through budget cuts that the supervisors formulated last fall and put into effect in January, residents are now seeing a 19 percent decrease in real estate taxes. Township Supervisor Chairman David Owens said the average resident who last year paid $550 in township taxes this year will spend $410.
London Britain is a rural township with about one-third of its land in preservation. Last year, London Britain had raised taxes in order to leverage grants. One in particular yielded about $500,000 for a trail system project. When residents complained about the previous increase, the supervisors promised that after the year of the increase they would bring it back to previous levels.
Source: Daily Local; 4/12/09
Route 29 ramp supporters say turnpike commission slipped up
Members of both political parties in Chester County are decrying the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's recent decision to suspend work on the Route 29 slip ramp to the turnpike in Charlestown . The long-planned project was designed to decrease traffic congestion on Route 202 and nearby residential roads. The slip ramp would feature unmanned toll booths that allow motorists with E-ZPass to get on and off the turnpike between the Downingtown and Valley Forge exits. The decision to shelve the project followed a decision to halt a turnpike widening project set for the 13-mile stretch between those exits. The turnpike commission issued a statement that the decision to suspend development was made in reaction to a major cost increase required to meet the demands for alternative stormwater-control methods that include features such as spray irrigation and underground storage. The (commission) has investigated several alternative stormwater-control methods and concluded that the requested methods would increase overall construction costs by as much as 50 percent. The Route 29 slip ramp had been anticipated for years. As recently as 2007, the commission trumpeted it as the answer to traffic concerns in the Great Valley area.
Source: Daily Local; 4/12/09
DELAWARE COUNTY
Morton mandates carbon monoxide detectors
Morton Council recently enacted an ordinance requiring carbon monoxide detectors in every residence and commercial establishment in the borough. The ordinance requires compliance by July 1. Solicitor Jay Wills said the detectors are to be installed on every floor in a building used for habitation. The detectors will be needed before a certificate of occupation will be issued when a property changes hands, or for new construction.
Source; Daily Times; 4/13/09
New state requirements prompt retirement of local plumbing inspectors
Newtown Township Plumbing Inspector Joseph Standen and Chester Heights Plumbing Inspector George Ormsby both announced their retirement due to a state mandate that requires inspectors to be computer literate. As of Friday, April 10, 2009 Municipal code enforcement officers assigned to inspect residential dwellings must hold a PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC) certification in each category of work that they perform. Persons who hold Department–issued registration cards (i.e., were “grandfathered” and temporarily relieved of certification requirements) may no longer engage in any aspect of UCC enforcement. Click here for more.
Source: Daily Times; 4/15/09
Township manager removed in Radnor
The Radnor Township Board of Supervisors voted Monday to formally remove suspended Township Manager David Bashore as Manager. Board members said they had lost confidence in him for not informing them of certain expenditures throughout the years of his employment with Radnor.
Source: Daily Times; 4/14/09
Zoning code updated in Newtown
A concerted effort by a host of township officials over recent months has produced an updated 180-page zoning code that is ready for adoption by township supervisors. The revised zoning code addresses some hot-button issues that have arisen in the past. Historic preservation will receive a boost from new language in the code, which makes it more difficult to get demolition permits for historically significant structures. Another change limits the erection of commercial to light Industrial zones in the amended code. Adoption of the updated code is expected in May.
Source: Daily Times; 4/16/09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Norristown proposed sign ordinance would limit open house directional signs
At the Norristown Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, April 21, council will consider for adoption an ordinance that includes a limit on open house real estate signs. The new ordinance would allow directional signs from hour prior, to one hour after an open house. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Norristown municipal building at 235 East Airy Street . Anyone wanting more information, or interested in attending the meeting should contact Kate Brown at (610) 981-9000 or kbrown@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com.
Stimulus money slated for homeless prevention
Montgomery County officials are proposing to spend half of the $1.5 million in federal stimulus funds the county will receive for homeless prevention on financial aid, and the other half on management of the program and its clients. Under the county’s proposal, $378,600 will be used for case management, housing search and placement; $75,732 for outreach; $151,500 for legal services, mediation and credit repair; $151,500 for short-term rental assistance; $378,660 for medium-term rental assistance; and $227,195 for security deposits, utilities and moving costs. The remaining money will be split for data collection and program evaluation as well as administration of the program.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/17/09
Norristown approves DeKalb Streetscape grant application
Norristown Council approved grant applications to continue the DeKalb Street streetscape project and implement a municipal marketing initiative with Montgomery County community revitalization funding. The approval earmarks $900,000 to rebuild sidewalks and curbs, and install street trees and new lighting from Lafayette to West Marshall Street on DeKalb Street . Another grant approval earmarks $50,000 to plant 200 trees under the Urban Forest Renewal Project matched by $50,000 in volunteer services and an in-kind match from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/8/09
Cell tower approved by Montgomery Township
Montgomery Township supervisors approved an application by Verizon Wireless to erect a new cell phone tower in the industrial park at 125 Hartman Road . The 113-foot tower will be topped with a 3-foot lightning rod on a 50-foot by 50-foot lot that Verizon will lease in the Montgomeryville Industrial Center .
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/14/09
Update: Week of April 20, 2009
GENERAL INFORMATION
Regional officials on-board for high-speed rail project
U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-6th), along with county and local officials from the greater Philadelphia region, has expressed his willingness to participate in President Barack Obama’s early-stage proposal to develop high-speed rail lines to connect cities in 10 major regions. The proposal could revolutionize travel in the Keystone Corridor between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh , and reduce dependence on cars and planes, lower carbon emissions and spur economic development along the rail corridors. The proposal calls for $8 billion of economic stimulus money and $1 billion a year for the next five years to jumpstart the rail plan. Matthew Edmond, a senior Montgomery County transportation planner, said if high-speed trains become a reality for the region, commuting time from the Philadelphia area to Harrisburg could be cut almost in half from its current commute of 90 minutes. Rep Gerlach has advocated high-speed rail investment for years, and cosponsored a measure included in the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 that allowed private companies to submit proposals for developing high-speed rail lines.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/20/09
PA. House votes down cell-phone/driving bill
A measure that would ban hand-held cell phones while driving — and make it a primary offense — was narrowly defeated, 100-95, along party lines in Harrisburg Wednesday afternoon. State Rep. Josh Shapiro’s amendment would have imposed a $50 fine and enabled officers to pull over motorists they see using hand-held cell phones. It was tacked on to a bill that would impose a string of new restrictions on teenage drivers. The underlying bill, which was debated by legislators from 11 a.m. until late afternoon, was not expected to get a final vote in the House this week. It would also require approval by the Senate and Gov. Ed Rendell if it is to become law.
Source: Daily Times; 4/22/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Another $800,000 slated for open space
County commissioners approved an open space purchase of $800,000 for 3 farms in upper Bucks. A total of 134 acres will be added to the county’s open space program, including 14 acres in Lower Southampton , 83 acres in Bedminster and a 37-acre farm in Haycock. The county has so far preserved 127 farms and 11,079 acres through the open space program.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/20/09
Richlandtown, Sellersville to borrow funding for water system improvements
Richlandtown and Sellersville officials had hoped to receive grants from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to perform water system improvements. Instead, the funding for the project will come in the form of an $884,000 loan that Richlandtown will have to pay back to the Authority. The loan will be used to remove arsenic from the town’s drinking water. Sellersville received a $337,000 loan through the program to replace old, corroded lines to eliminate system leaks and improve the quality of the drinking water.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/23/09
PECO project in Langhorne will improve electric facilities for area
A $1 million project that will improve electric facilities for Langhorne and surrounding municipalities is under way, according to PECO. The project includes the installation of 24 new utility poles, new aerial cable and new transformers in Langhorne Borough and Middletown Township . Additionally, PECO will perform state-of-the-art upgrades to Langhorne’s Bellevue substation which will allow for real-time monitoring of customer demand.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/16/09
CHESTER COUNTY
Coatesville Redevelopment Authority approves $2 million deal to sell The Flats
After negotiating with various developers over the last three years, the city's Redevelopment Authority agreed Monday to sell a key piece of land known as the “Flats” for $2 million. Now City Council must approve or reject the construction plans on a portion of The Flats, the site of the former G.O. Carlson stainless steel mill, which closed in 2004. The Mosaic Group, proposed developer of the property, currently plans to construct an 82,000-square-foot shopping center expected to feature a grocery store and retail and office space. It will occupy the southern half of 26 acres north of West Lincoln Highway and west of Route 82 along the east bank of the Brandywine Creek. Before any construction can begin, the site must be cleaned — a costly and intensive project. The authority is also applying for government environmental grants to cover the cleanup's costs. It's still unclear what will be done with the northern portion of the site. Previously, Iacobucci Homes was in the mix with the intention of building row homes and condominiums on the site. But the company has since pulled out of the project. Iacobucci Homes' exit prompted Chetty Builders and The Shelter Group to throw their plans into the equation. City Council's next meeting is April 27, during which council may vote on the Mosaic plan.
Source: Daily Local; 4/22/09
Pennsbury to advertise referendum on open-space tax shift
Pennsbury Township supervisors plan to place a referendum question on the fall ballot asking residents if they are willing to shift tax revenue that currently supports open space. Currently, 0.45 mills of the township's 1.15-mill real estate tax and 0.188 percent of the township's 0.5 percent earned-income tax go toward open-space preservation. As proposed, the referendum would seek approval of a new tax formula to include 0.79 mills of real estate tax for open space, raising the total real estate tax to 1.49 mills. At the same time, the open-space component would be eliminated from the EIT, reducing it to 0.312 percent. Under the proposal, the township would bring in about $250,000 a year from the open-space portion of the property tax, whereas the two taxes now generate about $300,000. If the township does decide to place a referendum on the ballot in November, and the proposal is approved, it would be nonbinding, meaning the officials could chose to ignore it.
Source: Daily Local; 4/21/09
Schuylkill Township aims for clean energy in 7 percent of households
Schuylkill Township has announced plans to utilize more "clean" energy in the future. In 2007, the township joined a statewide effort, Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities, a collaborative project of the region's TRF (The Reinvestment Fund) Sustainable Development Fund and SmartPower, by officially pledging to buy at least 20percent of its municipal electricity from renewable sources by 2010.The township has exceeded this goal, buying 25 percent in 2007, and 100 percent in 2008 and 2009, from renewable sources. Schuylkill will now attempt to convince at least 7 percent of the households in the township to purchase a portion of their electricity from clean sources. If the 7 percent goal is reached by the end of May 2009," Kunz said, "the township will receive a 1.2-kilowatt solar power system free of charge to be placed somewhere within the township. Twenty such $10,000 solar systems will be made available to as many communities in Bucks, Montgomery , Philadelphia , Delaware and Chester counties that meet the goal.
Source: Daily Local; 4/23/09
DELAWARE COUNTY
Delaware County Officials look for answers to county foreclosure rate
Some 46 homes were sold during Delaware County ’s most recent foreclosure sale, almost all of them reverting back to mortgage lenders in “dollar sales.” Delaware County Sheriff Joseph F. McGinn said 44 of the total 247 properties up for sale went back to the lenders, while two were sold to third parties. Another 142 were continued to a later date, he said, and 56 were stayed, or removed from the sale docket altogether. One was also postponed due to bankruptcy. According to data provided by McGinn, total sales for the first three months of the year jumped between 2008 and 2009 from 640 to 900. The majority in any given month is continued and nearly all, if sold, go back to the lender in dollar sales.
Source: Daily Times; 4/22/09
Springfield zoners question billboard company’s standing
Round 2 of the zoning hearing regarding the installation of six billboards along Baltimore Pike included testimony by the applicant regarding the justification of the size and height, as well as challenges by the township solicitor regarding the corporation’s ability to conduct business in the state. Thaddeus Bartkowski of The Bartkowski Investment Group discussed the “qualitative and quantitative reasons” regarding the proposed placement of illuminated, back-to-back billboards measuring 672square feet in the 100, 500, 700 and 800 blocks of the highway. The signs would be mounted on free-standing monopoles at a height of 62 feet. Bartkowski noted the decisions were based on the posted 45 mph speed limit of the road, which would offer drivers a 12-second read time, the topography of the street and the necessary sight angle to properly view the billboard. He added the 14-foot-by-48-foot dimension is the smaller of two sizes approved by PennDOT for this classification of roadway. Another meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. May 28 at the township building
Source: Daily Times; 4/24/09
Radnor to start search for township manager
Radnor Township will use both its interim township manager and a Montgomery County firm to search for a new township manager. The township’s Board of Commissioners voted earlier this month to engage Local Governmental Services, LLC to provide help in the search and selection process.
Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 4/22/09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Norristown will amend open house sign ordinance
Norristown Borough Council passed its sign ordinance this week, which restricted open house directional signs to one hour before the event. Alliance staff and Realtor® member Ellen Renish were present to comment on the ordinance. As advised by the borough solicitor, the council passed the ordinance “as is” and guaranteed that it will revisit an amendment to the ordinance to allow for open house directional signs for 24 hours prior to the event. Alliance staff will work with borough officials to ensure a satisfactory amendment to the ordinance.
Study will evaluate possible tolls on Route 422
A study by Montgomery County planners will evaluate how to turn Route 422 into a toll road in order to fund future highway construction and extend commuter rail service west of Norristown . The $625,000 study will cost the county $15,833, with the federal government picking up 80 percent of the cost and the remainder divided between Chester and Berks Counties , and PennDOT, the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce and Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. The study is expected to take 18 months.
Source: The Times Herald/ 4/20/09
Wissahickon passes 2009-2010 budget, taxes will stay the same
The Wissahickon School Board unanimously passed a final budget of $85.8 million for the 2009-210 school year. Real estate taxes for the district will remain at 17.47 mills, with money from the fund balance making up the $1.2 difference between revenues and expenditures.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/20/09
Lower Providence adopts zoning ordinance 26 months in the making
The Evansburg village commercial zoning district was officially adopted by the Lower Providence Board of Supervisors after 26 months of negotiations. The village commercial zoning allows for multiple uses on one property and creates a wider buffer area between the village commercial properties and adjacent residential properties. The zoning change will affect 37 properties in the National Historic district.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/20/09
Regional officials on-board for high-speed rail project
U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-6th), along with county and local officials from the greater Philadelphia region, has expressed his willingness to participate in President Barack Obama’s early-stage proposal to develop high-speed rail lines to connect cities in 10 major regions. The proposal could revolutionize travel in the Keystone Corridor between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh , and reduce dependence on cars and planes, lower carbon emissions and spur economic development along the rail corridors. The proposal calls for $8 billion of economic stimulus money and $1 billion a year for the next five years to jumpstart the rail plan. Matthew Edmond, a senior Montgomery County transportation planner, said if high-speed trains become a reality for the region, commuting time from the Philadelphia area to Harrisburg could be cut almost in half from its current commute of 90 minutes. Rep Gerlach has advocated high-speed rail investment for years, and cosponsored a measure included in the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 that allowed private companies to submit proposals for developing high-speed rail lines.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/20/09
PA. House votes down cell-phone/driving bill
A measure that would ban hand-held cell phones while driving — and make it a primary offense — was narrowly defeated, 100-95, along party lines in Harrisburg Wednesday afternoon. State Rep. Josh Shapiro’s amendment would have imposed a $50 fine and enabled officers to pull over motorists they see using hand-held cell phones. It was tacked on to a bill that would impose a string of new restrictions on teenage drivers. The underlying bill, which was debated by legislators from 11 a.m. until late afternoon, was not expected to get a final vote in the House this week. It would also require approval by the Senate and Gov. Ed Rendell if it is to become law.
Source: Daily Times; 4/22/09
BUCKS COUNTY
Another $800,000 slated for open space
County commissioners approved an open space purchase of $800,000 for 3 farms in upper Bucks. A total of 134 acres will be added to the county’s open space program, including 14 acres in Lower Southampton , 83 acres in Bedminster and a 37-acre farm in Haycock. The county has so far preserved 127 farms and 11,079 acres through the open space program.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/20/09
Richlandtown, Sellersville to borrow funding for water system improvements
Richlandtown and Sellersville officials had hoped to receive grants from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to perform water system improvements. Instead, the funding for the project will come in the form of an $884,000 loan that Richlandtown will have to pay back to the Authority. The loan will be used to remove arsenic from the town’s drinking water. Sellersville received a $337,000 loan through the program to replace old, corroded lines to eliminate system leaks and improve the quality of the drinking water.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/23/09
PECO project in Langhorne will improve electric facilities for area
A $1 million project that will improve electric facilities for Langhorne and surrounding municipalities is under way, according to PECO. The project includes the installation of 24 new utility poles, new aerial cable and new transformers in Langhorne Borough and Middletown Township . Additionally, PECO will perform state-of-the-art upgrades to Langhorne’s Bellevue substation which will allow for real-time monitoring of customer demand.
Source: The Intelligencer; 4/16/09
CHESTER COUNTY
Coatesville Redevelopment Authority approves $2 million deal to sell The Flats
After negotiating with various developers over the last three years, the city's Redevelopment Authority agreed Monday to sell a key piece of land known as the “Flats” for $2 million. Now City Council must approve or reject the construction plans on a portion of The Flats, the site of the former G.O. Carlson stainless steel mill, which closed in 2004. The Mosaic Group, proposed developer of the property, currently plans to construct an 82,000-square-foot shopping center expected to feature a grocery store and retail and office space. It will occupy the southern half of 26 acres north of West Lincoln Highway and west of Route 82 along the east bank of the Brandywine Creek. Before any construction can begin, the site must be cleaned — a costly and intensive project. The authority is also applying for government environmental grants to cover the cleanup's costs. It's still unclear what will be done with the northern portion of the site. Previously, Iacobucci Homes was in the mix with the intention of building row homes and condominiums on the site. But the company has since pulled out of the project. Iacobucci Homes' exit prompted Chetty Builders and The Shelter Group to throw their plans into the equation. City Council's next meeting is April 27, during which council may vote on the Mosaic plan.
Source: Daily Local; 4/22/09
Pennsbury to advertise referendum on open-space tax shift
Pennsbury Township supervisors plan to place a referendum question on the fall ballot asking residents if they are willing to shift tax revenue that currently supports open space. Currently, 0.45 mills of the township's 1.15-mill real estate tax and 0.188 percent of the township's 0.5 percent earned-income tax go toward open-space preservation. As proposed, the referendum would seek approval of a new tax formula to include 0.79 mills of real estate tax for open space, raising the total real estate tax to 1.49 mills. At the same time, the open-space component would be eliminated from the EIT, reducing it to 0.312 percent. Under the proposal, the township would bring in about $250,000 a year from the open-space portion of the property tax, whereas the two taxes now generate about $300,000. If the township does decide to place a referendum on the ballot in November, and the proposal is approved, it would be nonbinding, meaning the officials could chose to ignore it.
Source: Daily Local; 4/21/09
Schuylkill Township aims for clean energy in 7 percent of households
Schuylkill Township has announced plans to utilize more "clean" energy in the future. In 2007, the township joined a statewide effort, Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities, a collaborative project of the region's TRF (The Reinvestment Fund) Sustainable Development Fund and SmartPower, by officially pledging to buy at least 20percent of its municipal electricity from renewable sources by 2010.The township has exceeded this goal, buying 25 percent in 2007, and 100 percent in 2008 and 2009, from renewable sources. Schuylkill will now attempt to convince at least 7 percent of the households in the township to purchase a portion of their electricity from clean sources. If the 7 percent goal is reached by the end of May 2009," Kunz said, "the township will receive a 1.2-kilowatt solar power system free of charge to be placed somewhere within the township. Twenty such $10,000 solar systems will be made available to as many communities in Bucks, Montgomery , Philadelphia , Delaware and Chester counties that meet the goal.
Source: Daily Local; 4/23/09
DELAWARE COUNTY
Delaware County Officials look for answers to county foreclosure rate
Some 46 homes were sold during Delaware County ’s most recent foreclosure sale, almost all of them reverting back to mortgage lenders in “dollar sales.” Delaware County Sheriff Joseph F. McGinn said 44 of the total 247 properties up for sale went back to the lenders, while two were sold to third parties. Another 142 were continued to a later date, he said, and 56 were stayed, or removed from the sale docket altogether. One was also postponed due to bankruptcy. According to data provided by McGinn, total sales for the first three months of the year jumped between 2008 and 2009 from 640 to 900. The majority in any given month is continued and nearly all, if sold, go back to the lender in dollar sales.
Source: Daily Times; 4/22/09
Springfield zoners question billboard company’s standing
Round 2 of the zoning hearing regarding the installation of six billboards along Baltimore Pike included testimony by the applicant regarding the justification of the size and height, as well as challenges by the township solicitor regarding the corporation’s ability to conduct business in the state. Thaddeus Bartkowski of The Bartkowski Investment Group discussed the “qualitative and quantitative reasons” regarding the proposed placement of illuminated, back-to-back billboards measuring 672square feet in the 100, 500, 700 and 800 blocks of the highway. The signs would be mounted on free-standing monopoles at a height of 62 feet. Bartkowski noted the decisions were based on the posted 45 mph speed limit of the road, which would offer drivers a 12-second read time, the topography of the street and the necessary sight angle to properly view the billboard. He added the 14-foot-by-48-foot dimension is the smaller of two sizes approved by PennDOT for this classification of roadway. Another meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. May 28 at the township building
Source: Daily Times; 4/24/09
Radnor to start search for township manager
Radnor Township will use both its interim township manager and a Montgomery County firm to search for a new township manager. The township’s Board of Commissioners voted earlier this month to engage Local Governmental Services, LLC to provide help in the search and selection process.
Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 4/22/09
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Norristown will amend open house sign ordinance
Norristown Borough Council passed its sign ordinance this week, which restricted open house directional signs to one hour before the event. Alliance staff and Realtor® member Ellen Renish were present to comment on the ordinance. As advised by the borough solicitor, the council passed the ordinance “as is” and guaranteed that it will revisit an amendment to the ordinance to allow for open house directional signs for 24 hours prior to the event. Alliance staff will work with borough officials to ensure a satisfactory amendment to the ordinance.
Study will evaluate possible tolls on Route 422
A study by Montgomery County planners will evaluate how to turn Route 422 into a toll road in order to fund future highway construction and extend commuter rail service west of Norristown . The $625,000 study will cost the county $15,833, with the federal government picking up 80 percent of the cost and the remainder divided between Chester and Berks Counties , and PennDOT, the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce and Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. The study is expected to take 18 months.
Source: The Times Herald/ 4/20/09
Wissahickon passes 2009-2010 budget, taxes will stay the same
The Wissahickon School Board unanimously passed a final budget of $85.8 million for the 2009-210 school year. Real estate taxes for the district will remain at 17.47 mills, with money from the fund balance making up the $1.2 difference between revenues and expenditures.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/20/09
Lower Providence adopts zoning ordinance 26 months in the making
The Evansburg village commercial zoning district was officially adopted by the Lower Providence Board of Supervisors after 26 months of negotiations. The village commercial zoning allows for multiple uses on one property and creates a wider buffer area between the village commercial properties and adjacent residential properties. The zoning change will affect 37 properties in the National Historic district.
Source: The Times Herald; 4/20/09
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