UPDATE: Week of March 2, 2009

GENERAL INFORMATION

Philadelphia tax assessment plan delayed again

The long-delayed overhaul of Philadelphia 's property-tax assessment system will likely be put off for another year. The move postpones a politically difficult transition, which is expected to eventually lead to significantly higher property-tax bills for many Philadelphians and lower bills for others. The delay will also preserve for at least another year what critics say is an inequitable and inaccurate system. Assessed property values in Philadelphia tend to be unduly high in poor neighborhoods and are frequently unrealistically low for residents of expensive neighborhoods. Delaying the switch to the new assessment method - known as the actual value initiative - has become something of an annual rite in City Hall, which has punted on the issue since 2006. The initiative would reassess all properties in the city at actual value and do away with the confusing fractional system, which purportedly assesses properties at 32 percent, rather than 100 percent, of market value. Click here to read the full article.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 2/27/09



Journal Register Company files reorganization plan

Journal Register Company has announced that the Company and its subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to implement a pre-negotiated plan of reorganization with its secured lenders designed to substantially reduce its debt. JRC intends to continue to operate as usual, and does not anticipate any business interruption during the restructuring.

Source: The Phoenix ; 2/27/09



Mortgage Deduction at Risk in U.S. Budget

A new proposal in the Obama administration's federal budget outline would limit the mortgage interest deduction (MID) amount for thousands of families, which would impact the housing market for everyone.

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, which has supported the Obama administration’s housing and stimulus plans, is opposed to this proposal. NAR President Charles McMillan has sent a letter to President Obama, saying that "there is never a good time to propose something that undermines the basic foundation of homeownership." For more information read: REALTORS® Oppose MID Reduction.




BUCKS COUNTY


West Rockhill and Bucks County team up to preserve property

The Berger property on Catch Basin Road is part of the watershed that West Rockhill Township and Bucks County are teaming up to preserve. The 54-acre tract is heavily forested and part of the watershed for Sellersville public water system. The township has been working on the deal for the past few years and received assistance from the Natural Lands Trust, in addition to a .25 percent earned income tax dedicated for open space purchase. Settlement on a $6,000 per acre deal to buy the development rights and preserve the land is scheduled for March. Bucks County and West Rockhill plan to split the cost evenly.

Source: News Herald; 2/25/09



Doylestown Township windmill ordinance still unresolved

Township supervisors continue to work toward an ordinance concerning residential windmill use, with the primary unresolved issue being the size of the lots on which windmills would be allowed. An initial proposal recommended that lots be restricted to 2 acres, which drew criticism from the public and township supervisors for its restrictive nature. The board’s most recent debate resulted in a vote to send the latest draft to the Bucks County Planning Commission for its input. Currently, the draft states that windmills have to be at least 100 feet away from utility lines, are limited in height to 65 feet and the distance between the ground and the end of any blade must be no less than 15 feet. After the Planning Commission reviews the draft, it will be up for discussion at the township’s March meeting.

Source: The Intelligencer; 2/18/09



Tinicum Elementary School to get $8.8 million makeover

The Palisades School Board unanimously approved $8.8 million in contracts for alterations and additions to the Tinicum Elementary School , which dates back to 1958. The construction and renovations are expected to take 18 months, with work beginning in May 2009. The school, located on East Dark Hollow Road , has an enrollment of close to 300 students.

Source: The Intelligencer; 2/19/09



Power line fight proving costly for Springfield

The fight to keep PPL power lines out of an environmentally sensitive region of Springfield may prove to be a more costly, long battle for the township. The Public Utility Commission will likely issue a decision in six to eight weeks on a battle that has cost the township $168,000 in the past year. Either side can appeal the PUC’s ruling, meaning additional legal costs if the case goes to the Commonwealth Court .

Source: The Intelligencer; 2/26/09


CHESTER COUNTY

West Grove heading for the future and town revitalization

Municipal officials are pursuing a number of projects as they upgrade and revitalize the center of town. For the past five years of so, the borough has been applying for and obtaining grants with an eye toward improving the appearance and safety in the middle of town. So far the infrastructure is stronger, the lighting is more attractive and much of the streetscape has received new curbs and sidewalks.

• Beginning with revitalization and comprehensive plans in 1993 as guides, the borough first requested and received $2.4 million in county money to upgrade water lines, curbs, sidewalks, period streetlights, storm water management and repaving on Rosehill and Edgehill avenues that form the center square in town. That project was finished in 2006.

• In 2007 the borough was approved for a $600,000 county grant to improve water lines along the railroad tracks on Railroad Avenue as well as replace curbs and sidewalks. At the same time, similar period lights were installed to those on Rose Hill Avenue . Nesbitt said this effort extended the business district. A contract crew is currently working on that uptown.

• Then, thanks to another $1 million grant from PennDOT and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the borough is working on putting out bids for installing new pipes along Evergreen Street from Oakland to Maple streets.

• Looking toward the future, West Grove has applied for a county grant to build a safe crosswalk from Railroad Avenue to Rose Hill Avenue that is lighted, smooth and handicapped accessible and to upgrade the traffic signal. It would improve the situation that now exists whereby people just step across the railroad tracks at no particular location.

Source: Avon Grove Sun; 2/24/09



Summit eyes the future of farming in Chester County

Chester County 2020, a farm advocacy group, held its seventh annual "Keep Farming First" summit Saturday at Octorara High School . The summit focused on how the role of local farms should evolve as the county's economy, environment and social patterns change. Keynote speaker Dennis Buffington, a Penn State professor, said that local farms have to find creative ways to become part of the new economy in order to remain profitable. If they don't, he said, it's highly unlikely the next generation will want to take them over.

The summit also featured breakout sessions and panel discussions. The last panel of the day focused on "unintended impacts of local regulations," and addressed the municipal conflicts that arise when residential and commercial uses crop up next to agricultural uses.

Source: Daily Local; 2/26/09



City of Coatesville to tap its trust fund

Coatesville City Council on Monday approved a $200,000 withdrawal from the city's trust fund, a two-week extension of the city's state of emergency and the filing of a grant application that will bring $500,000 in arson-related aid from the state. The $200,000 withdrawal is significantly lower than the sum requested by City Manager Harry Walker and will be used to help alleviate a cashflow problem. City officials say the withdrawal is necessary for several reasons, one being the city's state of emergency and the overtime costs that go with it. Without the withdrawal the city cannot make its payroll and will be unable to pay vendors. The ordinance also references current and past-due obligations. The city has $600,000 in debt carried over from last year.

Source: Daily Local; 2/24/09


DELAWARE COUNTY


BPG tries a new approach for town center in Newtown

The town center debate has been revitalized by Berwind Properties Group’s latest request to develop the Ellis Preserve as a planned residential development. Township planners recently wrestled with the town center approval — a beleaguered process that is approaching five years, with no end in sight. After an hour of discourse, planners and BPG agreed to resume the planned residential development discussion at the commission’s March 12 meeting. The planning commission had held a series of special sessions in June to craft a zoning overlay ordinance that would change the zoning of the Ellis tract and allow a mixed-use town center. Township supervisors ultimately voted 3-2 in October to accept a 60-page settlement agreement to achieve the same goal. The developer now wants the draft ordinance to be called “The Township of Newtown Planned Residential Development Ordinance of 2008.” In pursuing planned residential development approval, the builder has matched up the mixed-use characteristics of a residential development to the town center parameters negotiated in the settlement agreement. The proposed planned residential development is a near duplicate of the approved town center. A few minor changes include the proposed zoning overlay district now being called a master plan concept planned residential development, and the preliminary plan is now a tentative plan.

Source: Daily Times; 2/22/09



Franklin Mint development scaled back in Middletown

A conceptual plan for development of the former Franklin Mint property has been scaled back, in response to feedback from residents and the business community during a weeklong charrette —- or community discussion process — that took place in the township last August. The sprawling property on West Baltimore Pike is zoned for 1.5 million square feet of office/industrial space. The owners have the right to develop the site this way, called the “by right” plan. However, a zoning change would allow a mix of residential, commercial and office use. A Franklin Town Center proposal in 2006, which calls for 1,300 residential units, 400,000 square feet of office space, 1.4 million square feet of commercial space and a 300-room hotel, met strong opposition from residents. But a revised concept now calls for 280 housing units, 230,000 square feet of office space, 798,000 square feet of commercial space and a 225-room hotel. The public can learn more about the development at www.planningfranklin.com.

Source: Daily Times; 2/22/09



Township Manager suspended in Radnor

Radnor Township Manager, David Bashore, is under suspension for allegedly paying himself unauthorized salary bonuses totaling $128,500 over the last eight years. The Radnor Township commissioners suspended Bashore with pay on Thursday, and Board of Commissioners president Thomas Masterson has indicated he will seek Bashore’s resignation. Bashore says the township administrative code granted him the authority to give merit-based bonuses to employees and his employment agreement allowed him to receive similar awards.

Source: Wayne Suburban; 2/26/09



Chichester School District budget calls for tax hike

Based on the proposed $61.3 million preliminary budget, property owners in the Chichester School District will pay an average of $140 more in school property taxes for the 2009-2010 school year. The new millage rate, 35.093 mills reflects a will be in a 5.4% increase over last year. Using those numbers, the owner of a home at the district wide median assessed value of $100,435 would pay a total of $3,525 in taxes for the year.

Source: Main Line Time; 2/12/09



No increase in sheriff’s sale in Delaware County

Despite the downturn in the economy, the number of sheriff’s sales in Delaware County has remained stable over the past several years. County Sheriff Joeseph McGinn’s office is working with members of the Delaware County Bar Association and attorneys representing a number of lenders to come up with a way to help homeowners facing foreclosure.

Source: Daily Times; 2/22/09


MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Driving on 422 could cost motorists in Montgomery County

Montgomery County transportation planners are working on a plan to determine if there is community support for charging a toll to drive on Route 422 between Valley Forge and Pottstown . The proposal is the use the toll revenue to subsidize commuter rail service between Norristown and Reading as well as pay for improvements on the 25-mile expressway. Currently, there are no regionally operated toll roads in the state, but if approved, the 422 toll would be modeled after the Pennsylvania Turnpike with motorists paying tolls based on the miles driven on the expressway. The system would use all electronic tolls, such as EZ Pass. The study will be performed over the next 18 months to analyze tolling options, capital costs and to determine how much revenue would be needed.

Source: The Intelligencer; 2/21/09



Abington School budget holds taxes for 2009-2010

For the first time in 20 years, the Abington School Board passed a preliminary budget without a property tax increase. Instead, the board will use money from the fund balance to account for more than $3.2 million in increased spending for 2009-2010. The millage rate will hold at 27.29, which translates to a real estate tax of $3,851 for the average home assessed at $141,130.
Source: The Globe; 2/26/09



Lower Moreland Commissioners decide on how to use open space grant

A $600,000 grant from the county was at stake if Lower Moreland Commissioners did not decide how to use the money by March 31. Commissioners decided to use the money for a corridor project that calls for construction of sidewalks from Pennypack Creek to the Huntingdon Valley Post Office at Liberman Drive , from the Bethayres Train Station to the corner of Philmont Avenue and Huntingdon Pike as well as a portion of Red Lion Road by Lower Moreland High School . The project aims to increase food traffic in the municipality and connect pre-existing trails. By protecting the 27 acres as open space, the township will not have to worry about increased flooding issues to do development on the land.

Source: The Globe; 2/20/09