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