How PA plans to monitor expiring affordable housing subsidies
Over the next five years, affordability restrictions on more than 9,700 units across the state will expire, and once that happens, owners can raise rents to market rate or sell the property, potentially displacing residents. Oversight is currently split across different state agencies, and Pennsylvania has lacked a consistent way to track the expirations — something highlighted in Gov. Josh Shapiro's March housing plan. In response, Pennsylvania will create a public, searchable database tracking affordable housing properties and when their rent-restriction requirements are set to expire, a measure included in the state budget deal lawmakers passed in July. The database will be compiled by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency at no additional cost and will show each property's location, expiration date and whether an extension is possible. It will be made public by the end of 2027 and updated annually. It will give advocates and officials more advance warning to pursue solutions like additional funding or a buyer willing to preserve affordability. The provision originated from a bill by state Sens. Vincent Hughes (D-7) and Nikil Saval (D-1) and follows similar efforts in at least 11 other states and in a 2023 Philadelphia City Council law.
Source: Spotlight PA; 8/26/2026

Remembering 9/11 in the region
The terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, had a profound and lasting impact on Southeast Pennsylvania, a region that was closely connected through both geography and the people who were directly affected. The region is home to memorials, including the Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield, Bucks County, and the Steelworkers’ 9/11 Memorial in Coatesville, Chester County. 

Philly region is a national hot spot for flood warnings
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has set a record for issuing flood warnings this year, including 76 in the Philadelphia region, and monthly records in July and August. An Inquirer analysis documented that among 2,200 U.S. counties, Philly and six of its neighboring counties rank in the top 25 for warnings issued this year, most of which have been followed by actual floods. In addition, with four months to go, the Inquirer analysis found, the region already has had nearly triple the annual average for flood warnings, compared to the 18 years in which it has been using its current methodology.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 9/2/2026

PUC: Data centers will spike electric demand over next 5 years
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) projects data centers and related power plants could cause a nearly 19%-per-year jump in demand for statewide electricity for the next five years. The annual Electric Power Outlook report, which notes the figures are forecasts and not guarantees of future electricity demand, says the projected industrial increase is almost entirely attributable to anticipated large data centers.
Source: PUC; 9/1/2026

No open space referendum on November ballot in Hilltown
Hilltown Township's open space program referendum will not appear on the November ballot, after officials discovered that the deadline to add it had already passed by the time the township solicitor looked into the timing. The three-member board of supervisors wants to revive the dormant program, which would require reinstating a local earned income tax — suspended since 2016 — to fund land preservation. The idea was raised by Supervisor Joseph Metzinger due to heavy development pressure on the township. Rather than resuming the program unilaterally, since voters had already approved it two decades ago, supervisors want to put the question to today's electorate again, with Supervisor Caleb Torrice noting the current population differs from the one that originally backed the tax. In the meantime, the board plans to use the roughly $2.1 million already set aside for open space to review and update the program's rules — particularly the acreage requirements — since many large parcels once targeted for preservation have since been developed or protected. Supervisors are considering lowering the minimum acreage and adding a valuation analysis so smaller properties with environmental, historical or strategic value could also qualify, with a new referendum possible as early as next year.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/9/2026

Morrisville appoints new school director
The Morrisville School Board unanimously appointed Jodi Thompson to fill a board vacancy through December 2027. Thompson said she will push for more student opportunities like clubs and advanced coursework. In other news, Board President Damon Miller announced that after interviewing 24 applicants for superintendent, an offer has gone out to a top candidate and a contract is being drafted, with a board vote expected in September.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/2/2026

Solebury supervisors vote for ‘unofficial meeting summaries’ to be posted
Solebury Township's Board of Supervisors passed a resolution authorizing the administration to create and post an "unofficial meeting summary graphic" to social media and the township website within seven days of each meeting. The board clarified that the summary will not serve as official minutes because those are not approved until the following meeting, sometimes two to four weeks later. Board Chairman Mark Baum Baicker credited the idea to a similar practice by supervisors in Upper Makefield Township.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/2/2026

Newtown Township vows to toughen new data center ordinance
Newtown Township supervisors say a joint data center ordinance passed in August by Newtown, Upper Makefield and Wrightstown townships is only "a starting point" and they plan to push for stronger restrictions, even though no developer has yet applied to build a data center in any of the three municipalities. The current rules effectively bar them in Newtown and Upper Makefield, with some areas of Wrightstown still permitting them. Supervisor Elen Snyder said the ordinance was adopted quickly for initial protection, since amending it before all three towns approved would have meant restarting the jointure's review and public-advertising process, causing significant delay. At the meeting, some residents argued the ordinance was too applicant-friendly and pushed for a larger setback than the current 1,000 feet, stricter requirements for applicants to privately supply electricity, water and sewer capacity, updated well-water protections (since existing language dates to 2007 and data centers can use up to a million gallons of water daily), specific rules for round-the-clock lighting and operations, and financial protections shielding residents from costs like higher sewer rates — suggesting the law be modeled on the more stringent "Pennsylvania Future" version, rather than the current version drafted largely by the Bucks County Planning Commission.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 8/28/2026

New Hope appoints interim manager
New Hope Borough Council has appointed Dave Nyman as interim manager while it searches for a permanent replacement for Peter Gray, who left in June to become assistant manager in Bristol Borough. Nyman, who retired last year as Upper Makefield Township manager, brings extensive experience, having filled in as interim manager for Warwick, Wrightstown, Plumstead and West Rockhill townships. He has also served as vice chairperson of the East Rockhill Township Board of Supervisors. Council President Ken Maisel welcomed Nyman and said the borough is fortunate to have his help heading into budget planning, while the council has enlisted Lafayette College's Meyner Center to help vet candidates for permanent manager.
Source: New Hope Free Press; 8/26/2026

78 acres preserved in West Vincent, creating 236-acre corridor of protected land
French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust announced the permanent protection of 78 acres of land in West Vincent Township. The deal was finalized on Aug. 13, in partnership with landowners Paul and Cynthia Black, the township and Chester County. The conservation easement expands an existing cluster of preserved properties to create a contiguous 236-acre corridor of land protected in perpetuity, according to a press release. The land — a prime target for development due to its size and location — was the largest unprotected parcel along Pughtown Road.
Source: Daily Local; 9/1/2026

Water conservation order issued, then lifted, for 23K customers in Coatesville area
A mandatory water conservation order was lifted for approximately 23,000 residents in the Coatesville area. According to Pennsylvania American Water, recent weather-related changes to local water sources had increased the amount of treatment required at its plant. The company says all four treatment filters are now back in service, and the plant has regained enough production capacity to meet customer demand. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania American Water website.
Source: 6ABC; 9/8/2026

West Chester schedules hearing on stream protection fee repeal
West Chester Borough has scheduled a Wednesday, Sept. 16, public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on an ordinance that would repeal the borough's existing Stream Protection Fee ordinance. In 2016, the borough adopted an ordinance that imposed a stream protection fee on all developed property within the borough, with the charge calculated based on the amount of impervious surface on each parcel. West Chester University, whose north campus is located within the borough, refused to pay the charge due to its tax-exempt status, and the case rose to the state Supreme Court. The high court ruled that the program’s purpose was overwhelmingly public, the fee had been used to fund stormwater-related infrastructure, and it was therefore a tax. The borough is now moving to formally repeal the fee.
Source: West Chester Borough

Chesco offers online tools to help communities build bike parks
The Chester County Planning Commission (CCPC) recently launched a new Bike Parks eTool to help municipalities plan, build, expand and enhance bike parks. Bike parks are dedicated recreational facilities designed primarily for bicycles, although some may also accommodate scooters and skateboards. They can include pump tracks, skills parks or bicycle playgrounds, jump lines, and features designed for riders of varying ages and abilities. CCPC's new eTool explains the different types of bike parks and their features while providing guidance on community outreach, planning, local ordinances, design, funding, construction and ongoing maintenance.
Source: Chester County Planning Commission; 8/10/2026

Phoenixville conducts water service line material survey
The Borough of Phoenixville requests that residents complete an online water inventory survey. Lead in water pipes can pose a safety issue, and regular inventories are mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Lead and Copper Rule revisions.
Source: Phoenixville Borough; 9/2026