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Philadelphia’s “unbelievable” assessments confound property owners with wildly inequitable taxes

Of the 400,000 homeowners in Philadelphia, only 3 percent receive property-tax bills based on the true value of their real estate. For many, the amounts charged are wrong, triggered by assessments that, on average, are 39 percent off the mark.  When Pennsylvania rated the accuracy of assessments in its 67 counties two years ago, the four adjacent to Philadelphia were in the top third. Chester County was ranked No. 3 and Montgomery County No. 6, even though they had not conducted mass reappraisals since 1998. Philadelphia came in 47th-startingly low considering that it reassesses annually and should have the most up-to-date values. Click here to read the full text of this article.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 6/22/08

Bucks County

Quakertown council to consider controversial rental property ordinance

Quakertown Borough Council will vote on a controversial rental property registration and inspection ordinance at next week’s monthly council meeting on Weds., July 2, at 7:30 p.m. If approved, the ordinance would establish an annual rental property registration requirement and fee along with an inspection program focused on ensuring compliance with all borough codes, including the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code. A similar ordinance passed in Lansdale Borough just six months ago has led to an outcry among property owners who say the inspection process is “excessive and punitive.” Lansdale is now moving toward limiting the rental inspection program to focus on true health and safety issues. Click here for story.

 

County makes shift to eRecording

The Bucks County Recorder of Deeds office recently announced that it will be electronically recording mortgages, satisfaction pieces, financial documents and other land records. To view the Recorder of Deeds website, click here.

 

Richland sewer expansion must account for new construction

New development in Richland Township is expected to top 250 to 300 homes per year for the next 10 years. Those expectations could be drastically lowered if the township’s sewage capacity problems are not solved. Currently, Richland and Richlandtown are serviced by Quakertown’s wastewater system, which bills the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority for the expanded service. Representatives from the Authority have presented Quakertown Borough with a $4 million proposal to expand its wastewater treatment facilities that also serve Richland. The Authority would cover the cost, which could exceed $18 million when factoring in lines and other infrastructure expenses.

Source: The Intelligencer; 6/24/08

 

Warrington plans for firehouse and township building addition

Supervisors in Warrington Township recently voted to borrow $7.5 million for capital projects including a new firehouse, an addition to the township building and several storm water management improvements. As a result, property taxes in the township could increase by 0.5 to 1 mil, which could cost homeowners an additional $35 on average. The firehouse is expected to cost roughly $2.2 million.

Source: The Intelligencer; 6/25/08

Chester County

Struble settlement reached: Natural Lands Trust will purchase 28.5 acres owned by Shyrock Bros.

An agreement between the Natural Lands Trust and Shyrock Bros. was signed on Monday regarding the controversial Paper Mill property in Upper Uwchlan Township. Once the settlement is complete, the 28.5 acres of land will be owned by the county and state. The Struble Trail and parking area will reopen once the purchase is complete. According to the Chester County Commissioners office, the county has committed $1.5 million to the $3.1 million purchase price. State and township funds are yet to be confirmed. A portion of the trail and an access road to Marsh Creek State Park had been closed to the public since 2005. Since 2007, the Natural Lands Trust had been in negotiations concerning the property.

Source: Daily Local;; 6/20/08

 

Code issues cost E. Coventry homeowners $120 each

The Board of Supervisors awarded all remaining sewer inspections to another company during last week’s meeting – at a cost of $120 per home. This decision came after a contract with a previous company, Code Inspections, Inc., was terminated due to workmanship issues. While East Coventry is about to complete a $5.8 million sewer project, at least 20 homes were identified earlier this year as having significant connection flaws. East Coventry is currently considering creating a new township position to handle codes and zoning duties, in addition to building inspections.

Source: The Mercury; 6/16/08

 

Avondale addresses residents’ complaints

The issue of enforcing existing ordinances limiting the number of residents that are allowed to live in one residence was discussed by the Avondale Borough Council. Residents have made complaints about parking issues due to overcrowding. In response to the concerns of residents, the council voted to form a special “Housing Committee” in order to review the borough’s ordinances and research other housing issues. The committee will also meet with the borough’s solicitor and codes officer. The findings of the committee will be reported to the council.

Source: Avon Grove Sun; 6/19-25/08

 

Coatesville Riverfront Park may be facing impasse

A proposed riverfront park in Coatesville is facing an impasse. Riverwalk Park, which would create a centerpiece for residential and commercial development of the Flats, would extend from the city into neighboring Valley Township. Valley’s supervisors granted conditional approval to Coatesville’s plans for the park at a meeting earlier this month, but  township supervisors also nixed a portion of the park’s riverfront  trail leading across the Glencrest Road bridge because it is used by motorists. Valley Township officials would like to see a separate pedestrian bridge installed.  If the project continues forward without a pedestrian bridge, the changes potentially would fracture the riverwalk’s proposed design. The proposed park, formerly called the Brandywine Creek Trail Project, would be a scenic waterfront walkway stretching from East Lincoln Highway to Glencrest Road. A portion of the scenic path would pass through the Flats property, which is west of Route 82 and north of West Lincoln Highway. Iacobucci Homes’ proposal for the Flats, presented to Coatesville Redevelopment Authority two months ago, uses the riverwalk park as a centerpiece and includes plans for waterfront dining and townhouses.

Source: Daily Local; 6/23/08

 

West Goshen residents: Township meetings too early 

West Goshen practice of holding 4 p.m. township meetings has been challenged by a resident.  The resident questioned why the supervisors hold meetings only during the day, before most constituents are home from work. West Goshen is the only municipality in the county that holds supervisors meetings during the day. Most other municipal meetings in Chester County begin no earlier than 5:30 p.m., and a few begin as late as 8 p.m.

Source: Daily Local; 6/20/08

 

Wallace Township residents express concern about planned country club community   

During a special meeting of the Wallace Township Planning Commission residents raised concerns about a planned country club community that would include 600 acres on both sides of Marshall Road between its intersections with Creek Road to the west and Little Conestoga Road to the east. Due to questions raised about a zoning amendment related to the developer’s plans, the planning commission may delay a scheduled vote in order to allow more time to discuss and take into account comments and concerns of the residents.

Source: Daily Local; 6/19/08

 

Tredyffrin-Easttown final budget includes 4.37% tax increase

Tredyffrin-Eastown homeowners will see a tax increase of 4.37 percent in the 2008-2009 school year. The additional 0.71 mills will be reflected in a $178 increase for the average home valued at $251,352.

Source: Suburban Wayne Times; 6/19/08

Delaware County

Newtown Township Planners review zoning overlay ordinance

Newtown Township planners recently held a second special meeting to review a proposed zoning overlay ordinance that would permit a town center development. An opportunity will be given for more public comment and input from Berwind Properties Group representatives before the planning commission votes on a recommendation. Both the town center and by-right plans were presented, and the fiscal impact of the two development options would be comparable at full build-out.  While a town center would have 1,798,000 square feet of retail space, the by-right plan includes 2,173,000 square feet of retail. Residential units in the town center would include apartments located above retail stores and 70 townhouses near the Goshen Road/Route 252 intersection. A by-right plan calls for 240 age-restricted housing units in the northeastern corner of the tract. Under a town center plan, 142 acres of the 219-acre parcel would be developed, with the rest left as open space, including a centrally located 14-acre public park. A by-right plan would only offer private open space, and a third office building would supplant the park.

Source: Daily Times; 6/22/08

 

Chester activists set to sue stadium developers 

A group of community activists in Chester is contemplating a lawsuit against soccer stadium site developers if they will not hold public meetings to address environmental and health concerns. Chester Environmental Partnership (CEP) is concerned about the soil beneath the proposed commercial and residential development, which has been contaminated by years of industrial waste. Now designated a “brownfield” by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the site will need to be cleaned up before any building begins. Already, developers from the Buccini/Pollin Group and city officials have been meeting with the DEP to plan the first steps. The developers must tell the DEP the intended use for each portion of the site and offer a cleanup proposal. DEP will then examine the plans, which will need to include measures to protect nearby residents from any ill effects of the cleanup, such as dust, before they receive approval. CEP believes local residents need a personal assurance from DEP and developers before any applications are approved.

Source: Daily Times; 6/25/08

 

Springfield district approves tax hike 

The Springfield School Board passed a final budget of $56 million with an average tax increase of $254. The new millage of 25.284 represents a 1.371 mill increase. For the average home assessed at $185,000, the annual taxes will be $4,678.

Source: Daily Times; 6/25/08

 

Taxes up again in William Penn

The William Penn School Board approved a $81.7 million 2008-2009 budget, which reflects a 3.39 percent real estate tax increase. The new millage rate will be increased to 36.94. Homeowners who filed for homestead relief will see about a $436 reduction in their tax bill based upon a $75,000 property valuation.

Source: Daily Times; 6/26/08

Montgomery County

County now provides email confirmation

Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Nancy Becker recently announced that the county office will provide email confirmation of all documents. All eRecorded documents that are processed will receive an email confirmation if they provide the clerk with an email address. To view the Recorder of Deeds website, click here.

 

Upper Moreland approves final budget

A final budget was approved by the Upper Moreland School Board that calls for a $293 tax hike for the average homeowner. The board passed the $49.3 million budget that includes an 8.24 percent increase over the 2007-08 budget. The budget raises taxes by 2.31 mills to 23.99 mills, a 10.65 percent increase. The bulk of the tax increase, 6.87 percent, will be applied to debt incurred by the $34.5 million high school renovation project.

Source: The Intelligencer; 6/25/08

 

Cheltenham looks to residents for community planning ideas

With Temple University vacating the Tyler School of Art campus and the imminent sale of a neighboring seminary and the Dominican Retreat House, Cheltenham Township is faced with an increased number of vacant properties in the community. Township commissioners have undertaken a planning study and will hold a meeting to introduce and discuss a town center plan with the community. Also at the meeting will be 36 stakeholders from the community, school district, county and state to participate in the discussion. Commissioners want to find a way to develop the land in the best interest of the township and its communities, rather than allow potential developers to develop the land with their own plans in mind. The meeting will be held sometime in September and will include representatives from each community.

Source: The Times Chronicle; 6/25/08

 

Abington approves 2008-09 final budget

The Abington School Board recently approved the final budget for the 2008-09 school year that includes a 3.5 percent increase over the previous budget. The $126.2 million budget requires a 2.5 percent increase in the millage rate, increasing that figure from 26.62 mills to 27.29 mills. A resident with a home assessed at the district average of $141,130 will experience a tax increase of $94.

Source: The Globe; 6/25/08

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