PHFA offers new programs to help consumers with homebuying costs
For homebuyers who need assistance with closing and down payment costs, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) offers the Keystone Forgivable in Ten Years Loan Program (K-FIT). The program offers down payment and closing cost assistance that costs consumers nothing and is forgiven over a 10-year period. PHFA’s Keystone Advantage Assistance Loan Program offers a 0% interest rate for down payment and closing cost assistance, and it pairs with three of PHFA’s first mortgage programs (Keystone Home Loan, HFA Preferred and Keystone Government). Additionally, PHFA has options for people with disabilities. Read more at the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors blog.
Source: JustListed; 2/13/2023

PAR campaign school registration open for March sessions
Realtors and other Pennsylvania residents who are considering a run for local elected office or helping to run a campaign can learn the key elements to winning an election during the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors’ (PAR) campaign school. Virtual sessions will be held throughout March. The 60-minute sessions will cover fundraising, grassroots, communications, digital strategy and more. Online registration is open and free to Pennsylvania Realtors and residents. The first session has already concluded, but a recording can be viewed online. Register and learn more at the PAR website.

Pennsylvanians warned of ‘final demand for payment’ scam
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has received reports of a recurring scam that involves a phony letter. The letter says it's a "Final Demand for Payment" and threatens wage garnishment or property seizure unless the recipient calls a number to satisfy a lien. Here's what to look for:

• The phony letter comes from the "Tax Assessment Procedures Domestic Judgment Registry." No such department exists.
• The letter doesn't include a return address. A notice from the Department of Revenue will always include an official address as the return address.
• The recipient is told they owe the State of Pennsylvania unpaid taxes rather than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or Department of Revenue.
• The phony letter is also generic and doesn't include any specific information about the recipient's account. Legitimate letters from the Department of Revenue will include specifics, such as an account number and any liability owed.

If you receive a suspicious letter and have questions, call a verified number for the Department of Revenue.
Source: Daily Times; 2/12/2023 and WGAL; 2/10/2023

Lidl warehouse coming to Keystone Trade Center in Falls
German grocer Lidl recently purchased a 69-acre tract for roughly $145 million at the Keystone Trade Center in Falls Township. Lidl is the latest tenant for the former U.S. Steel site that was purchased in 2020 by industrial developer NorthPoint. The developers plan includes over 10 million square feet of warehouses and logistics-centered industrial buildings on 1,800 acres. Lidl’s presence in Bucks County is just beginning. The grocer is developing a supermarket at York and Street roads in Warminster that will be the first Lidl in Bucks County. Lidl received approval for a supermarket in Bristol Township in late 2020, although no construction has begun. There has been talk of a possible Lidl location on Hulmeville Road, although the Bensalem Township Building and Planning Department confirmed there is no current land development application on file for that property. Lidl currently operates 13 stores in Pennsylvania.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 2/10/2023

Realtors form all-female charity to help families in need
Bucks County Realtors Christina Swain, Kelly Kemmerer, Missy Kitzmiller, Helen Irvine and Robin Kemmerer have formed an all-female charity organization dubbed the Queen Bees. The organization has two goals: help community members in need and create a positive network for like-minded women. In order to become a Queen Bee, a member must pledge $400 per year. Aside from fees needed to make the group an official 501(c)(3), all proceeds raised through the end of 2023 will be given to local individuals and families with a financial need. According to Swain, 50 women have signed commitment forms, meaning at least $20,000 is available to help community members in need next winter. The organization is open to females from any profession. Find out more here.
Source: Lower Bucks Times; 1/30/2023

Lower Makefield’s new online portal handles permitting, other requests
Lower Makefield Township has a new Online Permitting & Citizen Requests portal that is used for all moving permits and several other permitting-related items. The portal can be accessed via a link on the township Forms and Requests page.

County overhauls park rules
Bucks County commissioners unanimously enacted a new ordinance with updated regulations for county-owned parks. The new ordinance prohibits the use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes within 50 feet of playgrounds, recreational fields and facilities. The ordinance also includes rules governing the use of bicycles with electric motors, or e-bikes, which in large part are treated the same under the ordinance as a traditional bicycle. Use of hoverboards or similar personal transporters that do not have handlebars within county parks is now prohibited without a permit. The ordinance went into effect Feb. 1.
Source: Bucks County; 1/30/2023

DART conducts Warrington survey
Warrington Township, Bucks County Transport and the DART bus have teamed up with the Bucks County Planning Commission to conduct a public transportation survey of residents and businesses of Warrington Township and nearby communities. Answers to the survey questions will help determine if extending DART bus services from Doylestown south through Warrington on Easton Road (Route 611) would be a successful option.
Source: Warrington Township e-news; 2/2023

Webinar: Use and Occupancy Tips for Bucks County Realtors
The Suburban Realtors Alliance (SRA) and the Bucks County Association of Realtors (BCAR) will hold a webinar for BCAR members next month on use and occupancy (U&O) issues. The webinar, "Use and Occupancy Tips for Bucks County Realtors," will be held on Wednesday, March 29, at 1 p.m. on Zoom. It will offer a quick refresher and overview of how the Alliance — which is a member benefit for all BCAR members — can help Realtors before and during the municipal use and occupancy inspection process. It will cover known trouble spots in Bucks County and tips for working with municipalities. The webinar will be hosted by SRA president/CEO Jamie Ridge and board chairperson Maryellen O'Brien. Read more and register on the BCAR website.

West Chester BID launches façade improvement program
The West Chester Business Improvement District (BID) is accepting applications for a façade improvement grant program. The Façade Improvement and Maintenance Grant program is being funded by a $50,000 grant the BID received from the state Department of Economic and Community Development. The grants will help businesses and commercial property owners make needed updates and improvements to their buildings. Eligible projects can receive a matching grant that will cover 50% of the costs of a project up to $5,000. Applications are due by March 3 at 5 p.m.
Source: Daily Local; 2/15/2023

Kennett Township adopts revised zoning code and map
The Kennett Township Board of Supervisors adopted a revised township zoning code and map, which was presented at its Feb. 1 meeting. Diane Hicks, the township’s zoning and codes officer, said that the updated map shows how the township is divided into zoning districts, such as residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and agricultural, and two new districts designated as cultural conservation. It also includes borders for each district, zoning rules and land uses for each district, yard and setback provisions, and a series of procedures for administering the zoning ordinance. Major components that factored into the updated zoning code involved determining uses, definitions and standards for and of cultural conservation districts, limited industrial and specialized agriculture, preservation and adaptive reuse of historic resources, sustainable development and renewable energy, cell tower and small wireless communication standards, natural resources protection, open space development and various types of housing. Hicks said that notifications were sent to property owners whose properties were being changed to a new zoning district.
Source: Chester County Press; 2/7/2023

Kennett school board gets a first look at next year’s budget
Kennett Consolidated School District board members got a first look at the 2023-2024 preliminary budget, which includes a small tax increase for property owners. The $98.1 million operating budget has $76 million in revenue from local taxes and $22.1 million from state and local taxes. The increase in the bill for property owners in the district is anticipated to be 0.93% over the current year. The rate of taxation for the district is estimated to be 32.7372 mills, meaning the average property owner would pay $55 more — from $5,914 to $5,969. Board member Mike Finnegan said significant real estate growth in the district has contributed $1.4 million to the overall assessment, keeping the need for an increase lower. The final budget will not be voted on until June. Between now and the final vote, the district will receive information about the state education budget and what effect a recent court ruling regarding unfair education funding might have on state funds.
Source: Chester County Press; 2/14/2023

Chesco archives offer interactive historical timeline
As one of Pennsylvania's three original counties, Chester County has a rich history dating back to 1682. Chester County consistently ranks among the top places to live in the United States, but that acclaim required contributions from the people who have called the county home over 300-plus years. Explore an interactive timeline offered by the county archives to learn more about some of the people and events that have shaped Chester County.
Source: Chester County; 2/2023

Unionville-Chadds Ford preliminary budget gets board approval
Directors for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District accepted the proposed preliminary budget for the next school year during their Feb. 13 work session. The budget anticipates revenue at slightly more than $109 million. That figure includes more than $8.5 million from the unreserved fund balance, $81.4 million from local sources, $18.45 million from the state and $636,000 from the federal government. Local millage rates are estimated to be 32.34 mills for Chester County property owners and 16.93 mills for property owners in Chadds Ford Township, Delaware County. The rates reflect a tax increase of 5.23% in Chester County and 5.95% in Delaware County. The numbers will change before the final budget is adopted in June. The district will need to know what it can actually expect from the state once the legislature approves Pennsylvania’s budget, expected in March.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 2/14/2023