DEP sets drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals, mandates testing
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) adopted new limits on two of the toxic chemicals from the group known as PFAS. The move means that all public and private drinking water treatment facilities in the state, along with commercial bottled water plants, and school and healthcare facilities, will have to test for the toxic substance, report the findings, and treat for the chemicals present above the new maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). “Since Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order in 2018, DEP has been committed to protecting Pennsylvanians from the adverse impacts of PFAS,” said DEP Acting Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. “We are still learning more about these chemicals, and these new MCLs are a step in the right direction.” Pennsylvania’s new regulations would restrict the PFAS compounds PFOS — perfluorooctane sulfonic acid — at 14 parts per trillion, and PFOA — perfluorooctanoic acid — at 18 parts per trillion. Read more here.
Source: WHYY; 1/14/2023

Spotlight PA to host Zoom panel on local governments
Spotlight PA is hosting a free panel discussion on Pennsylvania’s local governments and how their oversight impacts residents and governance. It will be held on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Register and submit questions in advance here.
Source: Spotlight PA; 1/2023

Durham Township orders a halt to construction at Durham Springs
Last year, Landmark Developers purchased the 17-acre Durham Springs property for $2.4 million. Landmark has proposed a wedding venue at the site, and a recent article claimed the developers had already spent $100,000 for renovations and planned to build about 30 cottages for guests. In December, residents in the area expressed concern about ongoing work at the site. According to Bartley E. Millet, chairperson of the township supervisors, Landmark “has not applied for anything,” and the supervisors sent a letter ordering Landmark to stop construction and comply with township regulations. An attorney representing Landmark Developers has requested a meeting with township officials.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 1/16/2023

Bristol Township planners approve two affordable housing units
Interfaith Housing Development Corporation received approval from the Bristol Township Planning Commission on its proposal to build a duplex with two affordable housing units. Bristol Township Council will still have to review the plans. Interfaith Housing is seeking to construct a duplex on what is now an empty lot at 1237 Schumacher Drive in the Green Lawn Park neighborhood. An existing home on the property will remain. Interfaith Housing Development Corporation is a nonprofit created decades ago to help with the lack of affordable housing in Bucks County.
Source: Levittown Now; 1/13/2023

Doylestown Borough invites public to participate in comprehensive planning
Doylestown Borough is updating its comprehensive plan, which was last updated in 1997. A comprehensive plan is an official document that serves as a guide to land-use decision-making — a statement of the community’s vision for the future. The Doylestown Borough Comprehensive Plan will focus on quality-of-life issues most important to residents, reaching consensus on a direction forward and building local capacity to effect real change. A public survey was conducted in fall 2022, and the results will be used to inform monthly workshop meetings and plan development. Visit the Doylestown Borough Comprehensive Plan webpage to view previous meeting presentations and stay up to date on the process.
Source: Doylestown Borough; 1/2023

Condominiums proposed in Falls Township
A new condominium development of 41 units in four buildings has been proposed for construction at 9175 New Falls Road in Falls Township. The three-plus acre site is an empty lot across from condominiums that were built on the land where St. Joseph the Worker school and church once stood. Developer Oak Village at New Falls Road LLC will need to seek zoning variances because it is housing proposed for a neighborhood commercial zoning district. The condominiums would be one-bedroom units, with between nine and 12 units in each of four buildings. The zoning hearing board will review the proposal on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Falls Township Building, 188 Lincoln Highway, Fairless Hills.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 1/13/2023

$6 billion data center planned for East Whiteland
A 2-million-square-foot data center costing approximately $6 billion is planned for the 100-acre former Foote Mineral site. The site has approximately 75 acres in East Whiteland Township and 25 acres in West Whiteland Township. The development firm Fifteenfortyseven Critical Systems Realty partnered with Green Fig Land Company to obtain East Whiteland zoning variances that would allow for a pair of 1-million-square-foot, two-story structures and microwave towers near the intersection of Valley Creek Boulevard and Swedesford Road. The site abuts the Chester Valley Trail and Exton Park. Data centers house equipment like servers, air conditioning and cooling equipment for storage of large amounts of data. Residents rallied to fight some of the uses after West Whiteland set a Jan. 25 hearing date for potential zoning changes that would allow for the data center and a power generating facility to help run the data center. More than half of the 25-acre West Whiteland tract is being left as open space because it includes existing wetlands. A $50 million cleanup of what was the Foote Mineral Superfund site has been completed, and $2 million has been spent on sewer improvements at the property.
Source: Daily Times; 1/18/2023

As Kennett Square grows, residents voice infrastructure concerns
At a recent meeting of Kennett Square Borough Council, residents raised concerns focused on local development and its impact on infrastructure, including traffic. From the Kennett Square Apartments at the south end of town to Kennett Pointe, in Kennett Township, hundreds of new residential units are being built. Red Clay Manor, a 59-unit affordable housing community for senior citizens, opened in the borough last fall. The $21.7 million Kennett Library is expected to attract an influx of visitors when it opens in the spring, which is likely to be a boon for the borough’s small businesses. Improvements to mitigate traffic flow were discussed by Borough Manager Kyle Coleman, who noted that there was no single solution to solve the congestion problems. In some areas of town, residents wish to see more crosswalks added. Last year, Mayor Matthew Fetick worked with PennDOT to install a new crosswalk at the Market at Liberty Place on State Street, but residents say there are more places where crosswalks could improve safety, including where Magnolia Court meets South Mill Road. Read more here.
Source: Daily Local; 1/14/2023

Chester County’s A+ Homes initiative
The A+ Homes initiative is an effort to achieve housing goals in Chester County’s Landscapes3 comprehensive plan. A joint effort of the county planning commission, department of community development and housing choices committee, A+ Homes focuses on creating homes that are attractive, affordably priced, adaptable, aging-friendly and accessible. Learn more about the initiative here. View the brochure here.
Source: Chester County; 1/2023

$6 million loan will improve West Chester area water infrastructure
Water infrastructure in the West Chester area will be improved thanks to a $6 million loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PennVEST). The loan to Aqua Pennsylvania will help replace 450 lead and galvanized lines in the utility’s West Chester service with 18,000 feet of new lines made of safer, modern materials. The improvements will help prevent corrosion and eliminate potential sources of contamination.
Source: Daily Local; 1/17/2023

Chesco leaders discuss direction of county’s climate action plan
Chester County department leaders and partners met recently to review and prioritize long-term and short-term steps that must be taken to achieve the county’s climate action plan goal of reducing greenhouse gases. The plan, adopted in October 2021 by county commissioners, calls for the county government’s facilities and operations, as well as the community as a whole, to cut emissions by 80% by 2050. In 2023, some of the top initiatives the county government will invest in include:

• Working toward converting a portion of the county’s fleet to electric vehicles
• Investigating how to economically acquire electricity from renewable energy sources 
• Facilitating resource-sharing and collaboration between municipalities interested in advancing sustainability goals
• Hosting a sustainability summit where experts can network and share information
• Furthering projects at county facilities related to recycling, waste reduction and reforestation through an employee committee, Go Green Chesco

Source: Chester County; 12/21/2022