Demand expected to be high for Whole-Home Repairs Program
A new $125 million Pennsylvania grant program for home repairs is getting underway, and demand is expected to be overwhelming. The Whole-Home Repairs Program, funded with federal pandemic aid, offers grants and forgivable loans of up to $50,000 for homeowners and small landlords to fix problems like leaky roofs or exposed wiring. Other allowable uses for the money include making a property more energy-efficient, making it more accessible for residents with disabilities, or repair-related job training. Approved in rare bipartisan fashion by lawmakers last summer, the program is one of Pennsylvania’s largest investments in housing in recent years. The fact that 64 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties applied for the funding shows a “near-universal level of participation” that underscores the overwhelming need, said a spokesperson for state Sen. Nikil Saval (D-1), of Philadelphia, who introduced the bill. Supporters are already calling for the state legislature to make the one-time funding permanent.
Source: Spotlight PA; 6/26/2023

Efforts to overturn PA’s landmark education funding lawsuit thwarted
Commonwealth Court Judge Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer, who ruled that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional earlier this year, has rejected an attempt by Republican lawmakers to overturn her ruling. In rejecting the motion for post-trial relief, the judge opened the 30-day window for the legislators to appeal the decision. The years-long lawsuit was filed by multiple school districts, parents and advocacy groups in 2014, who argued the state’s funding of K-12 education is inadequate to the point that it violates the state constitution, which mandates a “thorough and efficient” system of education. William Penn School District in Delaware County was the lead plaintiff in the case. In her 768-page decision, Jubelirer said the petitioners demonstrated “manifest deficiencies” between low- and high-wealth districts. Republican leaders have said they are still considering whether an appeal is warranted. Read more here.
Source: Inquirer; 6/21/2023

Upper Makefield Township earns eligible property owners discount on flood insurance
Upper Makefield Township recently announced that continued efforts and initiatives by township officials and staff to implement improved floodplain management measures have qualified most township property owners with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies for a 10% discount on their premiums. Ongoing efforts to educate residents about floodplain management, to guide development activities and to preserve open space in the floodplain resulted in the township’s recently improved classification in the voluntary Community Rating System program. Visit the Flooding Information page on the township website for more information.
Source: Upper Makefield Township; 6/2023

Bristol Borough’s economic boom leads to Market Street improvements
Bristol Borough’s Mill Street has undergone a major transformation in the past decade, becoming a go-to destination for diners and shoppers. Bristol’s Raising the Bar civic organization is now spearheading the drive to improve the adjacent Market Street, a major one-way thoroughfare out of town for those who took one-way Mill Street into the borough. A plaza will soon be constructed on a vacant lot at Market and Wood streets using tiles from renovations at the Grundy Library as a patio. A mural will also be painted on a building overlooking the plaza — enhancing the artistic and cultural vibe. Other Market Street improvements include renovations to the Quaker Meeting House, the Masonic Lodge entrance, the Bristol Riverside Theatre and many new businesses. Raising the Bar helped to jumpstart Bristol’s revitalization, beginning with its winning the Deluxe check corporation’s Small Business Revolution contest in 2017 and receiving $500,000 in prize money for community support projects, giving businesses in the riverfront borough a boost.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 6/15/2023

Wegmans expected to open in early 2024 in Lower Makefield
Lower Makefield Township community development director Jim Majewski recently reported that a much-anticipated Wegmans in the township is expected to open in the first quarter of 2024. The Lower Makefield supermarket is part of the large mixed commercial/residential development Prickett Preserve on Stony Hill Road. The development consists of 52,000 square feet of additional retail or other commercial space, and nine apartment buildings totaling 200 units. The apartments are expected to become available starting in September, Majewski said.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 6/22/2023

Harmful algae bloom found in two county lakes
The Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation found harmful levels of blue-green algae in Lake Galena and Lake Towhee, and is warning those who use the lakes to stay away if possible. According to the Pennsylvania Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force, the algae bloom can cause harmful effects on people and nature that include sick-like symptoms of dizziness, difficulty breathing, lethargy, feeling weak, diarrhea and vomiting. Bucks County Parks and Recreation asks everyone to use caution and judgment if they choose to use the lakes. If you do touch the water, clean yourself with soap and water as soon as possible. If you or a pet accidentally drinks any of the water, see your primary care doctor or a veterinarian.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 6/22/2023

Easttown rejects EIT for 2024 after lengthy consideration
At a special meeting on June 14, Easttown Township supervisors voted 3-2 against implementing an earned income tax (EIT) for the 2024 budget year. The decision followed a lengthy discussion with public input over multiple meetings. NW Financial Group prepared a revenue study analysis (Page 15 of the meeting agenda), which noted neighboring municipalities that levy an EIT and showed an estimate of potential revenue. The analysis concluded that a 0.5% EIT could provide recurring annual revenue of $3 million or more. It also found that half of Easttown’s working individuals currently pay an EIT or Philadelphia Wage Tax, and the average township wage earner would pay $1,850 at a 1% EIT rate. View video of the June 14 meeting here.
Source: Easttown Township; 6/14/2023

West Chester schedules hearing on accessory dwelling units
West Chester Borough will hold a public hearing to consider changes to its borough code with regard to accessory dwelling units (ADUs). A draft ordinance would amend Chapter 112, Zoning, to add ADUs as an allowable accessory use in the NC-1, NC-2 and TC-Town Center zoning districts. The amendment would also add a new subparagraph to adopt regulations for ADUs. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal building, 401 E. Gay St.
Source: West Chester Borough Council meeting; 6/20/2023

Chesco planning commission offers information on ADUs
The Chester County Planning Commission has a webpage providing information about accessory dwelling units, and the role they can play in municipal planning. “Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are independent secondary units typically on single-family residential parcels,” according to the site. “ADUs may also be referred to as accessory apartments, granny flats, in-law suites, supplemental dwelling units, or second units.” The page explains how ADUs can benefit housing supply, affordability, open space protection and neighborhood character, and it provides tips for property owners considering creating an ADU. It also links to ADU ordinances in Westtown, West Vincent, East Brandywine and Malvern.
Source: Chester County Planning Commission

Birmingham to adopt comprehensive code update
Birmingham Township supervisors will hold a public hearing to consider and possibly vote on a proposed ordinance that would enact a comprehensive update to the township’s codified ordinances. “The proposed ordinance will formally update all the current township ordinances to be consistent with existing laws, and remedy inconsistencies in terms and language, and can be found online,” according to the public notice. The public hearing is scheduled for Monday, July 10, at 7 p.m. at the township building, 1040 W. Street Road.
Source: Daily Local; 6/26/2023

Spring-Ford board approves $190M budget, raising taxes 4.06%
The Spring-Ford Area School Board, in a 5-4 vote, approved a $190.6 million budget for 2023-2024 that will raise property taxes by 4.06%. The tax hike raises the property tax rate by 1.2054 mills for a total millage rate of 30.8766. The adopted budget is essentially unchanged from the budget the board delayed adopting at its May 22 meeting in an effort to find more savings to bring the tax hike to 4% or below.
Source: Daily Local; 6/22/2023