News Briefs Archive Nov. 21, 2022
General News
Will student loan forgiveness lead to more millennial buyers?
Student debt is often labeled as one of the top reasons millennials are struggling to become homeowners. With President Biden announcing a plan to forgive some student loans, millennials are feeling more optimistic about their future as homeowners. Nearly 80% of millennials who have student loan debt said they would plan to buy a home in the future if their student loans were forgiven, according to Rocket Mortgage. About 70% of millennials with student loan debt who had planned to buy in the next four to nine years reported they think they could buy sooner, as in one to three years, with student loan forgiveness. While nearly 49% of millennials are homeowners, 56% of millennial homeowners are still making student loan payments. Nearly 40% of millennials with student loans said they have not had the opportunity to become a homeowner. Of those who do not own a home, 96% want to become a homeowner, 36% said they are saving now to buy a home and 45% plan to start saving soon. Read more at the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors JustListed blog.
Source: PAR JustListed; 11/14/2022
FHA releases annual report to Congress
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) released FHA’s 2022 annual report to Congress, outlining the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund’s (MMIF) 11.11% capital reserve ratio. FHA’s substantial capital reserves are 9.2% above what is required by Congress and 3% higher than the previous year’s reporting. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) commends FHA on its efforts through the past several years to address loss mitigation that led to their impressive financial performance. However, given FHA’s strong financial footing, NAR continues to advocate for a reduction in the mortgage insurance premium to help first-time and low- to moderate-income buyers facing a high interest rate market. FHA’s report details how 4.7% of its portfolio remains seriously delinquent, which is a 3% decrease from the previous year. Additionally, 84% of FHA’s insured loans in 2022 were given to first-time homebuyers, which is substantially higher than other providers in the market. NAR will continue to work with the department on how they can extend their access to credit to buyers across the country.
Source: Nar.realtor; 11/15/2022
SRA president returns to ‘Killin’ It’ podcast to talk sewers
Jamie Ridge, president and CEO of the Suburban Realtors Alliance, joined Bucks County Realtor Christy Manetta for Episode 18 of her podcast, “Killin’ It in Real Estate,” sponsored by the Bucks County Real Estate Institute. They discussed sewer inspection ordinances, the National Flood Insurance Program, Act 133 and other topics.
World population reaches 8 billion, per U.N. estimates
The world population was estimated to reach 8 billion on Nov. 15, with much of the growth coming from developing nations in Africa. The milestone is based on a United Nations projection that is more symbolic than precise, officials noted. The U.N. report, released over the summer, said the upward trend threatens to leave even more people in developing countries further behind, as governments struggle to provide enough classrooms and jobs for a rapidly growing number of youth, and food insecurity becomes an even more urgent problem. The report put the current United States population at 337 million, reaching 375 million in 2050. The U.S. population growth rate in 2021 was just 0.1%, the lowest since the country was founded. Read more here.
Source: Associated Press; 11/15/2022
Bucks County
Bristol Township approves 24 homes at former Maple Shade Elementary site
Bristol Township Council unanimously approved preliminary and final subdivision and land development for Maple Shade Development LLC to build 24 new homes at the site of the now-demolished Maple Shade Elementary School. Construction is expected to begin next spring, and the developer hopes to market the homes in the high $300,000 to $400,000 range. Nearby residents expressed concern about stormwater management at the site. There had been no stormwater management at the site, and the new development will add inlets, pipes and basins. Maple Shade Elementary School was built in 1929 and held the distinction of being the oldest school building in continuous use in Bucks County before its closure and demolition.
Source: LevittownNow.com; 11/13/2022
Newtown residents vote to raise property taxes to fund ambulance squad
Newtown Township residents voted to raise property taxes to fund the Newtown Ambulance Squad. Unofficial election results from Bucks County showed 57.5% of votes in support, and 42.5% votes opposed. Newtown Township will now increase property taxes by 0.5 mills. The idea was proposed to the township by the ambulance squad, which plans to use the funds from the tax increase to raise staff wages. Newtown Township residents currently pay 8.49 mills in property taxes, which equates to a tax bill of $370 for the owner of a home assessed at $43,600. Newtown Ambulance Squad already gets 0.5 mills of that tax rate. The increase of 0.5 mills will cost the owner of a home assessed at $43,600 about $22 more per year. The ambulance squad will receive $342,000, doubling its previous tax revenue of $171,000.
Source: WHYY; 11/9/2022
Springfield residents still fighting to stop quarry
In March 2020, H&K Group filed an application to create a new quarry just south of Coopersburg in Springfield Township on Route 309. The township planning commission ruled the application insufficient in September 2020. Rather than reject the proposal, the board of supervisors decided to begin a conditional use hearing, which has stretched over two years, costing the township nearly $70,000. While the township supervisors continue to hear arguments from H&K Group, local residents and the Clean Air Council, a regional environmental health advocacy organization, remain concerned about the potential outcomes if the quarry is approved and operational. The proposed quarry is near the Upper Bucks Rail Trail, and safety is a top concern. Residents have also expressed concern over dust, groundwater quality, noise and traffic. Although H&K has conducted studies that concluded the quarry won’t affect the surrounding area, the Clean Air Council has countered that these surveys have not been very rigorous. It is estimated that the hearings will end around February or March of 2023, with a final meeting being held for public comment from any Springfield Township residents. After public comment, the board of supervisors will have 60 days to return a decision on H&K’s use permit.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 11/11/2022
Preliminary Yardley budget includes a tax increase
Yardley Borough Council voted unanimously to advertise a $1.88 million preliminary budget for 2023 with a property tax increase of 1.34 mills. The proposed tax increase amounts to an additional $37 for a resident with a property assessed at the borough average of about $27,600. Unless it changes before the budget is finalized, total millage for 2023 will be 30.07, or $831 in annual property taxes for a resident with the average assessed property. The budget will be finalized in December.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 11/10/2022
The Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority is launching a new online bill payment portal for its 100,000 retail water and sewer customers. The new bill pay service is powered by InvoiceCloud and allows customers to pay their bills any time. The new system allows customers to pay by text and receive text notifications about their bills. Customers can also utilize the auto-pay feature to avoid late or missed payments. For more information, visit the BCWSA website.
Source: Doylestown Patch; 11/15/2022
Chester County
History Center buildings to be acquired
Chester County has begun efforts to purchase two properties that made up the Chester County History Center in a move that could see the relocation of some of the county’s Department of Archives and Records. Last month, county commissioners passed a resolution authorizing officials to start the process of negotiating the terms of purchase and a lease-back agreement between the county and the History Center, formerly known as the Chester County Historical Society and located at the 200 block of North High Street in the center of the borough.
Source: Daily Local; 11/14/2022
West Chester public art looks to draw attention to plight of homeless
The Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children, a West Chester nonprofit, celebrated a new mural marking its 200th anniversary at 113 W. Chestnut St. The mural includes a large portrait of an African American individual, and smaller elements symbolizing shelter and family. Photos are posted on the Friends Association Instagram page. The mural was completed by West Chester University student Noah Burns. The Friends Association supports families experiencing homelessness in Chester County.
Source: Daily Local; 11/15/2022
Schuylkill Township proposed budget has no tax increase
The Schuylkill Township Board of Supervisors has prepared its proposed budget for 2023, with no tax increase. The budget is available for public inspection on the township website. The board will consider adoption of the 2023 budget at the Wednesday, Dec. 7, supervisors meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. at 111 Valley Park Road, Phoenixville.
Source: The Mercury; 11/14/2022
Willistown welcomes new township manager
Willistown Township has hired a new township manager, Shanna Lodge. Shanna came to the township from Upper Uwchlan Township, where she served as the assistant township manager. Shanna was on staff at Willistown from 2014 to 2017 as assistant to the township manager. She holds a master of public administration degree from Villanova University. "It's a delight to be back in Willistown, which is an incredibly special place. Its scenic vistas, fascinating history, quality educational institutions, dedicated volunteers — all these make Willistown a wonderful place to live, work and play,” Lodge said.
Source: Willistown Township; 10/2022
SEPTA plans open house in West Chester
The public is invited to attend a SEPTA Open House relating to proposed service changes in the West Chester area. SEPTA is proposing to introduce a new on-demand bus service to improve transit in the area, and the agency would like to get input from the public. The open house event will take place on Monday, Dec. 5, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at West Chester Borough Hall, 401 E. Gay St. Those who cannot make the event and want to learn more are encouraged to visit SEPTA’s Bus Revolution website.
Source: West Chester Borough; 11/15/2022
Delaware County
Chester receiver provides briefing on bankruptcy filing
Receiver Michael T. Doweary, on behalf of the City of Chester, filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, so that the city may resolve its financial debts and disputes. According to the receiver, budget projections for the city show a $46.5 million deficit next year, with $39.8 million of that attributed to past due pension payments. The move comes after Doweary filed a petition in Commonwealth Court to modify the city’s Act 47 recovery plan by giving him final say on virtually every major administrative function or delegating those functions to chief operating officer Leonard Lightner. Doweary has said the only reason Chester has not run out of money was due to money from the American Rescue Plan Act and $5 million from Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development. The city has been under state oversight since 1995 and had adopted a recovery plan in 1996, with amendments made in 2006, 2013 and 2016. At the beginning of the receivership in 2020, the city did not even have enough money to clear the streets in the event of a six-inch snowfall. View the full virtual receiver’s bankruptcy presentation here. Additional information relating to the bankruptcy filing can be found at a claims agent bankruptcy website, the receiver’s website and the receiver’s Facebook page.
Source: Daily Times; 11/11/2022 and Chester Receiver; 11/15/2022
Swarthmore meeting on PECO project draws a crowd
Swarthmore Borough Council’s recent work session drew a large crowd of community members, mostly seeking clarity on PECO’s proposed power line upgrades and associated tree removals. The public also voiced concern over the potential environmental impacts of the project. Scarlett McCahill, a borough council member who chairs the environmental committee, provided updates on their latest meeting with PECO. According to PECO, the proposed upgrade is a $12 million investment in Swarthmore that’s part of a much larger statewide electricity infrastructure upgrade initiative. PECO wants to install power lines with poles as tall as 45 to 50 feet, replacing the current ones standing at 30 to 35 feet. PECO will need to cut down 124 trees — which represents approximately 4% of Swarthmore’s tree canopy — and trim an unspecified number of trees impacting the work areas. PECO has generated individual work orders for each tree to be removed or trimmed, and is committed to reviewing these plans with homeowners. The utility plans to offer Treevitalize trees as a one-to-one replacement. PECO will not consider putting the new power lines underground, citing higher costs and the possibility of damaging many trees. The environmental committee requested a cost-benefit analysis comparing underground lines to aboveground lines, but PECO did not provide one. Additional updates will be provided on the borough’s website.
Source: The Swarthmorean; 11/11/2022
Upper Darby School District invites public to opening of athletic fields
Upper Darby School District will cut the ribbon on two new athletic fields, one at Beverly Hills Middle School and one at Drexel Hill Middle School. The new facilities will include a high-quality synthetic track, a new regulation size turf football field, new perimeter fencing, anti-glare technology, lighting, a new scoreboard, and grandstand replacement and renovation. Students will be able to use the new facilities during and after school hours. The track will be open to the community during non-school hours and in accordance with on-site publicly posted availability hours. The field will also be accessible to Upper Darby’s Youth Athletic Groups per district policy. “The athletic fields at Beverly Hills Middle School and Drexel Hill Middle School demonstrate our efforts to improve our facilities because our students and community deserve the best. They will both serve as points of pride for Upper Darby School District students, families and community members,” said Dr. Daniel McGarry, superintendent. The ribbon-cutting at Beverly Hills Middle School, 1400 Garrett Road, will be Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Drexel Hill Middle School ceremony at 10:30 the same morning at 3001 State Road in Drexel Hill.
Source: Daily Times; 11/15/2022
Newtown Township posts open volunteer positions for 2023
Newtown Township is looking for volunteers. There are openings on the historic preservation committee, the planning commission, the environmental advisory council, and many other boards in the township. Click here to see all open positions and the form to apply.
Source: Newtown Township; 11/2022
Montgomery County
Plans for two small apartment buildings approved in Ardmore
The Lower Merion Township Building and Planning Committee recommended approval of a preliminary plan for two three-story buildings at 23 and 27 Llanfair Road in Ardmore. The developer is combining two lots and demolishing all existing buildings with plans to construct the two multifamily buildings with 10 total units. The first building will face Llanfair Road and will have four apartment units in a three-story structure. Building two will also be a three-story structure with six units behind the first building. The plans also include a 23-space underground parking garage, a stormwater basin and eight bike parking spaces. The commissioners will still have to give final approval to the plan at their next meeting.
Source: Main Line Media News; 11/11/2022
Limerick Township voters reject EIT increase to fund open space preservation
According to Montgomery County’s unofficial election results, Limerick Township residents opposed increasing the income tax to preserve open space. The township would have used the money to acquire more open space and historic land, and to create more recreational areas, parkland and trails. The ballot question asked if residents wanted an increase of 0.25% to Limerick’s earned income tax (EIT) for the next 10 years. Residents currently pay 1% EIT to the township and Spring-Ford Area School District. There were 5,077 votes against and 4,854 votes in support. The proposed increase would have brought in an additional $2.1 million annually for open space preservation. The township surveyed residents to gather feedback on preserving open space, and approximately 55% of respondents said they felt they did not have adequate open space near where they live.
Source: WHYY; 11/13/2022
Montco Recovery Office opens new grant program
Montgomery County was granted about $161 million in COVID-19 relief dollars, and the Montgomery County Recovery Office is moving forward with the project implementation phase for funding about 112 projects with the federal money. According to recovery officer Tom Bonner, the current phase includes compliance, project planning and funding implementation. The American Rescue Plan Act funds must be obligated by December 2024 and spent by December 2026. Bonner stressed that new initiatives and community outreach are continued priorities for the recovery office. Applications for a $2.65 million small business grant program opened on Nov. 14. Eligible businesses can receive up to $20,000. The initiative has an emphasis on minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees earning under $500,000 in annual gross income located in Norristown or Pottstown. For more information visit the Montgomery County Recovery Office website.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 11/15/2022
Montco extends Ida disaster declaration a sixth time
An emergency disaster declaration related to Hurricane Ida was renewed for the sixth time during a Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting in early November. The order gave officials the opportunity to efficiently respond to the widespread destruction as large-scale cleanup, repairs and other projects were required. The latest declaration took effect on Nov. 7 and is slated to last for 60 days.
Source: Main Line Media News; 11/14/2022
Lower Providence proposed 2023 budget available for review
Lower Providence Township supervisors authorized the advertisement of the proposed 2023 budget. The board will consider adoption of the budget at its meeting on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. at the township building, 100 Parklane Drive, Eagleville. The proposed budget anticipates a tax increase of 0.3118 mills for general purposes and 0.06 mills for fire/EMS purposes. The average taxpayer would see the portion of their taxes that come to the township raised by about $63. Click here for more information.
Source: Lower Providence Township; 10/2022
Philadelphia ranks second in nation for ‘adaptive reuse’
Since the 1980s, Philadelphia has been known as a top producer of homes in buildings that didn’t used to be homes, and a new study shows that continues to be true. From 2020 to 2021, developers in Philadelphia repurposed old buildings to create 1,552 apartments, according to an analysis published this month by RentCafe, a national apartment search website. That ranks Philadelphia second in the country for the number of apartments created through the concept known as adaptive reuse. Nationwide, conversions that are currently underway or proposed would result in more than 77,000 apartments in coming years, mostly in offices, hotels and factories, according to RentCafe. Read more here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 11/15/2022
Art commission grants final approval for part of Cobbs Creek golf course project
The renovation of the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course in West Philadelphia cleared a hurdle as the Philadelphia Art Commission gave final approval to designs for a driving range and education center — after questioning or pushing back on the plans at other points this year. “I’m confident that the issues that have been raised by the commission have been addressed,” said Art Commissioner Carmen Febo San Miguel. “I’m pleased with some of the adjustments that have been made and how the project is really paying attention to environmental issues.” Early this year, the city announced a lease agreement with the Cobbs Creek Foundation to do a $65 million renovation of the golf course, with a new nine-hole course, short course, 18-hole championship course, a restaurant and dozens of acres of wetlands. The foundation plans to restore the course to its original 1916 design and operate it after renovations are done. The revamped golf course is expected to include extensive community programming and discounted rates for Philadelphia residents. A foundation contractor with Biohabitats said the project will result in the loss of about two acres of green space and the conversion of about 12 acres of trees to non-forested green space, but that dozens of trees will be planted around buildings and parking areas. The project team also committed to donating $250,000 to TreePhilly to plant hundreds of trees in neighborhoods — 200 of which will be considered offsets for tree loss on the golf course.
Source: WHYY; 11/11/2022
Philly Habitat finishes up 1,000th project
Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is finishing repairs on a two-story rowhome in Hunting Park — the organization’s 1,000th project since launching in 1985. “We’re not stopping. We can’t stop,” said CEO Corrine O’Connell. The project in North Philadelphia is part of Habitat’s Veterans Repair Corps Program, which provides critical housing repairs at a deep discount to homeowners who have served in the military. When the work wraps, homeowners Elouise and Joe Thompson will have a new roof, a rebuilt porch, a repaved walkway, new windows and a new heater. Work crews also made some electrical repairs. The improvements would have cost upwards of $15,000, a prohibitive amount that had the couple looking into senior living communities. To date, Habitat has built 246 new homes and repaired 754 more. The majority of those projects are located in sections of West and North Philadelphia. Nearly all of the funding for Habitat’s work, completed by staffers and volunteers, has come from the private sector.
Source: WHYY; 11/11/2022
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