News Briefs Archive October 10, 2022
General News
National Flood Insurance Program extended until December
On Sept. 30, President Biden signed a continuing government funding resolution that extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until Dec. 16, among other measures. The resolution provides continuing appropriations for federal agencies and extends several expiring programs and authorities. Its passage prevented a government shutdown that would otherwise occur. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers the NFIP, said in a statement that, “NFIP reauthorization is an opportunity for Congress to take bold steps to reduce the complexity of the program and strengthen the NFIP’s financial framework so that the program can continue helping individuals and communities take the critical step of securing flood insurance.” The National Association of Realtors has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet about what NFIP reauthorization means for real estate transactions, and maintains a webpage for flood insurance updates.
Source: Nar.realtor; 10/3/2022
SRA to host election-preview webinar with John Micek
The Suburban Realtors Alliance (SRA) will host a webinar previewing the November general election on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. John Micek, editor-in-chief of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, will join SRA president/CEO Jamie Ridge for a discussion of races connected to the Philadelphia suburbs, including the state House and Senate, the U.S. House and Senate, as well as statewide races like the Pennsylvania governorship. The webinar is open to members of the Bucks County Association of Realtors and Tri-County Suburban Realtors. For more information and to register, click here.
Bucks County
Warehouse boom in Bucks
Several large-scale storage and distribution centers are being proposed in Bucks County — at least a dozen. Pennsylvania is among the U.S. markets that have experienced the biggest growth in demand for commercial industrial space. According to a commercial report from JLL Inc., a commercial real estate services firm, companies are taking on larger inventory positions to avoid supply shock, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, and e-commerce platforms also require warehouses to stock inventory closer to consumers. Michael Roedig, director of planning services for the county planning commission, agreed with JLL’s assessment. "The warehouses are certainly getting bigger and have more loading docks than we've seen in the past," he said. The county planning commission does not identify warehouse space specifically in its annual reports, but the "vast majority" of industrial square footage is made up of proposed warehouse space. Last year the county had 8.7 million square feet of proposed industrial development compared to about 810,000 square feet for proposed commercial development, according to the annual report. So far this year, Bucks has seen more than 5.9 million square feet of nonresidential development. Read more about the plans for large-scale warehouses in various stages of planning and development throughout the county here.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 10/3/2022
Bensalem shifts focus of waterfront redevelopment plan
Bensalem Township Council reached a compromise agreement on its newest proposal for properties between its Delaware River access and Interstate 95. Township officials wanted to convert the R-55 district — roughly 640 acres that are home to several warehouses and manufacturers, and some residential — into a residential-heavy, mixed-use area that would feature walkable communities to better utilize the river location. The initial proposal was met with opposition from business leaders who worried that zoning on their properties would change and limit their uses. As a compromise, the township council unveiled plans to create an overlay within the district that separates the riverfront from the rest of the district. All light industrial uses that now exist would remain under the new plan, and the remaining part of the district, especially the portion facing the waterfront, will be rezoned. The new plan would need approval from the Bensalem Township Planning Commission and the Bucks County Planning Commission.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 9/29/2022
Sunoco begins pipeline work in Upper Makefield
Work has begun along a section of River Road in Upper Makefield for a Sunoco pipeline project. The work is part of the anticipated, and already approved, 14-Inch Twin Oaks to Newark Jacobs Creek Pipeline Relocation project. The pipeline runs under the Delaware River. A spokesperson for Energy Transfer, the company doing the work, said heavy construction should be completed before the end of the year and the site will be stabilized and winterized. Workers will return in the spring for a full restoration. Upper Makefield is restricting work at the site from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 10/4/2022
The Fall Festival at Bristol Township Municipal Park, originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1, has been rescheduled to Saturday, Oct. 22. Hosted by Bristol Township Parks and Recreation and the Bristol Township Senior Center, the event features arts and crafts, pumpkin painting, face painting, balloon artists, hayrides, emergency vehicles, a food truck circle, a DJ, vendors, inflatables, an obstacle course, a baseball and football toss, and a nine-hole mini golf course. The park is located at 2501 Bath Road.
Source: Lower Bucks Times; 10/3/2022
Chester County
Construction of waste pit to begin in East Coventry
The new owners of 80 acres of farmland off Bethel Church Road in East Coventry hope to soon begin construction on a concrete pit that can hold as much as 1.4 million gallons of food waste. The farm is in both East Vincent and East Coventry townships, but the pit will be located on 25 acres in the East Coventry portion. The food waste, which court decisions have ruled is a legitimate fertilizer for farm use, will be used for exactly that by the new owners, Spring City Acres LLC. The partnership is connected to a Lititz-based company called Nolt Trucking, which will truck the mostly liquid waste in from food processing plants. It will consist mostly of “sugar water” and “chocolate water” and will not contain any meat products or human waste, according to Bill Rogers with A.E.T. Consulting Inc., which was hired by the farm owners to prepare the “nutrient balance plan” for the storage pit. The 120-foot wide, 16-foot deep concrete pit will be built on top of a plastic liner designed to keep any leaks from getting into the groundwater or streams, he said. The project has elicited concern from residents about the impact of the project on the former Kolb family farm. In response, the township hired a consulting firm, Rose Tree Consulting, to review the application and plan to ensure all regulations were being followed. Some corrections were made as a result, and Rose Tree drafted an eight-page agreement that memorialized the regulations to ensure Spring City Acres “adheres to those conditions.”
Source: Daily Local; 10/4/2022
Chesco2020 course covers the basics of planning
Chester County 2020 is featuring an upcoming course in community planning at the WCU Graduate Center on Wednesdays, Oct. 12, 19 and 26. Topics include basic knowledge of the Municipalities Planning Code, comprehensive planning, plan implementation including zoning, subdivision and land development regulations, the official map, and how effective planning commissions work together. Register online for the 3-session course.
Source: Chester County Planning; 9/26/2022
Coatesville parks commission aims to create sense of community
Elected officials launched the City of Coatesville Parks and Recreation Commission to bring about improvements to the city more than two decades ago. The commission started partnering with local artists, instructors, service providers and organizations in 2021, said commission chairperson Ajené Livingston. City Manager James Logan noted that, “Under the leadership of Ajené Livingston, the Parks and Recreation Commission has introduced a number of new projects and initiatives this past summer to encourage residents and neighbors to utilize the parks more frequently.” Volunteers interested in supporting the Coatesville Parks and Recreation Commission are invited to email Livingston at ajenelivingston@hotmail.com.
Source: Daily Local; 10/4/2022
Chester County Health Department launches survey
The Chester County Health Department launched its community health assessment survey to assess the health and wellbeing of people who live, work or go to school in Chester County. The assessment is conducted every three years and helps to identify community strengths, prioritize health needs, and guide the development of a community health improvement plan. “The community health assessment is more than just checking a box,” said Chester County Health Department Director Jeanne Franklin. “This is an opportunity for residents to let their voices be heard about what matters most to them.” The survey takes a few minutes to complete and asks questions about demographics, health behaviors and broader health issues. Relevant topics, such as climate change and COVID-19 were added to this year’s survey. Residents and community members 15 years and older are encouraged to complete the survey by Nov. 6. The survey is available in English and in Spanish.
Source: Chester County; 9/30/2022
Delaware County
Rutledge Borough passes sewer lateral ordinance
Rutledge Borough amended Chapter 18 (Sewers and Sewage Disposal) of the Rutledge Borough Code to add Part 3 (Sewer Laterals) for the purpose of enacting standards for the maintenance, testing and inspection of private sewer laterals during property transfers. The SRA is seeking further information about the new requirement, and will add the information to the municipal database.
Source: The Swarthmorean; 9/23/2022
Building new elementary school in Radnor could take 4-plus years
Plans to construct a new Ithan Elementary School in Radnor are moving forward, but how long it will take remains an open question. At a recent facilities committee meeting, school district officials outlined a tentative timeline suggesting that it could be nearly six years before students, teachers and staff are in the new building. “This could be anywhere from four to five-and-a-half years of work starting with the procurement of design professionals and all the way through moving into the building,” said Bill Dolan, director of operations for the school district. The first step might take place next month if the district hires an architectural firm for the project. One issue still to be discussed is whether to demolish the existing school and then build on the footprint, or keep the existing structure and build next to it. Earlier this year, Radnor School District officials announced that their building feasibility study showed that Ithan would need to be replaced. The decision to build a new Ithan Elementary came as district officials have been looking at many of its buildings as part of its Shaping the Future program. Radnor High School, Radnor Middle School and Radnor Elementary were determined to be in good condition. The administration building and Wayne Elementary need some work but not rebuilding. Ithan was listed as being in critical condition.
Source: Daily Times; 10/2/2022
Majority again tries to force removal of Rongione in Upper Darby
The latest chapter in the attempt by a group of Upper Darby Township Council members to remove chief administrative officer (CAO) Vincent Rongione played out Wednesday evening as council voted to authorize a lawsuit to enforce last week’s vote that the CAO had forfeited his job. At the special meeting, the one actionable item on the agenda was a motion to “authorize the special solicitor of the Law Offices of Mark Much P.C. to file for declaratory judgement with the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County to enforce last week’s and previous votes by Council to enforce the forfeiting of office of the Chief Administrative Officer on Sept. 21, 2022.” Council made a similar attempt to force the CAO out earlier in the year but was rebuffed by Common Pleas Judge Spiros Angelos, who ruled that council’s petition for declaratory judgment be dismissed on the grounds that it violated the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act. For the recent vote, council provided proper notice required by the Sunshine Act and the decision to approve the newest lawsuit passed along the same 6-5 vote as other votes on Rongione. Mayor Barbarann Keffer was not in attendance, however her administration put out a press release earlier in the day calling on council to retract what she called false reports of the misappropriation of federal pandemic relief funds.
Source: Daily Times; 10/1/2022
Yeadon political dramatics gall residents
A press conference that was supposed to be held by some Yeadon Borough council members was canceled because local news outlets did not show up. The incident is an example of tensions between Council President Sharon Council-Harris and Mayor Rohan Hepkins. According to the borough’s website, the responsibilities of the mayor include overseeing the police department and acting as the official spokesperson for the community — responsibilities that Council-Harris has taken on herself in recent months. There have also been questions by residents about the public comment portion of the borough meetings and compliance with the Sunshine Act.
Source: Chester Spirit; 9/21/2022
The Foundation for Delaware County filed a petition seeking an emergency injunction from the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas to suspend Prospect Crozer’s planned closure of Delaware County Memorial Hospital (DCMH). The court ordered that a hearing be held on Friday, Oct. 7 to decide the matter. Both the county government and the foundation agree that the Sept. 21 Prospect Crozer announcement was not only damaging to public health, but also not in accordance with the terms of the agreement signed by Prospect. Prospect Crozer intends to close DCMH within 60 days and transition the facility to an outpatient behavioral health center with reduced services and a greatly reduced staff
Source: Delaware County; 9/30/2022
Montgomery County
Arrest made for theft of over $162K from emergency rental assistance program
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced the arrest of Tina Marie Yorgey, who has been charged with multiple felonies related to stealing $162,680 from the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance and Utility Coalition Fund. A program manager with Your Way Home, the Montgomery County agency responsible for dispersing the relief funds, contacted county detectives about suspected fraud in several applications for aid. The Montgomery County Detective Bureau found that Yorgey had submitted fraudulent claims and forged documents to obtain money that was purported to be back rent she was owed. Documents allegedly forged by the defendant included leases for properties that had no leases, forged IRS W-9 tax forms, fraudulent application paperwork, a fraudulent power of attorney document, forged notary documents and materials, as well as other false leases and financial documents. Yorgey allegedly used the funds for renovations to her own home and other personal expenses.
Source: Main Line Times; 9/30/2022
Plan for 425 new apartments in Bala Cynwyd approved
Lower Merion commissioners approved a developer’s tentative sketch plan for a new mixed-use building at 111 Presidential Blvd. in Bala Cynwyd. Under the approved plan, an existing office building will be demolished for the construction of a five-story mixed-use building that will have about 25,500 square feet of commercial space and 425 residential units. Parking will include 676 structured parking spaces, and there will be streetscape improvements along with a public gathering space. A walking/biking trail that will connect to the paths at West Laurel Hill Cemetery was added since the Lower Merion Planning Commission recommended approval of the plan earlier this year. The commissioners voted 12-3 to support the new development. Those opposed cited the size of the project, including parking and traffic issues that could compromise safety in the area.
Source: Main Line Times; 10/3/2022
Pottstown’s Washington Street Neighborhood Action Plan to be updated
Ten years after the first Washington Street Neighborhood Action Plan was drafted, Genesis Housing is assessing the effectiveness of the original plan and preparing a new version for the future of the Pottstown neighborhood. Genesis is the nonprofit group that has been rehabilitating homes and building new ones in the core of the borough since 1994. A meeting to seek community input on the draft of the new plan for the neighborhood was held on Sept. 27. The 2010 plan made note of seven potential improvements, several of which — like the community garden on Chestnut Street and certain housing façade improvements — came to pass. The former dairy property at the corner of Washington and Chestnut streets, identified 10 years ago as a priority, remains an eyesore and a target for redevelopment. Genesis Housing tried to get control of the property when it went to sheriff’s sale, but was unable to do so. According to Genesis’ executive director Judy Memberg, the new property owner is asking what she describes as a ridiculously high price for the property. The draft 2022 plan suggests Genesis try to acquire a vacant building just down the street from the former dairy building and recommends additional street trees and lighting. The plan also identifies the many organizations working to improve this neighborhood in addition to Genesis. One of them, “Jumpstart Pottstown,” is run by Pottstown School Board member and Realtor Deborah Spence. The plan also suggests as much cooperation and coordination as possible, as well as identifying multiple potential sources of funding. Read the full article for more details. Follow Genesis Housing on Facebook for information on future meetings about the plan.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 10/2/2022
Whitpain to increase EIT for open space
Whitpain Township supervisors will consider an ordinance that will increase the earned income tax (EIT) rate from 1% to 1.06%. The additional revenue will be dedicated to acquiring open space or other uses defined in the Open Space Lands Act, Act 442 of 1967, as amended. The EIT increase was presented to township voters as a referendum question on the ballot in May. The referendum passed with roughly 63% of voters in favor. The proposed ordinance will be considered on Tuesday, Oct. 18, after 6 p.m. at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell.
Source: Times Herald; 9/26/2022 & The Reporter; 5/19/2022
West Conshohocken to create shade tree commission
West Conshohocken Borough Council will consider a proposed ordinance to create a shade tree commission and establish rules and regulations pertaining to shade trees within the borough. The proposed ordinance will be considered on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. at the West Conshohocken Borough Municipal Building, 112 Ford St. The proposed ordinance may be viewed at the borough building during normal business hours.
Source: Times Herald; 10/4/2022
Giant tower of student housing proposed for University City
A massive new student-housing tower is proposed for University City, offering 263 residential units and 127 dorm-style shared living units. Dubbed the Mark at Philadelphia, the slender 34-story structure would be one of the city’s largest housing complexes designed for students. The Mark will be at 3615-3635 Chestnut St. on land owned by the Ralston Center, a 200-year-old organization focused on care for and advocacy on behalf of older people. The building will have space for amenities like a clubhouse, sauna and pool near the roof, and then quieter study space on a floor inside the building. On Chestnut Street, where pedestrians will access the building, there will be additional study space. The developer ruled out retail due to the small size of the ground floor. The Ludlow Street side of the building presents a blank wall that includes a loading zone and an entrance to the underground parking lot. Ninety-six parking spaces will be provided on-site, a relatively small amount for the number of residential units because shared-living apartments require less parking under the Philadelphia zoning code. No units that meet the city’s affordable housing criteria will be available in the Mark itself. But Landmark Properties used the city’s low-income housing zoning bonus, which allows them to build a bigger building in exchange for $6.9 million paid into the city’s Housing Trust Fund. The Mark was awarded a permit before Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s mandatory inclusionary zoning law went into effect in University City, requiring any residential project of 10 or more units to price 20% of the available spaces below the market rate. The project requires no zoning variances, although it will be subject to Civic Design Review, an advisory critique from municipally appointed architects, developers, and planners, on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 9/30/2022
Game-changer for North Broad? An official business district looks close to reality
The central corridor north of Philadelphia City Hall is home to many landmarks, storied organizations and resurgent businesses. They make up a resilient community dealing with decades of disinvestment followed by a recent surge of gentrification. In recent years, efforts to coordinate more robust city services, encourage tourist foot traffic, and support small businesses on the street have been led by the North Broad Renaissance, an economic development nonprofit founded eight years ago. The NBR was initially formed as a special services district, but changed course after a few years of operations. “After speaking with stakeholders, we decided to move into the business improvement district model,” Renaissance executive director Shalimar Thomas said. Business and property owners encouraged the move to formally sustain and expand their work. Read more in Billy Penn.
Source: Billy Penn; 9/28/2022
Email grassroots@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com to receive our weekly News Briefs. It's as simple as submitting your contact information so we can create a user profile.