NAR endorses bill to increase home gain exclusion
Before the House of Representatives left Washington on Oct. 1 for the pre-election campaign season, a bipartisan bill of key importance to millions of homeowners was introduced by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D, CA-20) and Mike Kelly (R, PA-16). The “More Homes on the Market Act” (HR 9015) would double the capital gains exclusion for sales of principal residences from $250,000 to $500,000 for single filers and from $500,000 to $1 million for married couples filing a joint tax return, and also index these amounts for future inflation. While the bill is unlikely to move in 2022, it is a great first step upon which to build next year. For years, Realtors in parts of the nation where home values are the highest have noted that maximum capital gains exclusion amounts are no longer covering the gains that many longer-term owners have when they sell their homes and downsize. The huge nationwide increases in home values over the past two or three years have spread this problem to much of the country, creating a disincentive for people to sell their homes and move into smaller ones or retirement facilities. The problem with the current exclusion amounts is that they were not indexed for inflation when they were put into the tax law in 1997. A quarter-century of inflation has greatly reduced the value of the once generous $250,000 and $500,000 thresholds, leaving millions of homeowners with so much tax due upon a possible sale that many are choosing to not put their homes on the market, either because they cannot afford to pay the tax or simply are not willing to pay it. National Association of Realtors president Leslie Rouda Smith thanked Reps. Kelly and Panetta for introducing the proposal, saying its enactment would solve a serious and growing problem that is contributing to the national housing crisis.
Source: Nar.Realtor; 10/5/2022

Main Line version of Monopoly released
A new edition of the iconic Atlantic City-based board game Monopoly features cultural sites, historic landmarks, and longtime businesses throughout the towns that make up the Main Line. Among the properties game players can land on are Villanova University, the Ardmore Train Station, Chanticleer Garden, Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens, Fenimore Woods Park, and Harcum and Haverford colleges.
Source: Daily Times; 10/17/2022

Falls approves renewable natural gas plants at landfill
Falls Township supervisors granted preliminary and final approval for a $90 million project by Waste Management for two renewable natural gas plants at the company’s 47-acre Fairless Landfill complex. The plants will pipe the gases produced as garbage decomposes beneath landfills to the machinery used to convert it to “pipeline quality” natural gas — enough to serve 65,000 households a year. The renewable natural gas created at the Falls Township plants will be routed to a national pipeline and distributed. The plants will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 170,000 tons annually. The plants will be the company’s sixth renewable natural gas facility. Waste Management officials are hoping the Falls facility will be running by 2024.
Source: LevittownNow.com; 10/18/2022 & Bucks County Courier Times; 10/19/2022

Solebury has a pickleball problem
Neighbors of the Laurel Road recreation area in Solebury Township have told the township board of supervisors that the pickleball courts are very popular — and too noisy. Pickleball is a combination of ping pong and tennis that is slower-paced and with less ground to cover. The residents said the noise is constant, not from rowdy players but from the paddles and balls. Pickleball hours at the park are from 8 a.m. to sunset Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. But neighbors say the township does not enforce those hours. The Park and Recreation Board has recommended the supervisors install noise-dampening 10-foot barriers around the courts, advertise, post and enforce hours of play, and lock the courts daily. The supervisors agreed to stricter play times with enforcement, and locking the courts if that doesn’t work. They did not agree to the 10-foot barriers that would cost about $55,000.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 10/13/2022

Bristol Township zoners turn down variance request for warehouse near homes
The Bristol Township Zoning Hearing Board recently denied a request for variances for a proposed 10,000-square-foot warehouse on a 1.6-acre lot along North Wilson Avenue near the township’s border with Bristol Borough. Joseph Tepper, owner of M.E.R. Industrial Contractors, wanted to construct the building for his company to store parts and some equipment. Requested variances included minimum distance from a residential district, setbacks from resource-protected land, and required off-street loading facilities. Residents of the nearby Landreth Manor neighborhood raised concerns about potential flooding, truck traffic, crime, noise and other disturbances.
Source: LevittownNow.com; 10/11/2022

Hilltown seeks volunteers for citizen advisory boards
The Hilltown Township Board of Supervisors is seeking volunteers to serve on various citizen advisory boards and commissions beginning in January 2023. Available positions include: deputy emergency management coordinator; emergency management agricultural officer; emergency management coordinator; Uniform Construction Code appeals board; vacancy board; water and sewer authority; zoning hearing board; and planning commission. Applications can be found on the Hilltown Township website. Applications and letters of interest should be mailed to: Hilltown Township, PO Box 260, 13 W. Creamery Road, Hilltown, PA 18927, by noon on Monday, Nov. 7.
Source: Montgomery Publishing Group; 10/9/2022

Pennsbury superintendent to host community roundtables
Pennsbury School District Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smith will host a series of community roundtable meetings to talk about issues important to the community. The roundtables will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays, Nov. 16, Jan. 11, March 1, April 5 and May 3. Parents and community members are welcome to attend the roundtables. All roundtable meetings will be held at the administration offices at 134 Yardley Ave. in Falls Township’s Fallsington section. Click here to RSVP for a roundtable event. Smith also plans to attend PTO meetings at each school.
Source: LevittownNow.com; 10/12/2022

West Grove to consider local services tax
West Grove Borough Council will consider an ordinance amending Chapter 326 of the borough code to add a local services tax on individuals engaged in an occupation within West Grove Borough. The levy and assessment of the annual tax will not exceed $52 “upon the privilege of engaging in an occupation within the Borough of West Grove,” according to the public notice. The revenues from the tax will be used primarily for emergency services, but may also be used for road maintenance or real estate tax reduction purposes, as provided for under the provisions of the Local Tax Enabling Act. The amount of revenue estimated to be generated by the local services tax is $14,820 for the tax year 2023. The council will consider the passage of the ordinance on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the West Grove Municipal Building located at 117 Rosehill Ave.
Source: Daily Local; 10/10/2022

West Goshen shopping center plans still a mystery
Although rumors are circulating, representatives for Robbins Companies, owners of the West Goshen Shopping Center, did not share any details during the West Goshen planning commission meeting regarding what two new businesses might move into the center. A 5,200-square-foot and unnamed fast food restaurant is planned at the former site of the Fotomat, along Paoli Pike. And a single tenant will occupy the former site of both the former Kmart and garden center. The box store moved out in 2018. Planners told the shopping center team that the long-ago developed traffic circulation patterns for the shopping center would need to be fixed.
Source: Daily Local; 10/17/2022

Modena residents to consider reduction of borough council
Modena Borough residents will be presented with an election referendum question in November. The ballot question asks, “Should the membership of the Borough Council of the Borough of Modena be reduced from seven residents to five residents?” A vote of “yes” to the ballot question approves the reduction of the total number of members; a vote of “no” keeps the council size as it is.
Source: Daily Local; 10/13/2022

Environmentally friendly ‘meadow park’ comes to Caln Township
The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards of Chester and Delaware Counties and Caln Township are collaborating to replace mowed turf in an inaccessible open space with a new park featuring a native meadow. Meadows using native plants are recognized as a best management practice that is increasing in popularity as municipalities look for effective stormwater management strategies, beautification and habitat creation, public engagement spaces, and ways to save municipal resources through decreased mowing. By replacing the short-rooted turf grass with native plants that have much longer root systems, stormwater infiltration will be greatly improved onsite, thus reducing stormwater runoff. Volunteers are needed for the lawn-to-meadow conversion on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 1 p.m. Learn more here.
Source: Daily Local; 10/17/2022