SEPTA proposes renaming its city rail lines to help everyone get around
SEPTA’s rail transit network makes for a sprawling map, and it’s a mouthful to say: the Market-Frankford Line, the Broad Street Line, the Norristown High Speed Line, and the 10, 11, 13, 15, 34, 36, 101 and 102 trolleys. One big proposal in the transit agency’s wayfinding master plan is to make rail transit easier to use. The idea: Take the current system — often thought of line by line and route by route because it’s been labeled that way for a century — and unify it under one brand. The agency is planning to revamp the system’s maps and signs with the aim of making wayfinding images easier to see and understand quickly. Lines will be denoted by capital letters and color badges, instead of pictographs of rail vehicles over colored backgrounds. Planners propose keeping the hues historically associated with them, such as orange for the Broad Street Line, blue for the Market-Frankford Line (the El), and green for trolley routes. Read more here. 
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 9/7/2021

FEMA eases assistance policies to advance equity for disaster survivors
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently implemented three changes to reduce barriers encountered by underserved populations in programs that provide individual assistance to disaster survivors. The changes include:

• Expanding forms of documentation to prove ownership/occupancy for homeowners and renters, e.g. accepting vehicle registrations, court documents and letters from schools
• Providing Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grants to renters and homeowners with disaster-caused real property damage that did not render the home uninhabitable
• Expanding financial assistance for disaster-caused disability, e.g. helping survivors install ramps and grab-bars to make their residences livable

“Equity is a cornerstone of our homeland security mission, and in all of our work we must reach minority communities, the disadvantaged and the otherwise disenfranchised,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. Read more details about the changes on the FEMA website. 
Source: FEMA; 9/2/2021

SRA news briefs have a new look
We’ve made some slight updates to the weekly news briefs email that we hope will please the eye and deliver more information, without losing the simplicity that our readers appreciate. There are no changes to the news briefs themselves. We’ve updated the design and added elements like a dynamic subject line, a monthly poll and a policy spotlight section. Let us know what you think by replying to this message or emailing us at sra@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com.

Bucks County storm damage reporting
Bucks County residents who have property damage from the winds or floods of Hurricane Ida are asked to report it using the online form to help produce an accurate determination of damage throughout the county. The damage assessment form will be sent to the user’s municipality after it is submitted. Damage assessments will be used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to determine financial assistance. Filling out a report does not guarantee financial assistance. For more Bucks County flood resources, visit the county’s Hurricane Ida update page.
Source: Bucks County; 9/2021

Seven-home subdivision earns approvals in Hilltown
Hilltown Township supervisors granted approvals related to a planned subdivision of seven homes on a little over 11 acres in the area of Minsi Trail and Route 113. The project includes two stages: the first is the development of three lots, which earned final approval. Development of the remaining lots earned preliminary approval. Indications are that a single-family home will be built on each lot, according to Township Manager Lorraine Leslie.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/2/2021

Solebury shares information for repairs in historic districts
Solebury property owners in the Historic Districts of Carversville or Phillips Mill who have encountered storm damage to property that requires repairs are reminded that the township has a new repair or replacement in kind (RRIK) application for speedier permit approval for the work. The simple form is normally processed within five days; however, due to the urgency and scope of repairs necessary, the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) has committed to provide approvals, if appropriate, within one business day. The normal application fee of $10 will be waived if the RRIK application is for storm repairs and submitted before Nov. 1.
Source: Solebury Township; 9/2021

Central Bucks posts Region 9 school director vacancy
The Central Bucks School District is soliciting candidates to serve as school director for Region 9, which encompasses Warwick Township regions 2, 3, 4 and 5. The person selected will serve until the board reorganization meeting in December 2021. Interested candidates should send a resume to the school board secretary, Stephanie Radcliffe, at sradcliffe@cbsd.org by Monday, Sept. 13. School Board Vice President John Gamble resigned from his position after a contentious meeting about masking requirements in the school district. Gamble told the crowd the divisive issue had "broken" the community.
Source: Central Bucks School District & Bucks County Courier Times; 9/1/2021

County establishes resources for Ida victims
Chester County officials have a Hurricane Ida information webpage where residents and business owners can find resources and updates. Residents and business owners who sustained property damage during Hurricane Ida are strongly encouraged to report it to the municipality where the home or business is located. A damage assessment form has been created to capture the critical information, making it easier to provide relevant damage information. During the clean-up process, it is important to document everything with photos of the damage and receipts for repairs and cleaning. Anyone in need of housing assistance can call 2-1-1 any time, and select 2, 2, 1 on the prompts, then identify as a flood victim, and the referral assistance will be prioritized. Business owners, in addition to reporting property damage to the municipality where the business is located, can contact their local chambers of commerce for additional help. 
Source: Daily Local; 9/7/2021

West Brandywine no longer collecting fees for septic management program
West Brandywine Township launched a septic management program in January 2018. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection required the township to institute the program as a means of protecting local groundwater and surface water resources. The program operates on a three-year cycle of scheduled maintenance and inspections to assure proper operation of all on-lot septic disposal systems. At the August township supervisors meeting, the board motioned that the township discontinue collecting the $25 fee associated with septic pumping. The township is now in Phase 1 again, out of the three phases. A complete cycle has been done, and the database has been established. Any resident who paid a pumping fee in advance for year four of the program would get a refund or have their check returned. Learn more here. 
Source: West Brandywine; 8/2021

Another milestone approaches in development of Coatesville train station
As the Sept. 16 due date approaches for contract bids to build the new Coatesville train station, the city is poised to mark another milestone — choosing a builder — for one of its most anticipated projects. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the selected contractor will build the project that will improve connections to the Keystone Corridor and greatly enhance ADA accessibility with level boarding platforms, elevators, ramps, site lighting and security. PennDOT intends to begin construction as early as late 2021, with completion anticipated in 2025. The project is financed through the Federal Transit Administration and state transportation funds. View the PennDOT bid package here. “The new train station is a critical piece of the city’s economic development efforts and multi-modal transportation plan. The increased frequencies to the station will provide much-needed access for daily commuters, residents and visitors,” said James Logan, Coatesville’s city manager. 
Source: Daily Local; 9/8/2021

Kennett Square speaker series: ‘How We Build Matters’
To help members of the Kennett Square community understand the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead for the borough, Historic Kennett Square and community partners are launching the 2021–2022 speaker series, called How We Build Matters. “Because Kennett Square has done many things well, and revitalized large parts of our community successfully, more people want to be part of our community,” said Historic Kennett Square executive director Bo Wright. “It’s important to proceed thoughtfully, to maintain the historic character and social cohesion that make Kennett Square unique.” Wright will kick off the speaker series on Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. in the American Legion Hall. Wright previously worked at Strong Towns, an organization that supports people advocating for smart, sustainable growth in towns and cities across the U.S. and Canada. 
Source: Chester County Press; 9/8/2021

New Philly rental trend threatens supply of affordable housing
One in five landlords listed a property for sale in Philadelphia during the pandemic, according to a survey by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. And as tenants have struggled with loss of income during the pandemic and paid less rent, more landlords are putting off property repairs. These actions threaten the city’s already inadequate supply of affordable housing. That’s a concern shared by the Homeowners Association of Philadelphia, housing advocates, and the report’s researchers, who said housing stock needs more investment, and landlords are among those who need more support. Many landlords faced challenges before the pandemic that only got worse. The nearly 21% of Philadelphia landlords who listed properties for sale in 2020 is a steep increase from 3.5% in 2019. Researchers surveyed more than 2,500 rental property owners in Philadelphia and nine other U.S. cities. Across all 10 cities, the share of landlords listing properties rose less starkly — to 13%, up from 3% in 2019. Read more here. 
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 9/7/2021

City issues plea for residents and businesses to report storm damage
The City of Philadelphia issued a plea for businesses and homeowners to report damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ida as soon as possible and provided a number of cleanup updates and resources for help. To help the city assess the extent of damage, city officials are asking all residents and business owners to take pictures of storm-related damage before any repairs are made, and to answer a short survey. Damage can also be reported by calling 311 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Interpretation services for non-English-speaking business owners and homeowners is available. See the full article for more resources.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 9/5/2021

City Council will continue meeting online as the Delta variant spreads
Philadelphia City Council has abandoned its plan to return to in-person meetings next week for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic took hold in Philadelphia. Citing the spread of the Delta variant, Council President Darrell L. Clarke announced that lawmakers will continue meeting virtually when they return from their summer break. All 17 council members are vaccinated. But in-person meetings also involve public comment, making it more difficult to regulate who in council chambers is vaccinated. Clarke also announced that the first meeting of the fall legislative session will be pushed back one day, from Thursday, Sept. 16, to Friday, Sept. 17, to avoid a conflict with Yom Kippur. Council will resume holding its weekly meetings on Thursdays after next week.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 9/7/2021

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