News Briefs Archive Sept. 26, 2022
General News
Housing coalition urges reduction of FHA's mortgage insurance premium
On Sept. 14, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) sent a coalition letter to the National Economic Council with the White House urging a reduction of the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP). As interest rates continue to rise and economic conditions worsen, it is critical for FHA to reduce the annual MIP so low- to moderate-income and first-time home buyers remain competitive in the housing market. NAR was joined in the letter by the Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Association of Homebuilders and the Manufactured Housing Institute.
Source: Nar.realtor; 9/16/2022
CARE Report details Realtors’ commitment to communities
The Community Aid and Real Estate (CARE) Report from the National Association of Realtors provides insight into the contributions that general members at large, broker-owners, and association executives or multiple listing service staff give back to their communities. Despite being one of the busiest years of real estate in recent history, Realtors remain charitably active in society. Sixty-six percent of Realtor members at large volunteered every month. Monetary donations increased compared to 2020, when the study was last conducted, and charitable activities have largely been maintained since the onset of COVID-19. Members are most likely to have volunteered with food delivery for the elderly or food banks to help with COVID-19, and nearly half volunteer the same amount as before the onset of the pandemic. Read an overview of the report here, and view the full CARE Report here.
Source: Nar.realtor; 9/15/2022
NAR supports relief for housing providers
The National Association of Realtors recently filed an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in support of the National Apartment Associations’ lawsuit alleging that the Center for Disease Control’s nationwide COVID-19 eviction moratorium constituted a physical taking under the Fifth Amendment. Read more here.
Source: Nar.realtor; 9/16/2022
Bucks County
Rental housing provider to pay $450K in discrimination settlement
The Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania (HECP) and a Bucks County couple have entered into an agreement resolving allegations that CM Bucks Landing 120 LLC, Residential Management (NY) Inc. and Aspen Grove Apartment Homes violated the Fair Housing Act by adopting and applying policies that discriminated against potential applicants based on national origin, race and familial status. Based on a 2019 tip, HECP determined that Residential Management’s practices at Aspen Grove and other rental complexes were discriminatory on several bases. The Warminster Township complex’s violations included a blanket ban on rentals to persons who have any type of criminal background, and a policy that excludes people who have lawfully immigrated to the U.S. from another country but have not yet received a social security number. CM Bucks Landing 120 and Residential Management denied the allegations but signed an agreement that will result in payments totaling $450,000 in damages to the complainants and to HECP for legal and other costs.
Source: Housing Equality Center of PA; 9/19/2022
Grant will help build ‘uniquely Doylestown’ playground
Doylestown Borough is moving forward with plans for a playground at its newest green space, Broad Commons Park. A $250,000 matching grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will play a key part in creating the “tot lot” at the North Broad Street park. The playground will be designed to resemble the historic Fonthill Castle in neighboring Doylestown Township. Borough Manager John Davis said, “We felt strongly that the playground, like Broad Commons itself, should be uniquely Doylestown, and the Fonthill design is just that.” Plans call for a colorful, 8,500-square-foot playground designed for children 5 to 12 years old, including custom and inclusive play structures, safety surfacing, fencing and ADA access. Landscaping will also be a significant part of the project.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/15/2022
Middletown neighbors are worried warehouse plans could bring noise and traffic
Residents of a quiet Langhorne neighborhood are concerned a surge in development could lead to traffic and noise problems. The area is set to be sandwiched between new homes as the Oxford Valley Mall area is redeveloped, and roughly 800,000 square feet of warehouse space. Work recently began on construction of roughly 600 apartments at the Oxford Valley Mall by developer Cornerstone Tracy. A huge warehouse with a tractor-trailer parking area is proposed for what’s known as the Reedman-Toll tract situated behind Hulme Avenue and to the side of other homes in Langhorne Gardens. The developer, 213 Industrial LLC, also wants to build a second, bigger warehouse on another former Reedman-Toll tract on the other side of East Old Lincoln Highway (Route 213). Neighboring residents aren’t convinced that the sound-stifling walls proposed by the developer will work, and they fear they will be covered with graffiti. They’re worried about light pollution and the noise of trucks in a 24-hour facility. The zoning is on the side of the developer, as the land is zoned for M-1, light manufacturing, and warehouses are an allowable use. The supervisors are concerned that if they outright deny the proposal, that they would have to defend an expensive legal appeal to Bucks County Court and could lose. The supervisors voted 4-1 to table the proposal to deny the project, with Supervisors Chair Mike Ksiazek voting against the motion. Supervisor Anna Payne suggested a meeting with residents and the developer to try to iron out issues. The developer’s attorney, Michael Malloy, said they hope to have it sometime in mid-October.
Source: Courier Times; 9/19/2022
Bucks County cuts time for public comment at commissioners meetings
With Bucks County Board of Commissioners meetings increasingly running long, the board members voted to reduce time for public comments. Individuals who want to comment on agenda items will now have three minutes, instead of five. There are two times during each meeting for public comment ? the first for agenda items and the second, at the end of the meeting, for non-agenda items. Comments on non-agenda items already are limited to two minutes. Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo proposed the time reduction after hearing from constituents who did not get an opportunity to speak because the total comment period is limited to 30 minutes.
Source: Intelligencer; 9/15/2022
Tinicum officials consider taking action to repair long-closed bridge
Tinicum Township residents expressed frustration over the inconvenience and public safety issues related to the troubled Headquarters Road bridge, which has been closed for well over 10 years. “It seems clear PennDOT will not agree to rehabilitate the existing bridge structure,” said Township Supervisor Eleanor Breslin. “The bottom line is we can sit on the sidelines, or we can work to open up this road.” Supervisors Chairman Richard Rosamilia called for a new fact-finding meeting between the supervisors, PennDOT, a consulting engineer and several residents with a goal of submitting a preliminary bridge plan to the Department of Environmental Protection. The discussion at the meeting nearly led to a physical altercation as a resident asserted he has filed numerous lawsuits based on the belief that he owns the bridge due to fraudulent acts by PennDOT, and other residents expressed resentment that his litigation was preventing progress.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/19/2022
Chester County
Phoenixville residents urge council to seize kindergarten center property
Phoenixville Borough Council was asked by nearly 20 speakers to take by eminent domain what it could not convince the school board to sell — the 7.3-acre property off Second Avenue last used as a kindergarten center. Council made no comment on the suggestion, nor did it take any action. In March, the Phoenixville Area School Board voted 5-3 to sell the property to Toll Brothers for $4.6 million. Toll Brothers, a national builder, intends to build 80 townhomes on the site — a site that many argue is one of the last major open space parcels left in the borough, a parcel that is close to both downtown and the Schuylkill River. The borough had made an offer of $1.8 million for the property to preserve the open space and open some kind of environmental education center, but the borough’s bid was contingent on obtaining grants not yet in hand. Now, the group of speakers aligned with the Phoenixville Green Team has asked council to use its power of eminent domain to condemn and take the property for the public good. The public good was the argument the school board used in 2013 to condemn the 50-acre Meadowbrook Golf Club club in order to build its new Early Learning Center. Census data show the borough is the 13th fastest-growing municipality in Pennsylvania, with population up 14.5% in the past 10 years.
Source: Daily Local; 9/19/2022
Oxford fills council vacancy, reviews growth plan
Oxford Borough Council voted to appoint William Fitzpatrick to fill the vacancy that was created when Mary Higgins resigned from the board. Fitzpatrick will fill the remainder of the term, which ends in January 2024. At the same meeting, the council held a public hearing about the bid renewal for Oxford Mainstreet Inc. (OMI). Founded in 2001, OMI strives to foster economic growth while preserving the town’s history and charm. The organization plans numerous community events, including the monthly First Friday street fairs, and the annual car show and Country Christmas celebrations. Brian Dix, OMI executive director, outlined a few changes in the presented plan, including some budgetary and date changes. Dix said that, although the pandemic did pose problems for local businesses, it kept people from traveling out of the area. Council approved a motion to adopt the plan subject to the amendments identified by Dix, and the plan will be distributed. The final hearing of the plan will be held on Monday, Oct. 3.
Source: Chester County Press; 9/20/2022
ChristianaCare shares updates on plans for West Grove campus
Since June, when ChristianaCare announced the purchase of the former Jennersville Hospital from Tower Health, the company’s management has been meeting regularly with community leaders and small groups to gain input into planning for what is now called the ChristianaCare West Grove Campus. On Sept. 14, ChristianaCare shared new details about the planning process for the campus with Chester County business leaders. “It continues to come up time and again in our discussions with the community that the most urgent need is emergency care,” said Douglas P. Azar, ChristianaCare senior vice president. “That’s our first priority.” Azar explained that ChristianaCare plans to take a phased approach to development at the campus, with emergency services in the first phase. He said that plans will likely be finalized and shared with the community this fall. Azar said the facility contains some usable equipment, including hospital beds and imaging and diagnostic equipment, but other aspects of the facility are going to be “starting from scratch.” The building currently contains no information technology infrastructure, and the laboratory is completely empty of equipment.
Source: Chester County Press; 9/20/2022
Former Habitat leader Chip Huston IV mourned
Charles L. “Chip” Huston IV, who was well-known for leading Habitat for Humanity of Chester County for 17 years, passed away on Sept. 11. Huston took a fledgling organization and helped it grow. When he retired in 2019, he had handed over the keys to 95 homes in the Cambria Homes (Coatesville) and Fuller Meadows (West Grove) communities. Huston was deeply involved in charity organizations throughout Chester County, including the Huston Foundation. He joined its board in 1990 and spent time as treasurer, president and chief executive officer.
Source: Daily Local; 9/17/2022
Delaware County
Squirrel mural planned for Media intersection
Building on the success of a traffic-calming fish mural on the pavement at Third and Jackson streets in 2021, Media Borough will add a new mural to help slow the speed of traffic with “Squirrels of Media” at Third and Monroe streets. Karen Taussig-Lux, borough grants administrator, said traffic studies by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission done before and after the fish mural was completed, found:
- a 35% decrease in the number of cars that did not stop or slow down at the intersection stop signs
- a 13% decrease in roll-throughs — drivers that slowed down but did not come to a stop
- a 32% increase in cars that came to a complete stop at the signs
The squirrels mural will celebrate the black, white and gray squirrels that live in the borough, and was created by Tania O’Donnell. The murals are one of the recommendations of Media’s 2020 Traffic Calming Plan. The borough is planning another street mural in 2023, but officials have not yet chosen a location or theme. The street mural program is a collaboration between Media, the Media Arts Council and Transition Town Media. View the mural art and information about a “painting party” planned for Saturday, Sept. 24, on the borough website.
Source: Daily Times; 9/15/2022
$220K grant will extend Darby Creek Trail
Upper Darby Township will receive a $220,000 state grant to assist with the construction of a pedestrian bridge to extend the Darby Creek Trail in the area. The Act 13 program of 2012 establishes the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open spaces, parks and beautification projects. The program is available to for-profit businesses, municipalities, councils of governments, authorized organizations, institutions of higher education and watershed organizations. Grants cannot exceed $250,000 for any project, and a 15% match of the total project cost is required.
Source: Daily Times; 9/21/2022
Chester Mayor does not want bankruptcy
City of Chester Receiver Michael T. Doweary said that he is considering bankruptcy as a way to steer the city toward solid financial footing in light of a $46.5 million deficit anticipated next year. Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland said bankruptcy for the city is not the way to go. The city, with a population of 34,000, has been under state receivership since 2020 and under financial oversight since 1995. Kirkland expressed concern for longtime employees and for attracting talent in the event of a bankruptcy, and said filling empty positions will become more difficult. The receiver’s office said the options are severe but the conditions warrant their consideration. “Leaders have a responsibility to be transparent and to take difficult actions so that problems are not kicked down the road,” the receiver said.
Source: Daily Times; 9/19/2022
Plans for municipal parking lot ditched in Radnor
Radnor officials have withdrawn plans to purchase a property in Garrett Hill for a new municipal parking lot. The township’s decision came after a meeting in late August where residents reportedly came out opposed to the plan. Moira Mulroney, president of the Radnor Board of Commissioners, formally announced the township’s decision not to move forward with the purchase at the start of a recent board meeting. In August, the township had outlined plans to purchase the property at 26 Wentworth Lane in the Garrett Hill section of the township. Township officials said the purchase was to build a new parking lot to help alleviate parking problems for the nearby Garrett Hill commercial area. With the township no longer purchasing the property, Commissioner Sean Farhy, whose 7th Ward includes the site, believes the site will still be developed. According to Farhy, the developer will maximize the new house under the township’s zoning codes, which could be larger than the existing homes.
Source: Daily Times; 9/15/2022
Judges’ rulings tilt legal battle in Aqua’s favor
Two court decisions in recent days have stacked the legal favor on the side of Aqua in the battle for the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority (DELCORA), although more regulatory steps have to be completed. In the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, Judge Barry Dozor ruled that Delaware County can dissolve DELCORA. However, he added that the county would still be bound by the terms and conditions of the asset purchase agreement with Aqua, “just as if it were DELCORA itself in the sense that it would essentially become a ‘party’ to a contract.” Dozor also reiterated that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) “has jurisdiction to assess the ultimate transaction pursuant to its statutory authority to regulate utility service in the commonwealth.” In Commonwealth Court, Judge Patricia A. McCullough wrote an opinion that quashed Delaware County’s petition for review of the DELCORA/Aqua asset purchase agreement. Delaware County solicitor William F. Martin said the county had not yet decided whether to appeal the Common Pleas decision. “In any event, no transfer of DELCORA’s assets can occur until the [PUC] has approved the transaction,” he said. “And that approval is no closer to being received than it was in 2020.” Martin said the Commonwealth Court order merely stated that it is not the proper procedural time to present the issues the county has posed for review. DELCORA treats wastewater for approximately 500,000 customers in 42 municipalities in Delaware and Chester counties. Read more in the Delaware County Daily Times.
Source: Daily Times; 9/15/2022
Montgomery County
Commissioners OK $1.2M transfer to fight homelessness
Montgomery County officials unanimously approved a $1.2 million transfer to expand homelessness outreach services of the county’s “Your Way Home” program, and heard updates on new projects and programs across the county. “I will certainly support the resolution, but I do want to say: it’s a Band-Aid. It’s a Band-Aid, and we need to be focused on those long-term solutions,” said Commissioner Ken Lawrence. Homelessness increased in the county due to Hurricane Ida and the pandemic, but the Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center on the grounds of the Norristown State Hospital closed in June. Kayleigh Silver, administrator of the county’s Office of Housing and Community Development, described the Your Way Home program as a public-private partnership composed of different people, organizations and government entities. “We know that a safe and affordable home, in a community that cares for its neighbors, is what ends homelessness. Housing affordability ends homelessness,” she said. Examples of housing affordability projects already in place across the county include the North Penn Commons complex in Lansdale, the PEAK Center and the North Penn YMCA, the Samuel A. Green House in Elkins Park, and the Reliance Crossing community in Souderton. “Housing affordability, and developments like you see here, mean providing inclusive housing that ensures a diverse and robust community, that supports its bus drivers, EMT workers, teachers, all the way up to the community’s doctors and lawyers,” Silver said.
Source: The Reporter; 9/15/2022
Extension for Cynwyd Heritage Trail closer to reality
When the Cynwyd Heritage Trail opened in Lower Merion about a decade ago, it lacked connections to the larger regional trail network. A connection was made to northwest Philadelphia when the Manayunk bridge opened. Now, a new link to west Philadelphia is closer to becoming a reality, as the Lower Merion Township Building and Planning Committee is recommending the approval of a lease agreement between the township and PECO for the trail to enter a small section of PECO property at a substation near City Avenue. The township would pay an annual fee of $150 for the use of the property. The long-awaited trail extension would run between Cynwyd station and Bala station at City Avenue, and ultimately the City Avenue multi-use trail network currently being constructed.
Source: Main Line Times; 9/19/2022
Collegeville to consider regulations for historic properties
Collegeville Borough Council is considering a proposed Historic Resource Preservation Ordinance. The draft ordinance would amend chapter 680 of the municipal code to create a historic resources list, a historical overlay and regulations regarding historic properties. “Borough Council desires to promote, protect, enhance and preserve historic resources for the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public and to safeguard the borough’s heritage by preserving and regulating certain historic resources and historic districts that reflect cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history,” according to a public notice. “They also wish to preserve and enhance its historic neighborhoods and to strengthen and foster economic development including the stimulation of tourism by fostering civic pride in the accomplishments of the borough’s past.” Council will consider the draft ordinance in a hearing on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at Borough Hall, 491 E. Main St. A copy of the proposed ordinance is available at Borough Hall.
Source: Times Herald; 9/19/2022
East Pikeland supervisors to update zoning for solar, wind facilities
The East Pikeland Township Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 6:30 p.m. to consider a proposed zoning amendment that incorporates regulations for solar and wind energy facilities. The hearing will be held at the township building, 1158 Rapps Dam Road, Kimberton. A draft of the proposed ordinance is available on the township website.
Source: Mercury; 9/20/2022
City council seeks to extend Philly’s eviction diversion program past December
Philadelphia City Council is weighing legislation that would extend the life of the city’s eviction diversion program, a pandemic-inspired alternative to landlord-tenant court that’s being credited with keeping thousands of residents in their homes. The program is set to expire at the end of the year. The bill does not spell out specifics on a permanent version of the program, which has effectively operated as a pilot since January. Councilwoman Helen Gym said she expects the initiative, which dates back to August 2020, to evolve and take shape through the legislative process. In its current form, the program requires most landlords to sit down with their tenants and a volunteer mediator before filing for an eviction. Under the new measure, landlords would have to wait at least 30 days before taking legal action. The goal is to resolve disputes without a court case, which can negatively impact a tenant for years, even if a judge sides in their favor. Gym hopes the bill gets a hearing sometime in October.
Source: PlanPhilly; 9/15/2022
More of Philadelphia’s apartments are being built by modular construction
Modular construction is only a sliver of the overall industry, but more Philly developers are considering it as a way to cut costs and attract workers. The 160-unit Edgewater II is one of the latest projects by Alterra Property Group that uses modular construction — in which homes are built in pieces off-site and fitted together like LEGOs. The Philadelphia developer’s largest modular property is LVL North, at Broad and Spring Garden streets, with 410 apartments. It began leasing this spring. Philadelphia developers have tried the modular building method on and off for decades with various levels of success. It still only accounts for between 5% and 10% of the total construction industry. But in recent years, modular construction has gotten more popular in the city, and industry watchers say its appeal will only grow, as builders strive to cut increasing costs, attract more workers and meet renter demand. Read more here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 9/20/2022
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