News Briefs for August 30, 2024
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The oldest components of the Jacob Funk House and Barn in Springfield Township, Bucks County, dates back to 1792, with the barn constructed around 1810. Springfield Township recently purchased a decibel reader to enhance the enforcement of their noise ordinance.
Photo: Shuvaev (CC BY-SA 3.0)
PAR to hold advocacy virtual training this fall
With election season approaching, the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (PAR) advocacy team is hosting fall sessions of its Advocacy Virtual Training Sessions.
- RPAC Fundraising (Wednesday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m.) — Learn about the critical role the Realtors Political Action Committee plays in PAR’s advocacy efforts.
- Elections Recap and Legislative Process (Friday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.) — Learn the ins and outs of Pennsylvania's legislative process and receive a recap of the 2024 general election.
Register or learn more at PAR’s website.
Source: Pennsylvania Association of Realtors
Biden-Harris administration announces actions to increase affordable housing supply
In August, the Biden-Harris administration announced several actions to help increase the supply of affordable housing. Building on the administration’s June announcement — which the National Association of Realtors (NAR) supported, and which awarded $85 million in grants through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Pathways to Removing Obstacles (PRO) Housing program — the new actions included an additional $100 million in grant funding to assist state and local governments with identifying and overcoming barriers to housing development. The administration’s fact sheet on creating more affordable housing included a number of other items, including solutions to interest rate predictability for multifamily development, streamlined processes through the Department of Transportation for loans near transit centers, and a commitment to finalizing its rule for updating the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. Read more on the NAR website.
Source: NAR; 8/13/2024
Regional Rail service will increase as SEPTA adds more trains
Starting on Sept. 8, SEPTA will begin running 99 more Regional Rail trains on the weekend and 24 more on weekdays to meet demand and shorten gaps in service that have frustrated riders during off-peak hours, transportation agency officials said. The additional service will help meet current and pent-up demand, particularly on weekends and outside of traditional commuter rushes, chief operating officer Scott Sauer said. The move comes as SEPTA deals with a $240 million operating deficit and an acute need for more stable state transit funding from Harrisburg, which did not materialize in the budget lawmakers passed in early July. Gov. Josh Shapiro and GOP leaders who hold the majority in the state Senate say they are committed to taking up additional funding for the state’s transit agencies in late September.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 8/26/2024
Middletown approves 177 new townhomes
Middletown Township supervisors approved two separate development plans that will bring a total of 177 new townhomes to the municipality. The first plan for 111 townhomes on 15 acres near the Woodbourne train station has been on the radar since 2006 when a developer succeeded in getting the land rezoned for multi-residential use. The plans stalled but were revived in 2017 when a different developer was granted necessary variances by the zoning hearing board for 123 homes. In 2020, the planning commission expressed concerns about increased traffic and the supervisors rejected the plan. The developer and landowner appealed the decision and the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas ruled against the township. Supervisors Chairman Mike Ksiazek said that the township has spent a lot of money opposing the plan, and lost. “We’re responsible to spend tax money wisely, and we can’t deny it because we don’t like it,” he said. The second plan permits 66 townhomes on the site of the former Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School. Supervisors lauded developer Westrum Development Group for addressing the concerns of the community when developing its plan.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 8/20/2024
Bucks officials warn of scam trying to spread misinformation about voting
The Bucks County Board of Elections is warning residents of a scam designed to sow confusion and misinformation through a voter intimidation scheme. Individuals have reported receiving a call or text from a group representing themselves as “Voter Protection” or “Volunteers with Voter Protection,” who are telling voters there are issues with their voting status or records, when no such issues exist.
Source: The Reporter; 8/25/2024
Springfield Township gets serious about noise violations
Springfield Township supervisors approved the purchase of a decibel reader that will give a provision of the township zoning ordinance some teeth. The move comes after a loud wedding at Kirkland Farm, a township agribusiness. The business had previously been served notice of violation by the township in 2023. The township zoning board denied the same type of events at nearby Pieri Farm the same year. The township’s approval of the decibel reader also comes in anticipation of a possible legal approval of the H&K quarry off Route 309. Supervisors approved the purchase of a Type 2 device not to exceed $2,500.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 8/27/2024
Upper Makefield Township to extend sewer line along Creamery Road
Upper Makefield Township supervisors voted 4-1 to extend a sewer line along Creamery Road. The sewer line extension project could help solve problems for some residents struggling with inadequate on-lot septic systems on a portion of the road. The board of supervisors awarded low bidder Barrasso Excavation Inc. a $240,550 contract to perform the work, which will be completed using federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Township Manager Dave Nyman said the extended line will allow up to 11 properties to connect to public sewer, although none will be forced to tie in.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 8/26/2024
Correction to last week’s newsletter regarding Richland development
The Aug. 23 news briefs email contained an error in the subject line. It should have said "104 homes proposed next to Richland Superfund site" — not Richboro. We apologize for the mistake.
Phoenixville weighs public park, plaza designs for Bridge and Main
Phoenixville is weighing a transformation of the parking lot at the intersection of Bridge and Main streets, with three designs currently under consideration. The options include a "natural connections" design that emphasizes a green public park, a “historic foundations" design that focuses on a plaza that embraces Phoenixville's industrial roots, and a "living room" design with more benches and walkways. The borough is soliciting feedback from the public in an online survey. Officials said the final design will likely be a combination of the three design options. In any case, the existing parking lot would be removed.
Source: Phoenixville Patch; 8/23/2024
Hankin Group plans next life sciences building at Eagleview in Upper Uwchlan
As Hankin Group opens a new 113,000-square-foot life sciences building at 240 Sierra Drive to tenants, the developer is planning its next lab building as part of its massive master-planned Eagleview development in Exton. Hankin Group is scheduled to break ground on a 63,000-square-foot life sciences building this fall at 100 Arrowhead Drive in Upper Uwchlan Township. The reason for the new building, dubbed Arrowhead, is evidenced by Eagleview's 1.1 million square feet of lab space being 98% leased, according to COO Michael Hankin. Arrowhead is being scheduled to be built as Hankin Group plans a separate $700 million pipeline of five future large-scale, mixed-use multifamily projects. The five multifamily projects could ultimately add up to more than 1,500 new apartments in the next five years between properties in Exton, Downingtown, Lancaster and Downingtown, and Gainesville, Florida. The residential units are planned to be a mix of market rate and senior housing. Hankin is still determining timelines for when the projects could begin.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 8/20/2024
Affordable housing in Chester County is scarce, advocates say
According to the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator, Chester County is the most expensive place overall to live in southeastern Pennsylvania — and housing is at the top of the list. It costs residents $10,738 every month to maintain a modest standard of living. The Family Budget Calculator was used to determine the local cost of living, which includes housing, food, health care, transportation and other necessities. In many of the locations identified, housing costs can account for more than 30% of the expenses. The monthly housing cost in Chester County was $1,007 in 2020. It now stands at $1,718 — compared to $1,573 in Bucks County, $1,307 in Delaware County, $1,136 in Berks County and $1,656 in Montgomery County.
Source: The Mercury; 8/26/2024
Chester receiver looks to monetize water, stormwater and sewer systems
The court-appointed receiver for the City of Chester, Michael T. Doweary, plans to solicit bids for monetization of the water, wastewater and stormwater operations. “I am excited to propose an innovative approach that, if done properly, could not only help Chester address its financial situation, but also result in a publicly owned regional entity that would preserve public sector jobs, minimize the impact on ratepayers and provide a regional solution to stormwater management,” Doweary said. Chester Mayor Stefan Roots is on board with the plan. The receiver said it is a critical step to restructure the city’s debts, moving out of bankruptcy while also providing services to residents. To monetize the systems, Chester will issue a request for proposals to third parties to acquire, manage or operate the city’s water, sewer and stormwater assets with the requirement that they remain publicly owned. That includes the assets of the Chester Water Authority, the assets of the Chester Stormwater Authority and the city’s reversionary sewer assets in DELCORA. The Chester Water Authority was created in 1866 and provided service to 67 customers in the city. It has since grown to a system of 656 miles of pipeline with a capacity to store up to 106 million gallons of treated water. It serves more than 42,000 customers with a total impact of approximately 200,000 people. In Chester County, the CWA serves West Nottingham, East Nottingham, Lower Oxford, a part of Oxford, Upper Oxford, West Fallowfield, Londonderry, Penn, New London, Elk, London Grove, Franklin, Avondale, New Garden, East Marlborough, Kennett Square, Kennett, Pennsbury, Birmingham and Thornbury. Of its customers, about 20% are in the city of Chester, another 20% are in Chester County and the remaining 60% are in western Delaware County.
Source: Daily Local; 8/26/2024
West Goshen officials to negotiate Parkway Center Wawa
West Goshen officials will “entertain settlement negotiations” with the property owner of Parkway Center to build a Wawa Market at the site. The project has cleared a major hurdle after the two parties ended up in court after township supervisors denied Wawa’s conditional-use application for the store. “The board felt it was prudent to entertain settlement negotiations with the property owner,” Supervisors Chair Ashley Gagne said. Much public discussion had centered on the stop-sign-controlled intersection at the Route 202 off ramp that enters northbound High Street, and pedestrian safety. “The board is still in the process of negotiating with the owner and, if a settlement is reached in concept, the board must vote on the settlement agreement at a future public meeting,” Gagne said. When a final settlement agreement is reached, the board will make the agreement publicly available. Recent plans called for Wawa to build a new 5,330-square-foot convenience store with 16 gas pumps at Parkway Shopping Center.
Source: Daily Local; 8/23/2024
Upper Darby to consider enacting earned income tax
Upper Darby Township Council will hold a public hearing to consider imposing an earned income tax (EIT) on residents and nonresidents who work in the township. Proposed Ordinance No. 3169 would impose an EIT of 1%. Township officials say the purpose of the new tax is to meet the need for additional revenues for the general fund and to avoid raising real estate taxes. Economic projections indicate that the township will enter into a deficit without increases in tax revenues. The amount of revenue estimated to be derived from the EIT is approximately $18 million. A public hearing on the proposed EIT will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 100 Garrett Road, and streamed via Youtube. A copy of the proposed ordinance can be found in the Aug. 7 council meeting documents.
Source: Daily Times; 8/13/2024
Chester receiver looks to monetize water, stormwater and sewer systems
The court-appointed receiver for the City of Chester, Michael T. Doweary, plans to solicit bids for monetization of the water, wastewater and stormwater operations. “I am excited to propose an innovative approach that, if done properly, could not only help Chester address its financial situation, but also result in a publicly owned regional entity that would preserve public sector jobs, minimize the impact on ratepayers and provide a regional solution to stormwater management,” Doweary said. Chester Mayor Stefan Roots is on board with the plan. The receiver said it is a critical step to restructure the city’s debts, moving out of bankruptcy while also providing services to residents. To monetize the systems, Chester will issue a request for proposals to third parties to acquire, manage or operate the city’s water, sewer and stormwater assets with the requirement that they remain publicly owned. That includes the assets of the Chester Water Authority, the assets of the Chester Stormwater Authority and the city’s reversionary sewer assets in DELCORA. The Chester Water Authority was created in 1866 and provided service to 67 customers in the city. It has since grown to a system of 656 miles of pipeline with a capacity to store up to 106 million gallons of treated water. It serves more than 42,000 customers with a total impact of approximately 200,000 people. The CWA now serves the city of Chester, and Chadds Ford, Concord, Thornbury, Chester Heights, Middletown, Aston, Bethel, Upper Chichester, Nether Providence, Brookhaven, Upland, Chester Township, Lower Chichester, Marcus Hook, Trainer and Parkside in Delaware County. Of its customers, about 20% are in the city of Chester, another 20% are in Chester County and the remaining 60% are in western Delaware County.
Source: Daily Local; 8/26/2024
Delaware County relaunches and expands Military ID Discount Program
Delaware County Council and the Delaware County Commerce Center have relaunched and expanded the Veteran and Active Military ID Discount Program. The program now includes active military members alongside veterans. Active military members and veterans can use their military ID or veteran ID cards to redeem discounts offered by participating businesses. A list of businesses and their discounts can be found at the county website, which also has a form for new businesses to participate.
Source: Delaware County; 8/16/2024
PennDOT aims to alleviate congestion on I-476 in Delco
PennDOT is hoping to alleviate congestion on Interstate 476 in Delaware County via two projects. The first is the I-476 Section ATC project, in which PennDOT will implement Active Traffic Management strategies, including variable speed limit and queue detection systems to better manage congestion and improve safety along approximately 14.1 miles of the interstate, from the I-95 interchange up to Exit 13 at Route 30/Lancaster Avenue. The second project, I-476 Section HSR, will start in 2026. It will provide operational improvements on I-476 between the Route 3 and I-95 interchanges, and on I-95 between the I-476 and U.S. 322 interchanges. It will also provide a series of measures that will allow for the dynamic management of recurrent congestion based on prevailing and predicted traffic conditions. Specifically, the inside shoulders of I-476 will be expanded to allow for the shoulders to be opened/closed on a temporary basis in response to congestion or incidents.
Source: Marple Newtown Patch; 8/15/2024
West Norriton eyes changes to rental ordinance
The Aug. 13 agenda for the West Norriton Township supervisors meeting included a discussion for the possible advertisement of amendments to the township’s rental property ordinance. Proposed changes include: a local responsible agent requirement; license requirements; rental license fees; re-registration of rental license at transfer of ownership of the property; a disruptive conduct clause; and corrective action remedies, among other items. West Norriton’s current residential housing code can be viewed here. The Suburban Realtors Alliance will watch for the advertisement of the proposed ordinance amendments.
Source: West Norriton; 8/2024
Lansdale postpones hearing on proposed Main Street apartments
A zoning hearing previously planned for Aug. 20 for a vacant lot on West Main Street in Lansdale has been postponed at the request of the applicant. Borough officials announced in June that an application had been submitted for redevelopment of the property at 817 W. Main St. At that time, borough officials said an application had been made to the zoning hearing board seeking permissions for a mixed-use development, with commercial space on the first floor and residential units above, and requests for relief for the maximum height of the structure, reduced number of off-street parking spaces, and relief for parking within a common area and within the 10-foot buffer from the adjacent property line. According to Lansdale’s director of community development, Jason Van Dame, the applicant listened to comments from residents and borough officials at an earlier zoning hearing board meeting and made changes to bring it back for essentially the same requests, but a lesser density. Van Dame said the borough will re-notify people when the next hearing is scheduled.
Source: The Reporter; 8/23/2024
Lower Merion school start time changes take effect
Lower Merion High School students will begin the first day of school one hour later this year, after long-debated changes to district school start times finally take effect. The district’s high schools will now start at 8:30 a.m., pushed back from 7:30 a.m. Middle schools will start 15 minutes earlier, at 8 a.m., while elementary schools will shift back by 10 minutes to 9:10 a.m. The complex arrangement tries to account for myriad factors: advisories from medical organizations that say teens shouldn’t be starting school earlier than 8:30 a.m.; school bus routes that need to be staggered; and parents’ work and students’ after-school activities that will all be impacted by later schedules. District officials will watch closely to see how the first weeks of school play out and make adjustments if needed, said district spokesperson Amy Buckman.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 8/22/2024
Homelessness advocacy group to open new Lansdale facility
A new advocacy organization working to help individuals facing homelessness and poverty in Montgomery County and around the local area will open a new facility in Lansdale. Mitzvah Circle will hold a grand opening for the new location at 435 Doylestown Road on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The group operates a "diaper bank" for needy families, a period supply program, a youth engagement program with after-school activities, and more. The organization has been operating from its warehouse space in Harleysville and then West Norriton for years. The new location will allow the organization additional flexibility to meet the needs of more local residents.
Source: Lansdale Patch; 8/26/2024
Plymouth Township to consider single-use plastic reduction ordinance
Plymouth Township Council will consider a proposed single-use plastic reduction ordinance at its meeting on Monday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m., at the Plymouth Township Building, 700 Belvoir Road.
Source: Times Herald; 8/24/2024
New Sixers arena would have $1.9B impact but put Chinatown in jeopardy, city studies find
Long-awaited reports analyzing the potential impact of the Philadelphia 76ers’ proposed Center City arena show positive economic effects but "significant" concerns for Chinatown. The Sixers plan to build the 18,500-seat, $1.5 billion arena, called 76 Place, along Market Street between 10th and 11th streets at the site of the Fashion District mall. Four new reports commissioned by the City of Philadelphia assess the project's design and the arena's impacts on the economy, surrounding community and transportation. In a statement accompanying the reports, Mayor Cherelle Parker called them “important inputs” as she and city council consider whether to approve the Sixers’ proposal. Since it was first proposed in the summer of 2022, the arena has been a contentious topic as the Sixers have received fierce pushback from the Chinatown community because of concerns about gentrification, displacement and traffic. An economic impact report completed by CSL International found construction and operation of the proposed arena would generate $1.9 billion in net new direct spending, 710 jobs, and $390 million in combined net new tax revenue to the city, school district and state over a 30-year span. Because Chinatown’s vitality is car-dependent and the neighborhood already suffers from concerns about traffic, parking and loading, increased congestion would likely exacerbate problems for Chinatown, the report said. Read more in the Philadelphia Business Journal and the Inquirer.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 8/26/2024
William Penn Foundation gives $24M to Philly projects in arts and culture, public spaces
Eight organizations have been awarded a total of $24 million from the William Penn Foundation in a new round of grants for capital projects:
- Center City District ($2 million) for expansion of the Rail Park Viaduct Greenway to turn brownfields into an elevated park running 0.6 miles from Vine Street to Fairmount Avenue.
- Fairmount Park Conservancy ($5 million) for the historic Welsh Fountain. The $18 million project will add seating, lighting, landscaping, play areas and other elements, plus restoration of the fountain itself.
- Mann Center for the Performing Arts ($2 million) for renovations of the Mann’s entry plaza, including digital way-finding and signage, lighting, ramps, restrooms, visitor services and overall design planning.
- Philadelphia Ballet ($2 million) toward a newly expanded $37.5 million headquarters on North Broad Street near Callowhill.
- Philadelphia Clef Club ($2 million) for building repairs and other enhancements to its entrance and classrooms.
- The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc. ($5 million) toward repairs and renovations of the buildings at Broad and Spruce streets.
- Philadelphia Soccer 2026 ($3 million) for construction, landscaping and site improvements at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park — the site of FIFA Fan Festival when FIFA World Cup 26 comes to Philadelphia.
- Philadelphia Zoo ($3 million) to “reimagine the core zoo experience through new guest experiences” and initiatives aimed at residents in West Philadelphia neighborhoods adjacent to the zoo.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 8/21/2024
Germantown Town Hall could get new residential neighbor
The Germantown Town Hall could soon have a new neighbor, courtesy of Iron Stone Real Estate Partners. The Philadelphia-based developer proposes a five-story, 75-unit apartment building in the lot just north of the historic building, at 5932-5942 Germantown Ave. The project will also include two retail spaces and 38 parking spaces on the ground floor, as well as a shared residential roof deck. The architect for the project is Philadelphia-based Canno Design. No zoning permissions are required. But the project is large enough that it has triggered oversight by the Civic Design Review committee, which provides advice to developers on matters of architecture and the built environment. West Central Germantown Neighbors leadership has met with Iron Stone and expressed some concerns about the density, the lack of wraparound brick siding, rear units overlooking neighbors’ yards and infringing on privacy, and the potential for a shared drive aisle with the Philadelphia Police Department’s 14th District impeding officer response to emergency calls.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 8/20/2024
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