News Briefs for January 10, 2025
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The Thomas Leiper Estate, also known as Avondale, in Wallingford, Nether Providence Township, was constructed in 1785. Nether Providence is considering an extension of the Leiper-Smedley Trail, which lies close to the estate.
Photo: amdougherty (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Roughly 40% of PA homes are estimated to have elevated radon levels
Lung health advocates are striving to teach people about an invisible risk that could be lurking in basements across Pennsylvania — radon. Radon is a radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. It comes from decaying uranium, which occurs naturally in soil and rocks, and can enter homes through foundation cracks. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, roughly 40% of Pennsylvania homes are estimated to have levels of radon above the federal health guideline. Pennsylvania is above the national average in an analysis by the American Lung Association. Radon tests vary — do-it-yourself home radon tests can be purchased at home improvement centers and hardware stores, and certified testers and laboratories are listed on DEP’s website. High levels of radon can be reduced by installing a radon mitigation system. Read more from WHYY.
Source: WHYY; 1/3/2025
Historical and Museum Commission accepting grant applications
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission announced the opening of the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program to help fund local projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources. The two categories of grants — construction and planning — are available for sites in Pennsylvania that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Applicants may only apply for one type of grant.
Source: Delco Times; 1/5/2025
Philly area homes are more affordable, but still not affordable
Although the southeast Pennsylvania region was more affordable than the country as a whole, homes still weren’t affordable, according to a new report from Redfin. Buying a home in 2024 was only slightly more affordable than in 2023, but Philly area buyers were still spending a third of their income in order to make monthly payments. Homes are considered affordable if a household spends no more than 30% of its income on monthly housing costs. In 2024, the typical household, nationally, would have had to spend roughly 42% of its income. In the combined markets of Philadelphia and Delaware Counties, the median household income was $72,681 in 2024, and the median home sale price was roughly $281,162. In 2024, homebuyers paid a median of $1,985 per month for a home — less than the national median payment of $2,920. In the combined markets of Montgomery, Chester and Bucks Counties, homeowners spent a median of $3,429 per month in 2024, the typical household made $123,187 annually, and the median home sale price was $477,997. Read more in the Inquirer.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/6/2025
PAR offers advocacy training
Advocacy is a critical part of the Realtor organization. The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (PAR) advocacy program works to ensure that Realtor interests are protected so members’ businesses are successful. Member participation is essential, and PAR’s advocacy virtual training sessions give members the tools to represent their industry. Members can attend one-hour sessions, each focused on different aspects of the program. Register for an upcoming session on RPAC campaigns and elections on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 10 a.m. at the PAR website.
61-acre Newtown parcel added to Toll Brothers buying spree
Fort Washington-based homebuilder Toll Brothers purchased a 61-acre property at 107 Twining Bridge Road in Newtown. Toll acquired the undeveloped parcel that sits next to All Saints Cemetery from Philadelphia Catholic Cemeteries LLC, which is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The company plans to build 45 single-family homes at the site that it will call Lyondale Meadows. Toll’s original plans to develop 158 acres at the site were denied by Newtown Township in 2022. The most recent plans call for the 45 single-family homes to be built closer together than originally planned, allowing for 100 acres of open space that will be given to the township. The new development adds to Toll’s growing footprint in Bucks County, with 137 townhomes being built at a development called Doylestown Walk and the acquisition of a 17-acre site in Sellersville where it plans to build 72 townhomes for people 55 and older.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 1/5/2025
YWCA Bucks County gets $1.25M grant to address homelessness
YWCA Bucks County was awarded $1.24 million in grant funding to advance its work in assisting the homeless. The gift from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund is the largest single donation received in the 70-year history of the YWCA Bucks County. YWCA representatives plan to use the money to increase their capacity to serve more individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The number of people living on the streets in the county has more than doubled since 2021. Annual Point-In-Time survey data show the number of homeless jumped from 60 in 2021 to 173 in 2024. Created in 2018, the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund aims to help fund nonprofits across the country that work with families experiencing homelessness with the goal of ensuring that "no child sleeps outside." The fund awarded more that $110 million to 40 organizations across the country in 2024.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 1/8/2025
Bucks County property tax increases average 8% since 2020
An analysis of municipal, school district and county tax increases by the Bucks County Courier Times shows real estate taxes have increased by an average of almost 8% over the past six years, with almost every property owner seeing some sort of tax increase. Pennsylvania property taxes are based on the total tax assessed value and the millage rates levied by elected board officials in each municipality, school district and county. The Courier Times collected past, current and recently adopted tax rates from municipal, school district and county websites, then calculated tax bills based on the average residential property values created from a tax parcel map maintained online by Bucks County. The analysis includes the towns with the highest average tax-assessed values as of November 2024, towns with the highest total tax rates (including municipal, school district and county rates), towns with the largest tax bill increases since 2020, and where total tax millage rates have dropped since 2020 (there is only one – Bristol Borough).
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 1/6/2025
Former Byberry Hospital redevelopment project nears completion
A new logistics park at the site of the former Byberry Hospital is nearing completion. The project will sit on 50 acres of land near the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard at the border of Northeast Philadelphia and Bensalem Township. Heath Abramsohn, vice president and regional director with Rockefeller Group, a developer on the project, said the project should be finished by the fall, with prospective tenants actively touring the site. The project includes two logistics buildings of about 318,700 square feet and 338,200 square feet, respectively, for a total of about 656,900 square feet of usable space. The project is the culmination of a 20-year effort to redevelop the land.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 1/6/2025
Upper Uwchlan to consider volunteer tax credit ordinance
Upper Uwchlan Township will consider an ordinance enacting a tax credit for township real estate tax and earned income tax for residents who work with a volunteer fire company or nonprofit medical emergency companies. A hearing on the ordinance will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 4 p.m. at the township building, 140 Pottstown Pike, Chester Springs.
Source: Daily Local; 1/6/2025
Kennett Square produces end-of-year report
Kennett Square Borough has created an End of Year Report that highlights the borough’s 2024 achievements and plans for 2025. The report is printed in both English and Spanish.
Source: Kennett Square Borough; 12/2024
Unionville-Chadds Ford superintendent recommends replacing Patton Middle School
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Superintendent John Sanville is recommending that Charles F. Patton Middle School be replaced with a new school. Sanville made the recommendation to the school board during a special meeting on Jan. 6, after a year of discussions that included a feasibility study. Ideas under consideration were to either maintain the building, renovate it or replace it with a new one. The school was built in 1972 and was considered state of the art at the time. But subsequent renovations were to common areas and built around the original structure, leaving 70% of the rooms with no windows. According to Sanville’s presentation, building a new school is anticipated to cost almost $120 million, while renovating over seven years would cost slightly more than $113 million. Maintaining the building would cost more than $67 million at present, but that would jump to $89 million if money was borrowed over 20 years. There are four meetings scheduled leading up to the final vote — on Jan. 13 and 21, then Feb. 10 and 18. Sanville said the Feb. 18 meeting would be for a request for a proposal. Read more at Chadds Ford Live.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 1/7/2025
Downingtown looks to solve flooding issues
Downingtown’s Beaver Creek and the Brandywine Creek flooded during Hurricane Ida in October 2021, causing significant damage. Mayor Phil Dague and local organizer Barry Cassidy championed a $5,000 engineering study on how to limit the regular flooding. Plans devised by Nicholas Agnoli, of Applied Weather Associates, call for soil removal and placement of a berm in the 8.5-acre floodplain, in the 17.9-square-mile watershed. Eighteen homes and five athletic fields would benefit from removal of approximately four feet of soil — or 3,700 truckloads or 55,000 cubic yards of soil — at the property owned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The estimated cost of the project is $654,580, which officials hope to pay with grant funding.
Source: Daily Local; 1/7/2025
Oxford Borough weighs costs of being an urban center in a growing area
A recent Oxford Borough Council meeting brought up a question from the public regarding a warehouse structure behind the Post House in East Nottingham Township. Rumblings about a warehouse — possibly an Amazon warehouse — have long been discussed in the community. The borough is an urban center and, as such, everything going through the borough affects residents and the municipal budget. Many businesses are either located in Oxford, and many travelers pass through the borough to their destinations outside of town. Route 10, Route 472 and Old Baltimore Pike intersect in the borough. Read more here.
Source: Chester County Press; 12/25/2024
Collingdale Borough taxes rise despite budget surplus
Despite a projected $1 million budget surplus, Collingdale Borough Council voted to raise real estate taxes by about 31%. The council passed a tax rate of 14.24 mills for 2025. The 2024 millage was 10.865. The 2025 trash and sewer fees are also going up. Council President Ryan Hastings noted that a lack of reserve funds and community center repairs are expenses that contributed to the increase. Borough Manager C. Michael Robinson said he expects more than $1 million will be needed for capital expenses. Robinson also noted a dramatic decrease in income from fines, permits and licensing fees in the past two years had contributed to a significant loss in borough revenue. In 2023 the reduction was 34%, and nearly 44% since 2022. Council enacted a new fee for all commercial and business dwellings, requiring them to obtain an annual Business Dwelling License effective in March. Council also amended the short-term rental code to request additional safety protections, semiannual inspections, and limited rentals to people age 21 and over.
Source: Daily Times; 1/2/2025
Upper Darby keeps property tax rate level
In a surprising move, Upper Darby Township Council voted to keep the real estate tax rate unchanged for the new year. Chief administrative officer Crandall Jones recommended amending the ordinances to reflect that the rate would be 14.02 mills for general funds. Solicitor Sean Kilkenny said a tax rate can be advertised at a higher rate but can be brought down to a lower rate without having to re-advertise. According to Jones, funds for the budget will be raised through a combination of revenue from new fees, plus the existing fund balance. The administration is planning to pursue the earned income tax for July, but not counting that revenue as part of the 2025 budget.
Source: Daily Times; 1/7/2025
Upper Darby performing interior inspections
Upper Darby Township has implemented changes to its use and occupancy inspection process, which now includes interior inspections. Resale applications and payment should be submitted three to four weeks prior to the settlement date to allow time for the scheduling of inspections. For duplexes, triplexes, other multifamily properties and commercial properties, owners need to submit a zoning certificate with the initial resale application. Sewer lateral inspection reports will be good for 90 days. Two coordinators will assist with applications and in assigning any use and occupancy inspections. The township is updating its resale page on the website to reflect the changes. The redesigned page will consolidate all relevant details, forms and guidance into a single, easily accessible resource to assist property owners, buyers and agents. The Suburban Realtors Alliance has received some calls about the changes, and we will do our best to assist with any questions. Contact the Alliance here.
Chester getting millions in federal funds via Amtrak
The City of Chester is moving forward with nearly $8 million in grants for steel fencing along the Amtrak corridor. Amtrak chose the city as a recipient of funding provided by the Federal Railroad Association’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant programming, earmarking $7.7 million for high security steel fencing along the Northeast Corridor in the city.
Source: Daily Times; 1/3/2025
Unionville-Chadds Ford superintendent recommends replacing Patton Middle School
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Superintendent John Sanville is recommending that Charles F. Patton Middle School be replaced with a new school. Sanville made the recommendation to the school board during a special meeting on Jan. 6, after a year of discussions that included a feasibility study. Ideas under consideration were to either maintain the building, renovate it or replace it with a new one. The school was built in 1972 and was considered state of the art at the time. But subsequent renovations were to common areas and built around the original structure, leaving 70% of the rooms with no windows. According to Sanville’s presentation, building a new school is anticipated to cost almost $120 million, while renovating over seven years would cost slightly more than $113 million. Maintaining the building would cost more than $67 million at present, but that would jump to $89 million if money was borrowed over 20 years. There are four meetings scheduled leading up to the final vote — on Jan. 13 and 21, then Feb. 10 and 18. Sanville said the Feb. 18 meeting would be for a request for a proposal. Read more at Chadds Ford Live.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 1/7/2025
Nether Providence opens survey on Leiper Trail Extension
Nether Providence is conducting a feasibility study for an extension of the Leiper-Smedley Trail, and the township is looking for community input. Residents of the township and surrounding communities are invited to participate in a survey here.
Source: The Swarthmorean; 11/22/2024
Pennsburg places Bayberry Crossing developer in default
Almost three years after the completion of the 33-home Bayberry Crossing development, Pennsburg Borough Council placed the developer in default. Council members voted unanimously to issue a notice of default to HG Properties 20 LP. Bayberry Crossing is located between 8th and 11th streets near the border with Red Hill. Solicitor Mark Hosterman said a letter sent to the company requests that the work at the community be completed by June 30. The necessary work includes the paving and dedication of Bayberry Drive, dealing with concrete and sidewalk issues, and a stormwater retention basin located near the intersection of Bayberry Drive and Seminary Street. If the developer does not comply with the request, Pennsburg could utilize approximately $200,000 held in escrow to fund the work, and seek additional money to complete the work if needed.
Source: Town & Country; 1/1/2025
Upper Pottsgrove hires construction manager for new municipal complex
Upper Pottsgrove Township commissioners voted 3-2 to hire a construction manager for a new municipal complex — although where exactly the complex will be located is still up in the air. Chairman Trace Slinkerd was joined by commissioners Don Read and Hank Llewellyn in approving the contract with Boyle Engineering, while commissioners Cathy Paretti and Dave Waldt voted no. Read continued to indicate some of the commissioners want to build at the 36-acre site on the former Smola Farm, which was purchased by the township in 2008 as protected open space, even though Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Saltz ruled that building on the Smola Farm site would violate the state’s open space law. Although the majority of the commissioners have vowed to appeal that ruling, at least one other site seems to be under consideration — a 9.5-acre parcel at the corner of Gilbertsville and West Moyer roads. The Gilbertsville site was also purchased with $500,000 of open space funds and at the time of the purchase, Paretti argued that general fund money should be used instead, so that the new township complex could be built on that site and eliminate the lawsuit and the need to appeal. Last month, the commissioners’ majority partly followed that advice and voted to pay back the open space fund with general fund money, thus putting the Gilbertsville Road site in the running to be the home for the new township building, police station and highway garage.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 12/18/2024
Esports training arena opens in Limerick
Valhallan Esports Training arena has opened in the 10th Avenue Shoppes in Limerick Township. Valhallan Esports Training is the first youth esports training center in Montgomery County. In a statement, owner Serge Fadoh said, “We’ve worked hard to create a special space where kids feel empowered to take their love for gaming to the next level. Community, confidence, sportsmanship, fun — all the things parents and kids want from extracurricular activities — that’s where Valhallan comes in.”
Source: The Reporter; 12/20/2024
Pottsgrove School Board seeks to fill vacancy
Pottsgrove School Board President Tina McIntyre has resigned effective Jan. 1. McIntyre had been reelected school board president at the board’s Dec. 3 reorganizational meeting. The school board must now fill the vacancy that runs until November 2025. More information on how to apply for the position are available on the district website.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 1/3/2025
Your Way Home seeks donations for PIT count
The 2025 Point in Time (PIT) count for Montgomery County will be held on the night of Tuesday, Jan. 21. The PIT count is an annual count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that Continuums of Care conduct an annual count of people experiencing homelessness who are sheltered in emergency shelter, transitional housing and safe havens on a single night. Your Way Home is looking for donations to take to unhoused people as they conduct the count in Montgomery County. Volunteers will distribute donated supplies like dry bags and scarves. Find the donation list and more information on the Montgomery County Your Way Home website. Donations will be accepted through Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Source: Your Way Home; 1/2025
A new way to build affordable housing
The opening of The Parker apartment building at 13th and Bainbridge streets a few months ago could be the start of a new way of creating affordable housing in Philly. That’s due to a unique agreement between the city and the building’s developer. A third of The Parker’s apartments are income-restricted, but the developer built the units without financial aid from the government beyond the cheap land it got from the city. Tenants pay market-rate rents for most of the apartments, which helps support the homes where tenants pay less. An innovative aspect of The Parker arrangement is that the city still owns the land that the building sits on, which means the city can make sure the development firm holds up its end of the deal and that some of the site’s homes remain permanently affordable. Cities and housing authorities across the country are making similar moves to build mixed-income housing without federal government aid, which is in short supply. City Council President Kenyatta Johnson praised The Parker as a model for future affordable housing projects. Read more in the Inquirer.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/30/2024
City fields complaints relating to rental heating issues
Landlords providing proper heating to apartments isn’t just the humane thing to do, it’s the law in Philadelphia. From Oct. 1 to April 30, landlords must ensure that heating in a rental unit is capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68 degrees, according to Philadelphia’s property maintenance code. The code also applies to May and September if temperatures drop below 60 degrees. Despite the protections, some tenants still go years without consistent heating. According to a city spokesperson, Philly311 — the city’s official service hotline — receives almost 1,200 complaints about rental heating issues per year. Community Legal Services’ attorney Lauren Davis noted that if a landlord is responsive and fixes the issue quickly once contacted by a tenant, then there’s no need for legal action. If a landlord is not responsive, a tenant could file a complaint with 311, and the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections will follow up with it. Read more in the Inquirer.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/2022
Former Byberry Hospital redevelopment project nears completion
A new logistics park at the site of the former Byberry Hospital is nearing completion. The project will sit on 50 acres of land near the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard at the border of Northeast Philadelphia and Bensalem Township. Heath Abramsohn, vice president and regional director with Rockefeller Group, a developer on the project, said the project should be finished by the fall, with prospective tenants actively touring the site. The project includes two logistics buildings of about 318,700 square feet and 338,200 square feet, respectively, for a total of about 656,900 square feet of usable space. The project is the culmination of a 20-year effort to redevelop the land.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 1/6/2025
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