News Briefs for July 5, 2024
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The Morgan James Homestead, built circa 1783, is a historic home in New Britain Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In the municipality next door, New Britain Borough Council is preparing to enact a use and occupancy inspection requirement for residential resales and a rental inspection program.
Photo: Hshuvaeva (CC0)
State police protection for small towns is ‘unsustainable,’ lawmaker says
Pennsylvania localities are getting rid of small, part-time police departments — requiring Pennsylvania State Police to take on public safety duties without any extra funding. To find a long-term solution, one legislator wants a study. “We’re beyond the free rider idea at this point and starting to look at sustainability issues, what our practices are for providing services of first responders,” said state Rep. Tim Brennan (D-29), of Doylestown. Brennan has proposed House Resolution 438, which would order the Joint State Government Commission to study how picking up the slack for local police services has affected the state police, and what benefits would come from imposing a fee on municipalities that don’t have a local police force. State law doesn’t require municipalities to fund a local police force, and some townships see a benefit in abolition: the state police take over public safety duties, and officials can then fund projects like road maintenance. Brennan has also proposed House Bill 2415 to provide grants for municipalities who want to accredit or consolidate police departments. Read more here.
Source: The Center Square; 6/27/2024
Treasury Department announces new proposals to aid housing affordability and availability
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced new steps that the Biden administration is taking to help housing affordability. The new policies mirror many of the National Association of Realtors’ top priorities, including steps to help lower housing costs and increase housing supply. The proposals are:
- A new Treasury program to provide an additional $100 million over three years to support the financing of affordable housing
- An effort to provide greater interest rate predictability to state and local housing finance agencies borrowing from the Federal Financing Bank to support new housing development
- A call to action for the Federal Home Loan Banks to increase their spending on housing programs
- A new “How-To Guide” to support state and local governments in using recovery funds provided to construct housing
- An update to the Capital Magnet Fund to provide greater flexibility to committee development financial institutions and nonprofits that finance affordable housing
Source: NAR; 6/25/2024
Supreme Court allows cities to enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outside
The Supreme Court ruled that cities can enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outdoors, even in West Coast areas where shelter space is lacking. The case is the most significant to come before the high court in decades on the issue and comes as a rising number of people in the U.S. are without a permanent place to live. In a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, the high court reversed a ruling by a San Francisco-based appeals court that found outdoor sleeping bans amount to cruel and unusual punishment. The high court's majority found that outdoor sleeping bans don’t violate the Eighth Amendment.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 6/28/2024
New Britain Borough to consider residential resale and rental inspections
New Britain Borough Council is considering two proposed ordinances that would affect real estate. The borough council will consider the draft ordinances at a public hearing during its meeting on Wednesday, July 10, at 7:30 p.m., at Burkart Hall, 56 Keeley Ave.
- The first proposed ordinance adds a new Chapter 336, Residential Resale Occupancy Permits, in the borough code, which creates a program requiring occupancy permits upon sale of residential properties. The ordinance provides for inspections prior to issuance of an occupancy permit, and upon inspection provides for issuance of an occupancy permit, a temporary occupancy permit, or a temporary access permit if violations or substantial violations of the inspection criteria under the program are found, in compliance with the PA Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act, or Act 133 of 2016. The ordinance allows 12 months for code-related repairs to be completed, also in line with Act 133.
- The second proposed ordinance amends Chapter 333, Rental Property Registration. The proposal renames the chapter “Residential Rental Property Registration and Inspection” and creates two articles under it. The first article contains the rental property registration requirements already in place. The second article creates a residential rental property inspection program. The program “contemplates” yearly rental permits and inspections, per the ordinance text.
The ordinances can be viewed at Borough Hall, 45 Keeley Ave., or in the May 8 council meeting agenda packet on Pages 26 and 33.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 7/1/2024
Bucks County Home Repair Program now accepting applications
The Bucks County Home Repair Program (BCHRP) began accepting applications on July 1. BCHRP is a resource available to low-moderate income Bucks County homeowners that provides qualifying households with up to $50,000 for home repairs and modifications. Common eligible repairs include roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, heating, and accessibility modifications like ramps and grab bars. Applications are due by Aug. 15, with pre-application review submitted by Aug. 6. BCHRP will host two in-person application sessions — on Thursday, July 11, from 2 to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both sessions will take place at Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County, 539 Jacksonville Road, Suite 100, Warminster. For more information, visit the official Bucks County Home Repair Program website.
Source: Bucks County; 6/26/2024
Zoning overlay could bring apartments to Newtown Business Commons
Newtown Township is considering a zoning change for certain defined residential development in areas of the township currently set aside for light industrial, office and related uses. Officials are considering creating a zoning overlay district in the Newtown Business Commons that would permit mixed-use buildings where commercial and residential uses could coexist. Town-center-style apartments would be a by-right use in the overlay district, while entities like recreational facilities, microbreweries, taverns, retail stores, eating places, art studios and others would be conditional uses and traditional light industrial/offices would still be allowed. Apartments could only be built as part of a mixed-use project, and the ordinance lays out development standards. Newtown, Wrightstown and Upper Makefield townships address zoning in a collective partnership, so all entities would need to approve the zoning change. Currently, Wrightstown is the only approval.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 6/27/2024
Merged YMCAs to be called ‘River Crossing YMCA’
YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Greater Valley YMCA have announced they will be combined and renamed River Crossing YMCA. After the transition, members will be able to access programming and amenities at all 12 branches — five in Bucks, one in Hunterdon, four in Northampton and two in Lehigh. In addition to the branches, it will feature 13 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations and 37 school-age child care programs. “As one YMCA, we truly are stronger together, committed to building upon the excellence of over 100 years of service to our local communities,” said president and CEO Zane Moore.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 6/28/2024
Water conservation urged in Lower Bucks
The Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority is urging customers to be mindful of excess water usage. Hot and dry conditions for an extended period can increase water demand, thereby reducing system pressure and availability. The authority’s wholesale water supplier, North Wales Water Authority, has been notifying its customers to reduce excessive water use, as well. The water company serves Bensalem Township, Falls Township, Bristol Township, Northampton Township, Middletown Township, Langhorne Borough, Penndel Borough, Hulmeville Borough, Langhorne Manor Borough, Newtown Township and Newtown Borough. See the Warminster Patch article for ways to reduce water consumption.
Source: Warminster Patch; 6/28/2024
West Chester launches new rental licensing portal
West Chester Borough now has an online service to make it easier to apply for new rental licenses and renew existing licenses. Visit the borough’s new permitting and licensing portal for more information.
Source: West Chester Borough; 6/2024
Kennett Township to improve Five Points intersection
Proposals to create a roundabout at the Five Points intersection in Kennett Township were complicated by one missing component — adequate space. At a June 19 meeting, the township supervisors approved an alternative design to cut down on congestion and provide for easier driving through the intersection. The board voted in favor of maintaining the signaled intersection and outfitting it with left-turn lanes on both sides of Hillendale Road, and on Kaolin Road and South Union Street. “Left turns would be a low-cost solution to the problems in the intersection, well into the future,” public works director Ted Otteni said. The estimated cost to revamp the intersection to include the four additional lanes would be $2.2 million.
Source: Chester County Press; 6/26/2024
United Way assists mobile home owners with tax relief
United Way of Chester County offers assistance to mobile home owners in Chester County to file for property tax reassessment appeals. The fees are paid by donors on behalf of the homeowners in the program. Since 2019, the United Way Mobile Home Tax Reassessment Program has assisted in 1,014 successful appeals and saved each mobile home owner an average of $800 on their annual taxes. Learn more here.
Source: United Way; 6/2024
Chesco Department of Community Development presents 2023 year in review
The Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) recently released its 2023 Year in Review, which highlights last year’s activities in the areas of affordable housing, community services, construction and public works, housing stabilization, and funding resources. The report shows the county’s progress toward its goal of opening 1,000 new affordable housing units by 2032, as well as the community impact of DCD-funded programs, services, and construction and public works projects. Read the full report here.
Source: Chester County; 6/20/2024
Upper Darby begins interior U&O inspections
Upper Darby Township announced that on July 1 it would begin conducting interior and exterior use and occupancy inspections based on the standards within the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code. According to township staff, the expanded inspection requirement will only apply to use and occupancy applications submitted after July 1. The township has made changes to its property resale page. According to the township website, “Please submit all resale applications along with payment at least 3-4 weeks prior to the settlement date to allow for inspections to be performed and any violations to be corrected. … Once all violations have been fixed by the seller, final inspections have been completed, all permits have been closed out, and any additional paperwork has been completed correctly, then a Resale Certificate will be issued. This typically takes 10-14 business days. If a property is being sold ‘as is’ a Conditional Resale Certificate may be issued after a Buyers Acceptance Form is completed and notarized, and the fee paid. All violations must be corrected within one year of applying for the resale certificate or violations will be issued.” The Suburban Realtors Alliance is seeking additional information from the township as to the implementation of the changes, and we will continue to provide updates. Realtors are encouraged to contact the Alliance via our Municipal Inspection feedback form to share any relevant experiences working in Upper Darby.
Chester Mayor Stefan Roots unveils plan for bankrupt city’s economic turnaround
With the City of Chester trudging through bankruptcy proceedings, Mayor Stefan Roots took to Widener University’s campus to deliver his state of the city address to the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. “We’re looking to further develop ‘Main Street’ or what we call Avenue of the States and the waterfront district,” Roots said. “We’re attracting businesses and increasing workforce development, and improving our housing stock and green spaces.” Roots said Chester must leverage its positions as a college town, host city for the Philadelphia Union and hub for regional medicine at Crozer Health to attract visitors to its downtown businesses. Nearly 75% of Chester households are renters, according to Roots. He said building and renovating an attainable housing stock is key to fiscal recovery. Roots pledged to clean up the city, address a longstanding illegal dumping problem, and grow out Chester’s street tree canopy. He said businesses should look to get in on the ground floor. Read more here.
Source: WHYY; 6/25/2024
Marple plans meeting on Delco Woods zoning ordinance on July 8
The Marple Township Board of Commissioners will hold a hearing on the topic of a proposed ordinance that would amend the zoning map of the Delco Woods property — the former Don Guanella property. The designated property would change from the current R-B Residential, R-C Residential and INS Institutional to OS Open Space. The zoning of the property has been a contentious issue since the county, which owns the land, presented a plan to open a mental health facility on part of the property, which it subsequently dropped. The public hearing will be held on Monday, July 8, at 5:30 p.m. at the township building, 227 S. Sproul Road, Broomall, and township commissioners will consider the adoption of the proposed amendments at its scheduled meeting at 7 p.m.
Source: Marple-Newtown Patch; 6/27/2024
Recovery home pulls out of Havertown proposal after neighbors push back
A Philadelphia-based recovery home operator is pulling out of a proposal to expand in Haverford Township, ending its bid to house those struggling with addiction in a suburban neighborhood where opposition was fierce. The group, Savage Sisters, was already offering recovery services at the home on Tenby Road in Havertown, but had sought to increase its bed capacity there from three to nine. Savage Sisters rents the home; in order to expand, the nonprofit made appeals to Haverford’s zoning board for relief from a local code that bars more than three unrelated individuals from living in the same property. Township officials were neutral on the matter. However, the zoning meetings drew neighbors from the surrounding community who strongly opposed those recovering from addiction living in their backyards. Savage Sisters operates nine recovery homes in Philadelphia, but executives with the nonprofit said that rising demand for opioid addiction recovery in the suburbs drove its bid for the Delaware County property.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 6/28/2024
North Penn School District adopts budget with tax increase
The North Penn School Board approved the 2024-2025 school year budget with a 4.49% tax hike — the largest in the district since the early 2000s. The average homeowner can expect to see a tax increase of about $197, according to the district. In a letter to the North Penn community, School Board President Tina Stoll said the reason for the tax increase is the same in many Pennsylvania districts — the lack of fair funding and unfunded/underfunded mandates, particularly charter school and special education funding. In a discussion about new income, district CFO Steve Skrocki told board members that his staff has compiled a list of properties they are vetting for possible real estate tax assessment appeals. So far, 18 properties have been identified on first review where the sale price exceeds the most recent assessed value by $600,000 or more and an appeal of the assessment could yield more tax revenue. “Our goal here is certainly not to pick on any one property owner. It’s really to make sure that the property is being fairly assessed. For every property that is underassessed, somebody that is fairly assessed is paying their undue share of property taxes,” he said.
Source: The Reporter; 6/12/2024
Abington launching ParkMobile payment system
Abington Township officials announced that ParkMobile, a digitized parking payment system, will launch on Monday, July 8. The board of commissioners approved the system in April. The system will replace all parking meters in the township. Click here for more information and to view paid public parking areas in the township.
Source: GlensideLocal; 6/17/2024
Plymouth to consider single-use plastic ordinance
Plymouth Township has been working on a proposed “single-use plastic reduction” ordinance. The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to reduce the use of single-use plastics by commercial establishments within the township, promote the use of reusable plastic bags, and curb litter. The township held a town hall meeting on May 29 to review the proposed ordinance with residents and business owners. Watch the township calendar for up-to-date agendas regarding the passage of the ordinance.
Source: Plymouth Township
Whitpain swears in new manager
Whitpain Township has a new manager. Eric Traub replaced Roman Pronczak, who retired after 28 years with the township and 13 as manager. Traub served as CFO for Lower Merion Township for nine years and four years as East Norriton Township’s finance director, and he spent two years as a budget examiner for the New York State Division of Budget. He was chosen from a field of about 40 applicants, said Supervisors Chair Scott Badami.
Source: Main Line Media News; 7/1/2024
Montco touts pilot program for high school students interested in government
A pilot program offering high school students exposure to career options in government and public service was spotlighted during a recent Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting. The Public Service Fellowship selected 12 high school students from the Norristown area to participate in a three-week program that will run until July 12. Created by Montgomery County’s Workforce Development Board, the program will introduce civic engagement and public service career pathways to the students through different departments in the county. The program is expected to cover the following areas: learning how federal, state, and local governments work; attending leadership workshops; touring the county courthouse to understand the legal system; and meeting public service professionals to hear about different career journeys.
Source: Main Line Media News; 6/28/2024
Can Vienna housing policy fit Philly?
The Austrian capital of Vienna has long been a housing policy touchstone. Vienna is one of the most affordable major cities in Europe. Over the past century, the city government built 220,000 affordable apartments and funded a further 200,000 cooperative units. Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier went to Vienna earlier this year to learn more about how Vienna’s government has ensured rental homes remain attainable for everyone, even as the population grows and other European capitals grow more unaffordable. “I was impressed by the amount of money they invest in social housing, by their existing stock, and by the amount of units they’re producing every year,” Gauthier said. “These aren’t people that are just walking around saying, ‘Housing is a human right.’ They’re doing things to actually embody that principle.” Read more in the Inquirer.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 7/1/2024
Coworking office model takes root in Society Hill
Three years after buying and renovating the former Nelson building in Society Hill, Vert Properties has leased half of the property and expects it to be 80% occupied by the end of the year. Fifteen companies have moved into the three-story, 30,000-square-foot building at 222-230 Walnut St., with an average of 1,000 square feet per tenant. The style is a hybrid between coworking space and traditional office leases with a minimum length of six months. Vert bought the building in 2021 for $4.8 million and put $1 million into renovations. Vert also owns Incutate Workplace, the company that operates the coworking spaces. “We’re selling the ability to walk in, plug your laptop in and start working,” said Vert president Frank Lauletta, “versus a traditional office where you walk in, you’re sitting there with some boxes on a floor on top of carpet and now you’re figuring out utilities and internet and you've got to get your IT guy there and space designers and printer…” In addition to renting to businesses, individuals can secure a single desk for a minimum of one month.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 6/26/2024
PPA cracks down on sidewalk parking, other offenses
The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) launched a crackdown in May on drivers who park on the sidewalk or block accessible curb cuts, making it difficult for people with disabilities to get around. The number of tickets issued for six mobility-related parking violations jumped 154% in the first 45 days of enhanced enforcement — a pilot to test the program — compared with the same period in 2023. PPA officers wrote 25,797 tickets citywide during a trial period between May 13 and June 26, up from 10,124 for the same dates last year. PPA hired 30 new officers to carry out the crackdown. “The goal is, we want the numbers to drop so that we don’t have to write those violations because people are following the rules,” said PPA executive director Rich Lazer.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 7/1/2024
Market Street office building sells for a third of its highest price
A 15-story Center City office building at 1760 Market St. changed hands last week for $11.5 million, almost two-thirds less than the $31.5 million at its last sale in 2018. The roughly 126,700-square-foot building is relatively small, and when it was put on the market earlier this year there was speculation that it could be converted to residential use. But it is about 70% occupied, and the new owner intends to keep it as office space. The price is substantially lower even than when it was sold in 2006 for $19.3 million. “We’re starting to see the impacts of post-pandemic work patterns and the interest rate environment leading to a reset of valuation in office buildings,” said James L. Paterno, founder of Stockton Real Estate Advisors, which manages 1760 Market St. While few Philadelphia office buildings have changed hands this year, earlier this month residential developer Ori Feibush bought an office building at 399 Market St. for a sharply discounted price from its assessed value with the goal of dropping rents and attracting new tenants. The plan appears similar at 1760 Market St. “There is going to be an opportunity for the new owners to be aggressive and capitalize on providing a quality location and amenities at a different price point than was being offered a couple months ago,” Paterno said. No one involved in the deal would say who the new buyer is, and online city records have not yet been updated. Paterno would only say it is a local investor who owns other Philadelphia-area properties.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 6/27/2024
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