News Briefs for March 15, 2024
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Springfield Hospital in Delaware County has been mostly shut down since January 2022. Delaware County officials recently released a statement debunking rumors that two shuttered hospitals were going to be converted to housing for immigrants.
Photo: Google Street View
Labor Dept.’s final rule takes effect
The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) final rule regarding how workers are classified under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), issued in January, took effect on March 11. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) met with officials at DOL’s Wage and Hour Division to discuss the recent rule and its impact on the real estate industry. The meeting focused on the rule’s adoption of the economic realities test, and how the test could impact how real estate professionals are classified. NAR also expressed concerns regarding the preemptive effect of the federal rule and how it may impact state worker classification laws. NAR will continue to advocate on worker classification matters and to ensure that real estate professionals retain the ability to be classified as real estate professionals. NAR will continue to provide key updates regarding this matter.
Source: NAR; 3/11/2024
Congress partially funds government through September
On March 8, Congress passed a $460 billion spending package to fund several federal agencies through Sept. 30 — narrowly averting a partial government shutdown. The spending bill keeps open several agencies that would otherwise shut down after the March 8 deadline, and sustains their programs, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Transportation and the Treasury Department. Still left for Congress to fund are the remaining agencies, which have a March 22 deadline to avoid a shutdown. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is set to expire on that date, as its authorization is tied to the federal spending bills. NAR has advocated for Congress to pass a long-term spending bill ahead of a government shutdown to keep important federal programs and agencies running as well as to avoid a lapse in the NFIP, which would impact thousands of homeowners living in flood zones for whom the NFIP keeps flood insurance affordable. In addition to keeping the costs of flood insurance down, the NFIP plays a crucial role in home sales for buyers in flood zones.
Source: NAR; 3/11/2024
PA’s chief transformation officer aims to unravel red tape
While other states have boosted incentives to woo companies, Pennsylvania has one of the nation’s highest corporate tax rates and offers relatively meager funding to attract businesses. And the problem of delayed permits and professional licenses has made everything just a little worse. “I have heard from my constituents countless times,” state Sen. Kristin Phillip-Hill (R-28) said. “It’s nurses, doctors, it’s cosmetologists, barbers, Realtors, teachers — any individual that requires a professional license from the state. … We are constantly having to help our professionals obtain those certificates and licenses from state agencies.” In 2023, Gov. Shapiro appointed Ben Kirshner, a tech entrepreneur from the Philadelphia suburbs as the state’s chief transformation officer, head of the newly created Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity (OTO). Kirshner is a liaison between the business community and the state’s slow-walking agencies, working to unravel knots of red tape. His unit would support the state Department of Community and Economic Development, which provides tax credits, loans and grants to lure companies. The hope is that the OTO can compensate for Pennsylvania’s less-than-sterling financial handouts by at least making it easier for companies to set up. Read Philadelphia Magazine’s profile of Kirshner here.
Source: Philadelphia Magazine; 3/9/2024
How to judge the effectiveness of your local government
The services provided by any Pennsylvania borough, township or city can vary widely — making it tough for the average citizen to judge how well their local government is performing. Adding to the confusion is that, for the most part, Pennsylvania state law does not explicitly require that local governments provide specific services, instead it gives municipalities the authority to provide such services. “Every community … gets to set their own standard for what’s important to them and what they can afford,” said David Sanko, executive director for the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors. That’s why people tend to trust their local government more than state or federal ones, Sanko said, and at the end of the day, people judge the effectiveness of services provided by local governments based on their quality of life. Read more at Spotlight PA.
Source: Spotlight PA; 3/1/2024
Middletown removes illegal garage and driveway at residence
Middletown Township police and code enforcement representatives oversaw the removal of illegal construction work at a property on Langhorne-Yardley Road. According to Middletown authorities, the property owner added a second driveway that encroaches on a PennDOT right of way, as well as a home addition in the rear, a vinyl fence, a retaining wall, a concrete patio, and a shed-like structure, without going through the proper legal channels. Middletown requires property owners to seek permits or variances for those kinds of improvements. The township issued violations and stop work orders against the property owner starting in September 2022. They were ignored, and the property owner escalated construction on the property, again without permits and approvals. A court order allowed the township to remove unapproved improvements that have no chance of obtaining approval, but left other illegal improvements intact for now, because the property owner could obtain permits. Read more from the Bucks County Courier Times and LevittownNow.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 3/5/2024 & LevittownNow; 3/9/2024
Central Bucks to fill board vacancies, starts superintendent search
The Central Bucks School Board is holding a special meeting on Monday, March 18, to interview candidates for open seats representing regions 4 and 7. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the district’s administrative offices at 20 Weldon Drive in Doylestown. There are 10 applicants for the positions. Four have applied from Region 4, which includes Warrington Township’s 1, 3, 4 and 5 voting districts and Warwick 1, and six have applied from Region 7, which includes Warrington 2, 6, 7 and 8. In other news, the district recently announced the Bucks County Intermediate Unit will help in the national effort to find Central Bucks’ next superintendent. Applications are being accepted until March 24, and initial interviews are planned for April and May. The school board hopes to name a new superintendent before June 30.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 3/7/2024 & 3/11/2024
Red light cameras coming to two Bensalem intersections
Two of Bensalem Township’s most dangerous intersections will soon get red light enforcement systems. Bensalem council members unanimously approved the installation of cameras at Knights and Street roads, and Route 1 and Old Lincoln Highway, in June 2023. The two intersections saw 252 and 189 accidents, respectively, over a five-year period, with Knights and Street roads once considered to be one of the country’s deadliest intersections. PennDOT approved the final permits, and work has officially begun to get the cameras up and running, with a completion date expected to be announced soon. Once the system is ready to go, there will be a 60-day amnesty period where violators will only receive a warning. After that, violations will be reviewed by the police to determine whether there was truly a violation. Violators will receive a $100 ticket and will be able to request a hearing.
Source: Lower Bucks Times; 3/11/2024
Boutique hotel coming to Bristol Borough
Bristol Borough’s renaissance will continue with the renovation of the former Fidelity Savings & Loan building on Radcliffe Street into a nine-unit boutique hotel. Bristol real estate manager Bernard Mazzocchi is leading the renovation of the 1700s-era historic brick mansion that in the early 19th century was the home of the Spanish ambassador to the United States. Bill Pezza, Bristol resident and president of its Raising the Bar civic group that has helped lead the town's revitalization, said a hotel is the missing piece in Bristol’s redevelopment. Mazzocchi and his team hope to have the hotel completed by the end of the year.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 3/11/2024
East Whiteland sends reminder about rental occupancy report requirements
Under Chapter 145 of the Municipal Code of East Whiteland Township, property owners are required to file a "Rental Occupancy Report" within 30 days of becoming a landlord of any business unit or dwelling unit by agreement of sale, deed or by any other means. Under the code, a "business unit" is a parcel of real estate or any unit thereon, utilized by any person or persons for any commercial, industrial or professional office activity or purpose. A "dwelling unit" is one or more rooms used for living and sleeping purposes arranged for occupancy by one family or by one or more persons. The landlord and/or property owner is required to keep records current and provide reports of changes in occupancy or vacancy within 10 days. The form can be found here. Read more on the township website.
Source: East Whiteland Township; 2/2024
West Chester’s Gay Street to close to vehicles as street market returns
Four blocks of Gay Street will close for months in West Chester as the open air market returns to downtown. The closure will be in place every weekend from May 3 to Sept. 29, from Matlack Street to Darlington Street. It will last from Friday morning through Monday morning. Dozens of local businesses will participate, with special booths and seating outside, as well as outdoor displays, live music, events and games for kids, and more.
Source: West Chester Patch; 3/12/2024
East Caln to adopt comprehensive plan
East Caln Township will have a public hearing to consider the adoption of the East Caln Township Comprehensive Plan of 2024. The ordinance sets forth a plan and vision to guide the future development of the township based on various factors: recent information on existing and projected population and other conditions; mapping; plan recommendations for connectivity; natural resources and environmental sustainability; parks and recreation; economic development; community facilities; and future land use. It also describes the means by which they will be implemented. The public hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 20, at 1:30 p.m. at the East Caln Township Building, 110 Bell Tavern Road, Downingtown. The full text of the comprehensive plan can be examined on the township website.
Source: Daily Local; 3/11/2024
Chesco Recorder of Deeds: How to re-record documents, fix mistakes
The Chester County Recorder of Deeds office often receives questions from submitters about how to re-record a deed or mortgage that was recorded with mistakes. Mistakes can range from forgetting to attach a legal description to the mortgage or misspelling a grantor or grantee’s name. A re-recorded mortgage, re-recorded deed or deed of correction can be filed to correct most mistakes. Read more on Page 2 of the Good Deeds newsletter.
Source: Chester County Recorder of Deeds; 2/2024
Rumors about Delco hospitals housing immigrants are untrue
Delaware County has issued a statement debunking claims that Delaware County Memorial Hospital and Springfield Hospital will be converted to house immigrants. Some social media posts also claim that the county council voted on the decision to use the hospitals to house immigrants. Both hospitals are owned by Prospect Medical Holdings and are currently for sale. The county does not have the authority to vote on the use of the buildings. To ease the concerns of residents, the county contacted Prospect Medical Holdings and were informed that the rumors circulating are absolutely false, and that Delaware County Memorial Hospital and Springfield Hospital will not be converted to house immigrants.
Source: Delaware County; 3/8/2024
Chester City stormwater fees spur controversy
A recent bump in stormwater fees in the City of Chester has stirred a wave of controversy. The typical homeowner pays $16.50 a month, compared with $8.25 when the Stormwater Authority of Chester started billing in 2017. Chester homeowners now pay among the highest rates in the county. The stormwater authority says it is pouring the money into reducing runoff and water pollution, along with other projects, in the flood-prone city of 33,500. The agency said that since its creation in 2016, “Chester has seen a tremendous reduction in flooding.” Some residents derisively call the fee “the rain tax,” and as of last month, the authority had about 1,700 liens against property owners for nonpayment. The fee, which is based on an estimate of a property’s impervious surfaces, had been reduced for a time because of objections. Read more here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/10/2024
Delco Recorder of Deeds office launches GovOS Cloud Search tool
The Delaware County Recorder of Deeds office, led by director Robert A. Auclair Esq., has become the third county in Pennsylvania to offer its residents GovOS Cloud Search — the most advanced government records search engine available. The program, launched on Feb. 1, is a web-based tool that has made millions of county public records more accessible by providing a Google-like search capability. It also allows individuals to purchase certified copies, documents and index prints online. Cloud Search complements the existing County Fusion land records platform, in use since 2020, offering the public two options for searching property documents. While Cloud Search is expected to be the preferred option for its intuitive interface, title searchers and others may continue using County Fusion. “Integrating Cloud Search with our records system enables quick access to over 240 years of historical data without needing to visit our office, significantly benefiting Delaware County residents,” Auclair said. Read more here.
Source: Delaware County; 3/6/2024
Collingdale Borough finds financial irregularities
Collingdale Borough Council put out a bid for a forensic audit after an auditor found 2022 tax collection revenue off by 13%. The $330,000 discrepancy was brought to the attention of Council President Ryan Hastings by the borough’s auditor, George Fieo. “[Fieo] said he’s never seen a gap like this,” said Collingdale’s new solicitor, Peter Amuso. The borough tax collector, Diane Hunter, confirmed she was in contact with Fieo, but she disagreed with a statement made by Amuso that she had not provided the auditor with the documents he requested. Another financial issue council addressed was a concern by Finance Committee Chair Keisha Williams regarding a paycheck of $7,600 to the former manager, double his salary in December, and then another in January over $16,000. Williams noted that was a huge check for 10 days of work to someone who had only been employed at the borough for three months. Williams asked the solicitor if the borough could recover the money, and he responded that the borough could sue the former manager civilly.
Source: Daily Times; 3/8/2024
Haverford Township conducts study to make ‘Safe Streets for All’ a reality
Haverford Township officials want to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on their roadways. The township recently kicked off its “Safe Streets for All” study with a virtual introduction meeting and an online survey. “Haverford Township is an older, inner-ring suburban community,” Township Manager Dave Burman said. “We have a ton of old traffic patterns and old signage. It’s kind of the old way of thinking, and what we’d like to do is take a fresh look at it.” Like many of its neighboring townships on the Main Line, Haverford doesn’t have universal sidewalk coverage. Additionally, Burman said several of the township’s neighborhoods are separated by busy state roads, such as Haverford Road, West Chester Pike and Township Line Road. Additionally, Burman said Haverford experiences a lot of “cut-through traffic” — drivers seeking shortcuts through residential neighborhoods to avoid more congested streets. He said fixing these problems could involve installing bump-outs at intersections, raised crosswalks and push buttons for pedestrians. Burman stressed the need for more data points. Over the next few weeks, the consultant and township will hold pop-up engagement events in each of Haverford’s nine wards.
Source: WHYY; 3/12/2024
Radnor passes ordinance relating to mercantile and business privilege tax
The Radnor Township Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance amending Articles II and III of Chapter 260 of the Radnor Code, relating to the mercantile tax and the business privilege tax. The amendments establish a provision relating to taxpayer responsibility for collection fees to reflect the actual fees incurred by the township and establishing that fines imposed by the magisterial district court shall be civil in nature.
Source: Daily Times; 3/11/2024
Pottstown council backs parking variance for warehouse revitalization project
A project to convert a large vacant warehouse in Pottstown into 85 market rate apartments was given a second chance. The project came to a halt last June when the owner of the property on North Hanover St. declined to grant Dwight City Group an extension on the agreement of sale in order to obtain a parking variance. Judah Angster, CEO of Dwight City Group, told council that has since changed. The current proposal has the company planning for 146 spaces, up from the first variance request that provided just 85 spaces. Pottstown’s zoning ordinance would require 170 parking spaces for the number of apartments the company wants to create on the two-acre site. Pottstown council voted to send a letter to the zoning hearing board that indicates council’s support for the parking variance request and project. The zoning hearing board is an independent body that will consider all evidence before making a decision about the project. The company has converted many buildings similar to the Pottstown warehouse, taking advantage of under-utilized or vacant older buildings in walkable communities.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 3/13/2024
Sparring over sewer bills and pending sewer sale continues in Towamencin
Towamencin Township officials recently heard comments about an increase in sewer rates. After reading emailed public comments, Chuck Wilson, chairman of the township board of supervisors, noted that the “sewer rental rate was increased from $450 to $590 to cover increasing plant operating expenses, and to start raising funds for the township’s eight-year, $39 million capital plan.” The comments prompted another round of debate over the pending sale of the township sewer system to Aqua Pennsylvania. Supervisor Joyce Snyder, who voted against the sale, made a motion to “to advise staff to please write a letter, to remove us from the APA,” the asset purchase agreement selling the sewer system. It was the sixth such motion since last summer. The motion was seconded by Kofi Osei, who narrowly won a spot on the board of supervisors last November based on his opposition of the sewer sale. Osei took aim at the three board members who approved the initial sale, saying, “I keep having this debate with some of our neighbors, of whether the three of you are dumb or corrupt. And I am not arguing for the corrupt side. So here’s your opportunity to change my mind, at least.” Wilson replied that it isn’t that easy, and without having a legal discussion, “I don’t think your motion is the way to address it.” The board voted on the motion directing staff to stop the sale, with Osei and Snyder casting the only votes in favor.
Source: The Reporter; 3/12/2024
Lower Merion gets fresh look at Ashbridge House plans
Lower Merion Township commissioners and the public were given a quick look at some of the planned renovations of the historic Ashbridge House in Bryn Mawr. The township-owned Ashbridge House is a Class 1 historic resource according to the township historical commission, and the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office has determined that Ashbridge is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The building is only used twice a year as a polling place. Renovation plans include making the space ADA compliant and using two floors of the building for the New Horizon Senior Center. Donna Heller, director of parks and recreation for Lower Merion, said “the best way to preserve a building is to have regular use within the facility.”
Source: Main Line Media News; 3/11/2024
Another tech company is calling Conshohocken home
Boomi is one of the most successful software makers to emerge from the Philadelphia region in the past 25 years — and it has found a new headquarters building of its own in Conshohocken. Boomi’s new building is on Fayette Street, next door to drug-shipping giant Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen), across the Schuylkill from the I-76/476 junction. At the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, Boomi CEO Steve Lucas said, “I love this neighborhood — the vibrancy, the scene, the incredible accessibility. It all drives the impression Boomi is a very valuable software company.”
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/11/2024
Philly reverses decision to build tiny houses for people experiencing homelessness
The city is abandoning a tiny-house project in Northeast Philadelphia proposed by former Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration to fight homelessness. Officials at Sanctuary Village, one of two sites chosen by the city for tiny homes, said they were told by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration that she wouldn’t support the development. The plan to create the enclaves was the result of a deal made in 2020 between the city and advocates. In exchange for agreeing to close the sprawling, controversial homeless encampment that had formed on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the city committed to establishing two tiny-house villages to accommodate unhoused Philadelphians: one at the Northeast property at 7979 State Road, which is owned by the city and sits on the campus of Riverview Personal Care Home; the other at 4917 Aspen St. The city’s decision to scrap the State Road development, which was meant to house women 55 and older, was met with shock and confusion by the nonprofits involved in the project. The State Road site, estimated to cost around $1 million, was expected to comprise 12 to 24 single-room units that are 120 square feet each. The houses would have heat and electricity, but no running water or bathrooms. The complex would have a central kitchen, as well as a building with bathrooms, showers and laundry. Read more here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/11/2024
Chinatown Stitch gets $158M boost in grant for expressway cap
The effort to build the Chinatown Stitch, which aims to reconnect a severed neighborhood by capping part of the Vine Street Expressway, took a giant leap forward with a recently awarded $158 million federal grant. Officials said they anticipate a 2027 groundbreaking for a project that would cover part of the below-ground-level expressway and tie Chinatown proper to the area known as Chinatown North. “This is transformative,” said John Chin, executive director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp., after the Monday announcement in Chinatown. Officials said the funding represents money to build the cap, which would reach from 10th to 13th streets, not for more study of the issue. The new funding will include development of a public park across the expressway, traffic calming measures, and a connection to the Rail Park on the Reading viaduct. The form of any structures to go on the cap is yet to be determined but could include shops, housing, offices or public buildings. The money comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot grant program, billed as the first federal program dedicated to rejoining communities that were cut off from economic opportunities or otherwise hurt by past transportation and infrastructure decisions. In Chinatown, a cap has been talked about for years but never moved beyond the idea-and-study stage. The desire to connect the two ends of the neighborhood has grown in the past decade as more businesses and residents have moved into Chinatown North.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/11/2024
Affordable housing development replaces nuisance motel in North Philly
Be a Gem Crossing opened last month where a nuisance motel once stood. Nonprofit group North10 Philadelphia oversaw the approximately $20 million development in Hunting Park. The four-story property on Germantown Avenue has 41 apartments and a ground-floor commercial space that will become the home of a yet-to-be-formed community organization. Most of the units have two or three bedrooms, all of them heavily subsidized through the Housing Choice Voucher Program administered locally by the Philadelphia Housing Authority. Under the program, residents pay no more than 30% of their adjusted monthly income. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development makes up the difference between those payments and the full contract rent, within certain limits. “The term affordable is all relative based on what your income is. We really did try our best to make this affordable to the average income,” said Joshua Klaris, North10’s executive director. Residents are grateful for the project, as the site once housed Liberty Motel, a rent-by-the-hour establishment that became a haven for crime.
Source: PlanPhilly; 3/8/2024
New residential buildings are planned for the former site of Hoa Binh Plaza
The Washington Avenue building boom is set to continue, as OCF Realty is partnering with two other developers to bring a 300- to 400-unit multifamily building to the site of the former Hoa Binh Plaza at 16th and Washington. The parcel at 1601 Washington is slated for a seven-story, multifamily building with a mix of 80% rentals and 20% for-sale condos, which would be in a smaller neighboring building fronting on Chadwick Street. “Part of the discussion with immediate neighbors is about massing and density, and with the community, it’s affordable housing — getting all of that to effectively fit into the same box is the critical piece here,” said Ori Feibush, owner of OCF Realty. Feibush said the project would be predominantly one-bedrooms with some studios and a “healthy” number of two-bedrooms. The units are not family-oriented, he said, although some will be more affordably priced. The buildings proposed for 1601 Washington will also contain 30,000 square feet of retail and 210 underground parking spaces. The stretch of Washington Avenue has been transformed into a residential neighborhood over the past decade, as hundreds of apartments have been built — especially along its northern side bordering the neighborhood now known as Graduate Hospital. Much of Washington Avenue once was occupied by warehouses, light manufacturing, and other large commercial uses.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/12/2024
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