News Briefs for March 27, 2026

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Much of West Philadelphia’s Parkside Historic District was built during the 1876 Centennial Exhibition. Multiple property owners in Philadelphia have filed lawsuits against the Sheriff’s Office over prolonged delays in deed delivery.

Photo: Smallbones

General News

Legislation to reform short-term rentals introduced in state House
Pennsylvania Reps. Lindsay Powell (D-21), Jennifer O'Mara (D-165) and Mary Jo Daley (D-148) introduced H.B. 2303, a bill that would create a statewide regulatory framework for short-term rentals, following two shootings at a rental property in Powell's Allegheny County district. Based on a nonpartisan study by the Joint State Government Commission, the bill would establish countywide property registries, require a 24/7 designated contact for each rental, create separate regulatory categories for homestay, vacation rental and corporate operators, and set baseline safety standards statewide. The bill was scheduled for a hearing on March 25 before the House Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development Committee.
Source: NorthPennNow; 3/23/2026

Pennsylvanians can replace invasive species for free
The Shapiro administration's Pennsylvania Invasive Replace-ive Program is back for a second year, offering residents free native tree and shrub replacements when they remove up to three invasive plants from their properties. Participants must remove an invasive species, photograph it and attend one of eight events across the state in May to receive a native replacement on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration opens March 31 and is required. The program, which distributed more than 1,300 plants in 2025, targets common invasives like Callery pear, tree-of-heaven, Japanese barberry and butterfly bush.
Source: PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; 3/2026

Housing Supply Summit focused on solutions to inventory shortage
Several hundred real estate advocates and industry practitioners convened in Washington, D.C., on March 18 for the second annual National Housing Supply Summit. The event is sponsored by the National Association of Realtors and over a dozen other housing-related organizations, and it was initiated by Housing Innovation Alliance and HousingTech. The attendees strategized on the industry’s most pressing policy challenge — how to ensure an adequate supply of housing for the nation’s 129 million households. With an estimated shortage of 5 million homes across the country, many view supply increases as a key factor in solving the housing affordability crisis. Panelists agreed that action at the state and local level offers flexibility for public-private partnerships and implementing building practices that are tailored to local communities. Read more at the NAR website.
Source: NAR; 3/20/2026

PUC schedules hearings on proposed merger of American Water Works and Essential Utilities
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled a series of in-person and telephonic hearings to gather public input about the proposed merger involving American Water Works Company and Essential Utilities, the parent company of Aqua America and Peoples Natural Gas. American Water and its subsidiaries provide water and wastewater services to 3.5 million customer connections, or more than 14 million people in 14 states, including Pennsylvania. Essential provides water, wastewater and natural gas services to approximately 5.5 million people in Pennsylvania and nine other states. In-person hearings will take place in the region on Wednesday, April 22, in Chester County, and Tuesday, May 5, in Montgomery County. Full details and more hearing dates are available on the PUC website.
Source: PUC; 3/19/2026

PennDOT wants feedback on its winter maintenance
PennDOT wants to know how its employees did this winter plowing roads and providing related services. The public can offer feedback in an online survey available through April 14. There are 17 questions in the survey, asking respondents about their timeline expectations for safe and passable roads, how they rank snow-removal priorities, and how they rate PennDOT’s winter services.
Source: Daily Times; 3/24/2026

Bucks County

Doylestown planners recommend approval of Hart property zoning amendment
The Doylestown Township Planning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend a zoning amendment that would allow multifamily housing on the historic, 24-acre Hart property along Route 202. The property is owned by the Bucks County Historical Society, which plans to sell it to fund its core mission of operating the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle. The proposed buyer, Zaveta Custom Homes, wants to renovate the main stone house and build 36 luxury townhomes using natural materials, with the zoning change requiring historic structures to be preserved in perpetuity. Residents were split — nearby Doylestown Hunt neighbors largely supported the plan as the best realistic outcome for the site, while preservationists raised concerns about traffic and loss of open land. Doylestown Borough is asking that any zoning change be delayed until a traffic study is completed. Township supervisors will make the final decision.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 3/13/2026

Solebury housing forum scheduled for April 9
Solebury Township is hosting the first in a series of housing forums on Thursday, April 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Solebury Township Municipal Building, 3092 Sugan Road. The informal community gathering will explore the concept of attainable housing — who it would serve, what it might look like, where it could be located, and what realistic goals for 2030 and 2040 might be — through discussions with community members and a panel of industry experts. Find out more on the Solebury Township website.
Source: Solebury Township; 3/2026

Lower Makefield considers regulating backyard chickens
Lower Makefield Township is considering an ordinance that would allow residents to keep hens — but not roosters — on properties of at least a half-acre, with limits of five chickens for lots between up to two acres and 10 for lots between two and five acres, all for personal use only. Permit-holders would need to maintain clean, secure coops (minimum four square feet) within enclosures (minimum 12 square feet), meet setback requirements, and avoid offensive odors or excessive noise. The township code enforcement officer can revoke permits and order removal of chickens after three verified complaints in a year, under the proposal. The planning commission recommended the ordinance 3-1, though it still needs supervisors’ approval before taking effect.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 3/17/2026

Solebury creates Lake Solebury Advisory Committee for quarry reuse guidance
Solebury Township has created the Lake Solebury Advisory Committee to recommend future uses for the former 166-acre New Hope Crushed Stone Quarry on Phillips Mill Road, which the board of supervisors voted to purchase a year ago for $2.4 million. The diverse committee — comprising planning, environmental and parks representatives, six at-large residents, two supervisors as liaisons, three associate members, and two high school students — will hold its first meeting by Sept. 30, meet monthly in public sessions and deliver a written report with recommendations within 12 months.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 3/23/2026

Wrightstown plans sewer plant repairs
Wrightstown Township is moving forward with filter replacement projects at two small sewer plants — one serving the 16-home Matthew's Ridge development ($68,100, funded by developer fees) and a larger one at Chapman's Corner (estimated $150,000, with a potential 80% federal grant). Both plants will need to go offline during construction, requiring the township to hire a hauler for wastewater removal, and officials say no additional rate increases beyond those already set in the 2026 budget will result from the work. Current quarterly rates are $1,400 for Matthew's Ridge and $815 for Chapman's Corner, though one resident noted rates at her development have risen 42% over 18 years — a concern officials addressed by explaining increases are only made when necessary to cover rising operational costs.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 3/23/2026

Chester County

Uwchlan to hold meeting on Lionville Station development proposal
The Uwchlan Township Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, April 15, to consider a recommendation for a Tentative Planned Residential Development and PRD Ordinance for Rockwell Downingtown LLC - Lionville Preserve for the properties located on Lionville Station Road. Application documents posted on the township website, including one related to stormwater management, describe the project scope as including 583 units:

134 single-family homes (65 ft wide)
116 single-family homes (55 ft wide)
2 Historic Resources to be rehabilitated/converted to single-family homes
2 semidetached units (34 ft wide)
181 townhouses (34 ft wide)
148 townhouses (30 ft wide)

In November 2024, the Downingtown Area School Board approved a sales agreement with Rockwell for the 237-acre property, commonly known as Siemens property or Lionville Station Farm. Read more about the property’s history on the Uwchlan Township and Downingtown Area School District websites.
Source: Uwchlan Township; 3/2026

West Chester Borough website offers rental license tracker
West Chester Borough’s website now features a rental license tracker. The tracker features a map of all rental properties in the borough, and includes a descriptor for each rental noting whether the property allows student renters. The tracker also shows the license status for each property.
Source: West Chester Borough; 3/2026

Chester and Montgomery counties crafting model data center zoning ordinance
Chester and Montgomery counties are working to get ahead of a growing surge in data center proposals by developing model zoning ordinances. The urgency stems from the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centers driven by AI demand, with facilities that can consume as much electricity as a small city and millions of gallons of water per day — raising serious concerns about strain on local infrastructure, groundwater, air quality and fire services. Advocacy group PennFuture has already released a detailed, 27-page model ordinance covering noise limits, water use, setbacks, buffer zones and emergency planning requirements. Under Pennsylvania law, municipalities cannot ban or even pause data center development outright. They can only regulate it, meaning that whatever zoning rules are in place when an application is submitted are the rules that apply. Many townships are scrambling after being caught off guard by proposals, while others like West Conshohocken are proactively crafting conditional use ordinances before any applications arrive.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 3/23/2026

The Francis Hotel and Suites opens in Kennett Square
Square Roots Collective celebrated the grand opening of the eight-room Francis Hotel and Suites at 205 S. Union St. in Kennett Square. Square Roots Collective is a nonprofit that operates local businesses, including The Creamery and the Artelo Hotel, and invests all profits back into the community.
Source: Chester County Press; 3/24/2026

Coatesville Area projects $14M in new spending as district plans for new elementary school
Coatesville Area School District Superintendent Anthony Rybarczyk presented a new budget projection showing a $14 million increase in expenses for the upcoming school year, driven largely by higher costs for purchased professional and technical services, debt service, and salaries and benefits. The projection reflects expenses only and follows the board’s January resolution to cap any tax increase at the 4.5% Act 1 index set by the state. Officials said the budget also accounts for shifting costs associated with the closure of Caln and East Fallowfield elementary schools and the transition to the new Doe Run Elementary School, which is scheduled to open for the 2026-2027 school year. Revenue and tax impacts will be addressed in future presentations, with a final budget expected to go before the full board for approval in June.
Source: Lancaster Online; 3/12/2026

Downingtown Borough codes office relocated
Downingtown Borough Codes Enforcement Offices have been relocated to the old Annex Building at 4 W. Lancaster Ave. The Borough Hall main entrance has reopened.
Source: Downingtown Borough; 3/2026

Delaware County

Chester receiver wants to change law that set up Chester Water Authority board
The Chester City receiver is asking the Commonwealth Court to deem the law that set up the current Chester Water Authority board configuration to be unconstitutional. Receiver Vijay Kapoor recently filed a motion with the Commonwealth Court to have Act 73 passed in 2012 to be declared invalid. The law changed the Chester Water Authority board from five members appointed by the City of Chester to a nine-member board with three members appointed by the city, three by Delaware County and the final three by Chester County. “If Act 73 was really about ratepayer representation, then why was it written so that it only applies to the Chester Water Authority and no other water system in Pennsylvania, including three very similar to CWA?” Kapoor said.
Source: Daily Times; 3/22/2026

Upper Darby council questions mutual fire aid load outside township
With Upper Darby career fire units being called into neighboring communities with struggling volunteer coverage, township leaders are addressing mutual aid concerns. Council Vice President Noah Fields said he supports mutual aid, but what officials are seeing now is sustained reliance on the township units outside the township, including in Darby Township and East Lansdowne, particularly where those communities are no longer able to respond. East Lansdowne recently closed its fire company, with Lansdowne Fire Company taking over coverage, and Darby Township has been having similar issues. Fields asked for a formal review of dispatch requests to establish structural agreements that address operational expectations, cost recovery where appropriate and accountability on both sides.
Source: Daily Times; 3/20/2026

Springfield Hospital majority owner shares vision of a reopened facility
As new investors take over Springfield Hospital, their vision could transform the delivery of health care in Delaware County and beyond. Todd Strine, chief financial officer and owner of Keystone Quality Transport, became the majority owner of Springfield Hospital. Last September, Strine headed a separate group of investors that acquired Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park. Springfield Hospital, a 90,000-square-foot facility with 40 beds, four operating rooms, X-ray rooms and an 850-space, four-tier parking garage, closed in 2022. Strine said physician groups are interested in having ownership of the facilities where they work, and also spoke of the potential for the facility to provide specialty care.
Source: Daily Times; 3/19/2026

Chadds Ford Township drafts data center ordinance
Chadds Ford Township supervisors have voted to advertise an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would establish regulations for data centers. “These types of facilities are becoming more common, and the ordinance is intended to proactively define how and where they may be developed, including standards related to land use, infrastructure and potential impacts,” Supervisors Vice Chair Kathleen Goodier said. Goodier said the Delaware County Planning Commission said the draft ordinance was a thorough treatment of data center requirements. There will need to be a public hearing before the amendment is adopted.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 3/24/2026

More AI-infused traffic signals installed in Radnor
Radnor Township has expanded its use of artificial intelligence in traffic lights on Lancaster Avenue, officials said. Several months ago, the township began implementing a "traffic adaptive system" on Lancaster Avenue, using AI-powered technology designed to ease traffic flow. The algorithm uses real-time data, adjusting the timing of traffic lights based on congestion. The system has helped reduce traffic at the Blue Route interchange, according to township officials. Radnor has now implemented the second phase of the project — installing the tech at the following cross streets: St. Davids, Villanova Center, Sproul Road, St. Thomas Way, Ithan, Lowrey’s and Airedale. Anyone who experiences issues with traffic in the township can report it online.
Source: Radnor Patch; 3/19/2026

Montgomery County

Ardmore Train Station is finally re-opened in Lower Merion
After more than six years of delays caused by pandemic work stoppages, supply chain issues and unexpected construction challenges — including a hidden oil tank and crumbling walls — Ardmore's renovated SEPTA station reopened on March 23 in Lower Merion Township. The project, originally budgeted at $62 million and expected to take two-and-a-half years, took a significant toll on nearby businesses, which struggled with lost foot traffic, parking disruptions and road closures throughout the construction period. The new station will feature fully ADA-compliant platforms with ramp and elevator access. Local business owners and community leaders are cautiously optimistic, with many hoping the reopening will help Ardmore reclaim its role as a key hub on the Main Line.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/22/2026 & 6ABC; 3/23/2026

Lansdale working on ‘compassionate’ solution to homeless encampment
Lansdale Borough officials and local nonprofits are collaborating on a "compassionate" approach to address a homeless encampment at Stony Creek Park, pushing back against misinformation circulating on social media about the camp and its residents. Rather than punitive enforcement, officials say they're focused on the well-being and dignity of their "unhoused neighbors." Officials are aided in part by the February 2026 opening of Todi's Place of Hope, a new shelter at 1107 E. Main St. with single- and double-occupancy rooms, a kitchen, laundry, case management, and 24/7 security — which officials hope could reduce Lansdale's homeless population by up to 75%.
Source: Lansdale Patch; 3/23/2026

Skippack opens discussion about residential rental inspection ordinance
At its March 11 meeting, Skippack Borough Council opened discussion on a Residential Rental Inspections Ordinance and a Fire Inspections Ordinance, per the meeting agenda. The proposed ordinances were introduced at the meeting (discussion begins in the video around the 43:00 mark) to “start the conversation” with the public. It was noted at the meeting that there will be “significant interest from the public” and that council would be well served to hold a special meeting or workshop related to the proposed ordinances. The Alliance has requested a copy of the draft ordinance and will continue to watch for updates.
Source: Skippack Township; 3/2026

Towamencin names new code director
Towamencin Township has unanimously approved the hiring of Henry Sekawungu as its new director of planning, zoning and code enforcement, with an expected start date of April 13. Sekawungu brings over 30 years of local government experience, including more than a decade as director of planning and zoning in Cheltenham Township and a prior role as assistant director of planning and municipal development in Norristown, along with degrees in business from Messiah College and economic development from Eastern University.
Source: NorthPennNow; 3/23/2026

Philadelphia

Deed delays in Philly Sheriff’s Office prompt lawsuits
It is supposed to take 70 days to record deeds under the state rules of civil procedure, but under Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, some buyers have waited a year or longer, leaving often vacant and tax-delinquent properties in limbo. A debt-acquisition firm filed a motion for sanctions against the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office in Common Pleas Court, claiming that it bought a property at auction in May 2024 and has yet to receive the deed. “For approximately two years since the sheriff’s sale, plaintiff is still paying ongoing taxes and preservation costs to protect the property without the benefit of legally possessing the property,” according to the complaint filed by Amos Financial LLC, based in Illinois. Another firm has also filed suit against the sheriff’s office, saying that it paid nearly $1 million for eight properties between December 2025 and early last month, but that Bilal’s staff has ignored “repeated requests” to even begin the process of transferring ownership.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/22/2026

311 submissions can no longer be made public, city says
One of Philadelphia’s tools for transparency has recently changed. Submissions to Philly311, the city’s department for information and reporting non-emergency problems, can no longer be made public for most users. Until December, users had the option to make their submissions for reporting potholes, abandoned cars or other nuisances public or private. Around that time, Philly311 began receiving inappropriate images submitted alongside anonymous but seemingly legitimate service requests. A small group of people can still make 311 submissions others can see — certain city employees, community organizations and other residents who are members of the Philly311 Neighborhood Liaison Program can still access their “partner portal.” In February, Philly311 handled more than 32,000 service requests and 28,000 information requests. The changes are not meant to be permanent, officials said, and Philly311 is working on a long-term solution that balances transparency and safety.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/18/2026

Philadelphia gets $10 million to keep Chinatown Stitch project moving
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) came to the partial rescue of the Chinatown Stitch project by shifting $10 million from a reserve account for federal highway projects to it. The project has been in limbo since the Trump administration pulled millions in promised federal construction funding. Together with a $2.5 million contribution from Philadelphia, it will enable the city to pay for the I-676 cap’s final design. The DVRPC sets regional priorities for spending federal and state transportation infrastructure dollars. Read more at Billy Penn.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer and Billy Penn; 3/19/2026

Mayor wants $1-per-ride tax for Ubers, Lyfts to lessen classroom cuts
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker will unveil a proposal to impose a $1-per-ride tax on rideshare services like Uber and Lyft to help close the Philadelphia School District’s budget deficit, according to sources familiar with the plan. The new tax, which would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, would raise about $48 million per year for the district as it faces a $300 million fiscal cliff.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/23/2026

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