Municipalities are increasingly blocking renewable energy
Sixty percent of energy in the United States comes from fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas. The U.S. has set a goal to reach 100% clean energy by 2035, however a nationwide analysis by USA Today shows that achieving that goal has become increasingly difficult because local governments are banning green power faster than it is being built. At least 15% of counties in the country have effectively halted new utility-scale wind, solar or both. The limits come in the form of outright bans, moratoriums, construction impediments and other conditions that make green energy difficult to build.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 3/4/2024

PA likely to be deluged by election lawsuits in 2024
Election experts and lawyers expect 2024 to be another year of high-stakes court battles in Pennsylvania, a swing state that four years ago helped decide the nail-biting race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. An increased amount of litigation could come after the Nov. 5 general election, including suits that challenge how counties counted votes, a worrisome — but some believe not far-fetched — scenario that could snarl Pennsylvania election officials’ ability to certify results in a timely manner. Elected officials and activists say the potentially crowded litigation landscape could have easily been prevented if, as they have been urging for more than three years, the state legislature had clarified portions of Pennsylvania’s landmark 2019 law that ushered in voting by mail. Read more here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/4/2024

National Flood Insurance Program extension deadline is March 22
As Congress continues to negotiate to avoid a government shutdown by March 22, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is making every effort to secure a long-term reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The program was previously set to expire March 8, but Congress passed a short-term continuing resolution funding the government through March 22. NAR has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet on what an NFIP lapse could mean for real estate closings and what options are available for consumers to buy or renew a flood insurance policy before the deadline.
Source: Nar.realtor; 3/1/2024 

Apartments proposed for former bowling alley site in Levittown
Residents that live near the site of the former Levittown Lanes bowling alley received a letter informing them that the property owners are moving ahead with plans for a three-story, 24-unit apartment building. The site, at New Falls Road and Orchard Drive, was left vacant after a fire in 2022 destroyed the bowling alley and bar. The property owners will request variances from the Falls Township Zoning Hearing Board, including multi-family use at the site, construction of a three-story building, building setback and parking. The property owners have been locked in a legal battle with the insurance company over the cost of rebuilding the lanes. Documents submitted to Falls Township said the fire has caused the family “personal financial hardship” and they wish to move forward with the apartment building. The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. at the Middletown Township Municipal Complex on Municipal Way due to the Falls Township building being under renovation.
Source: LevittownNow.com; 3/4/2024

Review of law firm’s invoices to Central Bucks raised red flags
A document obtained through a Right-to-Know request submitted by the Bucks County Courier Times shows that former Central Bucks School District Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh and former school board president Dana Hunter were advised to seek a reduction in legal fees from Duane Morris LLP. The firm was hired in late 2022 to respond to a federal complaint against the district. The legal review only covered the firm’s initial bills after it was hired in late 2022. In November Duane Morris filed additional bills, bringing the total costs to $1.75 million. In the review, attorney Edward Diasio of the firm Wisler Pearlstine noted Duane Morris LLP “enlisted too many attorneys” and billed “extremely excessive” hours. Diasio concluded, “The bottom line is, from my standpoint, that it is seriously inflated and should be reduced considerably.” The existence of the legal review of the Duane Morris LLP bills was not publicly disclosed until December 2023, when the new school board was seated and confronted with the last series of bills to be paid. It is unknown who authorized the outside legal review or its cost. Read more in the Bucks County Courier Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 3/4/2024 & Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/5/2024

Per capita tax bills sent by mistake in Bristol Township
Bristol Township voted to rescind its per capita tax in December 2023. Council President Craig Bowen described the per capita tax as a nuisance tax that was a “frequent source of resident complaints.” Even after its repeal, the tax is still a source of complaints and confusion. The township’s tax collection firm, Berkheimer, was not notified in time, and bills for 2024 were mistakenly mailed to township residents. Residents are asked to disregard the per capita bill. Any taxpayer who mistakenly paid the 2024 bill will be refunded, said Township Manager Randee Elton.
Source: LevittownNow.com & Bucks County Courier Times; 3/4/2024

Lower Makefield discussing vacant property registration
The Feb. 7 meeting of the Lower Makefield Township supervisors included a short discussion of a proposed ordinance to regulate foreclosed and vacant properties. Township Manager David Kratzer said he expects the final draft will be available shortly. The item is not slated for discussion at the March 6 meeting. Check the township website for upcoming meeting agendas. Supervisors Chair John Lewis said he knows several residents who will be interested in the vacant property registration ordinance and thanked code enforcement officer Michael Kirk for “keeping up on enforcing our existing ordinances to protect local residents.”
Source: Lower Makefield Township; 3/2024

Grocery Outlet opens in Jamison
More than 200 people were in line for the grand opening of the Grocery Outlet store in Jamison’s Warwick Square shopping center. The store takes the place of a former Giant that closed in 2019. Grocery Outlet bills itself as an “extreme value” retailer that offers discounts of 40% to 70%. The California-based chain has opened more than 400 stores nationally since beginning in the 1940s. The stores are locally owned and operated, something noted with pride by the Jamison store owner-operators, Bill and Starla Lohr. Find out more about the Jamison Grocery Outlet here. Other Grocery Outlet locations can be found in Lansdale, Quakertown and Warminster.
Source: Tap Into Doylestown; 2/25/2024

Bucks County Wine Trail launches ‘Tasting Ticket’ campaign
The Bucks County Wine Trail recently launched its brand-new Tasting Ticket campaign, which allows participants to sip their way through the Bucks County wine- and cider-making region as part of a self-guided tour of wine country. Now through Sept. 15, guests who purchase a $49 ticket can enjoy a wine or hard cider tasting at eight member locations on the wine trail during regular operating hours.
Source: Lower Bucks Times; 3/1/2024 

New Garden posts information about new rental inspection ordinance
In August 2023, the New Garden Township Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance #261 authorizing inspection of all rental properties, effective Jan. 1, 2024. The ordinance provides the ability for the township to inspect residential rental units, requiring landlords to file reports listing all residential rental units, and authorizing the code enforcement officer to inspect the condition and use of such units and to enforce compliance with applicable ordinances and regulations. The rental inspection process requires the landlord or their representative to file an application form with the township. The form includes Tax ID, property address, property owner, types of units, number of units and number of tenants. There are associated annual fees to administer and perform the inspections. Read more about the new registry on Page 3 of the township’s winter 2024 newsletter. Access the rental registration form here.
Source: New Garden Township; Winter 2024 

Hotel proposed near West Chester University in West Goshen Township
A builder is betting that more guests will want to stay overnight in the West Chester Area and is proposing to construct a 200-room hotel near Rosedale Avenue and the West Chester University campus. Representatives from BT Carter Drive LLC pitched the West Goshen Township Zoning Hearing Board on plans to build a three-story hotel on a 5.3-acre site at 205 Carter Drive. Some of the 220 projected parking spots would be at ground level, beneath three stories of hotel rooms. The property sits on a flag lot, with access along a thin strip just wide enough for a roadway. Hotel plans call for access to Matlack Street, a currently gated driveway for emergency access to Rosedale Avenue from nearby student housing. Part of a driveway from Carter Drive would also be constructed to extend to the hotel lot. Access from Matlack Street will run through the Edge property, which is West Chester University student housing. Part of the hotel property is located on a floodplain, with Goose Creek running through it. Existing stormwater management will be brought to current standards. An existing detention basin would be improved and three drain pipes would be added, according to Peter Cleveland, who represents the builder.
Source: Daily Local; 2/28/2024

Kagel to resign as Chester County’s top government administrator, leaving vacancy
Chester County’s top government administrator left some colleagues stunned recently by announcing that he will leave the county’s employment in the near future, after steering the county through a series of challenges while earning accolades along the way. On Feb. 21, county department heads were told that Robert “Bobby” Kagel would resign his position at a then-undetermined date, after holding the title of chief administrator since August 2018. No public reason was given for the move, and there was little information as to where he would be going. The commissioners have individually paid tribute to the job Kagel had done in his time as county administrator and said they would now begin a search for his successor. After Kagel leaves some time in March, his assistant, Deputy County Administrator Erik T. Walschburger, will serve as his interim replacement.
Source: Daily Local; 2/29/2024

Kennett Township to eliminate several committees
In an effort to consolidate Kennett Township’s internal operations, its board of supervisors unanimously approved a motion that will eliminate its land conservancy advisory committee and several other committees. The LCAC will be replaced with a contract with Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, who will serve as the township’s primary land conservation agency. The vote also eliminated township committees in the areas of agricultural advisory, communications, community pride, deer management, indoor agriculture, safety and business advisory. Supervisor Pat Muller said that realigning the township’s internal systems was an effort to “streamline functions, find economies of scale and professionalize work that was loosely organized with varying degrees of accountability and oversight.” Supervisors voted in favor of retaining the township’s environmental advisory committee, its trails and sidewalks committee and its historical commission, which will all be re-formed. Under the new guidelines, the supervisors will continue to set the policy agenda and assign duties and topics for all three groups, which will continue to serve as recommending bodies to the board and not have any final decision-making authority.
Source: Chester County Press; 3/6/2024