Pennsylvania to charge owners of EV, plug-in hybrids
Pennsylvania has started charging owners of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles a yearly fee as of April 1. The Road User Charge (RUC) is designed to create a new system for funding road and bridge maintenance. Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure has been primarily funded through state and federal gas taxes. As electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) use little to no gasoline, their owners contribute less to the state’s Motor License Fund. According to PennDOT, the RUC ensures that all drivers contribute to maintaining the state’s transportation network, regardless of the type of vehicle they drive. In 2025, the yearly fee is $200 for EVs and $50 for PHEVs. The amounts will increase in 2026 to $250 for EVs and $63 for PHEVs. Read more from LevittownNow.
Source: LevittownNow; 4/28/2025

PA primary to take place on May 20
Pennsylvania’s primary election is on Tuesday, May 20. Only voters registered as Democrats or Republicans can vote for party nominees in the primary. But all registered voters may vote if there are ballot questions, constitutional amendments or special elections in their district. Now is the time to check your voter registration status and to make sure your information is up to date, such as your name, address and party affiliation. For more information, visit the state’s Voting and Elections website. The National Association of Realtors encourages its members to vote for candidates and issues that build strong communities, protect property interests and promote a vibrant business environment at the local, state and national levels.

PAR plans Day on the Hill
Realtors are invited to participate in the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors’ advocacy efforts, learn more about key legislative priorities and take the Realtor message to the Pennsylvania General Assembly during the PA Realtor Day on the Hill on June 23 and 24. The highlight of the event will be meeting with legislators at the Pennsylvania Capitol on Tuesday, June 24. Participants can also attend a reception with members of the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives. More information is available on the PAR website.
Source: PAR; 4/31/2025

Executive order targets disparate impact liability
On April 23, President Trump issued an executive order titled "Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy." The order directs federal agencies to de-prioritize enforcement of all statutes and regulations to the extent they include disparate impact liability. The order explicitly refers to laws and regulations protecting civil rights in employment, but it does not limit itself to the employment context. The order also directs the attorney general to determine whether federal authorities preempt state laws, regulations, policies or practices that impose disparate impact liability based on a federally protected characteristic and to "take appropriate measures consistent with the policy of this order." The U.S. Supreme Court recognized disparate impact as a theory of liability under the Fair Housing Act in its 2015 decision, Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. Read more at the National Association of Realtors website.
Source: NAR; 4/25/2025

Large area of Woods Services campus in Middletown rezoned for apartments
About 100 acres of the nearly 300-acre Woods Services campus in Middletown was recently rezoned through an overlay ordinance that includes plans for an affordable apartment building. The rezoning corrects a longstanding zoning error and adjusts the proposal process for the nonprofit’s future developments, according to township officials. The overlay ordinance includes a 42-unit apartment building of attainable housing. Nine of the units will be earmarked specifically for individuals with intellectual disabilities. A second phase of the apartment plan is projected to include 28 units, with another 20% set aside for residents with intellectual disabilities. The overlay ordinance also includes the ability to expand existing retail spaces on the campus by about 3,500 square feet. All future land development proposals on the property, aside from the apartment building that was included in the ordinance, will still need to come before township officials.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 4/28/2025

Pennsylvania DEP reissues plan for Upper Makefield pipeline cleanup
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has reissued its six-point “administrative order” to get clean drinking water to residents as well as hold pipeline operator Sunoco “fully accountable.” On Jan. 31, Sunoco’s parent company, Energy Transfer, confirmed that its pipeline had leaked petroleum, contaminating seven wells in the Mt. Eyre Manor neighborhood in Upper Makefield Township. DEP’s six-point order was first issued March 6 and requires Sunoco to: provide clean water to affected residents; submit an implementation schedule for reporting; submit an interim remedial action plan; submit a public involvement plan; submit a vapor intrusion investigation progress report; and perform remediation. DEP said its second release of the order demonstrates its “active engagement” with other agencies involved in the matter. Upper Makefield Township maintains a website with information and updates about the contamination.
Source: The Reporter; 4/25/2025

Waste Management opens a renewable natural gas facility in Falls
Waste Management recently opened a renewable natural gas (RNG) facility at its Fairless Landfill complex in Falls Township. The $131 million project is set to transform landfill gas into a cleaner energy source. The Fairless RNG Facility will harness landfill gas from the nearby operating Waste Management Fairless Landfill and the previously closed GROWS-North Landfill. The captured gas will then be processed into renewable natural gas and directly sent to natural gas pipelines. According to Waste Management officials, the RNG produces enough energy to power an estimated 63,000 homes annually. Waste Management has eight RNG facilities operational out of 20 planned nationwide.
Source: LevittownNow; 4/25/2025

$10.7M budget deficit in Neshaminy
Neshaminy School District is facing a $10.7 million deficit in the 2025-2026 budget. Business administrator Deborah Klahold told board members that the deficit could be reduced to approximately $4 million if taxes are raised to the Act 1 index of 4.7%. According to Klahold, the tax increase would amount to an additional $236 for a homeowner with an average assessed home value of $27,600. Financial challenges contributing to the budget shortfall include a decreasing tax base due to assessment appeals, projected salary increases, and rising special education and health care costs. The school board is scheduled to vote on a formal proposed budget in May, with a final vote before the end of June.
Source: LevittownNow; 4/23/2025

Bucks County parks department launches youth survey
As part of its ongoing Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan project, Bucks County launched a brief survey aimed at teenagers and young adults to gather their ideas for creating better parks. “We want to know what they like about the parks, the changes they want to see and how important parks are to their daily lives,” said Angie Nagle, director of the Parks and Recreation Department. The county park system spans more than 9,000 acres and includes parks, recreational facilities, historic sites and nature centers. The Parks and Recreation Department will host a pair of open house events in May to share early recommendations from the plan and to gather feedback on proposed improvements. Read more about the events and access the survey on the Bucks County website.
Source: Bucks County; 4/23/2025 & The Reporter; 4/25/2025 

Sadsbury Township to consider rental ordinance
Sadsbury Township supervisors will hold a public meeting to discuss proposed Ordinance No. 2025-04, which aims to regulate residential rental units within the township. The ordinance will require rental occupancy permits. Inspections of residential rental units will be performed by the code enforcement officer. Landlords will be required to file reports listing all residential rental units they own. The ordinance also includes amendments to various sections of the township code, including definitions, landlord and tenant duties, and regulations on fees and charges. The public hearing will take place on Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at the Sadsbury Township Municipal Building, 2920 Lincoln Highway.
Source: Daily Local; 4/29/2025

Upper Oxford marks first anniversary of new arboretum
In April 2023, Upper Oxford Township completed an ambitious project to transform a portion of a 12-acre hayfield on municipally owned land into an arboretum. A year later, some of the seedlings are already peeking out of the top of their protective tree tubes. The project was conceptualized by Township Supervisor Scott Rugen. The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay helped create a design that included 1,300 trees and more than 60 native shrubs. Upper Oxford has a dedicated tax for open space, and is using a portion of it for maintaining the arboretum. The Upper Oxford Arboretum project is an example of municipal partnership with a regional environmental initiative, and creative use of municipal open space funds. Read more on the Chester County Planning Commission website.
Source: Chester County Planning; 4/22/2025

Trader Joe’s plans new stores in West Whiteland, Tredyffrin
California-based grocery store chain Trader Joe’s announced it will open 21 new stores in 13 states in 2025, including two in Pennsylvania that are both in Chester County. The stores will be located in Tredyffrin Township — at 550 Lancaster Ave. in the Berwyn Shopping Center — and in West Whiteland Township — at 125 W. Lincoln Highway, Exton. Read more at Vista Today.
Source: Vista Today; 4/29/2025

Sports facility concepts for New Garden introduced at board meeting
New Garden Township is considering a zoning change applicable to Unified Development Districts (UD) to include an open-air stadium or arena. Representatives from The Sports Facilities Companies presented two indoor facility models: 

• The sports tourism facility model would draw patrons for regional events and would be a 2.82-acre, 136,575 square-foot indoor facility that would provide eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts and a bleacher seating capacity of 1,500.
• The community facility model would be geared toward local patrons and would be a 2.04-acre, 98,665 square-foot indoor facility that would provide an indoor turf area, a youth multi-purpose field, three smaller multi-purpose fields, and other indoor amenities. 

Read more at Chester County Press.
Source: Chester County Press; 4/23/2025

North Coventry shopping center sold for $27 million
Suburbia Shopping Center, a 154,000-square-foot retail property in North Coventry Township, has been sold. The shopping center, located at Glocker Way and Pottstown Pike (Route 100), has been sold by Gambone Management Co., which was represented during the sale by JLL Capital Markets. It was purchased by a High Real Estate Group affiliate earlier this month. Chester County property records show the property was sold for $27.2 million. Built in 2003, Suburbia Shopping Center spans 25.6 acres and is currently 85% leased, according to a press release. The center is anchored by Giant, with other tenants including Dollar Tree, Starbucks, a UPS Store and Tower Health.
Source: The Mercury; 4/29/2025

Brandywine Conservancy releases flood study
The Brandywine Conservancy, in collaboration with the Chester County Water Resources Authority and the University of Delaware Water Resources Center, has released the final report of the Brandywine Flood Study. Key recommendations include upgrading flood control infrastructure, such as dams, bridges, culverts and floodplain restoration, with 16 sites prioritized for action. Non-structural recommendations focus on emergency planning, early-warning systems, public education and enhanced floodplain management strategies, including land preservation and floodproofing.
Source: Daily Times; 4/28/2025