Disability housing providers warn investor ban in Senate Housing Bill could limit group homes
Providers serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Philadelphia region warn that a provision in the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act could unintentionally disrupt housing for vulnerable residents. The provision restricts large corporate landlords from buying additional single-family homes, which are often used as licensed group homes. The legislation, which passed the U.S. Senate, aims to address affordability and boost housing supply by limiting companies with portfolios of 350 or more single-family homes. The provision was included in response to concerns that institutional investors helped drive up housing prices after the pandemic. Supporters of disability housing providers argue the measure could worsen existing shortages in Pennsylvania, where wait lists for group homes already stretch for months. The National Association of Realtors has broadly endorsed the ROAD to Housing Act as a bipartisan effort to expand housing supply and improve affordability, while emphasizing policies that increase homeownership opportunities nationwide.
Source: PlanPhilly; 4/16/2026

Interim chair named to PA Human Relations Commission
Philadelphia City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. has been named interim chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) by Gov. Josh Shapiro, stepping into a leadership role at an agency facing significant turmoil. Jones, a PHRC member since 2017, replaces Joel Bolstein, who resigned after a decade as chair, amid a wave of departures that also included the executive director, chief of counsel, procurement officer and vice chair. The agency, which handles discrimination cases in employment, housing, education and public accommodations, is also under an Office of Administration spending review and is down to just four commissioners — barely enough for a quorum. Jones has outlined a 100-day turnaround plan to reduce the longstanding case backlog and is urging the governor and legislature to quickly appoint and confirm new commissioners.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 5/5/2026

Opinion: SEPTA’s decision to focus on housing, not parking, is a win for Southeastern PA
An editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer praised SEPTA for reversing course on a proposed $48 million parking garage near the Conshohocken rail station and instead supporting transit-oriented development that would bring hundreds of apartments, retail and jobs near existing rail service. While much of Southeastern Pennsylvania was initially built around railroads and trolley lines, new development from the 1960s onward prioritized cars. Sprawl development promised a future of abundant parking just as the increased lot sizes and distances between homes made walking a chore. The result was an increase in car ownership, the loss of local farmland and wilderness, and the slow erosion of transit ridership. Citing support from regional and local officials, the editorial said the agency’s new focus on housing near transit marks a return to the region’s traditional rail-oriented development pattern and could help increase ridership, address housing demand, limit sprawl and reduce environmental impacts. The editorial also urged SEPTA to expand the approach by partnering with private developers to help accelerate improvements tied to its Reimagining Regional Rail plan.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 4/30/2026

5-county partnership aims to bring fresh economic development to Philly region
The Greater Philadelphia Growth Partnership, a new collaborative effort involving Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, has been formed with a goal of helping the region to grow economically. Organizers expect it could help raise wages for lower-income residents. “This partnership is bringing together leaders from business, economic and workforce development, philanthropy, and government across all five counties behind a shared single agenda: more quality jobs in a more competitive region,” said Claire Marrazzo Greenwood, executive director. The Partnership emerged from a sustained collaborative effort by The Pew Charitable Trusts and support by the Brookings Institution to develop a shared, data-driven approach to improve growth and mobility outcomes in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Source: Daily Local; 5/6/2026

Childcare access is adequate in much of Philadelphia, but many suburbs lack providers
Childcare providers are sparse in some parts of Philadelphia and in a number of the city’s suburbs, including some high-income communities, a new report says. Areas in which licensed childcare is scarce include parts of Northeast Philadelphia and the river wards, as well as Bryn Mawr, Ridley Park, Marple Township and Chesterbrook, according to new data from the Center for American Progress. A quarter of Pennsylvania children under 6 years old live in places where there is only one licensed childcare slot for every 10 children or more. And 45.2% live in areas where there are between three and 10 children for a single licensed slot.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 5/1/2026 

Housing proposed for old factory in New Britain Township
Granite Creek Properties is proposing to convert a roughly 7,500-square-foot former manufacturing building at 5 New Galena Road in New Britain Township into a six-unit apartment complex with a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom units. The adaptive reuse project, which would preserve the existing building's footprint, includes 12 parking spaces with additional reliance on street parking. Township consultants have flagged that zoning relief will likely be needed for parking, impervious surface coverage and setback requirements. Supervisors received an initial sketch plan review and more detailed plans are expected to follow.
Source: NorthPennNow; 5/4/2026

East Rockhill advertises data center ordinance
East Rockhill supervisors approved advertising an ordinance to regulate data centers as a preemptive measure before any applications are received. The ordinance restricts data centers to industrial districts near the Pennridge Airport, with a 50-acre minimum lot size and a 45-foot height limit, and follows a wave of data center proposals and public backlash across the broader region. Residents raised concerns about water consumption, electricity usage and community harm, while the township solicitor noted that outright prohibition isn't legally permissible and that any future applicant would need to complete a full land development review including a water impact study. Supervisors agreed unanimously to get the ordinance on the books and refine it through amendments, with a 60-day advertisement period followed by a public hearing and final vote.
Source: The Reporter; 5/4/2026

Bucks250PA launches Revolutionary War Trail map
Bucks250PA, Bucks County's official initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, unveiled a Revolutionary War Trail map at a ceremony held at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Upper Makefield. Developed in partnership with the Bucks County Herald and the Bucks County Planning Commission, the printed map highlights key Revolutionary War sites across the county and includes a QR code linking to an expanded digital version. Three additional digital trails — covering Heritage, Abolitionist and Lenape history — are also accessible via the planning commission's platform. The project was funded through an America250PA Semiquincentennial Grant and is intended to serve as a lasting educational resource for residents and visitors well beyond the anniversary celebration.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 4/30/2026

Officials weigh support for data centers in Bucks County
Data centers have become a contentious political issue in Bucks County, with residents opposing planned projects in Falls and West Rockhill over concerns about noise, water usage, environmental impact and rising power bills. State law currently prevents towns from banning such developments outright, leaving municipalities scrambling to update ordinances before new proposals arrive. In response, state Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-16) has proposed a bill to allow towns to temporarily pause data center applications while updating local policies, alongside a separate bill to repeal a tax break on data center equipment. Politicians who previously championed such projects, including Gov. Shapiro, are now adopting more cautious tones as public opinion sours, while candidates across both parties stake out varying positions — from supporting short moratoriums to calling for stronger community protections — heading into primary season.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 5/4/2026

Sketch plans submitted for age-restricted community in Upper Southampton
A developer has submitted sketch plans for a 34-unit, age-restricted, twin-home community on a 20-acre property at 1230 Stump Road in Upper Southampton Township. The project would feature 2,500-square-foot homes clustered around a cul-de-sac, with nearly 14 acres of preserved wooded open space and a walking trail. Because the property's current R-1 zoning doesn't permit the use, developers are seeking both application of the township's Active Adult Community Overlay District and a zoning amendment to allow twin singles — a lower-density alternative to townhomes. Proponents highlight a projected $288,000 annual fiscal benefit to the township, minimal traffic impact and 68% preserved open space, while some residents raised concerns about traffic, open space loss and the property's failure to meet the overlay district's 30-acre minimum requirement. The project will return before the board as a more formal plan.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 4/16/2026 

PA Supreme Court rules on West Chester stormwater protection tax
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a long-awaited decision on West Chester Borough’s stormwater program and it massively impacts how the borough collects income for that service. On April 30, the court issued a decision in the case of the Borough of West Chester v. Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The court ruled the borough’s stream protection fee, begun in 2017, is a tax and not a fee and that West Chester University — a nontaxable entity — was not obligated to pay the tax. As part of an ordinance, the borough assesses property owners $1.2 million per year for stormwater protection based upon impervious coverage, which is spent mostly on capital projects and maintenance of the borough’s separate storm sewer system. As a nonprofit, the university is charged $118,000 annually, which it has not paid since the inception of the program while the matter worked through the courts. With the decision, the university will not have to pay the stormwater fee. The university is obligated to pay fees, but not taxes, as a nonprofit. Almost one-third of the borough’s footprint is tax-exempt. Much of it is owned by Chester County government and religious organizations.
Source: Daily Local; 5/6/2026

Developers revert to 1.5M-square-foot data center proposal in East Whiteland
Following months of fiery opposition from residents that saw protests and halted municipal meetings, the developers of a proposed East Whiteland data center called their own bluff, telling the township that they will scrap their revised plans and instead build a previously approved 1.5-million-square-foot version. The decision takes a smaller plan, proposed last month, off the table — but it also eliminates a much bigger version that residents vehemently opposed. The board of supervisors were expected to vote on the amended project in late May, after pushing the meeting back from the end of April. The township canceled the meeting following a letter from developers withdrawing the pending application.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 5/5/2026

Willistown to weigh creation of sewer authority at public hearing
Willistown Township supervisors will consider an ordinance to establish a municipal sewer authority under Pennsylvania’s Municipality Authorities Act, a move that would formalize oversight of sewer infrastructure and services. Draft Ordinance 4 of 2026 would approve and authorize the filing of articles of incorporation for the proposed Willistown Township Sewer Authority, appoint its initial board members, and empower township officials to execute and submit the necessary documents to the state. The authority would be tasked with holding, constructing, maintaining and operating sewer systems and treatment works, as well as providing sewage collection, transportation and treatment services through agreements with the township. The ordinance also would rescind any inconsistent prior ordinances. The board will take up the matter at a public hearing on Monday, June 1, at 7 p.m. at the Willistown Township Municipal Building, 688 Sugartown Road, Malvern.
Source: Daily Local; 4/30/2026

North Coventry to consider updates to fire, property maintenance codes
The North Coventry Township Board of Supervisors is set to consider an ordinance updating local code enforcement, fire prevention and property maintenance regulations by adopting portions of the 2021 International Fire Code and 2021 International Property Maintenance Code. The proposed amendment, Ordinance No. 03-2026, would revise Chapters 141, 181 and 270 of the township code, incorporating the 2021 fire code with Appendices B, C and D, and the 2021 property maintenance code with Appendix A, while updating related provisions governing building conditions and enforcement standards. Officials said the changes are intended to modernize regulations overseeing the safety, maintenance and condition of buildings and structures throughout the township. The board is scheduled to consider the ordinance at a public meeting on Monday, May 11, at 7 p.m. at the township building, 845 S. Hanover St., Pottstown.
Source: Daily Local; 4/29/2026

Kennett Square appoints new council member
Kennett Square Borough Council appointed Tucker McDonald to become the seventh member of borough council. McDonald, an entrepreneur, called for “reasonable development” to ensure the town, as it continues to grow, “remains recognizable.”
Source: Daily Local; 5/6/2026