News & Issues: News Brief

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News Brief Archives

General News

Homeownership is not a loophole

Local REALTORS® and association staff met with Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8), Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6), Congressman Pat Meehan (PA-7), and Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz’s staff (PA-13) in Washington D.C. to discuss priority federal issues related to real estate. The issues currently on the front burner for the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) include:

  • Preserving the Mission and Purpose of the FHA Program. Congress must ensure that the Federal Housing Administration single-family program has the tools and policies in place to meet its mission of providing access to safe, affordable mortgage financing to qualified borrowers nationwide.
  • Preserving Home Ownership Tax Policies. As Congress considers proposals to reform the federal tax code, lawmakers should consider the vital role that real estate tax provisions play in the nation's housing markets and economy, as well as the financial well-being of Americans and their families.
  • Restructuring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and Encouraging the Return of Private Capital. Any restructuring of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must ensure that affordable mortgages are available to consumers in all types of markets, and avoid a major disruption to the nation's economy that would result from the total collapse of the housing finance sector.

Source: Realtor.org; 5/14/2013

How to help victims of the Oklahoma tornado

The REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) immediately went into action to help those affected by the deadly tornado, which recently swept through Moore, Oklahoma. The charitable foundation was established to provide housing-related assistance to victims of disasters. There are several ways to donate:

  • Online via credit card: Use this secure form to make a contribution
  • By mail via check: Make checks payable to: REALTORS® Relief Foundation, c/o NAR, 430 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

The RRF welcomes contributions – not only in times of disaster, but at any time throughout the year, and 100 percent of all funds collected go to disaster relief efforts. RRF exists as a 501(c)(3) organization established to provide housing-related assistance to victims of disasters and for other charitable purposes. To learn more, visit the Relief Foundation site.
Source: PAR Just Listed; 5/22/2013

 

Bucks County

Doylestown Borough agrees to regional police force

Doylestown Borough Council recently approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with New Britain Borough that will establish a regional police department. The new force will be called the Central Bucks Regional Police, and is expected to begin patrolling next year. The force will be governed by a regional police commission comprised of five members (either council members or mayors) from the two boroughs. Each borough will have two seats on the commission which will include two-year terms, and the fifth seat will rotate annually between the boroughs. The boroughs are locked into the regional force for at least five years and the agreement allows other municipalities to join.

Source: The Intelligencer; 5/21/2013

Tullytown to consider sign ordinance amendment

The Council of the Borough of Tullytown will consider an amendment to its sign ordinance at the June 4, 2013 regular meeting held at 7 p.m. in the Borough Municipal Building, 500 Main St., Tullytown, PA. The proposed amendment adds an ordinance section entitled “Forfeiture of Signs Located on Public Property or in Public Rights-of-Way.” The proposed amendment allows for the disposal of temporary signs placed in violation of the borough sign ordinance where no owner can be determined, or after notice to the owner to remove the sign in violation. REALTORS are reminded to practice responsible placement of signs and to be educated about local sign ordinances by utilizing the SRA’s Municipal Database.

Source: Courier Times; 5/14/2013

Apartment plan moves forward in Penndel

The Penndel Planning Commission is scheduled to review a sketch plan on May 30 for a proposed three-story apartment building on Robbins Avenue. The applicant, Hickory Hill Builders of New Hope, proposes a three-story building adjacent to the Mill Creek apartments. The sketch plan includes a dozen two-bedroom apartments with balconies and 21 parking spaces. The land is zoned for retail and commercial uses, so the plan will need a zoning variance. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Penndel municipal building, 300 Bellvue Ave., Penndel, PA.

Source: PhillyBurbs.com; 5/22/2013

Sellersville posts council vacancy

Sellersville Council Member Sabrina Janney resigned effective May 1 after moving out of the borough. Borough council accepted the resignation on May 13 and has 30 days to fill the vacant position. Interested applicants can send a letter of interest to Borough Manager David Rivet, Sellersville Borough Hall, 140 E. Church St., Sellersville PA 18960. Janney’s four-year term was to expire at the end of 2015. The replacement appointed by council will serve through the end of the year and the remaining two years of the term will be up for election in November.

Source: Perkasie News Herald; 5/17/2013

Chester County

Downingtown reviewing River Station

Downingtown Borough Council and developers of real estate around the proposed railroad station are reviewing final plans for the River Station site. The River Station Land conditional-use application presented at council’s May 15 meeting focused on green space near Logan Avenue. It is proposed for train station garage parking by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The former Sonoco paper mill along Brandywine Avenue makes up most of the 76 acres in and around the redevelopment. Portions of the complex have already been demolished while other buildings will be rehabbed. The borough’s planning commission has stated in previous meetings that it favors minimizing the overall parking footprint of the train station by suggesting structured parking, which would allow for other uses, such as retail or green space. The overall River Station project would feature a bank and a larger building to host retail, office and residential uses. The hearing has been continued into council’s next meeting on June 5, with an opportunity to hear public testimony on the project. After the hearing has been completed, council has 45 days to issue a decision.

Source: Daily Local; 5/20/2013

 

Oxford to consider ordinance relating to portable signs

Oxford Borough Council will consider an amendment to the existing Borough Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 27 of the Code of the Borough of Oxford, regarding portable signs. A Portable sign will be defined as an A-frame sign or sign of similar character which is placed upon a sidewalk and which is not secured or attached to a structure, to a sidewalk, or to the ground. Portable signs shall be permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3, PC/LI, and I Zoning Districts where the principal use of the property is non-residential. No more than one portable sign per property shall be permitted, except where the front facade of a building is divided among two or more discrete principal uses, each such use shall be permitted one portable sign. A portable sign may be placed in front of the principal use with which it is associated, including within a sidewalk. A portable sign shall not exceed nine square feet. Any portable sign shall be taken indoors at the close of each business day. This amendment will be considered for adoption at a public meeting on June 10 at 7 p.m. to be held at the Borough Building (401 East Market Street, Oxford).

Source: Daily Local; 05/20/2013

 

West Whiteland to hold permitting, land development discussions

West Whiteland Township will hold a roundtable discussion with area contractors to discuss the permitting process on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at 6 p.m., and a second roundtable discussion with area developers regarding the land development process beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the same evening. Both roundtable discussions will be held at the West Whiteland Municipal Building, 101 Commerce Drive, Exton, PA.

Source:  Daily Local; 5/20/2013

 

West Goshen to consider changes zoning regulations for student housing

West Goshen Township Supervisors will consider an ordinance to add regulations for student homes and to allow student homes in the R-4 Zoning District by special exception.  This ordinance will be considered for adoption on June 12 at 7 p.m. at the West Goshen Township Municipal Building (1025 Paoli Pike, West Chester).

Source: Daily Local; 05/15/2013

 

West Chester to regulate roof occupancy

West Chester Borough will consider an ordinance that will declare the occupancy of a roof, when such a roof is not designed for occupancy, a public nuisance under the borough’s building code. This ordinance will be considered for adoption at a public hearing on June 18 at 7 p.m. in Borough Hall (401 East Gay Street, West Chester).

Source: Daily Local; 05/21/2013

Delaware County

Aston postpones vote on mobile home park

Aston Commissioners have postponed a vote on a request for a zoning change from mobile home to industrial at the Fishers Corner mobile home community. The community is located at the intersection of Concord and Convent Roads, and has been owned by West Cork, LLC. for more than a decade. Local builder/developer Joseph Buoni, principal owner of West Cork, LLC., hopes to construct private student housing and a few retail stores on the 2.19-acre site. If approved, the mobile home community would be demolished, thus displacing the residents. Speaking on behalf of Buoni, Attorney James Buckler said the proposal has been approved by the Delaware County Planning Commission and the Aston Township Planning Commission. He added that the construction of the student housing, which will be used by Neumann University students, would greatly benefit the community.  Buckler said the new construction will generate approximately $28,000-$30,000 annually in taxes for the township and at least $180,000 in tax dollars for the PennDelco School District. He added that the configuration of the intersection will also be improved. Several mobile home residents were in attendance at the commissioners meeting and voiced displeasure with the plan. At the end of testimony and comments Wednesday night, Commissioners President Jim Stigale said the board would not vote on the proposal, but instead take additional time for review.

Source: Daily Times; 5/21/2013

 

County authorizes eminent domain for Chester property

Delaware County Council approved a resolution Wednesday authorizing the use of eminent domain to acquire a slope easement across the property located at 17 W. Seventh St. in Chester for the purpose of replacement of Delaware County Bridge No. 186 and payment of just compensation in the amount of $2,100. County Executive Director Marianne Grace said the county always attempts to work with owners to reach an amicable agreement before the use of eminent domain. County Solicitor Michael Maddren noticed it’s a “very, very small easement of about 500 square feet.”

Source: Daily Times; 5/20/2013

 

New Chester Upland super chosen to help turnaround

Chester Upland School District Receiver Joe Watkins introduced Gregory C. Shannon as the new superintendent of the Chester Upland School. Shannon, who was chosen to be the district’s superintendent after an exhaustive search, has agreed to a five-year contract. Shannon, 49, of Winslow Township, N.J., comes to Chester Upland after working in the School District of Philadelphia for 26 years. While there, Shannon worked as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and a regional superintendent. Some of his duties included supervising the Office of Student Discipline, Hearings and Expulsions, serving as the assistant superintendent of the Transition and Alternative Education Division and most recently serving as the principal of Hamilton Disston Elementary School. The challenges facing the district are not lost on Shannon, who is eager to dive in and get to work. With a crowded agenda that includes realigning schools, closing buildings and selling real estate on the horizon, Shannon plans on first getting to know the community on a personal level. 

Source: Daily Times; 5/19/2013

 

Haverford considers new municipal/police building

Haverford Commissioner Dan Siegel presented recommendations for a new, $1.16 million township vehicle maintenance facility at the public works yard on Hilltop Road, as well as for a $14.9 million municipal complex that would combine township administrative and police department functions. The complex would be located off Darby and Manoa roads. Siegel said his Property Subcommittee, which includes commissioners Jane Hall, Jim McGarrity and Bill Wechsler, has been evaluating township facilities over the past four years. Since presenting general recommendations for modernization and updates about two years ago, a working group was convened consisting of architect Gary Bogosian, Angelo Capuzzi, Assistant Township Manager Lori Hanlon-Widdop, codes Officer Joe Celia, Siegel, Wechsler, Scott Winger and Anthony Marchesani. The current public works yard’s municipal vehicle maintenance and repair facility, police department, and the township building are all undersized and do not meet the current needs of the township. Commissioners did not vote on the proposal, but approved a reimbursement resolution declaring the township’s official intent to reimburse itself from future bond proceeds for capital expenditures made in advance relating to these projects, and for refunding a $5 million loan in 2012 from Delaware Valley Regional Planning Authority.

Source: Daily Times; 5/17/2013

Montgomery County

Recent point-of-sale issues in Trappe Borough

The Suburban REALTORS® Alliance has been in contact with Trappe Borough regarding recent point-of-sale inspection issues.  Among the issues discussed was the proper procedure for issuing temporary certificate of occupancy permits, which the borough has been hesitant to allow. The SRA reminded borough staff that under the PA Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act (MCOCA), a temporary certificate must be issued to allow a real estate transaction to move forward unless a “substantial violation renders the property unfit for habitation.” In addition, once a temporary certificate is issued, the borough does not have the authority to keep the buyer from occupying the property. The MCOCA states that buyers have up to 18 months to correct municipal code inspection issues after the date of the transaction. Attention REALTORS: If you have had an issue regarding a point-of-sale code inspection in Trappe Borough in 2013, please contact us at 610-981-9000. 

 

Upper Moreland to consider creation of PA UCC Appeals Board

On June 3 the Upper Moreland Board of Commissioners will consider an ordinance that would create a Board of Appeals in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC). The main responsibility of the appeals board would be to consider petitioners questioning the administration or enforcement of the UCC. The ordinance will set forth member qualifications for the proposed board. Click here for qualifications and consideration guidelines. The June 3 meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Upper Moreland Township Building, 117 Park Ave., Willow Grove, PA

Source: The Intelligencer; 5/17/2013

 

Colonial proposed final budget hikes taxes

The Board of School Directors for the Colonial School District adopted the proposed final budget for the 2013-14 school year, including a real estate tax increase of 2.6 percent. The proposed increase would amount to an additional $49.67 in tax for each $100,000 in assessed property value. The school board began the budget process in February facing a $4.6 million deficit, but that has been reduced to $1.1 million. The proposed final budget will be available for public inspection on the school district website and at the district offices. The budget is set to be finalized by the end of June.

Source: Times Herald; 5/17/2013

 

Methacton adopts proposed final budget

The Methacton Board of School Directors adopted the proposed final budget for the 2013-14 school year. If finalized, the budget will increase school property taxes by 2.09 percent. A property assessed at the district average of $180,767 would see a $101.23 increase in the annual property tax bill. Administrators will continue to look for reductions to the budget. A work session for the school board is scheduled for June 18, and the budget is set to be finalized at the June 25 meeting at 7 p.m. at the Methacton High School.

Source: Times Herald; 5/22/2013

Philadelphia

Council reforms delinquent tax policy

Philadelphia City Council recently passed a pair of bills designed to encourage payments from delinquent taxpayers. The first measure establishes fixed and more reasonable interest and penalty rates for all delinquent taxes other than real estate taxes and clarifies the language covering limitations of actions to recover and assess taxes. The interest and penalty rates are more in line with other municipalities. The second bill will apply all payments made on delinquent accounts first to the principal amount owed, thereby reducing the balance owed as well as penalties and interest over time. Also, starting in 2016, receipts for all transactions must be made available to the taxpayer upon request.

Source: Roxborough Review; 5/21/2013

 

Philadelphia’s 10-year tax abatement under debate

The Building Industry Association (BIA) of Philadelphia has issued a report on the city’s 10-year tax policy, which some City Council members have considered altering as part of comprehensive tax reform. The abatement program’s success repeatedly raises questions about how much longer it should continue and whether the city has gained enough momentum to revise the program. The tax break gives people who buy a new house or condominium or construct a new building or convert a structure into another use a break on property taxes for 10 years. Many developers believe the abatement has been one of the most successful economic development policies that the city has enacted, and they contend that one of the main benefits is that it helps to offset the steep construction costs in Philadelphia. At 25 percent above the national average, the city has the fourth highest cost of construction in the country at $128 per square foot.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 5/16/2013

 

Census: Philly grows again

Philadelphia continues to grow, according to new Census Bureau figures. The city’s population rose by 9,040 over the one-year period from July 2011 through July 2012, according to estimates released today. So, the most recent population estimate of 1,547,607 reflects a little more than half a percent growth over that one-year span. Philadelphia’s population grew by almost 20,000, or 1.3 percent, over the two year span from 2010 through 2012. It remains the nation’s fifth largest city, wedged between Houston and Phoenix. The data reinforce a turnaround in the city’s growth. Philadelphia began to decline in population in 2002, dipping to a low of 1,488,710 in 2006. However, the population has been rising since. The turnaround trend isn’t unique to Philadelphia. It continues a growth pattern in large urban centers.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 5/23/2013