Suburban REALTORS® Alliance

News Brief Headlines

 

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General

• PA Supreme Court overturns redistricting
• No way to find out now about Philly property tax bill
• Lawmakers expected to consider Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform this year

 

 

Bucks

• Penndel Borough to consider requiring sewer lateral inspection at point-of-sale
• Bucks planners taking tougher stance on fair housing
• Central Bucks eyes outsourcing bus service to save $1.2 million
• Warrington approves conditional uses for Penrose Tract
• BristolTownshipre-opens 2012 budget

 

 

Chester

• Oxfordschool board representation dispute continues
• Phoenixville website highlights community
• Residents object to Parkesburg tax hike proposal
• Ordinance gives residents right to permit parking
• Solar farm developers promise sewer hookups, buffer expansion

 

Delaware

• County moves on economic plan
• REALTORS urge action in Chester Upland
• Middletownapproves zoning change
• Norwoodcouncil lays off employees in cost-cutting moves
• Mayor Linder, city council approve more hires

 

Montgomery

• Norristownto set procedures for revocation of rental licenses
• Narberth meets with planning consultant
• Lower Merionannounces City Avenue official map workshop
• Methacton preliminary budget hikes taxes
• Norristownseeks volunteers for board vacancies

 

 

General

 

PA Supreme Court overturns redistricting

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected an official plan to remap State House and State Senate Districts for this year’s election. For the first time since 1968, when the legislative reapportionment commission was formed, the remapping has been overturned.  The Justices have yet to explain the ruling, but it appears the 2001 maps will remain in place until the commission is able to redistrict.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/26/2012

 

No way to find out now about Philly property tax bill

Philadelphiais in the midst of its Actual Value Initiative (AVI), part of an endeavor to fix a historically inequitable tax system based on decades of bad and incomplete assessments. Assessors have fanned across the city in an attempt to tag each property with its market - actual - value. But the job won't be done until at least September, and the new City Council must pass a budget and set a millage rate - the property tax rate - before the start of the fiscal year July 1. According to Councilman Bill Green, "That essentially means we are putting in place a new tax without having a true public debate on the issue. Not that we can do anything about it." AVI would figure to be a daunting challenge for any Council, but the 2012 version comes before a Council with six freshman members and a new leadership team. The city is also coming off several lean years marked by cutting services and raising taxes in often-bruising budget fights. Several Council members said the most likely approach is to determine a revenue goal and then pass a formulaic millage rate where the actual number is an unknown. In the fall, when the assessments are completed, the millage rate could be plugged in to hit that revenue goal.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/26/2012

 

Lawmakers expected to consider Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform this year

Since the market downturn several years ago lawmakers in Washington have been talking about reforming the secondary mortgage market but nothing has come out of Congress yet. This year, though, a lot of progress is expected to be made toward reform, so it will be especially important for real estate brokers and sales associates to stay engaged in what’s happening, particularly this spring. Although we’re still waiting for legislation to come out, lawmakers have been working on the issue. Four bills have been introduced that would take a comprehensive approach to reform.  NAR members can expect to hear more shortly, but whether all of this activity results in a single bill for a vote this year is uncertain. You can learn more about what to expect by clicking here.

Source: National Association of REALTORS; 1/17/2012

 

 

Bucks

 

Penndel Borough to consider requiring sewer lateral inspection at point-of-sale

Penndel Borough Council will consider an ordinance that establishes a requirement for certification of sanitary sewer status prior to the sale of real estate. A public meeting will be held on Feb. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Penndel Borough Municipal Building, 300 Bellevue Ave., Penndel, PA. The proposed ordinance would require a televised inspection of a sewer lateral from a residence to the main to ensure the lateral is free from inflow and infiltration and there are no illegal storm or surface water connections. The inspection is to be done thirty (30) days prior to the sale of the property. If repairs are necessary, they will need to be completed prior to certification. Click here to view the proposed ordinance. Penndel Borough had a voluntary sewer lateral inspection program in place, however not all properties registered for inspection. The Suburban REALTORS Alliance will be in communication with the Borough prior to the Feb. 6 vote to list our concerns regarding the ordinance.

Source: Courier Times; 1/16/2012

 

Bucks planners taking tougher stance on fair housing

BucksCountymunicipalities that have applied for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) can expect a review of their municipal zoning regulations by county planners to ensure compliance with the federal Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has stipulated that grant money cannot be distributed to any entitiy in violation of the acts. The acts prohibit discrimination on housing-related dealings because of a person’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status; and also prohibit regulations on group homes for people with disabilities that wouldn’t normally be imposed on a typical home. The main issues found in some Bucks County municipalities include special requirements for group homes and the “definition of family.” The county planning commission stressed that some Bucks municipalities have provisions on the books that predate federal laws like the ADA, and that most of the issues are not blatant errors.

Source: PhillyBurbs.com; 1/13/2012

 

Central Bucks eyes outsourcing bus service to save $1.2 million

The Central Bucks school board approved a $288.3 million preliminary budget for 2012-13 that includes a proposed tax increase of 1.7 percent, the Act 1 limit imposed by the state. The proposed tax increase would raise the tax rate to 122.85 mills, for a total property tax bill on the average home of $4,912 - $80 more than last year. The district business manager, Dave Matyas, proposed an annual reduction of the budget by $1.2 million by outsourcing bus transportation to an outside provider. Currently, the school district runs about 125 bus routes and employs close to 140 drivers, dispatchers and mechanics. Central Bucks is currently in contract negotiations with the Central Bucks Transportation Association and cannot make any changes to outsource routes until a new contract is in place. Association members have been working under the terms of the old contract that expired on June 30, 2011.

Source: Courier Times; 1/25/2012

 

Warringtonapproves conditional uses for Penrose Tract

The Warrington Township Board of Supervisors approved two conditional uses for the Penrose Tract, one of the last open stretches of old farmland in the township. The 67-acre property was rezoned as mixed-use last year, and a drive-through for a proposed restaurant and 81 town homes have been approved as conditional uses. The proposed project, currently named “Valley Gate,” includes a mix of retail, a hotel and the town homes. The plan has not received preliminary land development approval from the township.

Source: Courier Times; 1/26/2012

 

BristolTownshipre-opens 2012 budget

BristolTownship’s new council voted unanimously to re-open the 2012 budget and tasked new Township Manager Bill McCauley to present a new version to the board on Feb. 1. The former council approved a 2012 budget last December that increased taxes 0.3 mills, or about $5 for a property assessed at the township average of $17,877. The total property tax millage was 24.29 for a total average bill of $434. The former council also used $771,000 in township reserves to balance the budget. By state law, changes made to the re-opened budget must be made by Feb. 15. Click here for up-to-date meting information.

Source: PhillyBurbs.com; 1/20/2012

 

 

Chester

 

Oxfordschool board representation dispute continues

Opposing sides in the dispute over reapportionment of the Oxford Area School Board’s voting districts agreed to sit down together and attempt to reach an agreement on new boundaries before fighting the matter out in Common Pleas Court. A hearing was scheduled to ask Judge Shenkin to approve the at-large plan for board representation that was approved by a 5-3 vote of the board last year, as is required by law. Opponents had, however, submitted two modified plans for regional and at-large representation to the court, asking Shenkin to give his nod to one of them rather than the board’s plan. Before the hearing began, with the courtroom packed on both sides of the aisle, attorney Patrick O’Donnell, representing the at-large plan opponents, suggested to Judge Shenkin that he appoint a mediator to help the sides settle the dispute. He noted that such a technique had been successful in two other contentious voting cases, including the fight over a polling place in Lower Oxford.  Shenkin gave the sides until March 8 to report on whether any progress had been made in negotiations or whether a full hearing on the issue would be necessary. Asked if he thought the two sides could reach a compromise between the at-large plan approved by the school board last year and the modified plans supported by some district residents, President Joe Scheese told a reporter “I don’t think so.”

Source: Daily Local; 1/23/2012

 

Phoenixville website highlights community

Phoenixville Borough’s website includes links to a Video TourBook, which highlights various aspects of the community. The videos are all available on the lower right hand side of www.phoenixville.org  and include the following topics:

• Welcome
• Quality of Life
• Real Estate and Relocations
• Education
• Arts and Entertainment
• Parks and Recreation

 

Residents object to Parkesburg tax hike proposal

Changes in how money is being allocated means the 2012 Parkesburg budget will be advertised for reopening, but the 2012 tax rate is still expected to jump dramatically. The new tax rate borough council is advertising for this year is 10 mills, a 25% increase over the 2011 rate of 8 mills. For residents with a home assessed at $100,000, the two-mill increase will mean an additional $200 in taxes. Residents attended the January 16 Borough Council meeting to question the need for the increase. The tax ordinance and budget will be considered at the February 6 Council meeting.

Source: Avon Grove Sun; 1/19/2012

 

Ordinance gives residents right to permit parking

West Chester Borough Council gave residents of the 400 block of West Miner Street the right to permit parking. The new ordinance designates that West Miner Street between Wayne and Brandywine Streets will be included in residential parking permit zone B from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Residents brought the parking issue to the attention of council last year, citing problems with county employees using their spaces. Similar parking petitions from South Brandywine Street and Wayne Street were denied because council did not feel there was the same immediate parking issue. Councilman Jim Jones suggested creating an ad hoc parking committee to examine the borough’s long term parking problems.

Source: Daily Local; 1/23/2012

 

Solar farm developers promise sewer hookups, buffer expansion

The developers of a proposed solar farm project in Caln Township promised residents who live north of the property that they will expand a buffer and pay for sewer-connection fees. The farm is proposed for 46 acres south of Dogwood Lane. During a township hearing, developer Harry Keares said the new plan is to move the natural buffer on the northern part of the property from 25 feet to 100 feet. The developer will also pay for both a public sewer and water line along Scott Drive and Dogwood Lane and pay the tie-in fees to the 38 residences along those streets. The Board of Commissioners has 45 days to render a decision on the proposed project.

Source: Daily Local; 1/23/2012

 

 

Delaware

 

County moves on economic plan

DelawareCountyis moving forward with a component of an economic and jobs plan. The first phase of the three pronged plan will create recommendations for workforce development though the Office of Employment and Training and Commerce Center. The other two aspects of the plan, which provide incentives to redevelop blighted and vacant properties in the county’s older communities and the utilization of the Commerce Center to provide support for small businesses, will be considered at a later time.

Source: Daily Times; 1/19/2012

 

REALTORS urge action in Chester Upland

The Suburban REALTORS Alliance has written to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett urging him to work with state legislators, school district administrators and other concerned parties to immediately explore short and long-term solutions to the financial crisis in the Chester Upland School District. Click here to read the full statement. Judge Michael Baylson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia last week ordered the state Department of Education to provide $3.2 million in immediate funding so the Chester Upland School District could meet payroll through the end of February. Baylson has not ruled on whether the state should pay the school district more than $20 million in additional funding, which would be used to keep the school operating throughout the remainder of year.

 

Middletownapproves zoning change

Middletown Council approved a zoning change needed to build a modified town center on the former Franklin Mint site and two other properties on West Baltimore Pike. Amending Middletown’s zoning ordinance and zoning map at the request of the developer for the properties — WV-PP Towne Center L0P — creates a mixed-use zoning district. It also provides design standards and regulations governing the proposed use of the 173-acre site. The revised plan calls for 1.2 million square feet of development, less than half the 3-million-square-foot development originally proposed and rejected by council. The development would include 200 age-restricted residential units, a 120,000-square-foot office building and two 150,000-square-foot retail buildings. The revised plan allows for the development of SEPTA’s Wawa commuter rail station. It also provides green areas and a buffer to protect adjacent Hunter Street residents. Rezoning is the first step forward in a six-year effort by the Mint team to develop their property. The likely next step in the process is for a preliminary land development plan to come before the county and township planners, and then township council.

Source: Daily Times; 1/25/2012

 

Norwoodcouncil lays off employees in cost-cutting moves

Norwood Borough council members recently laid off the borough’s highway department and assistant secretary in an effort to save up to $100,000 a year. Delivered after a Jan. 18 borough council work session, the layoffs were part of a plan to shore up borough finances in the face of a creeping deficit, Council President David Kowalski said. Mayor George McCloskey stressed that the decision was a financial decision as Norwood’s revenue has decreased for the past two years, with little indication it will rise anytime soon. Last week’s layoffs came two years after a 34.7 percent tax hike in early 2010, which ended up netting the borough a $327,000 budget surplus. The borough has not raised taxes since. Norwood Treasurer George Fieo said the borough’s revenue and expenditures essentially broke even at the end of 2011. Revenue from taxable real estate continues to fall because of residents’ tax reassessments. The borough could have been looking at an almost $30,000 deficit if the layoffs were not implemented.

Source: Daily Times; 1/26/2012

 

Mayor Linder, city council approve more hires

Chester Mayor John Linder and his administration continued to make changes within City Hall by approving a series of appointments and terminations. City council formally terminated the contracts of 14 individuals, who had been given pink slips nearly two weeks ago. Council also brought in a number of new personnel within various city departments. Council also passed an amended budget, which the Daily Times filed a right-to-know request to see. When council passed the first reading of the amended budget earlier this month, it contained increased line-item allotments for the salaries and wages in various departments. It also eliminated money allotted for overtime in some departments.

Source: Daily Times; 1/26/2012

 

 

 

Montgomery

 

Norristownto set procedures for revocation of rental licenses

Norristown Municipal Council will consider an ordinance that will clarify the procedures for revocation or suspension of a rental license. Ordinance 12-03 of 2012 will be considered at the regular meeting of Norristown Municipal Council on Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Norristown Municipal Hall, Council Chambers, 235 E. Airy St., Norristown, PA 19401. Click here for the proposed ordinance.

Source: Times Herald; 1/21/2012

 

Narberth meets with planning consultant

A joint session of the Narberth Borough Building and Zoning Committee and Narberth planning commission met with a planning consultant to aid in a rewrite of the borough zoning code. Planning assistance will be provided by the Montgomery County Planning Commission to explore a new zoning code using form-based zoning. Form-based zoning is an alternative to traditional zoning and focuses less on separation of uses and more on the physical forms to address the relationships of buildings to each other and public spaces. The option has been available for about 10 years and is in use in a limited capacity in several Montgomery County municipalities, but Narberth is the first to look at form-based zoning for every zoning district. The group plans a “focused outreach” for business owner and resident involvement, with a draft code in place by the fall. Working meetings take place during the planning commission meetings on the first Monday of the month. Click here for the borough website.

Source: Main Line Times; 1/19/2012

 

Lower Merionannounces City Avenue official map workshop

A workshop will be held on Jan. 28 at 10:00 a.m. in the GSB Building, Top Floor Conference Room, 1 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, for the City Avenue Official Map project. Click here for the meeting agenda.

Source: Lower Merion Township; 1/24/2012

 

Methacton preliminary budget hikes taxes

The Methacton School Board adopted a proposed preliminary budget that includes a 2.95 percent tax increase. The Act 1 index set by the state limits a tax increase to 1.7 percent unless the district is approved for exceptions. Methacton has applied for a PSERS exception for pension payments. The proposed 27.082 millage rate would amount to a $140.35 tax increase on the average home in the district for a total tax bill of $4,898. The district will continue working on the preliminary plan with final adoption required by June.

Source: Times Herald; 1/24/2012

 

Norristownseeks volunteers for board vacancies

The Municipality of Norristown is seeking interested residents to serve on the Planning Commission, the Historical Architectural Review Board or as an alternate on the Zoning Hearing Board. A letter of interest and qualifications may be submitted to: Mr. David Forrest, Administrator, Municipality of Norristown, 235 E. Airy St., Norristown, PA 19401. Click here for the Norristown website.

Source: Times Herald; 1/21/2012