Chester County Real Estate News at a Glance: Week of November 13th
Chester County Commissioners adopt Landscapes2
Chester County Commissioners adopted Landscapes2, the county’s updated comprehensive land use policy plan, at a public hearing on Monday. The resulting plan establishes a blueprint for bringing growth and preservation together for Chester County. The plan sets in place three initiatives for guiding the future of the county. These initiatives will be accomplished through the collective implementation of the policies and actions established by this plan:
•Build working partnerships. The county will join with municipal governments and stakeholders to develop productive partnerships that champion specific actions to achieve the vision of Landscapes2.
•Create sustainable communities. The county will work with the state and municipal governments, and other partners to build and enhance sustainable communities within designated growth areas.
•Keep Chester County green. The county will advocate for a green sustainable future.
Source: Daily Local; 11/11/09
North Coventry votes in favor of well water
North Coventry Township Supervisors voted in favor of beginning the process of creating a township-owned and -operated public well water supply. The decision paves the way for the North Coventry Water Authority to seek out all necessary permits and begin development of a municipal well. No location has yet been selected for placement of a well. However, the township had earlier identified three potential sites, and now the water authority will need to select one. Any site chosen will need to be tested to determine its yield and its effect on neighboring wells. The potential sites include one at the corner of Route 100 and West Cedarville Road — directly across from Town Square Plaza. A second site was recommended on Laurel Locks Farm, and a third in Kenilworth Park. Currently, about 25 percent of township residents use public water, which the township purchases from the Pottstown Water Authority. That water is drawn from the Schuylkill River. The supervisors’ decision to create a township well won’t completely change that, as well water must be supplemented by borough water in order to ensure an adequate supply. The North Coventry Water Authority has argued that by having a municipal well, the township will be able to better control rates and water quality for residents.
Source: Daily Local; 11/12/09
West Chester panel urges 3.4% tax hike
West Chester Borough Council’s finance committee Monday recommended council adopt a preliminary 2010 budget that calls for a 3.4 percent property tax increase. The preliminary budget would cause the average borough homeowner’s tax bill to rise to $689, an increase of $23 over last year’s average, officials said.
The average single-family home in the borough has an assessed value of $119,000, and the average tax increase was calculated using this figure, officials said. Borough Council is likely to pass a preliminary budget at its Nov. 18 meeting and pass the final budget in December. Finance committee members said that between now and December, borough administrators will try to reduce the real estate tax hike. But they warned the borough is facing financial difficulties that will likely make a tax hike inevitable.
Source: Daily Local; 11/11/09
Slight increase in Oxford Borough’s preliminary 2010 budget
Although the Oxford Council members had hoped to come up with a budget with a zero-percent increase, rising costs brought in the budget at $3,102,935, an increase of $13,338 over last year. This translates into a projected millage increase from the current 9.75 mills to 9.79 mills. For a house assessed at $100,000, this would be about $75.00 for the year. Council members expressed concern about projected shortfall in revenues caused by the reduction in real estate transfer taxes due to reappraisals and the soft housing market.
Source: Chester County Press;11/11/09
