Chester County Real Estate News: August 23rd, 2010
West Chester University asked to stop buying real estate
West Chester Borough Council passed a non-binding resolution Wednesday night asking West Chester University to stop buying real estate in the borough. The resolution also requests that the university reimburse the borough for tax revenues lost as the result of a recent land purchase. The university is tax-exempt, which means it does not pay real estate taxes on the properties it owns. Earlier this year, it purchased two privately owned buildings on South High Street: the College Arms student housing complex and a house at 624 S. High St. Borough officials calculate that the university’s purchase of College Arms will reduce real estate tax revenue by more than $7,400 per year. This money, officials said, will have to be made up by the borough’s residential and commercial taxpayers. Borough officials said the university did not consult with them before purchasing these properties. Officials added that the purchase violates an agreement the university struck with West Chester a decade ago not to buy more land in the borough. Borough officials have long been worried about the high percentage of tax-exempt properties in the municipality. Properties owned by Chester County, Chester County Hospital, the West Chester Area School District, the university, churches and nonprofits cannot be taxed. Such properties make up nearly 36 percent of borough land.
Source: Daily Local; 8/20/2010
Penn supervisors ponder fate of ordinance records
Anyone seeking an up-to-date copy of ordinances passed by Penn Township is apparently out of luck. The ordinance book is so outdated, no complete books are available. Supervisor William Finnen urged his colleagues to accept a $14,735 proposal from McCormick Taylor engineers to prepare the ordinance book for codification. Board Chairman Curtis Mason opposed the contract due to its limits. The board agreed to contact Chester County officials for help.
Source: Daily Local; 8/18/2010
Coatesville RDA refocuses on future
The Flats, the Pulver Hotel, the Chetty project, and the Fleetwood Street homes are just a few of the redevelopment projects that currently fall under the purview of the Coatesville Redevelopment Authority (RDA). The RDA board recently discussed creating a business plan and a strategic plan to organize the assets for which it is responsible. The board is also considering seeking help from the Chester County Economic Development Committee, and voted to create a two-member committee to work with city staff and the CCEDC in creating these plans. As changes in leadership and economic challenges have stalled planned improvements in the city, the 10-year-old organization has become an increasingly important partner in the effort to move forward toward completing city goals. The nonprofit organization offers a wide range of services, including financing services, a business retention and expansion program, work force development and industry partnerships, and land and building site selection.
Source: Daily Local; 8/18/2010
East Bradford neighbors complain sun glare is blinding from solar panels
While few people may be able to afford large solar panel arrays, one enthusiastic homeowner on Muirfield Drive in East Bradford covered his roof with the panels and by doing so created a glare problem for his neighbors. Township officials say they are aware of the complaint and are working with the solar company that installed the panels. Brenden Beaumont, the township’s zoning officer, said he was working with the solar company to come up with a solution. The township is now requiring that a glare study be done as part of the permit process for any solar application whether it is roof-mounted or ground-mounted. The study will examine the angle of the sun at the location of the photovoltaic system throughout the year on an hour by hour basis as well as the angles of the panels. The Board of Supervisors recently adopted rules governing ground-mounted systems requiring that they be no larger than 500 square feet and not be placed in a front yard. In the last three years, the township has issued permits for about 10 residential solar systems and one solar farm.
Source: Daily Local; 8/18/2010
Plans forthcoming for NVF site in Kennett Square
The NVF industrial site’s future awaits a plan to address its various environmental issues. Abandoned for years, the former industrial site was recently bought by the Delaware Valley Development Corp. Borough Manager Brant Kucera said owner George Beer’s plans for the site will likely arrive before borough officials soon. Kucera said earlier plans for the site included a traditional neighborhood layout of age-restricted housing with townhomes and single-family dwellings. He said officials also discussed a commercial or municipal component, including a community center and shops.
Source: Daily Local; 8/16/2010
