Chester County Real Estate News: July 19, 2010
Marshallton streetscapes project criticized by local residents
West Bradford Township‘s Marshallton Streetscapes project has hit another major snag as a group of village residents are opposed to the current design saying that it will adversely impact the historic fabric and preservation of the village. The group says, in a flyer distributed to households in the village: ”If we can‘t work together with the supervisors, representatives and PennDOT to affect a plan that addresses at a minimum these issues, then it is better for the plan to be cancelled than to get implemented as it currently stands.” Some of the issues they are referring to are plans for a 26-foot wide road, five-foot wide sidewalks and handicapped ramps. The township, meanwhile, is fighting the clock to try and meet all the requirements to get $2 million in federal funds to pay for the Streetscapes project.
Source: Daily Local; 7/12/10
Spring City considers updating sewer plan
The Spring City Sewer Committee has recommended updating and revising the borough’s 537 sewer plan. The plan was last updated in 1969, and the borough currently cannot approve any new developments. The committee has also suggested entering into a joint municipal sewer authority with East Vincent Township. East Vincent currently has 300,000 gallons of unused capacity per day. The borough may apply for state and federal grants after the 537 plan has been developed.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 7/12/10
Tax burden still highest in Oxford municipalities
A review of the cumulative millage rates in Southern Chester County shows that residents of Oxford area municipalities have the heaviest tax burden. However, because the Oxford Area School District Board of Directors managed to deliver a budget for the 2010-2011 school year that did not raise the millage rate from last year’s level of 29.5479 mills, the gap narrowed between Oxford municipalities and other townships in the last 12 months. Oxford Borough’s municipal tax rate of 10.50 mills is the highest of any municipality in the county, topping the City of Coatesville (8.915 mills) and Parkesburg (8 mills). Add in the still comparably lofty school taxes in the Oxford Area School District, and Oxford Borough residents actually have the second highest tax burden—44.0129 mills—of any municipality in the area. Parkesburg, with a cumulative 47.0850 mills leads the way, thanks to a high school tax rate required to support the Octorara School District. The common denominator for both school districts is a relatively weak commercial tax base to help support the burden of property taxes.
Source: Chester County Press; 7/7/10
Uwchlan reviews comprehensive land-use plan changes
Uwchlan Township supervisors next month will likely adopt revisions without major zoning ordinance changes to the comprehensive land-use plan that was last updated in 2000. Bob Smiley, an outside consultant hired by the township to update the plan, told the board on Monday night during a public hearing that it is not recommended that any parcels in the township be changed from one zoning district to another. The township has 1,800 acres of protected land, which is equivalent to 27 percent of its total land. The township has 3,100 acres, or 46 percent, of land, for residential uses. About 60 acres are left for low-density housing, which could add about 60 dwellings. Additionally, the township has about 181 acres available for medium-density housing developments, which could produce about 116 homes. More than 10 percent of the land in the township is occupied by commercial property. The township also has 32 acres of commercial property left that could yield about 100,000 square feet of space. Additionally, the township has 490 acres of industrial/commercial property available for development.
Source: Daily Local; 7/14/10
Oxford updates sidewalk upgrades
Traffic lanes are tightened, and finding a sidewalk in the business district can be a challenge as Oxford progresses with its major streetscape project on South Third Street. On July 12, Borough Council approved a fourth payment of $90,987 to Flyway Excavating for the project. Funding for the $1.5 million streetscape improvements includes $1.3 million from the Chester County Department of Community Development. The project replaces 17 old streetlights with 39 new ones in a Victorian style that matches the architecture of the downtown. In addition to new lighting, new sidewalks are being put in place with “bump outs” to help define pedestrian crossings. Foot traffic through the business district is a challenge, but that has not stopped a few new businesses from entering the borough.
Source: Daily Local; 7/14/10
