Chester County Real Estate News: July 26th, 2010
Tredyffrin to consider regulating student rental housing
The Tredyffrin Board of Supervisors will consider two ordinances that would regulate student rental housing in the township at their August 16 public meeting. A proposed property registration ordinance for student rental housing would require landlords to file contact information with the township. Also, the proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment establishes a new use that the ordinance will regulate termed “Student Home”; and permits this use in the R- ½, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 zoning districts by special exception approval. Special exception approval means that the use, in each instance, needs to be approved by the Tredyffrin Township Zoning Hearing Board. The ordinance places a limitation on the number of student tenants living in the student home to three. It also provides for minimum distances between student homes. The Suburban REALTORS Alliance has been closely monitoring the progress of this ordinance. Please contact esmist@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com with any questions or comments.
No easy fix for Penn’s sewer issues
Penn Township Supervisors discussed the inevitable sewer fee rate increases. Board Chairman Curtis Mason explained in addition to the required 537 (sewer) plan, which will cost $2.3 million, there are a number of unfunded mandates by DEP –such as constructing additional lagoons and upgrading pumps. There are also issues with foreign objects in the sewer system, and the township is imploring residents not to use garbage disposals at all. While the increases have not yet been calculated, the new rates will be reflected in the next quarter’s bills for both commercial and residential customers.
Source: Chester County Press; 7/14/10
West Chester officials fret over vacant building in disrepair
West Chester Borough Council unanimously agreed Tuesday night to take legal action against the owners of a vacant building at 16 E. Gay St., in the heart of the borough’s business district. Borough officials said the building’s owner has allowed the building to fall into disrepair. Council members said they will take whatever legal action is necessary to assure the property is repaired. The building has been vacant for an extended period of time, and the property owners cannot prove that it does not pose a threat to health and safety. Officials said the building’s owner has not allowed the codes department to inspect the inside of the building. In June, the codes department started issuing citations to the owners.
Source: Daily Local; 7/20/10
Workshops to highlight community resources in Coatesville area
More than a dozen organizations were represented during the launch of a series of nine free summer workshops that will provide information to homeowners and renters who are in financial trouble — or trying to avoid it. The series of programs, “Help Yourself, Help Your Neighbor: Get Informed!”, will include information on mortgage foreclosure prevention, home weatherization options, employment and training, and credit counseling. The workshops will also provide opportunities for customers to better understand and manage their water and energy bills. Many of the representatives said renters and homeowners have options to improve their properties that many people are unaware exist. The first program, on budgeting and money management, will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 24, at 800 S. First Ave., South Coatesville. A complete list of programs is available at www.chesco.org/helpyourself19320; or residents can call 610-344-6900 for more information.
Source: Daily Local; 7/18/10
Neighbors join in Coatesville revitalization effort
With cleanup efforts such as Coatesville Impact Day, held on the morning of July 17 along West Lincoln Highway, residents are banding together to clean their city and return pride to their neighborhoods in the process. The committee that is responsible for this effort, Weed and Seed, according to the city’s Web site, is a “community-based initiative … an innovative and comprehensive multi-agency approach to law enforcement, crime prevention and community revitalization.” Coatesville has been designated both a state and federal Weed and Seed site, and it can receive funding as a result. The Weed and Seed subcommittee will host its next meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 29, in City Hall.
Source: Daily Local; 7/18/10
