Chester County Real Estate News: June 1st, 2010
Tredyffrin supervisors study student housing
Tredyffrin Township Supervisors are considering an ordinance to regulate student housing. Either a by-right or special-exception ordinance could be enacted. A by-right zoning ordinance would state that use of a property would be approved as long as it was in compliance with the ordinance, and special exception means that the Zoning Hearing Board would decide if an applicant is complying with the ordinance. The special exception would require the applicant to go through the ordinance and show how their project achieves compliance. The township has received complaints about problems near homes being rented to students relating to noise, traffic, parking and property maintenance.
Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 5/26/2010
Groups urge county to maintain open-space preservation
A group of land preservation advocates met with the Chester County commissioners Wednesday to urge them not to reduce the amount of county tax dollars spent to save open space, but got no guarantees their wishes would be fulfilled. Although the commissioners said that no decision had been made on what level of funding they would commit in open-space preservation funds next year, county officials did lay out for the advocates just what a precarious financial picture awaits the county as it begins preparing a budget. The county faces a reduction in funding from state sources for a variety of programs — including human services, libraries, transportation and court operations — that it cannot ignore. At the same time, county tax revenues have flattened because of a stagnant real estate market, assessment appeals are up, and the county has had to fund an increasing amount for its employee pension fund. In the past two years, the county has set an annual contribution to the land preservation efforts of $20 million. There has been some fear in the land preservation community — and some suggestion from county officials outside the commissioners’ office — that the figure might be reduced by as much as 50 percent. The groups meeting with the commissioners included about 15 officials from the Natural Lands Trust; the Willistown Conservation Trust; Safety, Agriculture, Villages and Environment (SAVE); the municipalities of Honey Brook, West Vincent, and East Pikeland; and representatives of the Chester County Agricultural Land Preservation Board.
Source: Daily Local; 5/27/2010
Study focuses on future of Route 322 corridor
A new report released recently by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission focuses on the Route 322 corridor, which was identified as an area that could be facing future congestion problems. Working with the Chester County Planning Commission, DVRPC conducted an analysis of the corridor to assess land use, environmental policies and impacts, and transportation issues. David Anderson, manager of the office of corridor planning at the DVRPC, said the study was started in 2008 and the first draft was completed about a year ago. It was then presented to local and county officials for their input. The corridor, a 15-mile section from the Lancaster County border in Honey Brook Township to U.S. Business Route 30 in Downingtown, was identified from a previous study as a roadway with the potential to face more congestion because of development pressure. The study area includes Downingtown and Honey Brook boroughs, and the townships of Caln, West Brandywine, East Brandywine, Honey Brook and West Nantmeal. According to the report, the current population of the study area is more than 44,000 people and is forecast to increase by 38 percent by 2035. It’s also forecast that Chester County will grow by 31 percent, but West Brandywine will grow by 59 percent and East Brandywine by 46 percent. The report forecasts that employment in the seven municipalities will also increase. In 2005, about 20,000 residents were employed in the study group municipalities with about 7,200 jobs in Downingtown and 7,254 jobs in Caln. DVRPC estimates that the total number of jobs will increase 24 percent by 2035 with most of the new jobs centered in Caln.
Source: Daily Local; 5/27/2010
West Pikeland to pursue public sewage plan
West Pikeland Township supervisors last week agreed to pursue a plan that will provide access by some residents to much-needed public sewage services. The township authorized engineer David Linahan to draft a public sewer plan for the Windolph Knoll area. Originally, officials thought more than 100 homes needed public sewer access. But on May 17, Linahan reported only 60 homes in the Pickering Estates area, east of Route 113 and south of Route 401, were in need. The cost for Windolph Knoll with capacity for 60 homes is unknown but will be paid by homeowners requiring the services, officials said. Linahan will submit the draft plan to planning commissions for the township and Chester County and to the county health department. Once those officials review the document and the appropriate changes are made, the public will have a chance to comment. Linahan has been instructed to draft a plan and investigate alternatives for presentation at the board’s next meeting on June 21.
Source: Daily Local; 5/26/2010
West Chester schools approve tax increase
The West Chester Area School Board on Monday night approved a 2010-2011 budget that includes a 2.83 percent property tax increase. The average increase for the district’s Chester County residents will be $98, while the average increase for its Delaware County residents will be $28, according to district officials. The average tax bill in the district’s Chester County portion, where the average assessed home value is $189,950, will be $3,343; the average tax bill in the district’s Delaware County portion, where the average assessed home value is $289,443, will be $3,980. The district finance committee two weeks ago recommended a budget that included a 3.3 percent tax increase. Board member Maria Armandi Pimley on Monday proposed an amendment to that recommendation that brought the increase to 2.83 percent, and five of the eight board members present voted to accept her amendment.
Source: Daily Local; 5/25/2010
