Chester County Real Estate News: May 16,2010
West Nantmeal to consider property maintenance standards for exteriors
The Board of Supervisors of West Nantmeal Township will conduct a public hearing on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the West Nantmeal Township Municipal Building, 455 North Manor Road, Elverson, Pennsylvania 19520, to consider and possibly adopt an Ordinance to regulate property maintenance. The ordinance requires all exterior property to be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition free from rodent infestation and free from accumulation of rubbish and garbage; prohibits dumping of garbage and rubbish on private or public property and prohibits the parking of inoperable motor vehicles in the front yard; requires these vehicles to be stored in the side or rear yard within applicable setbacks and screened from view from public rights of way and adjacent properties.
Source: Daily Local; 5/5/2010
Coatesville residents concerned about wastewater rate hike
Pennsylvania American Water’s Coatesville area customers have some harsh words for the utility that is seeking Public Utility Commission approval for a 229 percent wastewater rate increase. Under the proposed new rates, the typical residential customer’s wastewater bill would increase from $27.43 per month to $90.26. For commercial customers, the typical bill of $83.54 for 17,500 gallons of use would increase to $243.18. The proposed rate increase, because the request is for such as large amount, will not happen overnight. The company said it wants the new rates to become effective June 22. But the PUC typically suspends such requests for six to nine months to permit a complete investigation and analysis. The PUC is expected to appoint an administrative law judge who will hold public hearings, take testimony and issue a recommendation to the PUC concerning the request. No schedule for public hearings has been announced by the PUC as yet. Pennsylvania American said it needs the rate hike to pay for the recently completed $55 million in upgrades and expansions of the Coatesville Wastewater Treatment Plant needed to replace an outdated facility that dated back to 1932.
Source: Daily Local; 5/4/2010
Downingtown Area School District’s tax hike at 2.9 percent
Downingtown Area school officials made a final presentation of its preliminary budget Wednesday and began to lay out the troubles the district will face with next year’s budget. Chief Financial Officer Richard Fazio presented members of the school board with the preliminary budget for the upcoming year, which will need to be approved at the board’s next regular meeting on May 12. He said next year the district will need to cut $5.6 million. The preliminary budget for this year includes a 2.9 percent tax increase, which equates to an additional $129.15 for the average resident.
Source: Daily Local; 5/2/2010
County groups file suit to block pipeline
The Brandywine Conservancy and a West Bradford homeowners association has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in an effort to block a proposed new liquefied natural gas terminal in Maryland and a pipeline through Chester County. The pipeline would go through about 31 miles in Chester County, spanning 13 townships and Downingtown. The route for the proposed new pipeline is through seven miles of land that have conservation easements on them held by the Brandywine Conservancy. Five entities officially filed lawsuits in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, asking a federal judge to rescind the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the project. One party filing suit, the Bradford Glen Homeowners Association at Victoria Crossing, is a 490-home subdivision in West Bradford. About seven homes in the subdivision would have to give up land for an AES easement if the project is approved. The AES has not issued site-specific maps to homeowners yet that detail exactly where the pipe would be laid and what trees would have to be removed.
Source: Daily Local; 4/30/2010
Phoenixville residents react to parking plan
The Phoenixville Parking Authority met with several irate residents during one of its public meetings to explain the new parking plan for the downtown area. More than 50 residents attended the Thursday evening meeting, held at the Bistro On Bridge restaurant and voiced their opinions about the new parking plan, scheduled to begin Monday. The plan will involve the installation of central pay stations in the lots at Main and Bridge, Prospect Street, Price and Main streets, and the Mill Street lot. The cost to park in the lots will be $1 an hour and will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be free parking on the street from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but only for two hours. In addition, the parking authority will provide off-street parking to merchants on the Phoenix Steel Property. The extra 150 to 175 spaces will be made available Monday for the sum of $10 per month, when the parking changes are enacted. A parking committee will be formed, and residents should sign up for the committee so parking issues could be discussed with him. For more information about the parking plan or joining a parking committee, call 484-880-1530.
Source: Daily Local; 5/3/2010
Land purchase expands French Creek State Park
A key land acquisition will add 279 acres to French Creek State Park and connect the park to three nationally important historic sites. The two new parcels will extend almost to the Schuylkill River and will connect to the Schuylkill River Trail. Through that trail, park users could connect to the Valley Forge National Historic Park and the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is within French Creek State Park. French Creek State Park, at 7,475 acres, is in both Berks and Chester counties.
Source: Daily Local; 5/6/2010
