Chester County Real Estate News: September 6th, 2010
Caln Township strictly enforces IPMC
During a use and occupancy inspection, REALTORS can expect Caln Township to strictly enforce the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code. The Suburban REALTORS Alliance met with township officials to discuss the inspection and code enforcement process. REALTORS are encouraged to set up Use and Occupancy inspections with the township thirty days in advance in order to avoid delays in closing. Should you have any issue with a code official, please contact Andy Reczek, the Director of Code Enforcement, at andyr@calntownship.org and Tony Scheivert, Asst. Township Manager, at tscheivert@calntownship.org.
Birmingham Township to change sign ordinance
Birmingham Township has provided amendments to the zoning code which provide additional definitions and regulations pertaining to temporary signs. For open house signs: “The sign shall not be placed until 72 hours before the sale or open house, and the sign shall be located on the lot where the same is conducted, except for open house signs which may be permitted off site by permit issued by the Birmingham Township Police Department pursuant to Section 82-10 of the Birmingham Township Code.” The ordinance also amends the definition of real estate sign as: “A type of Temporary Sign indicating the sale, lease or rental of the property on which it is located, not including “open house” signs.” The meeting to discuss the passage of this ordinance will take place on Tuesday, September 7 at 7:30 pm in the Birmingham Township Municipal Building. Click here for the full text of the ordinance. Please direct any questions or comments to esmist@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com.
Coatesville may restrict rental conversions
At its last meeting on Aug. 23, City Council discussed the possibility of passing an ordinance to limit the conversion of single-family homes to multiple apartments. Coatesville has a high percentage of renter-occupied dwellings, thought to comprise more than 60 percent of the city’s housing, according to information presented at the meeting. Council and the planning commission have expressed concern over conversions in the past, and after Norristown, in Montgomery County, passed an ordinance restricting conversion less than two months ago, the city is considering doing the same. Of particular concern are certain areas of the city where, reportedly, single-family dwellings have been converted into as many as six apartments. Council agreed to direct the planning commission to consider the issue, which Reed said could take two or three months, and to put it on the agenda for the next meeting to give the public the opportunity to comment.
Source: Daily Times; 9/2/10
For sewer rate hike, opposition continues
Residents continued to protest Pennsylvania American Water Co.’s request to triple the average customer’s sewer bill at the last scheduled public input hearings on the matter. Those submitting testimony at the hearing spoke about service issues in the past; previous rate increases; the hardship the rate hike would cause, especially for young families or those on fixed incomes; and the unfairness of what is being called a “poor business decision” by the company. All of the testimony, including service issues, is considered relevant, according to attorneys from the Office of Trial Staff at the Public Utility Commission and from the Office of Consumer Advocate. Pennsylvania American has requested it be allowed to increase revenues by about $8.2 million after completing a new wastewater facility in South Coatesville at a cost of about $55 million. The Coatesville plant serves 10 municipalities, including Coatesville, Parkesburg, East Fallowfield, Caln, West Caln, West Brandywine, Sadsbury, West Sadsbury, Valley and Highland.
Source: Daily Local; 9/1/10
