Chester County to gain state House seat

Chester County’s growing population has led to the creation of a new state House district under the proposed legislative redistricting plan. The new district in Chester County will be carved out along the Route 30 corridor and center around Downingtown and Coatesville. The county will continue to have nine state House districts, because the addition of the new district and subsequent rearranging of others will crowd out Rep. Thomas Killion (R-168), who represents one township in Chester County and has the majority of his district in Delaware County. Chester County will be divided among four — not six — state Senate districts after two of them were adjusted to keep them outside the county.

Source: Daily Local; 11/1/11

In Franklin, open space EIT back on the ballot

When Franklin Township voters cast their ballots in May, they voted to defeat a referendum that would permit the supervisors to impose a half percent income tax dedicated to preserving open space. Unwilling to drop the idea, township supervisors have voted to include the question on the ballot for the general election on Nov. 8. Supervisors’ Chairman Nan Latimer explained that the current board had voted to place the referendum on the ballot again because they believe people did not understand it entirely. She said people need to know that the current real estate tax of half a mill will disappear if the earned income tax is enacted. A mill is a tax of $1 for every $1,000 worth of assessed property value. Additionally, she said now is a good time to buy easements and land at a relatively low price. Opponents of the earned income tax have argued that the earned income tax would land the township further in debt, because of plans to “leverage” loans to buy more open space.

Source: Daily Local; 10/31/2011

A village of the future in London Grove

A fascination with green technology is helping generate interest in a new form of housing in London Grove. The Three Groves Ecovillage promises to be an opportunity for people interested in being part of a net-zero-energy neighborhood. More and more area homes are being constructed or retrofitted with solar panels to decrease energy bills, but Three Groves goes much further, aiming to be the first net-zero-energy neighborhood in the country. Using geothermal and solar technology in a community system, coupled with high-efficiency appliances, the clusters of attached homes are designed to produce all the energy they need on site. Planned are 36 homes in three “groves” of about 12 homes each. The price would be in the $200,000 range for a one-bedroom and the low $400,000s for a four-bedroom. For more information on line, visit www.ThreeGrovesEcovillage.org.

Source: Daily Local; 11/1/2011

New section of Schuylkill River Trail opens

Helping complete one of the many priority gaps on the Schuylkill River Trail in Chester County, officials unveiled a 5.6 mile section in Spring City that will eventually connect the multi-use trail with the rest of the region. The opening of the Spring City portion of the trail was hailed as a significant accomplishment because it will spur economic growth for the borough.

Source:  Times Herald; 10/27/2011

Spring-Ford school district to repay $6.5 million to GlaxoSmithKline

The Spring-Ford Area school board voted to approve a $6.5 million settlement with GlaxoSmithKline PLC to end a multi-year property tax assessment appeal. Under the terms of the settlement, the new property value for Glaxo’s Upper Providence campus will be $47.5 million, a reduction from the original assessment of $114.1 million but higher than the $24 million assessment the company believed was in order. The district must pay the company $3 million and then credit the remaining $3.5 million over the course of three years. The new assessed value of the GlaxoSmithKline property will remain in effect for five years and is estimated to cost the Spring-Ford Area School District $1.612 million in annual revenue.

Source: Times Herald; 10/25/2011

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Transportation improvements coming for Chester County

A $550 million investment is being made to improve Chester County’s roadways, including sections of Route 202 and the new Route 29 slip ramp. In addition, another $66 million is being invested in public transit to significantly quicken Amtrak’s trains and to rebuild train stations in Paoli, Exton, Downingtown and Parkesburg. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin a public meeting series for the redesign of Downingtown’s train station on the evening of Monday, Oct. 24. This charrette process will take place in Downingtown Borough Hall, and will last through Thursday, Oct. 27. The charrette will provide interested residents a great opportunity to tell PennDOT officials what they would like to see in their new station. In Downingtown, planned improvements for the new station include a new location with better parking, a ticket office, a waiting room and a handicap-accessible platform. For the Exton station, SEPTA, PennDOT and the Chester County Planning Commission have initiated discussions about improving access to the station for bus riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Preliminary concepts include construction of a bus loop at the station, as well as sidewalk and crosswalk improvements along Route 100 from the station to the Main Street at Exton shopping center. Road and intersection improvements will ease access to the station for cars, bicyclists and pedestrians. SEPTA and Tredyffrin Township recently asked companies and design professionals to offer proposals for the new Paoli Intermodal Transportation Center and related road improvements. Plans for the Center will feature a new train station and improved access and waiting areas for connecting buses and shuttles. Once the planned improvements are completed Amtrak riders can expect major improvements in travel times.

Source: Daily Local; 10/17/2011

London Grove considers subdivision signage ordinance

London Grove Township has tabled an ordinance requiring signage on properties that are being considered for land development. Prior to passage, supervisors will explore whether the ordinance should apply to small-scale or large-scale projects. The ordinance states that applicants will be required to apply for a sign permit with the township. The ordinance would require signs to be put up within 10 days of the application. The posted signs will be double-faced and measure four feet by four feet with yellow background and feature black lettering at least two inches high. The signs will need to be in full view of the public, and include a site plan which depicts the lot configuration of the residential applications for building with square footage, paving and landscaping. The signs must also include the applicant’s name and contact information.

Source: Chester County Press; 10/12/2011

New Garden OKs plans for White Clay Point

According to New Garden Township Manager Dan Fox, the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, or PREIT, received approval for what he referred to as “minor modifications” to plans for the 187-acre development along Route 41.Those changes include approval of a modified subdivision plan, the reduction of two stores by small amounts, and a change to the façade on a building that will become a Walmart. A few residents from the nearby Somerset Lake housing development voiced their opposition to the project because it may impact the neighborhood.

Source: Daily Times; 10/18/2011

Coatesville authority’s liabilities a $2 million concern

The Coatesville Redevelopment Authority has $2 million more in liabilities than assets and will continue in its current financial state until a steady cash flow is created, according to the 2010 audit. Carl Hogan, an independent auditor for the authority, said the authority’s high liabilities are a “growing concern” for the continued existence of the entity. As long as the authority still owes a $7 million loan to the city, its finances will be tenuous, the audit states. On that matter, redevelopment board members agreed to ask the city for a waiver on interest payments of about $48,000 on the loan for the second consecutive year. Hogan said it takes time to acquire assets in the form of properties then maximize the resale value of those holdings for redevelopment projects. The authority has acquired properties within the city but has not made many attempts to resell them. On Monday the board approved an agreement to have its property management firm, Brite Realty, act as a listing agent and put some of the authority’s properties up for sale.

Source: Daily Times; 10/18/2011

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West Whiteland to hold budget meetings

The West Whiteland Township Board of Supervisors will hold a series of public meetings to review and discuss the 2012 township budget. The meetings will be held at the following times in the West Whiteland Township Building (101 Commerce Dr., Exton, PA 19341).

• Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 – 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011 – 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011 – 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 – 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 – 6:00 p.m.

Source: Daily Local; 10/11/2011

KCSD scuttles senior tax relief program

The Kennett Consolidated School District has suspended its Generations United program for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year. The school board indicated that copyright issues and a lack of response from the target community were the main reasons for the suspension. Under the original pilot version of the program, qualified senior homeowners earned $10 per hour up to a maximum of 50 hours per year, for a total of $500 off their next tax bill. To qualify, seniors had to be a homeowner, be at least 62, with net real estate property tax bill of at least $500. After passing a series of background checks, the seniors were assigned a variety of light tasks at district facilities, ranging from playground attendant to clerical support. Many of the applicants failed to go through all of the background procedures, leaving the district with very few finalists who actually qualified for the program. Only five people completed the program last year. The district had recently received a “cease and desist” order from another company who holds a copyright on the name “Generations United,” forcing the district to remove that name immediately from all advertising.

Source: Daily Local; 10/11/2011

East Brandywine poised to adopt official map

The Board of Supervisors of East Brandywine Township will conduct a public hearing to consider and adopt an ordinance establishing an official township map. The meeting will take place October 19, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. at the Township Building, 1214 Horseshoe Pike, Downingtown, Pennsylvania.  Visit www.ebrandywine.org to learn more.

Source: Daily Local; 10/11/2011

Charlestown Township to consider additional permit requirements

The Charlestown Township Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on November 7, at 7:30 p.m. to consider amending the current Uniform Construction Code ordinance. The hearing will take place at Great Valley Middle School, 255 N. Phoenixville Pike in Malvern. The amendment will require the issuance of permits for certain accessory structures and for certain alterations or repairs to residential buildings.

Source: Daily Local; 10/11/2011

West Nottingham upcoming budget meetings

The West Nottingham Board of Supervisors will hold a series of public meetings to discuss the 2010 township budget on October 27 and November 10. The meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be held at the municipal building, 100 Park Road, Nottingham, PA.

Source: Daily Local; 10/11/2011

Kennett Square outlines capital improvement plans for the next 5 years

Kennett Square Borough could make a total of $13 million in infrastructure improvements over the next five years which may include public works projects, water and sewer upgrades, and an expansion of the municipal parking garage. Grant money from the state and county, or contributions from private sources are projected to pay for significant portions of these projects. The five year plan for the project outlines the timing and costs associated for each improvement. According to the presented timeline, the total expenditures would be $1.1 million for 2011, $,313,570 for 2012, $526,000 for 2013, $1.5 million for 2014, and $5.8 million for 2015.

Source: Chester County Press; 10/5/2011

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Map ends Tredyffrin sidewalk saga

Tredyffrin Township’s Board of Supervisors adopted the “missing map” to bring closure to a 20-month sidewalk debate. The board had passed an amendment to the township’s land and subdivision ordinance regarding sidewalks, but the ordinance was missing any kind of graphic detail. The ordinance indicates where sidewalks along roads must become part of commercial-development or residential-subdivision plans or mandates township-funded sidewalk constructions. The ordinance in no way mandates the building of sidewalks by the township.

Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 10/5/2011

Group promotes ‘walkability’ around Kennett Square

Activate Chester County, a local community health initiative, is planning to petition three southern Chester County municipalities to expand the area’s “walkability.” Joan Holliday, a local nurse and community activist, said Kennett Square can be made more “walkable” by installing sidewalks and park benches in key spots in and out of town. Holliday said it would be ideal if people in downtown Kennett Square could walk safely to the Wal-Mart in East Marlborough or to the Giant Supermarket in New Garden. Activate Chester County is setting up meetings in New Garden and Kennett to urge officials there to get involved. The group is also working with Kennett Square Borough Manager Brant Kucera to facilitate grants for sidewalk construction and maintenance.

Source: Daily Local; 10/3/2011

T/E goals statement: Study and anticipation in the face of some uncertainty

Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board Superintendent Daniel Waters recently presided over a meeting focused on the outlook for next year’s district budget. According to the latest budget and revenue forecast, a deficit of approximately $800,000 is projected for next year. This year’s budget deficit was closed, in part, by the reinstatement of $1.3 million in state funding. In order to explore other possible revenue sources to help fill next year’s gap an Earned Income Tax study group has been formed. The study group is scheduled to report its findings to the community during two open forums on Nov. 3; one to begin at 1 p.m. and an evening session beginning at 7 p.m.

Source: Suburban Main Line Times; 10/5/2011

Franklin votes $1.5 million easement for Ford Farm

The Franklin Board of Supervisors voted to fund $1.5 million toward the purchase of a conservation easement on the Ford Farm on Appleton Road in Kemblesville. While there was a plan to build 100 houses on the 148 acre property, the conservation easement will keep the farm in private ownership with no development allowed. The Ford Farm is one of Franklin Township’s oldest working farms. Its sale to developers was one of the factors that motivated concerned residents to form the grassroots, pro-preservation group Friends of Franklin Township. The group then spear-headed the successful passage of a  2002 open space tax referendum.

Source:  Avon Grove Sun; 9/29/2011

Courts still must review Oxford redistricting

How school board members are elected may soon change in Oxford, but it will be up to the courts to decide how the new system is structured. The school board has voted to petition the courts for redistricting because the populations of three communities have grown out of balance. The official request from the school board will suggest that the district abandon the regional system and transition to a board represented by at-large members. The final decision rests in the hands of the Court of Common Pleas, but the school board recommendation does bode well for a change.

Source: Avon Grove Sun; 9/29/2011

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East Whiteland to study sewage facilities plan

East Whiteland Township has advertised a “Special Study” amendment as part of its Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan to provide sewage facilities for existing residential areas relating to the Mill Lane Pumping Station Replacement Project. The Study was performed at the request of the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in connection with a project to replace the existing Mill Lane Pumping Station. The study outlines the construction and use of public sewer facilities; and the eventual replacement of sewage flow restrictions. A copy of the Study is available for inspection at the Township Municipal Building located at 209 Conestoga Road, Frazer, PA 19355.

Source: Daily Local News; 09/27/2011

Parkesburg mulling optimal train station location

There has been discussion over whether the Parkesburg Train Station should stay in its current location at West First and South Culvert streets or move to a new location near the borough building or somewhere in between. In August, the Plan the Keystone Team in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s rail division and the Borough of Parkesburg held public workshops to gather community input on the decision. What the community wants is a station that would project “a more welcoming environment,” said Jim Thomas, Parkesburg borough manager.  Stakeholders, residents and station users, would like better lighting, better parking and a better crossover.  Thomas said the train station’s future is key to the 2009 Main Street Revitalization Plan in Parkesburg. Another plan also calls for the possible extension of SEPTA service.

Source: Daily Local; 9/29/2011

DASD will begin reappointing regions in January

Downingtown Area school officials say they will begin reapportioning regions in January due to 2010 census data. The school district is divided into nine regions, each represented by a school board member. The board aims to reapportion the district based on population so that the regions will be fairly balanced for the next elections. According to the 2010 census:

• Region 1 (Upper Uwchlan 1 and 3, and Wallace) has 11,435 residents,

• Region 2 (Upper Uwchlan 2 and West Pikeland) has 5,216 resident,

• Region 3 (East Brandywine N1, N2, and S) has 6,742 residents,

• Region 4 (Uwchlan 1, 3, 4, 5) has 5,993 residents,

• Region 5 (Uwchlan 2, 6, 9) has 7,850 residents,

• Region 6 (East Caln 1, 2, Uwchlan 7, has 9,083 residents,

• Region 7 (Downingtown WN, EE, EW) has 6,784 residents,

• Region 8 (Downingtown WS, West Bradford 2, 4) has 6,708 residents, and

• Region 9 (West Bradford 1, 3, 5) has 6,602 residents.

Currently, there appears to be a vast unbalance in voter representation, because the population throughout the regions range between almost 5,000 to more than 11,100. After reapportionment, different board members may be representing district residents, and it is possible that two people on the board may be in the same regions, forcing one to resign. At the time of reapportionment, the school board may decide to maintain the nine regions, with each represented by one elected school board member, or shift to three regions, with each region represented by three school board members.

Source: Daily Local; 9/26/2011

Development council eyes Route 1 corridor

The Chester County Economic Development Council sees potential for business in the Route 1 corridor, and it is trying to bring together the forces to make it happen. The mission is to “coordinate with southern Chester County developers, land owners, construction/engineering and service companies on creating a Route 1 Business Corridor Council and aggressively marketing zoned and approved properties to local, regional and national companies and to corporate site selectors.” To encourage the development of the corridor, the Economic Development Partners Initiative is suggesting a branding and marketing effort to help attract growth. Along with that, the area has to prepare in advance for incoming businesses. That could include zoning changes that would accommodate development and infrastructure improvements that enhance the appeal of properties. The area the council is looking at runs from Kennett Township to Nottingham, bounded by Route 1 on the north, the East Penn Railroad on the south, and bisected lengthwise by Baltimore Pike. There is approximately 3 million square feet of current or planned commercial space available in the area over the next several years.

Source:  Kennett Paper; 9/27/2011

Oxford School Board votes in favor of at-large representation

The Oxford School Board voted Tuesday to compose its members totally of those who are elected at large. The school board has been wrestling with the issue of how the three voting districts in the school district can be changed to fairly represent the residents. The population in East Nottingham Township has grown to the point where it is the largest municipality by far at a population of 8650. It is part of Region Three with Elk and West Nottingham townships giving the region a total population of 13,053. Region One, composed of Upper and Lower Oxford has a population of 7,684; while Oxford Borough at 5077 is the only municipality in Region Two. In the end, any decision to change how the school district elects board members will be made in the courts, but the board’s request for a particular system could contribute to a judge’s choice.

Source: Avon Grove Sun; 9/22/2011

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Coatesville to enforce vacant property registration fee

Coatesville City Council is expected to reinstate a registration fee for vacant properties at its next scheduled meeting. Prior to 2009 the city had collected a $250 registration fee from owners who declared their property as vacant. Council members decided in March 2009 to continue the registration process, but stop collecting the fee. The decision was made by council to encourage property owners to reinvest and make better use of their vacant properties, according to city Codes Director Damalier Molina. However, the lack of registration fees is beginning to cost the codes department because vacant properties require monitoring and visual outside inspection by code officials. A major problem the department is facing is that owners of vacant properties are not registering, so when a city code violation occurs, the department must spend time and resources searching for the owner. Molina said he is recommending that council keep the fee at $250.

Source: Daily Local; 9/18/2011

Habitat celebrates new homes in Coatesville

The new Habitat for Humanity development on Community Lane in Cambria Heights, Coatesville, will provide 45 new homes for families in the area. Three homes were dedicated Saturday and another three are to be dedicated Oct. 15. The area is off Oak Street, where a housing project was demolished several years ago. Habitat is searching for sponsors of five more homes to be built soon and seeks to finish all of the homes within six to seven years.

Source: Daily Local; 9/19/2011

T/E School District considering Earned Income Tax

The Tredyffrin Easttown School District is considering the enactment of an Earned Income Tax (EIT) to offset large projected budget shortfalls facing the district over the next five years. Due to the struggling economy, budget gaps have become an ongoing problem for many school districts in the area. When the T/E school board began looking into solutions, they found a possible solution in the EIT. A Tax Study Group selected by the school board is set to meet four more times over the next month. The upcoming meeting schedule is as follows.

• Thursday, October 6, 2011 – 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 13, 2011 – 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

The district has posted the comprehensive budget numbers and background information that the Tax Study Group is working with here on the T/E website.

Source: Tredyffrin-Easttown Patch; 9/14/2011

Kennett Township approves law permitting retirement homes

The Kennett Township Board of Supervisors recently voted in favor of an ordinance allowing the building of retirement homes. The ordinance establishes a new type of zoning use, Retirement Community 2, permitting campus-style communities of at least 10 acres in the limited-industrial and business park zones of the township. It requires that at least one household member be 62 years old or older, forbids dependent children to live in the community, and requires residents to have a combined household income at or below 50 percent of the median income for the region or to qualify as low-incomes as defined by the federal government. The vote was a culmination of a nearly three-year effort that started when representatives of Luther House, which operates senior housing in the Jennersville area, told township officials they wanted to build a retirement home in Kennett Township.

Source: Daily Times; 9/20/2011

Land-use study recommends housing for Pennhurst campus in East Vincent

A preservation group has asked East Vincent Township Supervisors to revise a proposed zoning amendment to allow residences on the Pennhurst property. At a recent township meeting, Nathaniel Guest, a founding member of the Pennhurst Memorial and Preservation Alliance, presented supervisors with a study of the financial feasibility of developing the Pennhurst site while preserving its buildings. The study, available on the Preservation Alliance website, found it would be financially feasible to redevelop 11 core buildings on the site as rental housing. Richard Chakejian, of Pennhurst Acquisitions LP, owner of the former Pennhurst School and State Hospital property, is seeking to change the zoning from its current low-density residential to a general industrial zone. The proposal has been under review by the township planning commission, which voted last month to recommend denying the request as presented.

Source: Daily Times; 9/17/2011

Disaster Recovery Center opens in Chester County

A federal/state disaster recovery center has opened in Chester County for residents affected by rain and flooding as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The center is located at the Chester County Administration Building, 601 Westtown Rd., Room 42, West Chester, PA. The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week starting on Sept. 21, 2011.

Source: Daily Local News; 9/20/2011

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