View the home for sale at 1400 Walnut St., Coatesville, PA 19320
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
- 1996 interior square feet of living space
- impeccably maintained
- Almost half an acre, corner lot in Caln Township
- Charming Cape Cod
Home for Sale: 770 Buck Run Road Coatesville PA 19320 Comments Off
View Home for Sale at 770 Buck Run Road in Coatesville, PA 19320
- 3 bedroom/2 bath ranch style home on 1.6 acre lot!
- Oak hardwood floor in almost every room
- Kitchen features cherry cabinets and center island
- Large back yard with flagstone patio
- All this less than a half mile from East Fallowfield Park w/walking trails, pond, playground & more!
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Chester County Real Estate News: April 25, 2011 Comments Off
Chester County Landlord Forum
The 2nd Annual Chester County Landlord Forum will take place on Thursday, May 12 from 8-11:30 a.m. at the Government Services Center (Rooms 170 and 171, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester Pa 19380). Network and learn about community resources that are available for elderly, low-income, and disadvantaged persons in Chester County as well as landlords. Space is limited for this breakfast event; please R.S.V.P. to Emma Ward at cclandlordforum@gmail.com or 610-344-5365.
Coatesville considers banning single-family home conversions
The City of Coatesville is considering an ordinance that would ban the conversion of single-family residences into multiple dwellings in certain zoning districts. Currently, the conversion of single-family homes into multiple apartments is allowed in both the RN-3 and RN-4 zoning districts, and existing multi-unit dwellings would be grandfathered in with the passing of the ordinance. The two zoning districts that are affected have a slightly higher density than other residential districts and consist of detached, twin, and row homes. The neighborhoods that will be affected by the new ordinance stretch along Lincoln Highway from 13th Avenue to 11th Avenue, and include homes along Coates Street and the neighborhood from Harmony Street between Pennsylvania and Fourth Avenues. Additionally, on the western side of the city, the neighborhood from Church Street to West Fifth Avenue between Valley Road and Charles Street will be impacted. Please contact the Suburban REALTORS Alliance with any comments regarding this proposed ordinance.
Source: Daily Local; 4/14/2011
Oxford schools face budget cuts
The Oxford Area School District is proposing another year without a tax increase, but budget cuts will be necessary in light of the deep state funding cuts proposed in Gov. Corbett’s budget. The budget trimming proposal that is drawing the most attention would expand the school walking zone to a mile and a half, including all of Oxford Borough. The total proposed budget of $55,348,204 is a decrease of $554,816 over the present year to keep the millage rate steady at 29.5479. Cutting busing in the borough is expected to save $135,000.
Source: Daily Local; 4/21/2011
Historic preservation plan approved in West Chester
Borough Council has unanimously approved the adoption of the West Chester Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan. The 88 page plan includes a detailed architectural history of West Chester as well as recommendations for improving historic preservation practices within the borough. Among the more important recommendations are the expansion of the Historical and Architectural Review Board (HARB) District along High Street, and the inclusion of 20 to 30 properties in the borough’s National Register District. Another major component of the plan is the proposed creation of a HARB advisory board. The board would be responsible for issuing “Certificates of Appropriateness” for proposed demolitions and major renovations to properties within the district. The recommended expansion of the HARB and National Register districts is significant because income-producing properties within the National Register District, in which most of the borough is contained, can make use of a 20 percent tax credit for renovations. All properties within the HARB District are also part of the National Register District, making them eligible for the credit through the Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit Program. The plan proposed that the HARB District be expanded along High Street, north to Ashbridge Street and south to Rosedale Avenue.
Source: Daily Local; 4/20/2011
Coatesville velodrome plan awaits research on property’s title
A pending sales agreement for the property known as The Flats between Coatesville’s redevelopment authority (RDA) and the National Velodrome Group must wait at least another month to be finalized. The authority granted an extension of the pending agreement until May 23 in order to respond to comments made by the developer, Crosby Woods. The extension is also needed to determine exactly who owns one of the parcels identified as part of the sale. Vincent Mancini, the authority’s solicitor, said it is unclear if the authority holds the title to the small parcel tentatively included in the agreement. Two separate title abstract companies involved with the property have opposing views about whether the authority or the railroad company holds the title. Mancini said he is attempting to determine exactly who holds the title before the agreement proceeds. The sale would allow the developer to move forward with a proposed 100,000-square-foot arena for cycling races and other events off Lincoln Highway and Route 82.
Source: Daily Local; 4/20/2011
Home for Sale: 3 Acker Road Coatesville PA 19320 Comments Off
View Home for Sale at 3 Acker Road, Coatesville, PA 19320
- 3 bedroom/2 bath ranch on over 2 acres
- Gorgeous views
- Hardwood floors in most rooms
- Brick Fireplace with gas insert
- Large screened-in porch
- Heated basement features finished room and full bath
Get more details
Chester County Real Estate News: April 18, 2011 Comments Off
West Chester plan calls for growth in historic district
One recommendation of West Chester Borough’s recently completed comprehensive historic preservation plan calls for expansion of the borough’s Historical and Architectural Review Board (HARB) District. The plan recommends that the HARB District, which is comprised of properties in the Local Historic District, should be extended along High Street, south to Rosedale Avenue and north to Ashbridge Street. Currently, the district extends southward from West Biddle Street to West Union Street and eastward from South New Street to North Franklin Street. The HARB District was initially the same as the West Chester Downtown Historic District, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, but expanded in 2006 to include the 200 block of West Market Street and the first block of North New Street in anticipation of development pressures associated with the construction of the Chester County Justice Center. Borough Council will discuss whether or not to approve the plan and its recommendations at its monthly meeting scheduled for April 20 at 7:00 p.m. To see the complete plan, go to www.west-chester.com.
Source: Daily Local; 4/12/2011
Kennett Square hikes fine for missing building permits and increases rental inspection fees
Kennett Square Borough homeowners thinking of building a deck or making other home improvements must acquire a building permit or face a fine — a big fine. Council recently passed an ordinance mandating a $1,000 fine for anyone doing construction work without a permit. The previous fine was $100. Council increased rental inspection fees from $50 to $75.
Source: Daily Local; 4/11/2011
T/E schools’ finance committee whittles away budget
Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board Finance Committee Chair Kevin Mahoney announced the budget shortfall has been trimmed down to $3.4 million, but with a decreasing number of remaining strategies. Mahoney said that a “pay-freeze waiver” of all salaries seemed a likely route to take toward solving the immediate problem of balancing the 2011-12 budget and that “no action on custodial outsourcing” would be taken during the meeting. Gov. Tom Corbett had asked districts and the Pennsylvania State Education Association to discuss freezing salaries in light of state education-budget cuts. The committee approved $211,000 in cuts, including less overtime for custodians, elimination of substitutes for non-instructional staff, the elimination of alternative assessment funds, and elimination of non-mandated conferences. The committee discussed the possibility that an EIT of 1 percent would be shared with the townships imposing it. A tax on earned income could net around $17 million for the townships and the school district with state gaming revenues factored in, but it would have to be placed on a ballot referendum.
Source: Daily Local; 4/13/2011
Coatesville schools consider budget stopgaps
Coatesville Area School District’s Board unveiled a variety of possible changes in the face of the state’s proposed budget. District officials discussed a list of programs that could face restructuring, reduction or elimination should Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget be passed by the state Legislature. The list included an early retirement incentive program, class size increases, implementation of a four-day school week and the consolidation of some bus stops to coincide with changing school bell times. Officials said the measures will all be reviewed by the school board during its April 26 meeting.
Source: Daily Local; 4/13/2011
Home for Sale: 111 Sandy Hill Road Coatesville PA 19320 Comments Off
View home for sale at 111 Sandy Hill Rd., Coatesville, PA 19320
- 3 bedroom, 1 and 1/2 bath rancher sits on close to a full acre
- Generously sized rooms throughout
- French doors off large family room lead to back patio
- In-ground pool
- Full basement and 2 car garage provide ample storage space
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Chester County Real Estate News: April 11, 2011 Comments Off
Coatesville’s uncertified inspector transferred
Coatesville’s Codes Department has transferred to the city’s Public Works Department an employee who had worked in the department for years without any inspection certifications. Harry Troupe had no certifications under the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) or International Codes Council (ICC) to perform inspections of any kind while in the codes department, according to Internet records. Both certifications allow building inspectors to perform inspections in Pennsylvania. Troupe could issue citations for various city code violations such as high weeds but could not inspect buildings. He said Troupe took various exams but was unsuccessful in attempts to obtain certification. The state requires inspectors to be certified, but to enforce various city codes, employees do not need any certifications. The codes department hopes to hire two new inspectors. In March, City Council allowed the administration to move forward with the creation of a new position within public works that could enforce code violations such as high grass, grafitti, illegal trash and other offenses.
Source: Daily Local; 4/4/11
Phoenixville School Board seeks more cuts to reduce 3.6 percent tax hike
The latest round of recommendations for balancing the Phoenixville Area School District’s 2011-12 budget include a 3.6 percent real estate tax increase. If implemented, such a hike would mean $130 more in taxes on a property at the district’s median assessed value of $133,400, according to information presented at the school board’s budget development session. Another $1.9 million in spending cuts would be needed to eliminate the tax increase. The board’s next budget development meeting is set for 7:30 p.m., May 3 in the middle school library.
Source: Daily Local; 4/6/2011
Baltimore Pike to shut down for one month in New Garden
A portion of Baltimore Pike that runs through New Garden will shut down for almost one month this summer for construction. The work is scheduled for late July and early August and should be completed in time for the opening of Bancroft Elementary School this fall. According to the project design, signs for the detour start at the intersection of Route 41 and Newark Road, with signs also near Baltimore Pike.
Source: Chester County Press; 4/6/2011
Coatesville citizens’ group meets with developers
Representatives of a local citizen’s group that protested outside of the future site of the Marriott Hotel met with the developers on Thursday about what can be done to make construction jobs available for city residents. Developer Don Pulver said he met with people from the Concerned Citizens of Coatesville for Change and is currently working on the process for accepting applications. The citizen’s group consists of residents, church members, community leaders, civil rights groups, unions and other concerned organizations and seeks to end “the economic disenfranchisement of Coatesville citizens.” Pulver said he and his contractor, ICM, are working on putting together an advertisement for employment in the Daily Local News. He said one difficulty is finding a location for interested applicants to pick up and drop off applications, because the construction site is not fit to handle that kind of daily traffic.
Source: Daily Local; 4/8/2011
East Nottingham proposes sewer connection ordinance
The Board of Supervisors of East Nottingham Township will consider a sewer connection ordinance for adoption at their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Township Building (158 Election Road, Oxford). The ordinance establishes mandatory connection requirements to the Oxford Area Sewer Authority Sewer Connection System for commercial or industrial establishments, or newly constructed residential property within 150 feet of any public lateral. The ordinance would mandate that connections to the Oxford Area Sewer Authority’s collection system take place within one year from the adoption of the ordinance or the construction of a lateral within 150 feet of a property line. The ordinance also provides for other regulations concerning the sewer authority including a prohibition of storm water run off into the sewage system. Connection and inspection fees will be established by subsequent resolution.
Source: Daily Local; 4/4/2011
Spring-Ford School Board approves 54 job cuts
The Spring-Ford Area School Board recently approved several budget cuts, including the termination of 24 custodial staff, 30 instructional assistants and one technology support assistant staff member. One administrator was reduced to part-time principal status and several curricular programs were restructured, resulting in the removal of several teaching positions. A vote to hire an outside janitorial firm was tabled so that the district may consider other options. Spring-Ford is facing a $10.4 million deficit in its $131.6 million 2011-12 budget. Click here for the school district website.
Source: The Pottstown Mercury; 3/29/2011
Home for Sale: 1305 Scott Drive Coatesville PA 19320 Comments Off
View Home for Sale at 1305 Scott Drive, Coatesville, PA 19320
- 3 Bedroom Ranch home on 1/2 an acre
- Located on quiet, wooded cul-de-sac with mature landscaping
- Kitchen features custom maple cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and eco-friendly cork flooring
- Large bedrooms with lots of closet space
- Full Basement with painted floor ready to finish
Get More Details, View Video Tour!
Chester County Real Estate News: April 4, 2011 Comments Off
North Coventry drops rental rule reforms
North Coventry Township supervisors have backed off a proposal to adopt new rules for rental properties partially based on rules Pottstown adopted last year. The township had previously received a letter from the Suburban Realtors Alliance, which suggested changes to the proposal. Township staff had worked to amend the ordinance to address several concerns. The issue may come up for a vote at a future meeting. Supervisors Chairman Andy Paravis said he intends to set up a meeting with Pottstown Borough Manager Jason Bobst to find out how Pottstown’s new rental rules are working out since they have been implemented.
Source: Daily Local; 3/30/2011
New Coatesville city manager bringing experience
Gary Rawlings was conditionally offered the position of Coatesville City Manager by City Council after a vote. Rawlings has served managerial roles in various municipalities since the mid-1970s. Most recently, Rawlings served as city manager for Charles Town, W.Va., from 2008 to December 2010. As part of the interview process, Rawlings said, he received a copy of the city’s financial plans and noted that expenditures recently have exceeded revenues for the city. He said getting the finances in order will be one of his first priorities. Beyond the finances, Rawlings said he will spend the first six months on the job meeting staff and residents and doing “a lot of listening” before working with council to set goals.
Source: Daily Local; 3/30/2011
New Garden approves preliminary plans for 55-and-up housing
New Garden Township supervisors voted in favor of a proposed age-restricted community that has caused considerable debate among township residents and the developers. Harlow Pointe is a 46-parcel community for those aged 55 and up adjacent to the Harrogate development, first presented to the township by Hillcrest and Association in fall 2009. The vote came after a lengthy discussion between the developers and members of the Harrogate Estates homeowners association regarding outstanding problems and concerns. Specifically, the homeowners were worried about the height of the buildings, their visibility from their community, the length and width of a copse of trees that is supposed to improve the view, and the location of the development that neighbors said would dominate the hilltop view. The neighbors also expressed concern over language in the township’s ordinances that seemed to contradict itself with regards to the number of houses permitted in the newly designated Unified Development Zone. According to minutes from the June 6, 2009, township business meeting, townhomes at Harlow Pointe would start in the $275,000 range.
Source: Daily Local; 3/30/2011
Tredyffrin planners will retain authority
The Tredyffrin Board of Supervisors decided not to change a township ordinance regarding land-development authority. The board said that it will work with the township planning commission and staff to update the land development process. The township is unique in empowering its planning commission to hold hearings on land development decisions.
Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 3/23/2011
