Coatesville City Council has decided to go forward with an ordinance banning property owners from converting single-family homes into multiple apartments. Council has passed the first reading of the ordinance and will vote on the second and final reading either at its next meeting or the first meeting in July. The Chester County Planning Commission reviewed the ordinance and recommended that instead of banning the use, the city should make the conversion part of a conditional-use proceeding. Solicitor John Carnes said he believes the planning commission wanted to allow the city to have the use available if needed, but leave the decision to allow a specific use to the discretion of council. However, Carnes still recommended that the city go forward with banning the conversions. If the conversions are banned, then property owners can attempt to claim a hardship to be allowed to convert the single-family home. A hearing regarding the hardship would be held in front of the city’s zoning hearing board. The homeowner would need to prove that keeping it a single-family home creates a problem for them, which may be difficult if the home is still habitable. Codes Director Damalier Molina said there are about 1,200 rentals within the city. He estimated that about 66 percent of those are single-family or twin homes.

Source: Daily Local; 6/16/2011

Kennett school board approves 3.8 percent tax increase

Despite a school budget more than half a million dollars smaller than last year’s spending plan, property owners in the Kennett Consolidated School District will see a tax increase. To fund the budget, the board approved a 3.8 percent property tax increase. The tax rate will rise 0.95 mills to 25.7293 mills. A mill represents $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. That means the average taxpayer will see an increase of approximately $180 in next year’s tax bill, based on an average property value of about $189,000.

Source: Daily Local; 6/14/2011

CASD to vote on budget for 2011-12 year

The Coatesville Area School Board will vote to adopt a final budget for the 2011-2012 school year later this month. The Finance and Personnel Committee voted Tuesday to present the Board of School Directors with a 2011-12 General Fund Budget of $136.3 million. The vote will take place during the regularly scheduled monthly board meeting on June 28. The proposed budget represents a 6.9 percent decrease from last year’s budget. The committee also agreed that the board would vote on raising taxes 3.51 percent, above the Act 1 limit since the district applied and qualified for exceptions from the cap. The property rate will now be set at 29.49 mills.

Source: Daily Local; 6/16/2011

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The West Chester Area District’s School Board took a final vote on tax rates for its residents in Chester and Delaware counties. The first resolution brought to the board to raise the property tax rate by 1.4 percent failed. A new resolution for no tax increase for Chester County residents and a 0.2 mill reduction for Delaware County residents passed. According to district spokesman Robert Partridge, the district has 1,600 residential parcels in Delaware County and 29,000 in Chester County. The $1.7 million budget gap that remained would have been closed by a 1.4 percent tax increase but will be closed with funds from the district’s fund balance, raising the district’s total withdrawal this year to about $2.8 million. Currently, the district maintains a AAA Moody’s rating, the highest possible rating that any school district can achieve. A resolution to approve the Homestead Exclusion Relief Act was also presented to the board and passed unanimously. This will offer an average property tax reduction to homeowners of $139. This property tax relief is available to any homeowner who filed a Homestead Exclusion Form with their county assessment office.

Source: Daily Local; 6/7/2011

2.9 percent tax hike for Great Valley schools

The Great Valley School Board approved a 2011-12 budget with a 2.9 percent property tax increase. The budget totals about $76 million and includes a tax increase for the average district homeowner of about $119 from the previous year.

Source: Daily Local; 6/8/2011

Oxford Area petitions for redistricting

In the Oxford Area School District, voters choose school board representatives by region, but that could change after November. A petition to change the election of school board members to at-large positions rather than by regions was sent to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. The district is currently broken into three regions, but census figures show that the population is not evenly divided in the district. Region 1 is split between Lower Oxford with 5,200 residents and Upper Oxford at 2,484. Region 2, which is Oxford Borough, has a population of 5,077. Region 3 is composed of Elk with 1,681 residents, West Nottingham with 2,722 and East Nottingham with 8,650 residents. State law provides that school district regions are to be similar in size with contiguous boundaries. Local officials contend that this may not be possible in the school district. The at-large alternative has been proposed for all nine school board members.

Source: Avon Grove Sun; 6/8/2011

East Brandywine to consider prohibition on bamboo

The Board of Supervisors of East Brandywine Township will consider an ordinance prohibiting property owners from growing bamboo. The meeting will take place on June 15, 2011 at 7:30 PM, at the Township Building (1214 Horseshoe Pike, Downingtown). The borough contends that the growth of bamboo causes hazardous conditions near public thoroughfares. The ordinance will regulate the growing of Bamboo, including Common Bamboo, Golden Bamboo, and Arrow Bamboo. Bamboo shall not be planted, maintained or otherwise permitted to exist within thirty (30) feet of the edge of the pavement or traveled portion of any public thoroughfare in East Brandywine Township.

Source: Daily Local; 6/7/2011

Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Committee announces survey

The Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Committee (PMRPC), in conjunction with the Delaware Valley and Montgomery County Regional Planning Commissions, has launched a regional market assessment and fiscal impact study for the region. The study is aimed at figuring out how the eight communities in the Pottstown Metropolitan Region can work together to encourage economic development, create jobs, and stabilize the tax base. The PMRPC is made up of municipalities in Montgomery County including Douglass, Lower Pottsgrove, New Hanover, Upper Pottsgrove, and West Pottsgrove townships and the Borough of Pottstown, as well as East Coventry and North Coventry townships in Chester County. Residents are invited to complete a brief survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/pottstownsurvey . The survey will be available through June.

Source: West Pottsgrove Township; 6/7/2011 & The Sanatoga Post; 6/1/2011

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Tredyffrin/Easttown School District property owners may soon see a property tax increase of up to 3.77 percent. For homeowners, this would mean an average increase of $171 in property taxes, generating $3.2 million in revenue for the district. The proposed final budget was adopted by the school board on May 9, but the board is still evaluating other cost-saving options. The final budget presentation is slated to be voted on by the board at 7:30 p.m. on June 6 at Conestoga High School. The proposed final budget can be publicly viewed on the district’s website here.

Source: Daily Local; 5/31/2011

No tax hike for Oxford Area

Property owners in the Oxford Area School District will avoid a school property tax hike this year and keep their school buses. The real estate tax rate will remain at 29.5479 mills. During the budget adoption process, one of the biggest objections from the public arose over a proposal to eliminate busing for students living in Oxford Borough, but school officials found the necessary $135,000 to avoid that possibility. One policy change adopted by the school board adjusts the fees for sports participation to $75 at the high school and $50 at Penn’s Grove School. Parking permits for high school students are now $50.

Source: Daily Local; 5/29/2011

Penn Township making progress on Comprehensive Plan

Penn Township’s Comprehensive Plan task force presented an update to the public. Penn is the fastest growing township in the county. In 2010 there were 5,400 residents in the Township; that number is projected to be 7,100 by 2030. The task force is seeking public involvement throughout the process, and updates and future meetings will be placed on the Township’s website here.

Source: Chester County Press; 5/25/2011

Tredyffrin Easttown seeks tax study group volunteers

The Tredyffrin/Easttown School Board is seeking interested residents of Tredyffrin and Easttown townships to join a citizen Tax Study Group. The citizens group will study the effects that an Earned Income Tax (EIT) would have on the School District and its residents. Following its study, Tax Study Group members will present the pros and cons of an EIT to the school board and community. Tax Study Group members must be willing to present information at one or two televised meetings. The Tax Study Group will meet up to eight times in September and October 2011. Click here to access the application.

West Chester council approves creation of Ad-Hoc committee

West Chester Borough Council voted to approve an ordinance that would create the West Chester Citizens Financial Advisory Ad-hoc Committee. The borough is currently accepting applications from borough residents for the seven-member committee, which was created in an attempt to give the borough’s financial issues a fresh set of eyes. The committee’s term is set to expire Dec. 31, but could be extended to March 31 of next year. Council members said the committee will be modeled on East Goshen’s Township Advisory Group, which helped the township turn a budget deficit into a budget surplus. Borough Council is set to interview candidates for the new committee on June 14 and 15. Residents interested in applying for a committee position should contact Borough Manager Ernie McNeely or Council President Holly Brown.

Source: Daily Local; 5/27/2011

Nominations for the WC Historic Preservation Awards
Nominations for the West Chester Historic Preservation Awards are being accepted through July 1, 2011. There will be three award categories: Bricks and Mortar for construction projects; Preservation Service for educational and advocacy projects; and West Chester Preservationist for long-term or far-reaching contributions to the preservation of West Chester. Help recognize the individuals and projects that have enhanced West Chester’s historic integrity by submitting a nomination! Click here for a copy of the Nomination Form.

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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

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So if you, or someone you know, needs real estate advice, is considering buying or selling real estate or is having trouble selling their home, please let us know. It would be our honor to serve them and apply the techniques and guidance that have helped 21 clients do the same in the last 61 days.

The Chris & Caleb Team focuses on helping clients buy and sell real estate in the Chester County, PA and surrounding areas. Both Chris LaGarde and Caleb Knecht are long time residents of Chester County and before they teamed up sold more than 90 homes prior to teaming up. To view homes for sale in the Chester County area, please check out our property search section of our website. You will have access to all homes for sale in the Chester County Area. If you are wondering what your Chester County home may be worth, just take a second to complete our Home Value form and we will be in touch shortly afterward.

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A dip in home sales in December was due in large part to timing.  First time buyers that would have liked to close in December but qualified for the tax credit bumped their timeline up in order to cash in.  News of the credit’s extension reached many of them after their plans to close in December were set.

Interest rates are back below 5% and home prices are up compared to last year. The government continues to attempt to minimize the impact of troubled homeowners by continuing to improve its foreclosure prevention program and  has also taken steps to help foreclosures buyers purchase faster.

Although the unemployment rate is expected to stay high as jobs increase modestly,  experts expect the economy to continue to grow in 2010.

The Housing Market

Existing Home Sales
After a rising surge for three straight months, existing home sales slowed in December after first-time buyers rushed to meet the original November tax credit deadline and evidenced by first timers accounting for 51% of sales in November compared to 43% in December. “It’s significant that home sales remain above year-ago levels, but the market is going through a period of swings driven by the tax credit,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. December sales of 5.45 million remain 15 percent above the 4.74 million-unit level last year.

Median Home Price
Existing-home price was $178,300 in December, 1.5 percent higher than December 2008 and 8.2 percent above its low in January 2009. It was the first year-over-year gain in median price since August 2007, attributable to an increase in the number of mid- to upper-priced homes in the sales.

Inventory
The supply of homes continued to shrink, falling 6.6 percent to 3.29 million, representing a 7.2-month supply at the current sales pace. Compared to a year ago, there are now 11 percent fewer homes on the market. This is the lowest level of competing homes on the market since March 2006.

Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates have moved back to less than 5 percent, which have been categorized by industry experts like Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft as “near a record low.” This move that may help boost home loan demand and lend support to the housing market recovery. On January 28, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 4.98 percent.

Affordability

Affordability remains at record levels, supported by the lowest mortgage rates in decades, low home prices, as well as the first-time buyer tax credit. So far this year, the home price-to-income ratio has fallen well below the historical average of 25 percent. The ratio now stands at 15 percent.

Sources: National Association of Realtors, Freddie Mac

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To appreciate the change that this course had on me, you must understand who I am. I am an artist NOT a sales person. I never wanted to go into sales. I perceived sales people as inauthentic – fake – just wanting to make a buck. I love to help people and please people and as a result my moods were always up and down depending on what was going on in my life.  I have even struggled with depression in the past.

Since completing the BOLD course, my life is very different. Not that BOLD is alone responsible, as I have a deep faith in Jesus Christ that really is the under pinning of all success I have had and will have. But, I do have to say that the coach, Michaelann Byerly, and the course itself helped me gain the skills and mindset that seemed to be unachievable previously. It has affected every area of my life. Not only do I love what I do with a deep passion but my personal life has improved as well. It has made me a better father, a better husband, a better friend and someone who is aiming to contribute to my community in ways that I never imagined.

In short, I literally walked away a different person. So different in fact, that Keller Williams International decided to feature me in an article for their bi-monthly company magazine. They wrote a great article on how the course has effected me and I wanted to share it with you.   I am honestly don’t really like the attention. But since it has been given, I honestly hope that it inspires, not only other real estate agents, but everyone, to take the steps necessary to achieve the goals that they have set for themselves. After all, if an artist who despises sales people can achieve what I have in the Real Estate business, then anything is possible!

Read the entire article from KW’s “Outfront Magazine”: PDF or Online

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Congressman Jim Gerlach contacted Main Street Manager Barry Cassidy on Dec. 15 to confirm that $250,000 was secured for additional funding toward Phoenixville’s downtown streetscape project. The federal grant will be used to do work on the development of the Barto property. Since the Barto property currently does not have on-street parking, the grant will go toward widening the street and adding another lane. When completed, the property will include 38,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, 448 residential units, and structured, shared parking in two 13-story mix-used towers.

Source: Daily Local; 1/1/10

Forum examines Phoenixville Borough’s economic future

Lisa Longo, owner of Earth Mart on Bridge Street in Phoenixville, hosted the Phoenixville forum on Dec. 21.Longo began the informal meeting of state, regional and local government representatives, as well as borough residents and merchants, by defining economic development. She said economic development,  job creation and a reduction in crime can only occur when three key elements are in place, including: education, infrastructure and incentives. Among the concerns brought up at the meeting was poor communication among various organizations in the borough, including the Phoenixville Economic Development Corporation, Phoenixville Area Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Community Development Corp. and Borough Council.

Source: Daily Local; 1/2/10

Brandywine Valley Y backing $30 million development plan

Brandywine Valley YMCA officials will support the Kennett Area branch’s participation in the $30 million Kennett Square Community Development Plan. Only the Barnard Taylor Library stands in the way of a collaborative effort that planners say will increase commerce in Kennett Square and expand community and recreational services to area residents.  The plan calls for the Kennett Area YMCA, Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, Anson B. Nixon Park and the Borough of Kennett Square to form a partnership that will: build a parking garage at the corner of Race and State Streets; expand the Kennett Area YMCA; keep the library in the borough in a new state-of-the-art facility; and restore historic buildings in the park. The project also includes various road and walkway improvements. Every municipality that surrounds Kennett Square has publicly announced support for the plan. When completed, the revitalization project would bring an additional 75 to 100 new employees to Kennett Square. About 1,000 workers would be employed through construction projects over 10 years.

Source: Daily Local; 1/4/09

Downingtown Borough’s staffing, taxes under review

Downingtown Borough officials unanimously approved a 2010 budget Wednesday night but will likely revisit the budget this month after council reorganizes. Because the borough has new elected officials waiting to be seated, Councilwoman-elect Ann Feldman and Mayor-elect Josh Maxwell, council may reopen budget discussions and make changes.  The budget approved by council Wednesday increased taxes by 0.6 mills, from 6.1 to 6.7 mills. The average homeowner in Downingtown will now pay about $670 per year, compared to $610 in 2009.

Source: Daily Local; 1/5/09

Coatesville City Council places manager on leave

Coatesville City Council placed City Manager Harry Walker on administrative leave and removed Andrew Lehr as city solicitor at Monday afternoon’s annual reorganization. These decisions came after the swearing-in of four newly elected Democratic council members: Jarrell Brazzle, Joseph Hamrick, Ingrid Jones and Karl Marking. Shortly after the vote was taken to remove Lehr, Marking made a motion to appoint attorney John Carnes as solicitor. Carnes is a solicitor in Parkesburg and West Nottingham and was Coatesville’s solicitor for eight years during the Paul Janssen Jr. and E. Jean Krack administrations. Council unanimously appointed Assistant City Manager Kirby Hudson as interim city manager.

Source: Daily Local; 1/5/10

Easttown board approves budget with 12 percent tax hike

Easttown Township’s Board of Supervisors approved a $12.8 million 2010 budget that carries a 12 percent real-estate tax increase. The budget brings the current 3.361 millage to 3.769 mills, or about $3.77 per thousand dollars of a property’s assessed value. The budget also includes a newly adopted Local Services Tax (LST), a $52 flat tax levied on all who work in the township.

Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 12/23/09

Developer is picked for Paoli Master Plan

Development of the Paoli rail yards, 20 acres in Tredyffrin and Willistown Townships, has been a part of the Paoli Master Plan since it was adopted by both townships in 2001. The proposed vision of the Paoli Master Plan, which has a timeline spanning 20 years, involves building a new Paoli Transportation Center (PTC) about 800 feet west of the existing train station. The PTC is planned to include a modern train station and accommodate hundreds of daily riders and a state-of-the-art garage, and it will be housed within a mixed-use development consisting of both retail shops and residential areas. Discussion of this development has been in the works for about 15 years, and now Strategic Realty Investments has been selected as the master developer. For more information on development plans for Paoli, visit www.tredyffrin.org.

Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 12/23/09

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• According the the IRS, about 1.4 Million people have taken advantage of the Credit.
• California was #1 in number of people filing to receive the credit – approximately 160,785.
• Texas was #2 with 131,472, #3 was Florida with 105,865
• While Alaska and Wyoming had the fewest number of claims
• From a “Per Capita” perspective, meaning the percentage of people in that state the numbers are different
• Nevada was #1, Utah #2, and Arizona #3
• An overwhelming percentage of buyers said that the credit was the main driving force in their decision to buy
• 10% of buyers said it was the only reason

Watch this market update video for more information.

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Taxpayers could see their Chester County property tax bills increase slightly again next year if the commissioners’ proposed 2010 budget is adopted as is. But the three commissioners have vowed to seek further reductions in administrative expenditures to make whatever tax increase less than what is currently foreseen. The combined impact of the downturn in the national economy, a drying up of state and federal revenue, and a stagnant county real estate market has resulted in a proposed property tax rate at the county level of 4.118 mills, an increase of 3.8 percent over the 2009 rate of 3.965. To a homeowner with property valued at a median assessment of $166,495, the proposed increased county property tax rate would mean a tax bill of $25.48 over 2009′s levy. The increase comes despite a continuing effort by the county to cut costs in every department. In fact, the county’s proposed budget will be $427.7 million, a decrease from the $476.6 million that county officials estimate they will spend this year. The commissioners have set Dec. 17 as the date to adopt the budget. The county’s budget can be viewed at www.chesco.org.

Source: Daily Local; 12/02/09

Coatesville presents ideas for Urban Center Revitalization Plan Update

The City of Coatesville presented ideas for its Urban Center Revitalization Plan Update. The original plan was adopted in 1999 and updated in 2002 as an addendum to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The update will focus on the following objectives: economic development, housing, infrastructure and transportation, public safety, urban open space, streetscapes and cultural projects. The updated plan will include an action plan with a number of specific recommended projects for the future revitalization of the urban community.

Lower Oxford says sewer hookup is mandatory

Homeowners in Lincoln Village will have to connect to a new sewer line. The Lower Oxford Board of Supervisors approved a mandatory sewer connection ordinance that requires everyone with a sewer line in front of their property to make the connection. The homeowners will be given a year to make the connection on their own. A fee of $2,100 will be due two years after a connection is made. If the property owner does not make the connection within a year, the township can come onto the property and do the work. At that point, the owner becomes responsible to pay for the $2,100 connection fee and the township’s cost to do the work. If the payment is not made within six months, the township can lien the property for their costs and connection fee. Currently, homeowners in Lincoln Village have been sent a survey to determine if it is a low income area and eligible for grant money from the state to offset some of the costs.

Source: Avon Grove Sun; 11/26/09

Chester County farm preserved

The Brandywine Conservancy yesterday acquired a conservation easement on the 117-acre Redcay farm in Londonderry Township, Chester County. Preserving the farm has been a priority of the township since voters approved an open space referendum in 2003. With this easement acquisition, approximately 3,770 acres are now preserved in Londonderry Township, representing about 52% of its total acreage. In addition to preventing development and preserving significant views, the Redcay easement contains restrictions to ensure that continued farming does not adversely impact a tributary of the Brandywine River.

Source: Chester County Press; 11/25/09

Sewage expansion causes concerns in South Coatesville

Pennsylvania American Water Co., which operates a large wastewater treatment facility in South Coatesville, plans to expand the plant to treat up to 12 million gallons of wastewater a day. This would effectively quadruple the amount of treated effluent discharged into the west branch of Brandywine Creek. For the past year, the Brandywine Conservancy has been working behind the scenes to influence a process that has widespread implications for water quality and the threat of more suburban sprawl in western Chester County. The Conservancy met with the state Department of Environmental Protection over the last year, making presentations about smart growth and advocating for community wastewater systems and against large, centralized wastewater treatment facilities.

Source: Daily Times; 11/30/09

West Grove abolishes planning commission

West Grove Borough voted to abolish their planning commission. The planning commission was a subcommittee of borough council that reviewed plans for subdivision and land development. Borough officials said the lack of real estate parcels that can be developed in the future was the most important factor in making the decision. The group has had very little activity and it has become difficult to recruit and hold members. The borough council will review any future plans, as will the zoning officer and engineer.

Coatesville codes officer arrested for allegedly selling cocaine

A man who works as a codes enforcement officer with the city was recently arrested for allegedly selling cocaine, according to police. Police charged John Clayton Tinson, 51, of Coatesville, with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacture of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy following a lengthy investigation that took place during the summer. Tinson was initially hired by the city in October 1994 and held a position in the Public Works department. Tinson’s employment was terminated in July 2005, but he was reinstated as a full-time code enforcement officer last June.

Source: Daily Local; 12/03/09

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