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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

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Posted on: 04-25-2011
Posted in: Chester County, News

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

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Posted on: 04-18-2011
Posted in: Chester County, News

Chester County Real Estate News: March 28, 2012 Comments Off

West Vincent Township to consider abandoned house ordinance

West Vincent Township Supervisors will consider an ordinance regulating the maintenance of abandoned and vacant properties during their March 28 meeting at 7:30 pm in the Township Building (729 Saint Matthews Road, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania 19425).  The Suburban REALTORS Alliance staff has reviewed a copy of the draft ordinance and submitted commentary to the township.

Chester County tops state in growth

Chester County gained more residents over the past decade than any other Pennsylvania county, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures released last week. The county’s population now stands officially at 498,886, up 15.1 percent from 433,501 in 2000. Only Forest, Franklin, Monroe, and Pike counties had higher overall growth rates, and none of those counties has more than 170,000 residents. All but five of Chester County’s 73 municipalities grew in population, with Penn experiencing the highest rate of growth, 90.8 percent, from 2,812 residents in 2000 to 5,364 in 2010, and Upper Uwchlan having the largest number of new residents, up from 6,850 in 2000 to 11,227 in 2010. Tredyffrin, in the county’s eastern-most corner, remains the most populated municipality with 29,332 residents, while Modena, with only 535 residents, its smallest. West Chester, the county seat, remains the largest borough, with 18,461 residents (an increase of 600 from 2000); Coatesville, the county’s only city, grew from 10,838 residents in 2000 to 13,100 in 2010.

Source: Daily Times; 3/15/2011

 

Phoenixville School board eyes hiking per capita tax

The Phoenixville Area School Board recently discussed ways to offset a potential loss in 2011-12 revenue that may occur if Phoenixville Borough begins taking a share of the per-capita tax. The school district stands to lose approximately $43,000 if Borough Council implements a proposed $5 per capita tax during its April meeting. The entire $10 per capita tax is currently being collected by the school district, but municipalities can decide whether or not to take a share of the tax revenue under state law. School board member Joshua Gould said the loss of revenue could potentially be offset by an increase in the occupational assessment tax, making everyone who is employed pay the tax. The occupational assessment tax is based on a resident’s job classification, not on the amount of income, but it presumes to tax an occupation according to what a person in that job would earn.  A more detailed discussion on the occupational tax will take place during the March 31 budget hearing.

Source: Daily Local; 3/24/2011

Downingtown School District faces ‘severe’ budget blow

If Gov. Corbett’s proposed budget is approved, the Downingtown Area School District will receive $3.6 million less in state aid than last year.  The potential loss, coupled with the $4.6 million deficit the district is already facing due to the struggling economy, would be a severe blow to the district according to Superintendent Larry Mussoline. To view Mussoline’s recent budget statement click here.

West Chester School District announces budget shortfall

West Chester School District is facing the loss of nearly $3.4 million in state funding if Gov. Corbett’s budget is approved. Click here to see the impact of the proposed reductions. A special community meeting will be held on Monday, April 4, 2011, 7 p.m.  at Henderson High School, 400 Montgomery Ave, West Chester, PA, to discuss the potential reductions and their impact on programs for next year.  The meeting will include a review of the findings from the Community Budget Task Force, as well as other ideas to reduce the budget discussed at the meeting.

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Posted on: 03-28-2011
Posted in: Chester County, News

Chester County Real Estate News: February 21, 2011 Comments Off

SWest Chester stadium plan strikes out
West Chester Borough Council voted to request that the Redevelopment Authority (RDA) look into alternative development options for the 28-acre site in the southeast portion of the borough with the assistance of the Chester County Economic Development Authority. The latter has pledged to provide counsel to the RDA free of charge, according to authority member Ray Ott, who said the RDA would take into account a range of factors in devising a use for the former Wyeth Laboratories site. The RDA presented its findings to Borough Council, and said in no uncertain terms that the stadium project was not financially viable without the aid of a $14 million state grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (R-Cap) to cover construction costs, but that program was frozen by Gov. Tom Corbett to address the state budget deficit. Turks Head Stadium Alliance architect Alan Adler said Tuesday that his group might pursue alternative sites for the stadium proposal.

Source: Daily Local; 2/17/2011

Preliminary budget hikes taxes 3.85 percent in Kennett Consolidated
Kennett Consolidated school officials say they want to lower the proposed 2011-12 property tax rates with additional state funding and spending cuts before the budget’s June deadline. The board unanimously accepted a preliminary 2011-12 budget that calls for a 3.85 percent property tax increase. The plan would hike the tax rate by 0.95 mills, with a mill equal to a tax of $1 for every $1,000 of assessed real estate value. That means a homeowner with a property assessed for tax purposes at $198,000 would pay $5,094 in real estate taxes next year. The preliminary budget is available here.

Source: Daily Local; 2/18/2011

Avon Grove may raise taxes for second time in two years
Avon Grove School Board approved the preliminary budget in the amount of $78.6 million. Avon Grove School District officials continue to work on the 2011-2012 general fund budget, which the School Board plans to balance through additional expenditure reductions, using a portion of the fund balance, as well as a real estate tax increase. Superintendent Dr. Gus Massaro announced that the board and administrators will be working to develop $3.6 million in reductions for the budget. Click here to view the preliminary budget. AGSD is soliciting suggestions/ideas from the school community for generating revenue and cost savings here.

Source: Chester County Press; 2/16/2011

Town hall meeting scheduled to discuss school budget in Spring-Ford
The Spring-Ford Area School District has invited residents of the district to a Town Hall meeting on Feb. 28, 2011, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the 9th Grade Center. The purpose of the meeting is to educate the public on the $10.4 million budget shortfall the district is facing and the efforts being made to balance the budget. The 9th Grade Center is located at 400 S. Lewis Rd. in Royersford. Click here for the school district website.

Source: Times Herald; 2/11/2011

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Posted on: 02-21-2011
Posted in: Chester County, News

Chester County News: February 14, 2011 Comments Off

West Chester Area School District launches REALTOR resource section        

The WCASD has dedicated a section of their website to information and resources for real estate professionals here. This past week, the district held an informational meeting on district initiatives and projects.

 

Costello appointed Chester County commissioner

Ryan Costello, Chester County Recorder of Deeds, has been appointed to fill the vacant county commissioner seat by the county’s Board of Common Pleas Court judges. In his presentation to the 11 member Board of judges Wednesday, Costello emphasized his previous experience in county and township government as a qualification for his appointment. He stressed that the county’s budget future would be among his top priorities in the 10 months left of the term. He also announced his intention to run for a four-year term on the board of commissioners in this year’s county elections.

Source: Daily Local; 2/11/2011

 

Tax hike looms in DASD

The Downingtown Area School Board approved a preliminary budget that includes a 3.3 percent tax increase. Every board member who voted for the preliminary budget said they would not support a 3.3 percent tax increase in the final budget but needed to set a ceiling for the tax rate given the level of uncertainty currently surrounding the budget. The district faces a $192 million budget with ever decreasing revenue. Even with the proposed tax increase, the district will still need to make cuts. Some board members suggested that several budget options should be made public, demonstrating the cuts that would be necessary with a 0 percent tax increase, a 1.4 percent increase (the ACT 1 index level), a 2.3 percent increase (Act 1 with a special-education exception) and a 3.3 percent increase (which also includes an exception for increasing pension obligations).

Source: Daily Local; 2/10/2011

 

Backers: Plan still viable for ballpark for West Chester

West Chester Redevelopment Authority members agreed that when the Turks Head Stadium Alliance presents its proposal to Borough Council on Feb 16, it will do so without the authority’s recommendation. The authority is unwilling to get behind the ballpark proposal until it receives assurances on funding for the plan, most notably a $14 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (R-CAP) grant from the state, which has been frozen by Gov. Tom Corbett due to the state’s sizeable budget deficit. The stadium group, meanwhile, can’t move forward on the project until the funding is available. As uncertainty lingers, Borough Council will likely be unwilling to give the project a green light without the recommendation of the authority, according to Councilman Chuck Christy.

Source: Daily Local; 2/9/2011

 

Tredyffrin Supervisor changes

The filling of one vacant seat was expected at Monday’s night’s Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors meeting. The announcement of another vacancy wasn’t on the agenda. Michael Heaberg, a longtime Tredyffrin resident who works in the investments and financial-advisory business, was named to fill newly-elected PA State Rep. Warren Kampf’s unexpired term. The board’s personnel committee had publicly interviewed Heaberg along with other candidates. Heaberg’s interim appointment will last only until the May 17 primary election, when a supervisor will be elected to finish Kampf’s unexpired term, which ends in January 2012. Heaberg will be sworn in during the board of supervisors’ meeting Feb. 28. Also, Board of Supervisors president Robert Lamina announced that he will not seek another term on the board.

Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 2/8/2011

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Posted on: 02-14-2011
Posted in: Chester County, News

Chester County Real Estate News: January 24, 2011 Comments Off

North Coventry Township to consider rental ordinance
North Coventry Township Supervisors will consider the adoption of a rental registration and inspection ordinance at their January 24 meeting. The meeting will take place at 7 pm at 845 South Hanover St., Pottstown, PA 19465. Alliance staff has reviewed the proposed ordinance and submitted commentary to the township. Please email Erin Smist at esmist@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com with any questions or concerns.

West Chester Area School District hosts REALTORS’ Summit
West Chester Area School Superintendent Jim Scanlon has scheduled a meeting to present key educational achievement, budget, and tax information to area REALTORS. The session will take place on Wednesday, February 2, 2011, from 3:30-5:00pm in the main library of Bayard Rustin High School. Bayard Rustin is located at 1100 Shiloh Road in Westtown Township. Due to Limited Seating, please send your RSVP to Carol Shillingford, Secretary to the Superintendent at cshillingford@wcasd.net. Click here for more information.

Coatesville seeks Lancaster advice on combating neglect
A Lancaster official gave a presentation to the Coatesville City Council regarding a rapid ticketing program the city is considering as a way to combat housing code violations and neglect. Patrick Hopkins, Lancaster business administrator, gave a presentation on his city’s Instant Ticketing Program at Monday’s meeting. Coatesville Codes Director Damalier Molina has pushed for the program over the past year, saying the overhaul of codes ordinances and the improved computer systems involved would aid the city and provide relief to his small department. A system similar to Lancaster’s would cost the city approximately $27,000. Highlights of the system include:

•The flow of property violation notices are similar to that of a parking ticket, streamlining enforcement of neighborhood quality-of-life issues.
•Integrated with the Housing Complaint System to provide a comprehensive database of property violations.
•Violation data and photographic evidence of violations prevent citations from being overturned.
•The eCitation system reduces staff time spent on manual entry and provides additional enforcement tools to city inspectors.
Source: Daily Local; 1/16/2011

Kennett Consolidated officials anticipate $1.1M budget shortfall
The Kennett Consolidated School District’s Finance Committee is working to close a more than $1.1 million budget shortfall and keep a proposed tax increase as low as possible. Finance Committee Chairman Mike Finnegan said the committee has made several recommendations to that end, including dipping into some existing fund balances. He said stimulus funds received through state and federal sources were eliminated, contributing another $1 million in lost revenues. He added that a 3.84 percent property tax increase would be required unless the board can find places for additional cuts in the 2011-12 budget. At the 3.84 rate, the tax rate would increase from 24.7781 to 25.7293 mills, or roughly 0.95 mills. The deadline for the 2011-12 preliminary budget to be available for public review is Jan. 27. The preliminary budget will be reviewed in detail at the Feb. 7 finance committee meeting at the district office.

Source: Daily Local; 1/16/2011

Offer of $7,000 not too moving for East Caln mobile home residents
Some residents at Atchin Tan Mobile Home Park in East Caln have met with a developer to discuss options for moving. The park at the corner of Route 113 and Bell Tavern Road has 21 mobile homes and is under an agreement of sale with a developer who plans to build a CVS pharmacy and a strip mall there, forcing all current residents to move out. The developer, WestPort Holdings, has reportedly offered some residents $7,000 to offset their moving costs. According to a certified letter sent by the developer, residents must move out of the park by Aug. 1. The letter states the developer is attempting to make the moving process “as painless as possible.” The residents may begin moving out after May. The developer’s shopping center proposal is tentatively slated to go before the township’s planning commission on Feb. 8. The developer also must gain conditional-use approval from the township before it can build the stores. No date has been set for that hearing.

Source: Daily Local; 1/16/2011

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Posted on: 01-24-2011
Posted in: Chester County, News

Chester County Real Estate News: December 29, 2012 Comments Off

West Chester Borough hikes taxes by 20%
West Chester Borough Council agreed to increase real estate taxes by 20 percent for 2011 instead of implementing a 7 percent tax increase and new trash fees. Council agreed to eliminate its proposed “pay as you go” trash bag system in exchange for a 20 percent property tax increase along with various parking alterations. The bonus of this system, according to residents and some on council, is that residents can write off property taxes in their federal filings. The approved tax increase would move the real estate millage rate from 5.8 mills to 6.96. A mill is $1 of tax paid for each $1,000 of a property’s assessed value. The tax hike equates to an additional $130 for a total of $828 a year for the average single-family residence with an assessed value of $119,000. Council also agreed Wednesday to extend business district parking meter hours until 10 p.m. on weekdays and implement business district meter hours from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays. In order for council to make the new tax rate official for 2011, council must hold a special meeting by Dec. 31 to approve a millage rate ordinance.’

Source: Daily Local; 12/16/2010

Upper Uwchlan Township holds line on taxes
Upper Uwchlan Township supervisors approved a budget that includes a cushion of more than $400,000. The township will not increase taxes once again. The last time taxes were increased was 2006. The township’s total budgeted expenditures for 2011 are $5.4 million, which is nearly $300,000 less than what was budgeted for 2010. Anticipated revenues for 2011 are marginally more than what the township budgeted in 2010. According to the budget, the township anticipates $300,000 more in earned income taxes than it budgeted in 2010. However, the township also expects to receive about $300,000 less in engineering fees. The decrease in engineering fees can be accredited to the expected decline in development.

Source: Daily Local; 12/22/2010

Uwchlan officials anticipate decline in tax revenue
The 2011 fiscal year will mark the 25th consecutive year the township has gone without an increase in its real estate tax rate. Real estate taxes in the township have been hit hard during the current economic downturn. According to Township Manager Doug Hanley, in the three years prior to 2010, the township collected an average of $638,000 per year in real estate tax revenue. For 2010 the township anticipated collecting $500,000. Revenues and expenditures are being budgeted at lower amounts in 2011 than in 2010. The biggest loss in revenues can be attributed to a decrease in Act 511 taxes, which are estimated to bring in about $150,000 less in 2011. Act 511 taxes include earned-income taxes and local services taxes. The township is increasing sanitation fees by $2 per quarter for each of the sanitation facilities — at Eagleview and Downingtown.

Source: Daily Local; 12/21/2010

County adopts 2011 budget, no property tax increase
Chester County commissioners adopted a 2011 budget Tuesday that calls for no county property tax increase, but makes cuts in spending at Pocopson Home, reduces the amount of planned borrowing for the county’s open space preservation program, and forgoes staff salary increases for the second year in a row. County commissioners said they were pleased to be able to deliver a budget with no increase in taxes, but warned that the budget outlook at the state and federal level will pose financial challenges for the county in 2011, if those governments cut spending that flows to the county. The county divides its full tax millage of 3.965 into four slices. In 2011, the taxes dedicated to the parks fund will stay the same at .156 mills, and the library taxes will also remain level at .190 mills. The general funds taxes will shrink to 2.730 mills from 2.853 in 2010. The amount dedicated to debt service – the amount of interest principal and interest paid on county bond issues – will increase to .889 from .766. A mill in taxes equals $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. The county has said that a taxpayer with a property assessed at $299,657, the median market value in the county, will pay $658 in county property taxes.

Source: Daily Local; 12/21/2010

West Goshen supervisors dip into reserve fund
West Goshen Township supervisors approved a 2011 budget Wednesday that includes a $1.4 million shortfall that officials will cover using a reserve fund. Supervisors agreed unanimously to approve the budget, which forecasts $12.4 million in revenues and $13.8 million in expenditures. The board said it was able to avoid a tax increase because of a surplus of nearly $8 million in reserves. The budget includes a 3 percent raise for all township employees, which members of the public challenged.

Source: Daily Local; 12/17/2010

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Posted on: 12-29-2010
Posted in: Chester County, News

Chester County Real Estate News: December 6, 2010 Comments Off

Community will aid Coatesville codes department

Community cleanup volunteers have taken on new duties with Coatesville Council’s recent approval of a “Codes Volunteers” program. Codes volunteers will assist the codes department as formal “eyes and ears” in the city, according to City Codes Director Damalier Molina. They will undergo training, especially on the seven most common types of violations: illegal dumping; snow and ice removal; high weeds; rubbish and garbage; nuisance junkyards and derelict vehicles; and minimum housing standards. The volunteer force will not be issuing citations. Anyone in the city can join the Codes Volunteers, and the codes department is pursuing appointments or nominations by council members of residents in their wards.

Source: Daily Local; 12/2/2010

 

Maintaining West Chester’s vitality

West Chester Borough Council reauthorized the West Chester Business Improvement District (BID) for another five years. Over the last 10 years, Executive Director Malcolm Johnstone said, the district has done much for businesses in town and the community as a whole. To start, the borough has seen a significant increase in the number of businesses operating in West Chester. In 10 years, the town went from fewer than 300 businesses to nearly 500. Secondly, the town has seen a spike in the market value of businesses. In 2000, the average price per square foot of property in the downtown region was $60. Today, Johnstone estimates market value in the downtown area to be between $300 and $400 per square foot, depending on the condition of the property. Beyond the business community, Johnstone said the district has also invested roughly $500,000 into the surrounding neighborhoods with capital improvements such as sidewalks and street trees. As part of its five-year plan, BID intends to take a look at a number of ambitious projects, such as train service from West Chester to Philadelphia and creating a downtown Visitor Center. But with only roughly a $300,000 annual budget, the group will likely focus more on smaller endeavors. Specifically, Johnstone said the district will target development of county office buildings up for auction.

Source: Daily Local; 11/24/2010

 

Coatesville Marriott deal must be closed by Dec. 16 to secure state funds

The saga of the city and developer Don Pulver’s Marriott Hotel is essentially complete after council approved a last resolution Monday night. The resolution, which covered three areas of agreements, was only one step in a long series, according to officials. It was important primarily for one reason: timing.  The resolution includes the final subdivision land development plan, the posting of an “evergreen” cash escrow account for public improvements, and an access road easement agreement. The developer has stayed with the project for seven years before groundbreaking, which is expected to take place in January 2011. Pulver and his attorney, Ross Weiss, said that they need to close the deal by Dec. 16 to secure state funds.

Source: Daily Local; 11/24/2010

 

West Vincent Township considers property tax shift

West Vincent Township supervisors are simultaneously contemplating lowering and raising property taxes for next year. A preliminary township budget passed last week would increase property taxes by 0.25 mills while eliminating a 0.49-mill tax dedicated for open-space preservation. “Because of projected increased costs, and because residents have been appealing their property assessment in record numbers, the board is proposing an increase in the real estate tax for general purposes of 0.25 mills,” Township Manager James Wendelgass said in a written statement. “Because of its good financial stewardship, the board is proposing to eliminate the open-space real estate tax starting next year.” With the increase and subsequent elimination of the open-space levy, township property tax bills would be lowered by 0.24 mills in 2011. A mill represents $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value. The open-space tax was enacted following a referendum in 2002. The measure allowed the board of supervisors to increase taxes by 0.49 mills and allocate all of those funds to pay off a bond that was used to protect open space.  The open-space bond is outstanding until 2023. Wendelgass said the board plans to pay its interest and principal with funds left over from this year, and a portion of the township’s earned-income tax. The township has 0.25 percent of its earned income tax earmarked for open-space preservation and has historically been using that money as well as the earmarked portion of the property tax to pay off the bond.

Source: Daily Local; 11/25/2010

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Posted on: 12-6-2010
Posted in: Chester County, News

Chester County Real Estate News: November 1st, 2010 Comments Off

West Chester developing historic preservation plan

With thousands of historic resources in West Chester, including three National Register Districts, the borough is developing a comprehensive historic preservation plan to evaluate current preservation efforts and consider future plans. The study is being made possible through a $10,000 Preserve America grant and matching funds provided by the borough and the West Chester Business Improvement District. On Oct. 20, a historic preservation task force held a planning workshop at borough hall that was attended by about 25 residents to get feedback on current historic preservation efforts and future initiatives.

Source: Daily Local; 10/27/2010

Kennett Square reviews plan for 89 homes

Plans for a new development in Kennett Square called Magnolia Place with 89 single-family attached homes were unveiled last week. The development will be on 8.3 acres south of West Cypress Street, north of West Mulberry Street and south of Mill Road near the old NVF site. The property is vacant and was once the site of the Shur-fine and A&P supermarkets. Included in the plan is the nearby construction of a 13,000-square-foot commercial building with apartments on its second, third and fourth floors. Twenty-two of the single-family residences will be townhomes with no on-street parking. All garages will be served by rear alleys. All roads will be lighted using low-glare street lamps. Council has 45 days to make a decision on the project and is expected to make one at its Nov. 1 meeting. Because the plan conforms to borough code, council has little choice but to accept it, but it can demand stipulations.

Source: Daily Local; 10/25/2010

DASD unveils preliminary budget to finance committee

Downingtown Area School District Chief Financial Officer Richard Fazio presented the school board’s finance committee with preliminary budget information much earlier this year than in previous years. Fazio said the biggest revenue challenge facing the district is the large number of home owners who are seeking to lower their property taxes through a county assessment appeal. Taxpayers have the right to appeal their assessed property value to the county in hopes of lowering their tax bill, and 40 percent of households in the district have done so in the last five years. More than $278 million worth of property has been appealed, and the average tax bill is being reduced by 19 percent. The district has already lost more than $1 million in assessment appeals, and could lose another $300,000 if the remaining properties awaiting reassessment reach the average of 19 percent. In order for the district to make up this lost revenue, it would have to increase taxes by an average of $65 per household. The Act 1 index, which sets a limit for how much schools can increase taxes, is set at 1.4 percent for the 2011-12 school year. Fazio said the $65 increase would make up a majority of the 1.4 percent increase. Another area where revenue is significantly declining is what Fazio called “variable local revenues,” or local revenues that are not property taxes. These revenues include earned income tax, real estate transfer taxes, delinquent taxes, interim taxes and interest off the district’s investments.

Source: Daily Local; 10/29/2010

Parking is issue in Phoenixville

With Phoenixville Borough Council accepting the resolution to dissolve the Phoenixville Parking Authority, questions arose as to what will become of the parking problems in the downtown shopping district. Business owner Ellie Acampora of Ellie’s Choice addressed council regarding the parking situation along the 200 block of Bridge Street. Business owners in the borough urged council to consider making changes before the holiday season.

Source: Daily Local; 10/29/2010

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Posted on: 11-1-2010
Posted in: Chester County, News

Chester County Real Estate News: October 25th, 2010 Comments Off

Stadium group discusses plans for minor league park in West Chester

Members of the Turks Head Stadium Alliance held their first public information meeting Thursday to discuss the plan for a minor league baseball and multi-use stadium in the borough. Mary Lou Doyle, a committee member of the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame, introduced the key players in the alliance and board members who have been working for the past five years to develop the plan. About 175 people attended the evening presentation at the Chester County Historical Society. The baseball stadium is slated to be built on the 30-acre Wyeth site at South Bolmar and East Nields streets. Doyle stressed the need for public input and promised many more meetings. The proposed stadium would have 10,000 square feet of museum space including 5,000 square feet for the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame. Also planned is a 100-seat auditorium that would be used to offer college courses. Residents expressed concern over parking.

Source: Daily Times; 10/15/2010

Coatesville Council agrees to sewer rate deal

Council voted 5-1 Tuesday night to approve a settlement with Pennsylvania American Water Co. regarding the company’s wastewater rate increase request. Representatives of Pennsylvania American have said that the primary reason for the rate increase was its investment in the Coatesville wastewater treatment plant. According to municipal officials and residents, the plant is operating at about half its capacity. Council President Ed Simpson said at the previous meeting that while Coatesville, which is the largest user of the plant, requested only a 19 percent increase in capacity, surrounding municipalities requested capacity increases ranging from 300 to 1,000 percent and that Pennsylvania American was obligated to construct a facility based on those requests. The company’s original request would have increased the rate for the average customer from $27.43 per month to about $90.26 a month as soon as the rate change went into effect. The phased-in schedule would increase the rate to $42.33 in 2011, $57.14 in 2012, $71.94 in 2013 and $86.73 in 2014. The rate would then remain the same in 2015 before dropping back to $71.94 in 2016. All of the other nine municipalities affected by the rate increase have approved the deal. With Coatesville’s approval, the settlement will now be filed with Administrative Law Judge Charles E. Rainey Jr., who will make a recommended decision in the case, according to attorneys. The settlement and the judge’s recommended decision will then be reviewed and decided on by members of the state Public Utility Commission.

Source: Daily Local; 10/21/2010

West Nottingham Township budget meeting

The West Nottingham Board of Supervisors will meet on the following dates to discuss the 2011 budget and any other business that may properly come before the Board: October 26 at 7:00 p.m.; and November 17 at 9:00 a.m. All meetings will be held at the Municipal Building, 100 Park Road, Nottingham, PA. Please be advised that there will be no Supervisors Workshop on November 9, 2010. Please visit www.wnt-gov.org for more information.

Source: Daily Local; 10/15/2010

New Garden sets budget work session

The New Garden Township Board of Supervisors will hold a Budget Work Session on October 25, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Township Building, 299 Starr Road, Landenberg, PA. At this meeting, the Township will address additional Township business, if necessary. The public is invited to attend.

Source: Daily Local; 10/15/2010



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Posted on: 10-25-2010
Posted in: Chester County, Coatesville, West Chester
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