General
REALTORS join tax study commissions
Several area REALTORS® have been appointed by their local school board to tax study commissions mandated by Pennsylvania's ACT 1. The commissions have been formed to study existing taxes and recommend an Earned Income (EIT) or Personal Income (PIT) rate for the purpose of reducing property taxes. The commissions will formulate recommendations over the next three months that will then be either accepted or rejected by the school board. If accepted, a public referendum will be held on the recommendations in May of 2007.
The RLA would like to congratulate the following REALTORS® who have been appointed to this worthy public service assignment: Dennis Lawrence, Bucks County Association (BCAR); Bill Brenner, BCAR; Natalie Sitsis, Montgomery County Association (MCAR); Anne Rubin, MCAR.
Good news for state economy
Pennsylvania has reported the highest annual increase of new jobs in five years with the creation of 60,000 new jobs in 2005. According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. two-thirds of net new jobs are in education, health services, and leisure and hospitality. Four out of 10 of them earned salaries above $41,000, the state average. These new jobs are a result of gains in business across the state and a slump in manufacturing. While growth occurred across the state, the highest peaks were in the southeast, especially Allentown, Lancaster and Lebanon as commercial development picked up.
Will Pennsylvania's home prices have not increased at the same rate as other mid-Atlantic states; the state still recorded a 12.4 percent increase in the fourth quarter. The robust job growth should continue to help support the current housing boom, even as it begins to cool, according to economists.
Source: AP; 04/05/2006
Buyer be aware: online estimate of home values may not be what they seem
A new website, Zillow.com, which provides home-valuation, was launched in February; however, such online estimates may not always be entirely accurate. The value listed on Zillow.com shows the assessed value, on which a homeowner's annual property-tax bill is based. The assessed value rarely reflects the recent sale value of a home. There have been reports of vast discrepancies between Zillow.com's online value estimates and actual sale prices.
Zillow says it bases its values, or "zestimates," on trends over time in a zip code, using a formula devised by mathematicians and computer geniuses. It also acknowledges that its system is still "beta," geek-speak for needing work. For the most part, none of the zestimates even came close to the sale price.
The issue here is that the price of a house is based on more than just an algorithm and a computer program. Its condition and amenities and neighborhood and school district - you know the drill.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 4/12/06
Housing on Demand
Prudential Fox & Roach has partnered with Comcast to bring house hunting to consumers, in their living rooms. The duo will use Comcast's On Demand service, which reaches over 1.5 million consumers in the Philadelphia area. The service will use a searchable format using videos that Prudential will make, of local listings.
Since its debut, last May, the videos have generated over 50,000 views per month. For customers that have On Demand, there is no extra fee to view these listings.
Source: Daily Local News; 04/07/2006
Voter Registration Information
October 10th is the last day to register to vote in the November 7, Pennsylvania general election. Individuals may register at a county voter registration office or at other designated sites. For information, call 1-877-868-3772 or go to www.votespa.com. The site, maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of State, includes a voter registration form for downloading.
Bucks County
Board of Elections
55 E. Court St.
Doylestown, Pa. 18901
215-348-6169
Chester County
Dept. of Voter Services
601 Westtown Rd., Suite 150
Box 2747
West Chester, Pa. 19380
610-344-6410
Delaware County
Government Center
Ground Floor
201 W. Front St.
Media, Pa. 19063
610-891-4659
Montgomery County
Dept. of Voter Services
Montgomery County Courthouse
Airy and Swede Streets
Box 311
Norristown, Pa. 19404
610-278-3280
Philadelphia
Voter Registration Office
Riverview Place
520 N. Delaware Ave.,
Fifth Floor
Philadelphia 19123
215-686-1500
Homeowners to get rebate amounts
The Central Bucks School District's financial consultant plans to share exactly how much of a property tax rebate homeowners would receive under Pennsylvania's new Taxpayer Relief Act (ACT 1) on October 12. Central Bucks' newly formed tax study commission has already developed a recommendation that if approved will raise income taxes paid to the school district to allow property tax discounts.
Source: The Intelligencer; 9/27/06
Water may determine lot size
Nockamixon is considering a new ordinance that would restrict the size of residential housing lots based on the availability of groundwater. A Joint Groundwater Committee that recently studied the local water supply concluded that residents currently have insufficient recharge of aquifers that could lead to a severe drought in the area. The committee presented a draft ordinance that would create new minimum lot sizes based on property location and available water resources. Planners and officials want to see Nockamixon's current 2-acre lot minimum raised to 5-acres in most areas, and up to 15-acres in others. The ordinance would also require improvements in water testing.
Source: 9/28/06
Neshaminy School District budget increase
Joe Paradise, Neshaminy School District business manager, presented a preliminary budget for the 2006-2007 school year. The $155 million budget5 is expected to increase taxes by 4.64 percent and millage by 7.4. The budget reflects 71% of funds being generated by real estate taxes. The school board is citing increases in special education expenses, oil and fuel costs, as well as health insurance.
However, officials are not using this as a final proposal. The current plan is based on a number of assumptions that still need to be worked out.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 05/05/2006
Penndel Borough
The RLA has contacted Penndel Borough regarding their Radon testing requirement. After speaking with Borough Staff, we were informed that if the buyer waives the Radon testing requirement and that waiver is provided to the zoning office, the township will not require any testing. If you have any questions regarding this policy please contact the Borough at 215-757-5153 or the RLA at 610-981-9000.
Bucks spends more than $1 million for 280 acres
The Bucks County commissioners have approved spending more than $1 million on a open space preservation deals. The new agreements total more than 280 acres in four Upper Bucks townships: Springfield, Milford, West Rockhill, and Bedminster Townships.
The funding for the plan was approved by voters in a 1997 referendum, which was aimed at protecting land from development. The funding will expire in 2007 and commissioners are looking for ways to extend the program and increase future funds.
Source: Intelligencer; 04/06/2006
Zoning changes pave way for subdivision
Plans for a proposed 600-unit housing development have been revised and submitted to the West Sadsbury Planning Commission. The updated proposal includes zoning amendments allowing for divisions in the township's General Commercial District (GCD) as well as a decrease in the number of units to 296.
Developer Mark Bedwell said that the proposal includes a new section that describes the subdivision's possible impact on the GCD.
Source: Parkesburg Ledger; 9/28/06
Officials hammer out plan for housing units
Pulte Homes is seeking a sewage disposal agreement with the West Brandywine Township Municipal Authority and Board of Supervisors. Pulte plans to develop on the Overlook Farm property bordering East and West Brandywine Townships near East Reeceville Road. The West Brandywine portion of the development is a senior citizen community of 375 homes. A temporary sewage agreement is needed with the East Brandywine Township Municipal Authority until the Pennsylvania American sewage treatment plant in Coatesville is expanded. Once the Coatesville plant reaches its projected 2009 expansion, sewage from the Pulte development will be sent there.
Source: Coatesville Ledger; 9/27/06
Downingtown considers developments
Downingtown Borough Manager Stephen Sullins urged members of the public to attend council meetings and planning commission meetings to find out more about two new projects that have the potential to transform the landscape of this former mill town. Considering that there are two major high schools, six parks, some churches and not to mention a lot of floodplain in a borough that is just 2.2 square miles, there is just not a lot of opportunity for new development.
The borough is moving forward with a redevelopment plan that would join the Sonoco site, which was recently purchased by a Malvern real estate company, to a proposed new development at the Amtrak train and rail yards. The plan that would bring two new large-scale developments into the borough has the potential to revitalize the Johnsontown neighborhood and provide a second rout to Business 30 for motorists traveling on Brandywine Avenue.
Source: Daily Local News; 3/5/2006
Tapping fee charges remain a question
Members of the Chads Ford Township Sewer Authority and its supervisors' liaison bandied numbers back and forth last week, but with no resolution on tapping fee charges for either the current Ridge Road project or the future Turner's Mill/Toll Brothers project.
A tapping gee is the amount property owners pay to the Sewer Authority to connect to the public sewer system. State law regulates the fee, limiting it to the construction and ancillary costs of the project, divided by the number of connections. There is also a charge for capacity at a treatment plant of $1,700 added. Township regulations make the connection mandatory if a sewer line is within 150 feet of the property.
The Sewer Authority will wait until members have a better handle on the actual cost before setting the fee. They hope that it will be set within the next few weeks.
Source: Chads Ford Post; 04/5/2006
West Brandywine Pulte Homes: No Traffic Problems
Traffic and the township's use of the donated open space were the major issues during the conditional use hearings for Pulte Homes for the proposed 375- residential units for a gated senior community located near Swinehart and East Reeceville Roads in West Brandywine Township. The hearing is ongoing.
A conditional use hearing reviews a development plan's concept to make sure it will fit into the township's long-range comprehensive plans. As part of the conditional use process, the board of supervisors has the ability to place "reasonable conditions" an applicant must meet in order for the project to go forward. These conditions usually stem from concerns board members and the public believe are neighborhood issues caused by the proposed development. However, the legal definition of "reasonable" comes into play because a developer can appeal any excessive conditions through the local court system.
A glitch came for Pulte Homes when Dennis Glackin, planner for Pulte, testified one of the three properties slated to be given to the township as open space would not be allowed to be used for anything other than passive recreation. Prior testimony from Glackin said, "Pulte did not want any lights on the property." When the board heard the change in testimony, they pursued it for clarification. Pulte was now clear in their demand for only passive recreation for that one space. The other two properties to be used as open space would not have any restrictions.
The hearing will continue until all of the testimony is completed. Once that is done, the township will have 45 days in which to render any decision and place any conditions in order for the concept to proceed. If Pulte accepts all of the conditions the board puts into the decision and order, the plan would move to a detailed engineering review during the planning commission review phase. Only after that phase is complete could any construction begin.
Source: Coatesville Ledger; 4/6/2006
Two housing projects earn conditional approval in Atglen
Two residential developments proposed for Atglen Borough moved further through the planning stages, as council granted conditional final approval to the projects at it's meeting. One project is for a seven-lot private community, while the other is a full development with 50 units being planned.
Source: Parkesburg Post Ledge; 4/6-9/2006
Sewer extension wins approval
The Hilltown Township Board of Supervisors approved WB Homes' 38-acre development proposal. The developer added a sewer extension in their proposal to forego construction costs of on-site systems for each of the 20 lots. Numerous residents spoke out against the sewer extension saying that public sewer does not belong in the rural district because it attracts even more development. The public sewer line will be extended about 310 feet from South Perkasie Road and Blooming Glen Road to Schwenk Mill and Blue School roads. Currently, 15 homes could potentially tie in to the new extension.
Source: The Intelligencer; 9/26/06
Tax hike may not be enough
The Souderton Area School District will have to cut programs to avoid putting its proposed 2007-2008 budget before voters for approval next spring. Superintendent Charles Amuso said the reductions are inevitable if the district is to keep the property tax rate increase at 6.2 percent. The proposed 6.2 percent increase would exceed the state cap, which by law requires voter approval. However Souderton officials estimate they can raise their cap to properly cover the budget that includes a new $114.4 million high school in the district. Officials fear that with other unavoidable costs, including rising teacher salaries, retirement benefits and health insurance, the tax increase is a necessity.
Source: 9/25/06
Montgomery County dedicates funds for open space in Plymouth
Montgomery County will be allocating $976,000 for Plymouth Township to purchase open space land. The land, owned by former county commissioner and chairman of the county open space board, Elkins Wetherill, will be used as a park, which was listed as a number one priority for the township. However, Wetherill did not participate in the vote regarding the purchase of his property.
The County Commissioners approved the allocation for the purchase of the 14.76 acres off Butler Pike. This piece of land joins over 40 acres, which the township had previously purchased or was given, by the Wetherill's. The township will work out the details to the agreement of sale, as Wetherill will continue to live on the property.
Source: Times Herald; 05/01/2006
East Norriton's sewer plans coming to a finish
The East Norriton Township's Act 537 Sewer Plan will soon be ready for board approval. The plan, being presented by engineer Stanley Enlich, will include a comprehensive update of the 1992 plan. East Norriton needs to approve their Act 537 plan as a part of the East Norriton-Plymouth-Whitmarsh Joint Sewer Authority's plan for expansion. Each municipality must approve an Act 537 plan in order to participate in the Joint Sewer Authority.
Source: Times Herald; 05/02/2006
