In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) and the Board of Licenses and Inspection Review (BLIR) have taken proactive steps to help mitigate potential community spread by...more
Protestants opposing zoning relief to prevent competition and the loss of their business can be “formidable foes,” as a recent case from suburban Philadelphia demonstrates.
In Tinicum 15 Industrial Highway, the Tinicum...more
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania recently confirmed the standards by which an applicant can obtain a special exception to expand a nonconforming use on its property.
In Mercy v. Zoning Hearing Board of Cross Roads,...more
The Cheltenham Township Community Development Corporation (CTCDC) is seeking proposals from qualified applicants for the acquisition and redevelopment of a 5 acre parcel of land, zoned commercial, and owned by the Township. ...more
In the case of Polaris v. Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board, the Commonwealth Court reversed a decision of the Court of Common Pleas and the underlying zoning hearing board to deny an application to use a property as a...more
In a recent case decided by the PA Commonwealth Court, titled Toll Brothers and Orleans Homebuilders v. Upper Uwchlan Township, the court upheld the decision of the Court of Common Pleas and the Board of Supervisors to deny...more
As a supplement to my blog back on August 23, 2017, as to the use of alternate on-lot sewer systems for planning new subdivisions, attached is the PA Builders Association information sheet on the new legislation.
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Many times, at hearings to obtain either special exceptions or conditional use approvals, applicants, for one reason or another, are under the impression that they simply have to call one or two witnesses to confirm, in a...more
On November 2, 2017, at 7:30 p.m., the Warrington Township Planning Commission intends to review an updated Comprehensive Plan for the Township. After this Comprehensive Plan is reviewed by the Planning Commission, it will...more
In the case of Cardinal Crossing v. Marple Township, the PA Commonwealth Court was faced with the issue of whether a developer, who spends substantial funds on a development, in reliance on statements of support from a...more
Governor Tom Wolf signed into law, on July 20, 2017, Act 26, which amended the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act concerning the use of alternate sewage systems for purposes of obtaining planning module approval from DEP for...more
In a case caption Smith v. Ivy Lee Real Estate, LLC, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania was faced with the question if Section 617 of the MPC permits a private cause of action to enforce a subdivision land development...more
A recent case decided by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania confirms how important it is to understand where zoning challenges should be filed and the deadline date by when to file them. In the case of Carr vs. Horsham...more
Nothing can stop a development project faster than a Pennsylvania municipality denying a developer’s Act 537 planning module for wastewater management. If the municipality refuses a developer’s plan to connect to public sewer...more