Municipalities

New Prevailing Wage Analysis For Preconstruction Leases

December 6, 2011

On November 23, 2011 the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania rendered a decision that may have far reaching implications with regard to state, county, municipal and school district leasing of buildings and office space.

The Marcellus Shale Debate: Local Zoning or State Control?

June 16, 2011

By UTBF

By: Andrew D.H. Rau If momentum forms behind a bill introduced in Harrisburg, the traditional understandings of local zoning control in Pennsylvania could be in for a major adjustment. The legislation sponsored by Senator Joseph Scarnati would provide for impact fees to be paid by Marcellus Shale drillers across the state. But a component …

Marcellus Shale & Local Zoning

April 26, 2011

By Andrew Rau

By: Andrew D.H. Rau The oil and gas industry’s race to develop the Marcellus Shale across Pennsylvania has brought to the forefront the tension between large-scale development interests and local government. Pennsylvania boroughs, townships and cities are grappling with the limits of local zoning power as they consider the means of regulating and controlling …

Possible New Horizons for Deteriorated Properties – Tougher Enforcement on Neighborhood Blight coupled with Tax Relief might work to benefit Communities throughout Pennsylvania

April 22, 2011

By UTBF

The Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Act (the “Act”) empowers municipalities to take legal action against owners of deteriorating properties and deny municipal permits in certain circumstances. Municipalities across Pennsylvania are drafting ordinances, and in many cases, are ready to adopt ordinances in order to implement the provisions of the Act in their respective …

Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Act – Act 90 of 2010 – New Law Expands Enforcement Powers for Pennsylvania Municipalities

November 24, 2010

By UTBF

The Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Act (the “Act”) - signed into law on October 27, 2010, effective on April 25, 2011 - empowers municipalities to take legal action against owners of deteriorating properties and deny municipal permits in certain circumstances.

New Permit Extension Law Impacts Developers and Municipalities

July 9, 2010

By Andrew Rau

By: Andrew D.H. Rau This week’s budget approvals in Harrisburg included legislation that will have an effect on landowners, as well as state and local government entities across Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 1042, signed into law as Act 46, will extend the life of many land development and related approvals, if the approvals are in …

United States Supreme Court Declines to Discuss the Expectation of Privacy in Employees’ Digital and Electronic Communications

June 24, 2010

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda Sundquist The United States Supreme Court has issued a decision in City of Ontario v. Quon, which was discussed in my May 13, 2010 blog entry. At issue in the case was whether a member of the police SWAT team had a reasonable expectation of privacy in text messages transmitted …

Municipalities and Developers: Take A Closer Look At Settlement Agreements

April 5, 2010

By UTBF

The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court’s recent decision in BPG Real Estate Investors v. Newtown Township may cause developers and townships to more carefully consider whether settlement agreements are reaching too far. The ultimate result may be courts refusing to approve such settlements. In the BPG decision, the Commonwealth Court determined that a settlement agreement between …

Township Pursues Chapter 9 Bankruptcy

March 31, 2010

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda Sundquist Westfall Township is believed to be the first Pennsylvania municipality to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection. The Township sought Chapter 9 protection to force negotiations on a $20 million federal judgment entered in favor of a developer. Chapter 9 was used to reduce the award to $6 million, which …

The Rise of Wind Power – Changing Landscapes in Pennsylvania

March 25, 2010

By UTBF

The use of windmills as an energy source is on the rise and rapidly growing in Pennsylvania, even in residential neighborhoods. While windmill farms can be an interesting and peaceful sight from afar, the construction of a windmill in a backyard in a residential neighborhood may not be as welcoming. In the case Tink-Wing Mountain …

We Listen.

New Prevailing Wage Analysis For Preconstruction Leases

The Marcellus Shale Debate: Local Zoning or State Control?

Marcellus Shale & Local Zoning

Possible New Horizons for Deteriorated Properties – Tougher Enforcement on Neighborhood Blight coupled with Tax Relief might work to benefit Communities throughout Pennsylvania

Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Act – Act 90 of 2010 – New Law Expands Enforcement Powers for Pennsylvania Municipalities

New Permit Extension Law Impacts Developers and Municipalities

United States Supreme Court Declines to Discuss the Expectation of Privacy in Employees’ Digital and Electronic Communications

Municipalities and Developers: Take A Closer Look At Settlement Agreements

Township Pursues Chapter 9 Bankruptcy

The Rise of Wind Power – Changing Landscapes in Pennsylvania

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