Municipalities

Are you a party to a land use appeal? Who can appeal your approval?

June 10, 2009

By: Amanda Sundquist Chester County and other local residents often wonder if they can appeal a decision by their Zoning Hearing Board (“ZHB”). In a recent case, a landowner applied to the ZHB for variances. At the hearing, the ZHB granted a resident party status. The resident tried to appeal the ZHB’s decision. The …

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Appeal of In Re: Erie Golf Course Case

June 3, 2009

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda Sundquist In my recent blog entry, Dedicated or Donated Property, the Commonwealth Court’s decision in In Re: Erie Golf Course was discussed. The Lake Erie Region Conservancy, Inc. and the Committee to Keep Erie Golf Course Open filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania for allowance of appeal from the …

Challenging Economic Times? – Still the Perfect Time To Be Creative With and Enjoy Your Home

June 1, 2009

By UTBF

Americans are learning to do more with less. This includes the American homeowner. Transitioning into a larger home or taking an extravagant vacation may not be the wisest decisions during these challenging economic times. Homeowners might consider creative opportunities to utilize their home to its fullest potential while also increasing the value of their homes. …

Decision Issued on Entities Permitted to Conduct Plan Reviews and Inspections in Municipalities

May 26, 2009

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda J. Sundquist The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled on whether municipalities that opt to enforce the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act (“Act”) may designate one entity to administer, enforce, and conduct all plan review and inspections mandated by the Act to exclusion of other code officials. Under the Act, municipalities were required to …

Dedicated or Donated Property

April 1, 2009

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda Sundquist Does your municipality have dedicated or donated property? Are you considering changing the use of that property? In a recent case, the City of Erie filed a petition under the Donated or Dedicated Property Act to abandon the use of dedicated public property known as the Erie Golf Course for …

Responding to an Enforcement Notice Alleging Violations of a Municipal Zoning Ordinance

March 4, 2009

By UTBF

If your municipality believes you have violated its zoning ordinances, you may receive what is known as an “enforcement notice.” The enforcement notice is required under the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), which is the statute that enables municipalities to adopt zoning and land use ordinances. The enforcement notice is required to provide you with specific …

Timing is Everything

February 23, 2009

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda J. Sundquist Nextel Partners, Inc. v. Clarks Summit Borough/Clarks Summit Borough Council, 958 A.2d 587 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2008). In Nextel, an applicant submitted an incomplete conditional use application. The Borough Council held a hearing on the application 82 days after its receipt; the applicant asserted it was entitled to a deemed …

New Diesel Vehicle Regulations

February 10, 2009

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda Sundquist Are you a driver of a diesel powered motor vehicle? Does your facility accept deliveries or other visits from diesel powered vehicles?

Do you own two adjacent lots?

January 16, 2009

By UTBF

If you own two adjacent lots, you might be interested in the following recent case: In Cottone, the …

New Right to Know Act EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2009

January 6, 2009

By UTBF

The new Right-to-Know Act became effective January 1, 2009. Information pertaining to the Act can be found at the Office of Open Records’ website

We Listen.

Are you a party to a land use appeal? Who can appeal your approval?

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Appeal of In Re: Erie Golf Course Case

Challenging Economic Times? – Still the Perfect Time To Be Creative With and Enjoy Your Home

Decision Issued on Entities Permitted to Conduct Plan Reviews and Inspections in Municipalities

Dedicated or Donated Property

Responding to an Enforcement Notice Alleging Violations of a Municipal Zoning Ordinance

Timing is Everything

New Diesel Vehicle Regulations

Do you own two adjacent lots?

New Right to Know Act EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2009

Sophisticated, Responsive and Focused.