This blog has previously written about the decision by the Bensalem Township's to deny a zoning permit for a new mosque. In July 2016, the United States Justice Department sued the township alleging that the zoning board's denial of an application for a variance was based upon religious discrimination. In important ruling, the judge who is presiding over the lawsuit issued an order denying the township's motion to dismiss the suit.
New owner chosen for redevelopment of old Germantown Y
Philadelphia has many old buildings that have outlived their original use and now stand vacant. One of the most well-known of these structures is the Old Germantown YWCA. The building has stood vacant for over a decade, but a recent decision of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority may restore life to the building as a mixture of residential and commercial real estate.
Possible church demolition prompts preservation talks
Philadelphia and its suburbs contain many churches more than a century old, and many of these churches are no longer used by an active congregation. The structures themselves, however, are often seen as a valuable architectural resource that deserves preservation, not demolition. The nature of this conflict is once again on display in the suburban township of Narberth where plans for a commercial real estate development have stirred the interest of local preservationists.
Court decision may affect large pipeline projects in state
This blog has observed the growing conflict between private land owners and pipeline companies over the companies' right to use the law of eminent domain to acquire pipeline right-of-way. Now, a recent decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court may be a signal that the state's eminent domain law cannot be used in that fashion.
