As artificial intelligence booms and our digital world grows, so does the demand for data centers. In August, Liz Young of The Wall Street Journal published an article about the growth in the data-center market and the increasing demand for these specialized buildings. The article explains the reasons for such demand while also addressing some
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Homes for Vets in Harrisburg: Highlighting Two Projects in the Capital Region
We do not often highlight specific projects on this blog, but with the anniversary of 9/11 approaching, it seemed fitting to recognize two development projects in the area that will support our veterans.
But first a little background: Given the recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Grants Pass v. Johnson, allowing the enforcement…
USEPA Promulgates PFAS Drinking Water Standards and Designates Two PFAS Substances As Hazardous Substances – What Does It Mean For You?
By Scott Gould
In April, the Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”) took two actions regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), or so-called “forever chemicals,” that could have far-ranging implications.
Drinking Water Standards
First, USEPA established the first enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals. USEPA established Maximum Contaminant Levels (“MCL”) for six PFAS compounds, all of which are more…
Republicans and Democrats in Harrisburg Are Taking Aim at Pennsylvania’s Housing Affordability and Availability Troubles: Potential Impacts to Builders, Municipalities, and Homeowners
In the years following the Covid-19 Pandemic, the affordability and availability of homes has become a glaring issue in Pennsylvania and beyond, primarily due to rising interest rates, inflation, labor shortages, and an overall shortage of housing supply. In January 2024, housing listings were down nearly 20% and sales dropped more than 3% year-over-year with…
Waivers and Modifications for Parking Relief: What Do You Mean We Don’t Need a Variance?
“Your parking requirements stink! What do you mean we have to provide 25 times the number of parking spaces than what the ITE says, or we have to get a variance? What is our hardship other than your requirements haven’t been updated in over 50 years? If your parking requirements were a car, they would be considered…
Construction Stormwater Update: Draft PAG-02 Permit Open for Comment
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“PADEP”) recently announced the availability of its draft 2024 version of the PAG-02 NPDES general permit for stormwater discharges associated with construction activities for comment. The current version of the PAG-02 permit, which was issued in December 2019, is set to expire state-wide on December 7, 2024. PADEP is accepting comments…
Ways to Encourage Controlled and Collaborative Development: Streamline the Process for Zoning, Subdivision, and Land Development Applications (Part III of V)
We would not blame you if you said that dealing with attorneys is not your favorite part of being a municipal official. However, in our defense, people use attorneys because they need help with complicated legal processes and disputes that are often difficult for laypeople to fully understand. Moreover, applications involving convoluted and unnecessary steps…
The Future of Real Estate Sales and Development in Pennsylvania with Blockchain Technology (IV of IV)
For Parts I, II, and III, click here, here, and here.
As explained in the prior three posts on this topic, blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we buy, sell, and develop property in Pennsylvania. By leveraging the benefits of blockchain technology, we can simplify and streamline those processes while…
Streamlining the Development Process with Blockchain Technology (III of IV)
For Parts I and II, click here and here.
Our prior two posts on blockchain technology and real estate looked at blockchain basics and how it can be used to make real estate transactions and the recording of documents more transparent, efficient, and secure. But I suggest that blockchain technology can do more. Specifically,…
Simplifying the Sale of Property with Blockchain Technology (II of IV)
For Part I of this series, please click here.
Chasing down documents, recovering escrow funds, and worrying about fraud are examples of things in the real estate world that create stress. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that your contract will be executed and carried out accurately and without fail? That it will occur…