The Commonwealth Court recently reversed a local zoning hearing board’s decision to grant a variance on the basis that the landowner who sought the variance did not meet the legal standard governing variances. In Salahub v. North Cornwall Township Zoning Hearing Board, No. 1322 C.D. 2017 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2018), a landowner operating a golf course…
Siana Law recognizes attorney Eric M. Brown, Esquire for his recently published article in the October 2018 issue of PSAB‘s Borough News Magazine. His featured article breaks down the best practices for developing an effective social media policy for municipal employers. Read the full article provided by PSAB below: Full Article on Social Media by…
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court recently emphasized to developers and municipalities the need to properly justify waivers from provisions of a subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO) during the land development process. In Lake MacLeod Homeowners’ Association, Inc. v. Pine Township Board of Supervisors and Cavalier Partners, LP, the Court sided with the objectors by holding…
Siana Law Partner, Michael G. Crotty, Esquire is teaming up with the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) to present two webinars on the following topics this fall: Zoning and Joint Zoning Considerations to Promote Sustainable Communities Wednesday, September 6, 2018 12 pm – 1:00 pm What Every Municipality Should Know about Insurance Coverage Wednesday,…
Since anyone can remember, Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act (“The Act”) has been the battleground for advocates of transparency in local government. The Act, with its allowances for executive sessions, seeks to balance transparency against the demands for confidentiality. But what about when deliberations take place behind closed doors? Otherwise known as a Smith fact-finding session –…
It has been an eventful year for municipal land use. Here are a few of the highlights (or lowlights, depending on your perspective): The pipelines are coming! 2017 may very well be the year of the pipeline in Pennsylvania. With the Legislature grappling over whether to tax them and with ongoing legal battles on the…
With the end of the year around the corner, here are a few tips and reminders for getting the ball rolling for 2018. Org Meeting In 2018, the statutory Organization Meeting for both Townships and Boroughs must be held on Tuesday January 2nd (as the first Monday falls on a holiday). In addition to authorizing…
Mike’s Bio | Municipal Law | Contact the Firm On Saturday, October 14, 2017 Siana Law partner, Michael G. Crotty, Esquire discussed trends in zoning and land use before over 90 attendees at the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs’ Annual Fall Leadership Conference at the Kalahari Resort in Pocono Manor, PA. Mr. Crotty covered a diverse…
PA Act 172: A (Tax) Break for Volunteer Firefighters With Act 172, municipalities have another tool to recognize the critical service of volunteer firefighters and emergency responders. In a nutshell, Act 172 allows municipalities to give certain tax breaks to volunteers in acknowledgment of their service – specifically, from municipal earned income and real estate…
Assessing liability for a municipality under the Real Property Exception of the Tort Claims Act (TCA) can sometimes be as clear as mud. In the recent past, a municipality could reasonably figure out if they would be faced with liability for real estate under their care, custody or control. If an injury was not caused…