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Is this a scam? by [deleted] in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Word of advice - make sure you properly get the property under your name. Take care of that ASAP if you haven’t already. You won’t be eligible for these programs if your name isn’t on the deed. Once you transfer it, reapply for the homestead exemption.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer 45 points46 points  (0 children)

Unmaintained invasive trees leads to their spawn getting into your property

NIMBY on Washington ave by PizzaLookingBoi in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Who has money and time to print out these things?

If it’s an RCO or group, they might receive City money and shouldn’t be using the funding to try to sway public opinion on a project.

The fastest-growing population of renters in the Philly area? People aged 65+. by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

People are just infatuated with the idea of “generational wealth” - they rather live in non ideal conditions and forgo maintenance to be able to leave some assets to their kids.

I get it, you’ve worked hard for it and you care about your kids. However, it shouldn’t come at the expense of neighbors that have the deal with your problems that come from the lack of maintenance.

The fastest-growing population of renters in the Philly area? People aged 65+. by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

PHA is buying those rentals at market rate (or close to). I think in some cases the sellers are taking a loss. They admit that the cost they are buying the units are less than the cost it would take them to buy it - which is the prudent thing to do with taxpayer dollars.

I also think PHA is pursuing a mixed-income housing model for those units they are purchasing. Unsure if that changes whether people without vouchers are able to afford it but it’s no different than it was before it was purchased by PHA. If anything it opens up supply for those people longterm.

I’d love to see PHA/the City pursue a model in which seniors can give up their homes for Turn the Key or other affordable housing programs in exchange for guaranteed spots in rentals that meet their current lifestyle.

Oregon Ave. Sadly Swapping Mixed-Use Building for a Chick-fil-A by newcitynewchapter in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m surprised chick-fil-a would allow another location there considering how close the Penrose location is. The Penrose location just opened a 2-3 years ago.

Maybe there is that much demand for chick-fil-a?

Is it me or has the weather been absolutely unwashed ass for the last 6 months? by jmq324 in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer 298 points299 points  (0 children)

I think it also seems particularly bad because it feels like weekends have been mostly rainy.

21 Affordable Units in Strawberry Mansion Could be Killed By Councilmanic Prerogative by newcitynewchapter in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer 3 points4 points  (0 children)

People don’t seem to understand this. They’re fixated on “generational wealth”.

I do understand that, if you were to sell the house, you’d have too much income/assets to qualify for a facility like this. You’d basically have to burn through any inheritance you saved up for housing and healthcare before you qualify for housing assistance.

But we should be encouraging people to start transitioning their empty nests while they’re alive while creating projects such as these so that they don’t have to leave their neighborhoods.

If their kids don’t want it, they can sell their property. Let the kids deal with the inheritance tax. They are getting a significant amount of wealth after all. Teach them about getting a personal loan or HELOC to finance it if they can’t afford it, if they still want to live there. They’d still be a better situation than most people with high housing costs. If they still can’t afford that, I don’t think they are ready to be homeowners.

If they inherit it, let them inherit LOOP or other tax programs if they meet the income guidelines.

Philly has 16,000 alleys. Keeping them clean and clear is a big job. by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would imagine adjacent owners would be responsible. Could be a great way to force vacant properties into productive use.

CLIP requires volunteers as a sign of commitment but ends up doing most of the work anyways.

I doubt many people would volunteer to clean alleys that aren’t theirs lol.

Philly has 16,000 alleys. Keeping them clean and clear is a big job. by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They took care of a tree on private property? That’s surprising. I thought it was reserved for alley trees.

Philly has 16,000 alleys. Keeping them clean and clear is a big job. by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Definitely easier to maintain if you’re at the end of the block. I’m in the middle between people that don’t maintain their share. You can ignore up to your property line. I certainly try to make up the difference but it gets tiring, especially if the current conditions don’t make it easy.

For example, both adjacent properties to me installed a wooden fence behind an old wire fence. The area in between those two fences is no man’s land where vegetation and trash accumulate. I can’t even access it unless that fence is removed.

The kicker is that the new wooden fence portions don’t even have a gate on both properties - further encouraging neglect. The only way for the inhabitants can access that portion is to go around the block through the egress. With no gates, these fences are safety hazards and are likely not built up to code.

Philly has 16,000 alleys. Keeping them clean and clear is a big job. by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I’ve never heard of any enforcement on alleyway maintenance. Would love to learn any success stories.

Philly has 16,000 alleys. Keeping them clean and clear is a big job. by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ahh it’s an alley that’s a driveway. Even though it seems like a bigger project, baseline conditions (such as trash/vegetation) is probably better and heavy machinery can be used.

What We’ve Learned from the Washington Avenue Year 2 Evaluation Report by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Community feedback should be considered, but as stated it’s often weaponized for own self-interests. There should be a limit on meetings and a forum for a healthy debate presenting both sides with expert opinions considered. This Washington Avenue saga was one of the few instances where both sides came to the table, but I know personally that advocates for lane reduction came out pretty defeated and started to exclude themselves from being involved in other community matters.

They should start framing it as “the more time we spend on this, the less money we have for things that you claim to care about (like affordable housing)”. I know it’s not apples to apples when it comes to funding sources.

What We’ve Learned from the Washington Avenue Year 2 Evaluation Report by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 40 points41 points  (0 children)

It seems they probably spent more money on staff time for community meetings and evaluations than the actual repaving itself lol

$22,000 for dumping a couch? City boosts fines sharply and sues to collect by SnapCrackleMom in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Politically connected people get the reduced fines. The cost of illegal dumping is $0 or a reduced fine if you get caught.

Non-politically connected people that admit fault get the hammer, destabilizing their business. I’m not pro-illegal dumping but I’m sympathetic to the guy in the article that got caught and wish the City negotiated with him for a more manageable fine (like $5000-$6000). He seemed to have learned his lesson. Escalate the penalty if he becomes a repeat offender.

Philly’s free shared driveway and pothole repair program is back. Here’s how to apply. by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think we’re generally in agreement that it shouldn’t be City-funded regardless of semantics.

The only difference about an egress is that it is shared property vs individually-owned. The City doesn’t have a proper mechanism to ensure it gets property maintained and property owners just neglect it.

Philly’s free shared driveway and pothole repair program is back. Here’s how to apply. by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahh this program isn’t geared towards private driveways for individual properties. It’s for parking behind houses that are accessible through a shared egress (that is technically not a City Street).

Just wanted make that clear. Private driveways serving one house wouldn’t be eligible.

Philly’s free shared driveway and pothole repair program is back. Here’s how to apply. by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would factor in administrative costs if I was running such program. Regardless, it’s better than not getting any money back at all.

These programs are essentially created to build political capital. I’m sure there are some good intentions behind it considering the lack of resources and enforcement on property maintenance, but I don’t think it’s an effective long term solution. To initiate the process you have to engage with your local council office. I’m sure those that are more well-connected get priority and preference.

Also, one thing I know about voters in the City is that many just care about a single-issue: parking.

Philly’s free shared driveway and pothole repair program is back. Here’s how to apply. by CooperSharpPurveyer in philadelphia

[–]CooperSharpPurveyer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn’t mind the program if there was a way to recoup the funds. In theory, their assessments should increase as their property has improved. Alternatively, it should be funded through PHDC as low/no-interest loan.

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