This week in Council

City Prohibits Private Sales of Public Parking Spaces on City Streets

This law prohibits selling, leasing, or reserving public parking spaces on city streets to private individuals or companies.

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City Grants Café Permit at Bustling Frankford Ave Corner, Bringing Outdoor Seating to Popular Spot

Philadelphia Homeowners Face Steep Fees for Trash Collection Amid Proposed New Ordinance Requiring Residents to Pay Upfront for Services. Under the proposal, residents who don't pay their annual trash collection fees by a March deadline could face late penalties and possible liens on their properties.

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Zoning Map Changes Signed into Law for Areas Bounded by Knights Road and Red Lion Road

Philadelphia Homeowners May Lose Right to Build Backyard Cottages Amid City Council Vote on Proposed Zoning Overhaul for Historic Neighborhoods A proposed city ordinance would eliminate the ability for property owners to build accessory dwelling units in 19 Philadelphia neighborhoods with historic designation.

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Group Daycares Restricted in Certain Residential Areas Under New City Law

Philadelphia Parents Concerned as City Council Passes Bill Limiting Home-Based Daycare Options, Mandating Licensing and Inspection for Remaining Facilities. Home-based daycare operators must now obtain licenses and undergo regular inspections under the new law affecting thousands of families relying on these services.

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Philadelphia Council Passes Zoning Map Changes in South Philly, Affecting Land Use Areas

This bill changes the zoning maps for a specific area in Philadelphia, altering the allowed uses of land within that area.

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Zoning Maps Altered as Council Approves Changes in Northeast Philadelphia Neighborhood Boundaries

Northeast Philadelphians brace for gentrification as city council votes to overhaul zoning maps, effectively opening doors to new development and potentially priced-out long-time residents in the neighborhood's most coveted areas.

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City Officials Break Ground on $1 Million Sewer Revamp Along Adams Avenue from Orthodox to Castor Streets

This bill allows the city to build a new sewer system on Adams Avenue from Orthodox Street to Castor Avenue to improve sanitation and prevent health issues.

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Zoning Maps Altered for Northeast Philly Neighborhoods Along Broad Street Corridor

This bill changed the zoning maps for a specific area of Philadelphia bounded by Broad Street, Diamond Street, 18th Street, Glenwood Avenue and Lehigh Avenue to allow for different types of development.

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City Council Unveils Plan to Revamp Zoning Maps Along Bustling Ridge Avenue Corridor

A proposal to rezone 15 city blocks along Ridge Avenue could usher in new development and businesses, but some residents fear it will displace long-time owners of small shops and restaurants. Landlords with properties on the corridor may see increased demand for their spaces.

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Market Street Sidewalk Café Plan Clears Council Hurdle Amid Plans for Outdoor Dining Space

Philadelphians can look forward to sipping coffee on Market Street after city council approved a plan allowing the Old Nelson Food Company to set up outdoor seating - but neighbors are already sounding alarm bells over noise concerns.

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City Council Targets Tax Break Loopholes for Owners Who Live Rent Free in Philly Homes

Philadelphia Homeowners Could Soon Be Forced to Pay Their Fair Share as Council Proposes Closing Loophole Allowing Some Owners to Live Rent-Free and Claim Tax Breaks.

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City Council Unlocks Funding for Job Training and Clean-up Efforts in Re-Entry Employment Program

Philadelphia Homeowners Face Higher Taxes Under Proposal to Boost City's Affordable Housing Fund Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez is pushing a measure that would increase property taxes on homes worth over $500,000 to generate millions for affordable housing initiatives in low-income neighborhoods.

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Truck Parking Ban Takes Effect on Block of North 5th Street in Northeast Philadelphia Neighborhoods

A decades-long headache for Northeast Philadelphians is getting a reprieve as the city's parking enforcement team starts cracking down on truckers clogging up residential blocks, sparking mixed reactions from residents.

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Philadelphia Expands Tax Credit for Businesses Hiring Veterans to $5,000 Per Year

Veteran Homelessness Task Force Bill Aims to Shelter Thousands in Philly by 2025 A new city council resolution sets ambitious goals for reducing veteran homelessness, requiring the creation of a comprehensive plan to house over 2,500 homeless vets within the next two years.

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City Planners Clear Path for New Sewer Line on Keely Court Amid Ongoing Negotiations with Homeowners Nearby

Philadelphia Council Votes to Expand Tax Credit Program for Low-Income Homebuyers, Providing Up to $20,000 in Rebates Amid Growing Housing Affordability Concerns

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Philadelphia Council Tightens Squeeze on Sidewalk Closures with Stricter Penalty Enforcement

Pedestrians and drivers may face stricter enforcement of sidewalk and road closures as Council considers a new law cracking down on unauthorized obstructions, sparking debate among business owners and residents.

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Philadelphia Council Approves Last-Minute Budget Reallocation to Keep Key Services Running Smoothly

Last-minute budget shuffle saves Philadelphia's parks department, senior centers, and community arts programs from funding cuts; nearly $10 million redirected from other city accounts to keep essential services intact.

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City Waives Registration Fees for Family and Group Day Care Centers Amid Ongoing Zoning Reform Efforts

Philadelphia's youngest residents get a financial break as the city scraps registration fees for family and group day care centers, but owners still foot the bill for costly hearing processes.

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City Council Offers Tax Relief to Honored Veterans Taking Jobs in Public Safety Ranks

City Council approves tax breaks for veterans who become police officers, firefighters, correctional officers, or paramedics in the city. The measure aims to provide financial relief to those honoring their military service through public safety work.

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Council Votes to Clear Way for Single-Family Homes on North 3rd Street Lot Conveyance

The City Council allows the Commissioner of Public Property to transfer a plot of land at 2600-26 North 3rd Street to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID) for further development into single-family homes.

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City Council Moves to Sweeten Deal for Manufacturers Creating New Jobs in Philly

Philadelphia manufacturers creating new jobs will now receive increased tax credits under a revised credit program, with different credit amounts for various time periods and job types. Manufacturers can claim up to a certain amount in credits.

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Philadelphia Introduces New Two Hour Parking Limits on Mt Vernon, Thompson, and Wallace Streets

This bill establishes new parking regulations in three Philadelphia neighborhoods: Mt.

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Philly Council Adopts Zoning Changes for Area Between Market Street and Haverford Avenue

This bill amends the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing zoning designations in a specific area bounded by Market Street, 48th Street, Haverford Avenue, and 46th Street.

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City Transfers Control of Three Neighborhood Gardens to Parks Department for Leasing to Community Groups

This bill transfers ownership of three city gardens to the Department of Parks and Recreation and allows them to lease one of these gardens to a local community group.

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Parking Regulations Established in Five Specific Locations Throughout Philadelphia

This bill establishes parking regulations in five specific locations in Philadelphia: Mercy Street and 12th Street; Fitzwater Street and 5th Street; Snyder Avenue and 10th Street; Ellsworth Street and 9th Street; and Mercy Street and 11th Street.

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Council Authorizes Increase in Municipal Pension Fund Spending for Fiscal Year 2015

Philadelphia's pension fund gets a last-minute lifeline as City Council votes to inject $3.2 million to keep retirement benefits intact, but critics warn it won't address long-term financial woes.

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Sellers Must Inform Buyers of Licensing and Maintenance Requirements Under New Law

Homebuyers in Philadelphia could soon get a heads up on potential property licensing issues, as a new measure would require sellers to disclose any outstanding permits or licenses needed for their properties.

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City Council Clears Way for PAID to Develop Land Parcel on North Philly Border

Neighborhood Residents Fear Displacement as City Council Approves Plan to Demolish 19th Street Row Homes A new redevelopment plan approved by City Council could bring new housing, but at what cost: residents of the 2400 block of North 19th Street face eviction from their long-time homes.

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Commissioner to Sell City Land to PAID for Industrial Development

This bill allows the Commissioner of Public Property to transfer a small parcel of land to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID) with certain conditions.

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Sidewalk Café Opens at 601 Jamestown Avenue Following City Approval

This bill allows Charles Weiner to install and maintain an open-air sidewalk café at his property (601 Jamestown Avenue) in Philadelphia, subject to certain conditions and regulations.

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