Weekly recap
This week in Council
September 14 to September 20, 2018
Coming up: public hearings
Committees hear testimony before voting. Open any bill and tap the bell to get a reminder the day before.
Monday, November 9, 2:00 PM · Committee on Streets and Services
City Council Introduces Bill to Convert Dupont Street to Two-Way Traffic from Baker to Smick.
City Council votes to make Dupont Street a two-way street from Baker Street to Smick Street, starting from the westernmost portion of Baker Street.
250099
Eighth Councilmanic district imposes time limits on parking of large vehicles on public streets.
Eighth Councilmanic district restricts parking of large vehicles, including boats and RVs, to no more than 3 hours on public streets unless posted otherwise, citing public safety concerns.
260765
Drexel Institute of Technology seeks permission to install street tree planters along 3001 Chestnut Street.
Drexel Institute of Technology is seeking permission to install 28 street tree planters along its property line at 3001 Chestnut Street, with 4 planters encroaching onto Ludlow Street.
260761
Homeowners exempt from fines for missed trash collection days when city fails to collect on time
Homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief if the city misses trash collection days, as a new bill would exempt them from fines for missed pickups. The proposed change would cancel fines and provide refunds for payments already made.
260698
City to vacate Hartwell Lane and reserve water main and public utility right of way
Hartwell Lane is set to be vacated and a right of way reserved for water main and public utility purposes, with the city to accept a grant under certain terms and conditions.
260801
Property owner seeks permission to install 17 concrete planters along Walnut Street sidewalks
Property owner seeks permission to install 17 concrete planters along Walnut Street sidewalks, including 7 on the east curbline of South 19th Street. The planters will be located near the property line of 1849 Walnut Street.
260797
Civic Center Boulevard to be Renamed Roberts Way at Two Intersections Near Osler Circle
Osler Circle near Civic Center Boulevard and Curie Boulevard is set to be renamed Roberts Way at two intersections, according to a bill sponsored by Councilmembers Gauthier and Landau.
260831
South Philly Italian Kitchen owner seeks permit for sidewalk café at 2655 South 18th Street location.
South Philly Italian Kitchen owner seeks permit for sidewalk café at 2655 South 18th Street location, with plans for 12 tables and 36 seats, pending compliance with city regulations.
260830
Boats and large vehicles can be towed or immobilized after 30 days of street parking.
Philadelphia's streets will soon have new towing rules, allowing large vehicles, boats, and vending carts to be towed or immobilized after 30 days of street parking, as Councilmember Squilla introduces new regulations.
260854
Tuesday, November 17, 10:00 AM · Committee on Rules
Philadelphia Code Amended to Impose Use Restrictions Within Fifth District Overlay District
Philadelphia's zoning regulations are getting a makeover in the Fifth District Overlay District, imposing new use restrictions on specific areas. Certain types of buildings and activities will be allowed in designated areas.
260764
Philadelphia Business Hours Restricted in Fifth District Neighborhoods
Philadelphia businesses in the Fifth District and surrounding areas will be restricted from opening between 11pm and 6am due to an amended ordinance. New streets affected by the restriction include N. 29th Street from W. Dauphin to W. Huntingdon.
260697
Philadelphia Tightens Rules on Removing Heritage Trees from City Streets
Philadelphia's rules for removing heritage trees from city streets are about to get stricter, making it harder to remove these trees without meeting specific conditions or replacing them. Heritage trees must now be documented in a landscape plan and can only be removed with special permission.
260689
Philadelphia's Zoning Laws to Get Overhaul of Retail Sales Use Categories Definitions
Philadelphia's zoning laws are getting an update, with changes to how grocery stores and pharmacies are classified under the retail sales use category definitions. The changes will be reflected in use tables throughout the city's zoning code.
260688
Zoning Designations Changed in Area Bounded by Lehigh Avenue and Aramingo Avenue Streets
Councilmember Squilla's zoning bill changes designations in a neighborhood bounded by Lehigh Avenue, Belgrade Street, Aramingo Avenue, and Miller Street, altering uses and development in the area as shown on Maps 'A' and 'B'.
260800
Zoning designations changing in area bounded by Rubicam Street, Ashmead Street, Wakefield Street, and Bringhurst Street.
Zoning changes are coming to a specific area of Philadelphia bounded by Rubicam Street, Ashmead Street, Wakefield Street, and Bringhurst Street, as authorized by Councilmember Bass.
260855
Retailers must meet specific standards and be located in certain districts for tobacco sales.
Philadelphia's zoning code is set to change, requiring tobacco retailers to meet specific standards and be located in certain districts. The new rules aim to regulate tobacco sales throughout the city.
260851
City Council Expands Center City Business Uses in Old City Residential Area, Core
Businesses like restaurants and tattoo parlors will now be allowed in Old City's residential area without special permission, as long as they meet certain conditions.
260896
Old City Special Services District Approves 7-Year Plan for Business Improvements and Services
Councilmember Squilla's bill approves a 7-year plan for the Old City Special Services District, outlining estimated costs and assessment methods for business improvements and services in the area.
260895
Tuesday, November 17, 1:00 PM · Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities
Wednesday, November 18, 10:00 AM · Committee on Law and Government
Wednesday, November 18, 1:00 PM · Committee on the Environment
City to Sign 4-Year Contracts with Major Waste Management Firms under Certain Terms and Conditions
Philadelphia is set to sign 4-year contracts with Waste Management, Republic Services, and ReWorld Sustainable Solutions to collect and dispose of municipal waste, with the option to extend for up to 3 more years.
260794
City to Enter Agreements with Vendors to Process and Market Recyclable Materials
City Council approves deals with vendors to process and market recyclable materials, boosting the city's recycling program. The agreements are the result of a comprehensive request for proposals from the Sanitation and Procurement Departments.
260793
Became law
Philadelphia City Council Eyes Major Expansion of Tax Break Zones Across The City
This bill expands Philadelphia's Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) to include several new parcels of land.
180600-A
New Businesses Exempted From Estimated Payments Under New City Tax Law Rewrite
Small business owners are breathing a sigh of relief as a proposed change to the city's Business Privilege Tax law could save startups thousands in upfront costs, allowing them to focus on growth instead of cash flow management.
180077-A
Newly introduced
Most bills go to a committee next, which must hold a public hearing before Council can vote.
Council proposed doubling of traffic fine in Philadelphia from $10 to $300.
Philadelphia's traffic fines are about to get a lot steeper, jumping from $10 to $300 for violating city traffic regulations, according to a new law passed by City Council. The increased penalties aim to curb speeding and red light running in the city.
180822
New Philly City Workers Left Out as DROP Program Eligibility Cuts Off for All Hires After January First
New city workers hired since January 1st are no longer eligible for the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), following Councilmember Domb's bill amendment to Section 22-310 of The Philadelphia Code.
180821
City Council Proposes Ballot Question to Make Charter Language More Inclusive
Philadelphia City Leaders Consider Implementing Universal Pre-K Program with Public Funding A new proposal would establish a publicly funded pre-kindergarten program, potentially providing free education to thousands of low-income children and setting up a possible showdown with Governor Wolf over state funding.
180820
City Council Votes to Put Public Safety Officers on Ballot in Special Election Proposal
Philadelphia drivers may soon see a new face patrolling streets, as city council weighs proposal to create Public Safety Enforcement Officers, tasked with regulating traffic and cracking down on littering, loitering, and other quality-of-life issues. The jobs are expected to bring an extra layer of enforcement to 12 neighborhoods struggling with chronic complaints.
180818
Council Votes to Enforce New Parking Restrictions in Four Busy Philadelphia Neighborhoods
Philadelphia drivers are in for a shake-up as city council votes to enforce new parking restrictions in four bustling neighborhoods, limiting the time residents and visitors can park on crowded streets. Affected areas include 16th and Oxford Streets, and Aspen Street near 23rd-25th Streets.
180817
New Parking Rules Tighten Spots Around Downtown Philadelphia Neighborhoods
This bill establishes new parking regulations in specific neighborhoods, limiting parking time and days to certain areas.
180815-A
Two-hour parking limits set on several Philadelphia streets to ease traffic congestion.
This bill establishes two-hour parking regulations on specific streets in Philadelphia, including Thompson Street, Crease Street, and Girard Avenue, to improve traffic flow and parking efficiency.
180816
University City Gets Its Own Designated Area for Sidewalk Vendors Starting This Spring
University City Small Business Owners Can Breathe Easier as New Regulations Streamline Permit Process for Food Vendors Philadelphia's new food vendor permit system reduces paperwork and costs for entrepreneurs, who must now only pay a one-time fee to operate in any district.
180814
City Council Gives Nod to PECO's Nonstandard Bollards on Busy South Philly Street Corner
A busy intersection in South Philly is about to get a makeover: the city council has greenlit PECO's plans to install unique bollards on Lombard Street, sparking concerns from local business owners and residents.
180826
Fishtown Brewpub Wins OK for Outdoor Café, Bringing More Seats and Buzz to Bustling Frankford Avenue Corridor
This bill allows Fishtown Brewpub to install and maintain an open-air sidewalk café at their location on Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia.
180825
Owner Granted Permission to Open Sidewalk Café on E. Lehigh Avenue
The City Council bill allows James Mahon to install and maintain an open-air sidewalk café at a specific address on E.
180824
Daloia Wins Okay to Build Stairway on Tulip Street Amid Some City Oversight Requirements
This bill allows Anthony Daloia to build an exterior stairway that slightly encroaches onto a nearby street, but must follow city regulations and remove it if requested by the city.
180823
Midvale Avenue Patio Given Reprieve Under Proposed City Council Legislation Guidelines
Long-time homeowners on Midvale Avenue may breathe a sigh of relief as a proposed city council measure aims to spare one of their cherished outdoor spaces from being demolished, citing neighborhood character and property rights.
180819