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Weekly recap

This week in Council

March 1 to March 7, 2019

11 introduced6 became law0 failed or vetoed

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

Transportation·In Committee

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.

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Transportation·In Committee

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.

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Zoning & Development·In Committee

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.

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Environment·In Committee

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.

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Transportation·In Committee

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.

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Zoning & Development·In Committee

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.

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Community & Neighborhoods·In Committee

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.

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Zoning & Development·In Committee

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.

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Transportation·In Committee

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.

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Tuesday, November 17, 10:00 AM · Committee on Rules

Zoning & Development·In Committee

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.

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Business & Commerce·In Committee

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.

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Environment·In Committee

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.

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Zoning & Development·In Committee

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.

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Zoning & Development·Introduced

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'.

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Zoning & Development·In Committee

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.

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Zoning & Development·In Committee

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.

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Zoning & Development·In Committee

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.

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Business & Commerce·In Committee

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.

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Became law

Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Mar 7, 2019

Zoning Changes Take Effect in Specific Philadelphia Neighborhood Area

This bill changes the zoning designations for some properties in a specific area bounded by Berks Street, Memphis Street, Wilt Street, and Tulip Street.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Mar 7, 2019

City Council Proposes Zoning Changes for Residential Neighborhoods Along Broad Street and Nearby Avenues

Philadelphia Residents May Soon Face Increased Parking Fees for Vehicles with Expired Registrations A proposed city law would require vehicle owners to pay fines before their cars can be released from impound lots, generating new revenue for the city's tow truck operators and potentially burdening low-income drivers.

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City Government·Signed Into LawSigned Mar 7, 2019

Council Gives Thumbs Up to $ Millions in Mid-Year Budget Transfers Across City Agencies

This bill authorizes transfers of funds from various city offices and departments to the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2019.

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Education·Signed Into LawSigned Mar 7, 2019

Drexel University's Master Plan Amended to Include Addition at 101 North 34th Street

This bill amends Drexel University's Master Plan and approves an addition to a specific building at 101 N.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Mar 7, 2019

Zoning Designations Changed for Land Along Roosevelt Boulevard and Surrounding Streets

This bill changes the zoning designations for certain areas of land in Philadelphia, bounded by Roosevelt Boulevard and surrounding streets.

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Community & Neighborhoods·Signed Into LawSigned Mar 7, 2019

City Council Moves to Require Immediate Neighborhood Notifications on All Development Applications

Philadelphia residents would get just one week's notice before massive development projects are reviewed, sparking fears of gentrification in already-strained neighborhoods under a new proposal. Local groups claim this timeline is too short to mobilize effectively against potential disruptions.

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Newly introduced

Most bills go to a committee next, which must hold a public hearing before Council can vote.

Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 13, 2019

City Council Approves Record Breaking $2.74 Billion Capital Budget for Philly's Infrastructure and Development Projects

Philadelphia homeowners can expect to pay more on their property tax bills with the city's new record-breaking capital budget, which will fund major infrastructure upgrades and development projects.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 13, 2019

City Council Approves Ambitious 6-Year Capital Plan Pumping $10.8 Billion into Philly's Infrastructure

$1 Million Boost in Homelessness Funding to Be Tied to Performance Metrics in Mayor's Proposed Budget Amendment A new City Council proposal would link a significant increase in homelessness funding to progress reports, requiring the Streets Department to demonstrate specific outcomes within six months of receiving the extra money.

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Zoning & Development·LapsedIntroduced Mar 7, 2019

Landlords Banned From Using Criminal History to Reject Tenants in Philly Housing Market

Philadelphia landlords will no longer be able to use a tenant's criminal history as grounds for rejecting them under new city regulations. The rule aims to provide opportunities for people with records to secure housing in the city.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 13, 2019

City Hall Sets Spending Plan as Council Approves 2020 Operating Budget Allocation Proposal

Philadelphia Homeowners to Pay More in Water Bills Under Proposed Rate Hike Plan to Increase Revenue by $15 Million Annually, Impacting Upwards of 200,000 Residential Customers.

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Zoning & Development·LapsedIntroduced Mar 7, 2019

Council seeks to require affordable housing in certain multifamily residential building projects

Philadelphia developers will now be required to include affordable housing in large projects, with at least 33% of units reserved for low-income individuals. The new rule applies to multifamily buildings with three or more units.

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Zoning & Development·LapsedIntroduced Mar 7, 2019

City Council Moves to Shield Affordable Housing Income from Business Taxes Hike

City Council moves to shield affordable housing income from business tax hike with bill sponsored by President Clarke and six other council members. The proposal aims to preserve and expand affordable rental housing in Philadelphia.

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Zoning & Development·LapsedIntroduced Mar 7, 2019

Council proposes online rental listing services to record, report rental license info twice annually

Online rental listing services must now verify that Philly rentals meet licensing requirements, updating their records twice a year with accurate license information for each unit listed within the city.

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Zoning & Development·LapsedIntroduced Mar 7, 2019

City Council Moves to Rein in Rogue Landlords with Stricter Eviction Laws, Tenant Protection Fund Established

Landlords would need a rental license and Certificate of Rental Suitability before evicting tenants or collecting rent under new city rules aimed at protecting low-income renters. A tenant defense fund is also being established to help cover legal costs.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 13, 2019

Council Revises Wage and Profit Taxes Amid Growing Pressure on Local Businesses to Boost Revenue for City Services

Low-Income Tenants Face Possible Eviction as Council Considers Bill to Strengthen Rent Stabilization Ordinance; Landlords Warn of "Catastrophic" Consequences.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned May 2, 2019

City Council Proposes Zoning Changes For Properties Along Busy Stretch of Ridge Avenue

This bill changes the zoning rules for a specific area in Philadelphia bounded by 21st Street, Oxford Street, 20th Street, Jefferson Street, and Ridge Avenue.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Mar 28, 2019

Business Owner to Operate Sidewalk Café at 436 E. Girard Avenue

This bill allows a business owner to install and maintain an open-air sidewalk café at 436 E.

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