Weekly recap
This week in Council
September 13 to September 19, 2019
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
Newly introduced
Most bills go to a committee next, which must hold a public hearing before Council can vote.
City of Philadelphia Authorized to Issue $1.5 Billion in General Obligation Bonds to Refund Outstanding Debt
Philly homeowners will see a small tax increase next year due to plan to refinance $1.5 billion in debt, with average homeowner's tax bill rising by about $30.
190706
Council proposed $10 million transfer from grants fund to support violence-prevention initiatives
Philadelphia City Council approves $10 million transfer from grants fund to boost violence prevention efforts in the city, with $2 million for personal services and $8 million for purchasing under the Managing Director's office.
190709
Philadelphia Requires Large Buildings to Track Energy Use Under New Benchmarking Program
Philadelphia's largest office buildings and public housing projects will soon be forced to reveal their secrets: how much energy they're using to keep the lights on and the elevators running. Under a new benchmarking program, building owners must disclose their consumption to the city by 2025.
190716
Pharmacies Ordered to Share Prescription Data with City Health Officials Daily
New Law Mandates Electronic Recycling for Philly Businesses Small businesses in Philadelphia must now provide electronic waste collection at their stores, a move aimed at reducing e-waste in landfills and promoting environmental sustainability.
190715
Upsal Avenue Neighborhood Zonings Overhauled as Council Votes to Revise Long-Standing Designations
Philadelphia Homeowners Could Face Higher Taxes Under New Council Proposal, Which Would Hike Taxes on Vacant Properties, Affecting Thousands Citywide. The plan aims to revitalize neglected lots, but critics warn it could disproportionately hurt low-income neighborhoods.
190718
Philadelphia Hotel Industry Secures Special Levy Funding for Downtown Improvements
Council Approves Plan to Tax Ride-hailing Fares for Street Cleaning Amidst Growing Congestion Concerns A new fee on ride-hailing services will be imposed to support street cleaning efforts in Philadelphia, with drivers expected to absorb a significant increase in costs due to increased passenger volumes.
190717
City Updates Plumbing Code to Ensure Safer Toilet Facilities for Construction Workers and Tighter Water Pipe Regulations
Construction sites across Philly are about to get a major facelift as city officials push to install working toilets for laborers, but some builders are crying foul over increased costs.
190713
Public Property Commissioner to Sell Land to PAID with Community Benefits Promise
This bill allows the Commissioner of Public Property to transfer ownership of a plot of land in Center City Philadelphia to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID).
190712
Broad Street Business District Gets Zoning Overhaul As City Council Approves Land Use Changes
Property owners along 13th Street and South Street will soon have more flexibility to build upwards as a city council vote scraps height restrictions in designated commercial corridors. Developers are already eyeing the rezoned blocks.
190711
North Broad Business Improvement District Born Along Busy Stretch of Street From Spring Garden to Indiana Avenue
Philadelphia's North Broad Street is getting a business improvement district to boost economic growth and improve commercial areas from Spring Garden to Indiana Avenue. The new district will be managed by North Broad Renaissance.
190708
City of Philadelphia Buys Land Near West Cumberland Street and York Street
This bill authorizes the City of Philadelphia to acquire land in a specific area bounded by West Cumberland Street, North 8th Street, West York Street and North 9th Street for an unspecified purpose.
190707
City Council Proposes Zoning Overhaul for Chestnut to 31st Streets Neighborhoods Along Mainline Trolley Route
Philadelphia's zoning map is set for changes in a neighborhood along the mainline trolley route, as Councilmember Blackwell proposes altering designations between Chestnut and 31st Streets.
190704-A
City Council Proposes Compensation for Members of Environmental Justice Advisory Commission
City officials are set to receive paychecks for serving on a panel tasked with addressing environmental racism in Philadelphia, sparking debate about fairness and accountability in city government. The move would benefit 13 unpaid commissioners.
190703
City Council Approves Lease Deal for New Lab Space on East Hilton Street for Public Health Dept
A new lab facility is coming to East Hilton Street, bringing medical research and testing closer to neighborhoods with high rates of disease and infection in North Philly's Parkland area. The move aims to speed up response times to public health threats.
190714
City Council Approves 10-Year Lease for City Office Space on Walnut Street
The City Council authorized a 10-year lease agreement with 2401 Walnut LP for city office space at 2401 Walnut Street, with an annual base rent of $256,063 and options to renew.
190710
Vendors Get Green Light for Sidewalk Sales at 52nd Street Corner Despite Some Conditions
Small business owners rejoice as city council votes to permit Saturday sidewalk sales along the bustling 52nd Street corridor, but neighbors worry about increased noise and disruption.
190705