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Weekly recap

This week in Council

September 13 to September 19, 2019

16 introduced1 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

Newly introduced

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

Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 17, 2019

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.

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Budget & Finance·LapsedIntroduced Sep 19, 2019

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.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 12, 2019

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.

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Public Health·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 5, 2019

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.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 5, 2019

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.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 12, 2019

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.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 12, 2019

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.

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Community & Neighborhoods·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 17, 2019

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).

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 24, 2019

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.

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Business & Commerce·LapsedIntroduced Sep 19, 2019

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.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 17, 2019

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.

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Zoning & Development·LapsedIntroduced Sep 19, 2019

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.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 10, 2019

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.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 10, 2019

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.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 5, 2019

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.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 10, 2019

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.

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