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Weekly recap

This week in Council

June 5 to June 11, 2020

13 introduced0 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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Newly introduced

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

Public Safety·Signed Into LawSigned Sep 17, 2020

City Officials Move to Ban Chokeholds and Hogtying Tactics Used by Philadelphia Police

This bill prohibits certain physical contact by peace officers that could lead to asphyxiation, including chokeholds and hogtying, in order to prevent unnecessary death or injury.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 10, 2020

Philadelphia Modifies Tax Abatement Rules to Boost New Residential Construction Across City Limits

Philadelphia homeowners facing rising property tax bills may see some relief as developers push to build new residential units across the city with sweetened tax breaks. Builders can now snag a decade of full tax exemptions on recent projects, but newcomers must settle for a gradual decline in incentives.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Sep 17, 2020

City Council Requires Public Hearing Before Signing New Labor Deal With FOP Represented Police Officers

Philadelphia Businesses Must Comply with New Paid Sick Leave Law, Starting Next Year Starting January 1st, businesses with 10 or more employees will be required to provide up to five paid sick days per year, impacting an estimated 70,000 workers across the city.

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City Government·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 25, 2020

City Teams Up With Indego to Bring More Bikes to Philly Streets Amid Ongoing Pandemic Crisis

Low-Income Seniors Could Face Higher Tax Bills Under Council Proposal to Slash City Property Tax Rebates Philadelphia seniors making less than $40,000 would see their rebate checks shrink by up to 75% under the proposed legislation affecting over 35,000 Philadelphians.

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Public Safety·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 25, 2020

Philly Voters to Weigh in on Creation of Independent Police Oversight Body in Upcoming Special Election

Landlords and Tenants at Odds Over Proposal to Strengthen Rent Control Protections, Cap Annual Rent Increases at 5% for Philly Apartments.

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Zoning & Development·LapsedIntroduced Jun 11, 2020

Tax Breaks on New Philly Buildings to End by Year's Close, Officials Say

Tax breaks for new Philly buildings will end by year's close, as a bill aiming to cancel real estate tax abatements for certain projects heads to the city council's Finance Committee.

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Budget & Finance·LapsedIntroduced Jun 11, 2020

City Council Moves to Tax Investors' Holdings in Latest Effort to Boost Revenue Streams

City Council proposes taxing investors' holdings, targeting stocks and bonds owned by Philadelphia residents with a new annual tax. The revenue would go towards city purposes under certain terms and conditions.

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Public Health·Signed Into LawSigned Nov 12, 2020

City Council Approves Creation of Philadelphia Poverty Action Fund to Tackle Poverty Citywide

Low-income Philadelphians could get a much-needed financial boost under a new city program that would offer small loans, grants, and job training to help residents break the cycle of poverty. A proposed City Council measure aims to make it easier for affordable housing developers in Philadelphia to secure funding by streamlining the permitting process.

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City Government·Signed Into LawSigned Sep 10, 2020

Council Proposes Stricter Licensing Rules for Fire Suppression Workers Amid Safety Concerns Arise Locally

Philadelphia's construction industry would be hit with a new layer of regulation under proposed legislation mandating specialized training for workers who install and inspect fire safety systems. Homeowners and building owners could face higher costs as a result.

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City Government·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 25, 2020

Philadelphia Council Seeks To Require One-Year Residency For All New Civil Service Hires

Philadelphia City Council is pushing to make it harder for out-of-towners to get city jobs, proposing a rule that would require all new hires, from cops to teachers, to live in Philly for at least 12 months first.

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Business & Commerce·LapsedIntroduced Jun 11, 2020

Vincent Cappello's Fruit Truck Wins Overnight Parking Exemption on Dickinson Street between 9th and 10th Streets

Vincent Cappello's fruit truck is exempt from certain city regulations, allowing him to park overnight on Dickinson Street between 9th and 10th Streets under specific terms.

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City Council·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 15, 2020

Chalfont Playground Renamed in Honor of Veteran Corporal Jimmy O'Connor

This bill renames Chalfont Playground in Northeast Philadelphia as the 'Corporal Jimmy O'Connor Memorial Playground' in honor of a veteran.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 29, 2020

Gojjo Incorporated Cleared to Bring Sidewalk Café to Bustling Baltimore Avenue Business District

West Philly Residents Voice Concerns as Council Considers Plan for More Bars on Washington Avenue Nightlife Strip. A proposed ordinance would expand the number of bars allowed along this crowded stretch by up to 20%.

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