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Weekly recap

This week in Council

November 6 to November 12, 2020

16 introduced4 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 CommitteeHearing Nov 9

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 CommitteeHearing Nov 9

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 CommitteeHearing Nov 9

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 CommitteeHearing Nov 9

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 CommitteeHearing Nov 9

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 CommitteeHearing Nov 9

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 CommitteeHearing Nov 9

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 CommitteeHearing Nov 9

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 CommitteeHearing Nov 9

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

Transportation·Signed Into LawSigned Nov 12, 2020

Streets Department Closure Permits Extended Through New Year's Eve Deadline

Philadelphia business owners get a one-year reprieve from navigating the city's notoriously complex street closure permitting process, with extensions now valid through New Year's Eve. The move aims to streamline events during the holiday season and beyond.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Nov 12, 2020

Sidewalk Cafes Get Reprieve as Council Extends Operating Permit Deadline until Next December

Philadelphia Restaurant Owners Breathe Sigh of Relief as City Council Delays Shutdown Deadline for Outdoor Seating Areas until Next Year, Allowing Them to Stay Open Through Winter.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Nov 12, 2020

Council OKs Emergency Transfer of 10 Million Dollars to Fight City Poverty

Ten million dollars is being redirected from city coffers to tackle crushing poverty in Philly, with the money set to flow into local programs that provide food, housing, and job training for thousands of residents.

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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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Newly introduced

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

Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 10, 2020

City Council Approves Moratorium on Evictions as City Awaits Federal Aid Amid Ongoing Pandemic Crisis

Philadelphia homeowners will face significant increases in property taxes next year under a new assessment formula approved by City Council, which critics say will disproportionately harm low-income neighborhoods and small business owners.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 10, 2020

City Council Approves 11 Million In Federal Funds For Community Development Projects Amid Ongoing Pandemic Response

Philadelphia Homeowners Facing Tax Foreclosure May Get Another Chance To Keep Their Homes, Thanks to Council's Proposed Measure to Extend Relief Programs. Under the plan, thousands of city residents on the brink of losing their homes could receive a temporary reprieve.

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Transportation·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 10, 2020

Philly Officials Plan Major Overhaul for Bustling Christopher Columbus Boulevard in South Philly Neighborhood

This bill revises a portion of Philadelphia's City Plan to create a more uniform right-of-way width and continuous footway area for Christopher Columbus Boulevard between Washington Avenue and Christian Street.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Apr 22, 2021

Employers in Philadelphia Prohibited from Mandating Marijuana Testing for Most Job Applicants

Philadelphia employers will soon be prohibited from asking job seekers to undergo marijuana screenings during interviews, sparking debate over how this shift could impact public safety and fair hiring practices.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 10, 2020

Capital Budget Altered to Total $3,296,325,000 in Fiscal 2021

Philadelphia's crumbling roads and bridges are in line for a major fix, with Council voting to inject nearly $150 million into city infrastructure projects, set to hit the ground running next fiscal year.

200623

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 10, 2020

City Official Given Green Light to Shift Funds Between Departments Amid Ongoing Budget Crunch

Philadelphia's struggling schools could see a much-needed cash infusion as a new city council measure gives school officials the authority to raid unspent budgets from other departments to plug funding gaps.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Mar 11, 2021

Donation Bins Allowed in More Locations Under New City Ordinance

This bill updates where and how donation bins can be placed in Philadelphia to modify the locations at which donation bins shall be permitted; all under certain terms and conditions.

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Zoning & Development·LapsedIntroduced Nov 12, 2020

Council proposed database for all Philadelphia murals, with property owner approval required.

Property owners must now get approval from Mural Arts Philadelphia before altering iconic Philly walls, as part of new rules that create a searchable database of city murals and impose notice requirements on demolitions.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 10, 2020

City Employers Required to Give Employees Chance to Challenge Negative Credit Info Before Job Actions

Philadelphia businesses with 25 or more employees will soon be forced to take a step back: giving workers time to clear up bad credit before firing, disciplining, or denying them promotions.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 10, 2020

Strawberry Mansion Residents Get New Zoning District as City Officials Move to Preserve Neighborhood Character

Philadelphia Homeless Shelters Face Cuts to Funding as City Officials Consider Bill Limiting Aid to Low-Income Residents A proposed change to the city's shelter funding would slash aid to residents who have already received support, leaving thousands of low-income Philadelphians struggling to find a place to sleep.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Mar 18, 2021

Council Approves Overhaul of Central Delaware Riverfront Development Rules and Parking Mandates

This bill makes technical changes to Philadelphia's Zoning and Planning Code, specifically regarding parking requirements and development standards in the Central Delaware Riverfront Overlay District.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 10, 2020

Philadelphia Council Approves $11.43 Billion Capital Program for 2021-2026 Budget Period

Philadelphians can expect more park renovations, new library branches, and upgraded public transportation after city council members voted to pump millions into the city's capital budget, boosting spending by $140 million since last year's projections.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Feb 25, 2021

City Awards First Tee 10-Year Lease to Manage Iconic John F Byrne Golf Course

City Eyes Major Changes to Affordable Housing Incentives: Developers Could Pay More in Fees as Council Seeks to Address City's Growing Housing Crisis. Under the proposal, new fees could be imposed on developers who fail to include a certain percentage of affordable units in their projects.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 10, 2021

Property Owner Cleared to Install Overhang at Historic Walnut Street Building After Council Approval

Philadelphia Homeowners May See Rent Relief with Proposed Increase in Tax Exemption for Senior Citizens and Disabled Residents. A new law would grant eligible homeowners a larger tax exemption, potentially saving thousands of dollars each year on their property taxes.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 10, 2020

Council Votes To Give Mayor Broad Power To Shuffle City Funds Amid Ongoing Budget Crunch

Residents' Parking Permits Would Cost More Under Proposed Measure; Council Seeks Feedback on Potential Increase from $20 to $50 per year to Fund Street Cleaning Services.

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Transportation·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 10, 2020

City Allows Continued Use of Utility Corridor Through Its Property on Essington Avenue for Another 25 Years

Philadelphia's utility infrastructure will be able to stay on Essington Avenue for another quarter century after a council vote greenlit a deal allowing continued use of a private property easement through city land. The agreement benefits SEPTA and other public utilities.

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