Weekly recap
This week in Council
November 13 to November 19, 2020
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
Philadelphia Issues Tax-Exempt or Taxable Bonds to Finance Water and Wastewater Projects
Philadelphia's crumbling infrastructure is set to get a $1 billion boost as city council approves plan to sell low-cost bonds for major upgrades to water and sewage systems, benefiting 2 million residents.
200600
City Council Greenlights $1 Billion Bond Sale for Water and Wastewater Projects Including Commercial Paper Program
Philadelphia homeowners will soon see an increase in their annual sewer bills to help fund long-overdue upgrades to the city's aging water infrastructure, sparking concerns about affordability for low-income residents.
200599
Philadelphia Newsstands Expand Vending Options, Allowing Snacks, Drinks, and Electronics Under New City Rules
Small Business Owners Get Relief as City Council Votes to Suspend Parking Ticket Fines for Low-Income Residents in Tax Abatement Areas The new measure freezes parking ticket fines for low-income Philadelphians living in tax abatement areas, a move advocates say will help struggling families avoid debt and penalties.
200591
Truck Parking Banned on East Godfrey Avenue Between Tabor and Whitaker Avenues
This bill makes it illegal to park trucks on both sides of E.
200572
West Philly Bench Stays: Council Approves Permit for John Bartram Association Ownership
Philadelphia's streets will soon be dotted with more community-driven street furniture after City Council voted to let local groups claim permanent ownership of public benches, starting with one beloved bench in West Philly. A John Bartram Association-backed permit paves the way for neighborhood beautification efforts.
200562
City Unveils Plans to Install Red Light Cameras at Busy 31st and Spring Garden Intersection Spotting Speeders
This bill authorizes the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of 31st and Spring Garden Streets in Philadelphia.
200561
Philadelphia Council Signs Law Regulating Real Estate Wholesalers, Disclosure Requirements
This bill regulates real estate wholesalers and requires them to disclose certain information to homeowners before purchasing a property.
200544
City Map Gets Overhaul as Parker Avenue Removed and Utility Right-Of-Way Added in Northwest Philly Neighborhood
Northwest Philly Residents Face Parking Crunch as Proposed Bill Limits Street Parking on 15th Street to Only Permit Residents The proposal would restrict parking on one side of 15th Street from 6am-10pm daily, limiting availability for non-residents and sparking debate among community members.
200539
City Halts Clock on Montour Street Revamp as Deadline Extension Clears Council
Residents and business owners along Montour Street are breathing a sigh of relief as a Philadelphia City Council vote delays looming fines over street improvements, buying them more time to comply with city regulations.
200537
Condo Association Wins Right to Control Flickering Lights Along Church Street Ahead of City Maintenance Deadline
This bill allows a condominium association to own and maintain existing streetlights on the 100 block of Church Street in Philadelphia.
200481
City Council Passes Repayment Agreement Law For Landlords Struggling With COVID-19 Rent Delinquencies in Philadelphia
Philadelphia's largest apartment owners will soon have an easier time collecting back rent from tenants who fell behind during the pandemic, thanks to a new city policy on repayment agreements.
200421
City Council Temporarily Waives Rent Collection Fees Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis in Philly
Rental debt collection fees will be suspended until further notice, giving thousands of struggling renters a temporary reprieve as they navigate the ongoing economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in Philly.
200420
New Law: Philly's Hate Crime Law to Punish Misuse of 911 System
Residents who call police with false reports driven by hate could face fines and community service, under a new measure aimed at combating discriminatory 911 misuse in Philadelphia neighborhoods.
200412
City Officials Launch Committee to Review Parking Industry Jobs Amid Calls for Reduced Tax Rate
Philadelphia's parking garage workers could see a small pay bump next year as city council considers slashing the lucrative parking tax, which has been criticized for driving up costs for drivers and burdening small businesses.
200387
City Council Mandates Reporting on Local Business Usage Goals to Boost Pandemic Recovery Efforts
Philadelphia businesses must now reveal how much of their contracts go to local companies, a new requirement aimed at boosting pandemic recovery efforts by injecting dollars into struggling community shops and services.
200353
Trucks Banned from Parking on Both Sides of Milnor Street Between Bleigh and New State Roads
This bill prohibits truck parking on both sides of Milnor Street between Bleigh Avenue and New State Road.
200254
Red light cameras installed at 52nd and Lancaster Avenue intersection
The City Council has authorized the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of 52nd and Lancaster Avenue to prevent red-light violations.
200182
Philadelphia Establishments Must Bar Minors When Allowing Smoking or E-Cigarette Use
Smokers and vape shops in Philadelphia will face new rules tomorrow, as a city law takes effect restricting minors from entering establishments where tobacco products are permitted, with fines for non-compliance looming large.
200115
Newly introduced
Most bills go to a committee next, which must hold a public hearing before Council can vote.
Philadelphia Introduces New Bike Lane on North 8th Street Between Vine and Race Streets Downtown
Pedestrians and cyclists will soon share the road on North 8th Street as city planners aim to reduce congestion by carving out a new bike lane, while drivers face loss of parking and travel lanes.
200663
Truck Parking Ban Takes Effect Overnight on Busy West Philly Corridors and Side Streets
Starting tonight, truck drivers will face fines for parking on designated streets in West Philadelphia, as a new parking ban aims to ease congestion and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in the area's commercial hubs.
200659
Trucks Prohibited from Parking on Lancaster Avenue Between 52nd and 63rd Streets
Residents along Lancaster Avenue are breathing a sigh of relief as City Council passes legislation to ban truck parking, ending a long-standing frustration with oversized vehicles clogging narrow streets. Trucks caught breaking the rules face an automatic boot and hefty fine.
200657
City Seeks to Purchase Land Along Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek for New Public Parks
Neighborhoods along the Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek could see new green spaces in the next few years if a plan to purchase over 100 acres of land is approved by City Council. The move would bring long-awaited parks to some of Philly's most densely populated areas.
200656
City Council Revamps Tax Breaks For Philly Businesses, Tinkers With Tax Abatement Levels Daily
Philadelphia's largest employers would pay hundreds of thousands more in property taxes under a proposal to scale back lucrative tax breaks on commercial and industrial developments across the city. Small business owners in gentrifying neighborhoods fear they'll be priced out by new tax hikes proposed for larger properties, which currently receive massive subsidies.
200653
Council Votes to Lock in Low Energy Rates for City Buildings and Vehicles
Philadelphia's 1,000+ city buildings and thousands of municipal vehicles could save millions as Council passes measure locking in low energy rates through at least 2025, ensuring a stable budget line for fuel costs.
200654
City Council Approves 16-Year Sublease Deal for Part of Roosevelt Boulevard Property Site
A massive section of Roosevelt Boulevard is set to become an office hub, as city officials OK'd a deal that could bring in millions from the sale of land on one of Philly's busiest roads.
200662
Metal Art Arrives on Osage Avenue as City Clears Way for Permanent Displays of Urban Sculpture
Philadelphia residents may soon see public spaces transformed by permanent installations of urban sculpture, as city officials consider allowing a local artist to showcase large-scale metal artworks on Osage Avenue's streetscape. Local business owners are weighing in on the potential impact of these displays.
200661
Truck Parking Ban Takes Hold on Henry Avenue as Council Enacts Strict New Regulations
This bill makes it illegal to park a truck on Henry Avenue between Allegheny and Abbotsford Avenues at any time.
200660
Traffic Signal Coming to Busy Upland Way and Berks Street Intersection this Fall Season
This bill would install a traffic signal at the intersection of Upland Way and Berks Street to improve safety.
200658
Philadelphia Police To Continue Using Tasers Under New Agreement with Axon Enterprises
Council Approves Deal Allowing Philly Cops to Keep Tasers, But With Stricter Controls on Use Amid Rising Complaints of Excessive Force Against Unarmed Citizens.
200655