Weekly recap
This week in Council
January 29 to February 4, 2021
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
Newly introduced
Most bills go to a committee next, which must hold a public hearing before Council can vote.
Citizens Police Oversight Commission Established to Oversee Philadelphia Police Department
Low-Income Philly Residents Could See Huge Rent Hikes as Council Considers Bill to Eliminate Long-Standing Affordable Housing Protections for Small Landlords. The proposed legislation would allow property owners with fewer than four rental units to raise rents without restrictions, affecting thousands of low-income renters.
210074
City Council Moves to Simplify Zoning Rules Amid Confusion Over Gross Floor Area Definitions
Developers and homeowners would get relief from complex zoning rules under a new city proposal that aims to simplify the often-confusing definition of gross floor area, affecting projects across Philly's neighborhoods.
210075
Philadelphia Businesses Affected by COVID Restrictions Get Expanded Tax Relief Under New City Council Plan
Philadelphia businesses affected by COVID restrictions will be eligible for expanded tax relief under a new city plan, with credits potentially available to those operating between March 15, 2020 and when all restrictions were lifted.
210083
Philadelphia Adopts New Vaccine Procurement Rules Allowing City to Directly Purchase COVID Shots From Private Suppliers
Council Approves Measure to Allow Homeless Shelters to Convert Parking Lots into Outdoor Spaces, Giving Residents More Room to Breathe Amid Pandemic Housing Crunch
210082
Philadelphia Updates Property Licensing and Hotel Tax Laws for Short-Term Rentals and Limited Lodging
This bill updates Philadelphia's property licensing and hotel tax laws to clarify regulations around short-term rentals and limited lodging activities.
210081
City's Ethics Code Revised to Expand Filing Requirements for Certain City Officials
City Council Passes Landmark Reform Requiring Elected Officials to Disclose Finances by Next Week; 12,000 City Workers Must File Statements Before Taking Office.
210080
Voters to Decide Fate of Three-Member Panels at Expanded Licensing Review Board in Philly
Philadelphia Small Businesses Face Higher Fines Under Proposed Bill Requiring Regular Fire Safety Inspections. The new law would hike penalties for non-compliance, hitting mom-and-pop shops with steeper fines than larger corporations.
210073
Gas Works Secures Leases on Two Northeast Philly Sites for Expanded Distribution Facility
Philadelphia's 50,000 low-income households face higher heating costs as Council debates proposal to raise gas prices by 3% for two years, despite opposition from consumer advocacy groups.
210079
City Council Tries To Clear Up Confusion Over Multiple District Properties In Philly Zoning Law Rewrite
Property owners are still trying to decipher the city's complex zoning laws, but Council wants to simplify the process by clarifying which regulations take precedence on parcels spanning multiple districts. (Or alternatively: Confusion reigns for developers and business owners navigating Philadelphia's patchwork of zoning districts; now Council aims to rewrite the rules to prevent costly mistak
210078-A
City Transfers 500 Thousand Dollars To Support Job Creation Initiative At City Hall
Philadelphia's jobless population is set to get a boost with $500,000 earmarked for Same Day Work and Pay Program at City Hall, potentially placing hundreds of unemployed residents into immediate employment.
210077
City Set to Transfer Small Land Parcel on Bustling Chestnut Street to PAID Agency
This bill allows the city to transfer ownership of a small parcel of land at 2401 Chestnut Street to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID), with some conditions.
210076