Weekly recap
This week in Council
October 1 to October 7, 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.
City Gives Public Safety Officers Power to Move Abandoned Cars from Philly Streets After 10-Day Warning Period
This law gives Public Safety Officers the authority to order the removal of abandoned vehicles on public streets if they pose a safety hazard or remain unclaimed after 10 days' notice.
210802
Northeast Philly Neighborhoods Feel Pinch as City Council Moves to Redraw Zoning Maps Overnight
This bill amends the Philadelphia Zoning Maps to change zoning designations for certain areas of land in Northeast Philadelphia.
210808
Philadelphia Zoning Maps Modified to Reflect Changes in Specific Neighborhood Area
This bill changes the zoning classifications for certain areas in Philadelphia bounded by Penn Street, Morris Street, Coulter Street, and Priscilla Street.
210807
Philadelphia Residents Face New Parking Restrictions in Central Neighborhood Areas
This bill establishes new parking regulations in specific areas of Philadelphia: two-hour parking limits will be enforced between certain hours on Sulis Street and N.
210805
New Parking Rules Roll Out in Philly Neighborhoods Amid Anger from Residents Over Limited Spaces
New parking restrictions are coming to several Philadelphia neighborhoods, limiting time and days for parking in areas like Shawnee Street, Chestnut Hill Avenue, and Highland Avenue. Residents will face two-hour parking limits during weekdays and Saturdays.
210803
Sidewalk Cafes Extended Through 2022 as City Council Votes to Roll Back Pandemic Time Limits
Small Business Owners Breathe Sigh of Relief as City Council Extends Sidewalk Cafe Permits Through 2022 Amid Ongoing Pandemic Challenges The measure will allow restaurants and bars to continue expanding onto sidewalks, providing crucial income for owners struggling through the economic downturn.
210798
Tioga Street and N. 15th Street Parking Limits Established, 2-Hour Limit on Weekdays
This bill sets a two-hour parking limit from 8am to 6:30pm on weekdays for Tioga Street and north 15th Street between N.
210806
Parking Restrictions Introduced for Specific Philadelphia Streets
This bill establishes two-hour parking restrictions on certain streets in Philadelphia: Mentor Street and Windrim Avenue, and Pelham Road and Mower Street.
210804
Council sought to extend public right-of-way closures during COVID-19 emergency until June 2022
Philadelphia's temporary right-of-way closure powers will now stay in place until June 30, 2022, as part of ongoing COVID-19 emergency measures. The extension affects public right-of-way closures facilitated by the Streets Department.
210799
City Council Extends Deadline for University Avenue Widening Project Developers Must Comply
Developers behind a major University Avenue overhaul are now scrambling to meet new construction deadlines, which could delay the project's expected completion by several months, affecting thousands of Northeast Philly residents.
210801
Philadelphia City Council Unveils Plan to Grant Parking Privileges to Select School Employees
Philadelphia school employees will soon be able to park in designated spots on Warren Street between 7am and 4pm under a new parking plan. Councilmembers Gauthier, Parker, Brooks, Gym, Gilmore Richardson, Domb, Squilla, and Henon are behind the bill.
210800