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Weekly recap

This week in Council

May 6 to May 12, 2022

14 introduced2 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

Newly introduced

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

Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 23, 2022

Homeowners Can Breathe Easier as City Council Approves Pause on Property Tax Penalties During Appeals Process

Philadelphia Homeowners Face Steep Hikes as City Council Approves Bill Eliminating Exemptions for Large Lots A new law would require property owners with lots larger than one acre to pay a higher rate, impacting thousands of residents in suburban neighborhoods where big homes and sprawling yards are the norm.

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Zoning & Development·LapsedIntroduced May 12, 2022

Low-Income Seniors Get Extra Time to Apply for Property Tax Relief in Philly

Low-income seniors in Philly have extra time to apply for property tax relief, getting a temporary reprieve from Real Estate Tax deadlines under certain terms and conditions. This is thanks to the efforts of 11 city council members who sponsored the bill.

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Transportation·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 16, 2022

Bike Lane Added to Lindbergh Boulevard Between 58th and 65th Streets in Philadelphia

This bill adds a bike lane to Lindbergh Boulevard between 58th and 65th Streets in Philadelphia.

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Transportation·Signed Into LawSigned Feb 23, 2023

City Purchasing Land Along Schuylkill River in Southwest Philly for Potential Development Project

Philadelphia is set to purchase land along the Schuylkill River in Southwest Philly from PAID for potential development, with an easement granted for access across the parcel.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Nov 17, 2022

Philadelphia Council Votes to Overhaul Zoning Laws with Stricter Height Limits and Parking Requirements

Low-Rise Revival: Council Proposes Stricter Height Limits for Philly Neighborhoods, Limiting Skyscrapers like the proposed 58-story tower on Broad Street's edge, which has sparked community debate since its announcement.

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Community & Neighborhoods·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 23, 2022

City Creates Fund to Arm RCOs with Lawyers in Zoning Battles and Appeals

Philadelphia residents may soon have more firepower at zoning battles, as a new city fund aims to provide low-income communities with the legal muscle they need to fight for their homes and neighborhoods.

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Public Health·LapsedIntroduced May 12, 2022

City Council OKs Plan to Bring Back Backyard Chickens With New Rules for Roosters

Roosters will now be allowed in backyard chicken coops under new rules approved by City Council, with six hens per coop the maximum number permitted.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 16, 2022

Philadelphia Council Votes To Toughen Water Quality Inspections For City Buildings Daily

Landlords must now pay $500 fines if their properties fail water quality inspections, a move aimed at protecting tenants from lead contamination in over 13,000 Philadelphia rental units.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 23, 2022

Philadelphia's Zoning Code Revised to Set New Standards for On-Site Landscapes and Trees

This bill revises and clarifies landscaping requirements in Philadelphia's Zoning Code to ensure that new developments and renovations meet certain standards for on-site landscapes and trees.

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Zoning & Development·FailedIntroduced May 12, 2022

Council proposed doubling tax exemption cap for long-time homeowner-occupants of residential properties

This bill would have changed the cap on tax exemptions for long-time homeowners in Philadelphia from $25 million to $35.2 million, but it did not pass.

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City Government·LapsedIntroduced May 12, 2022

Philadelphia Council Proposes Big Boost to Homestead Exclusion in Property Tax Law Rewrite

Council President Clarke and Councilmember Parker propose raising the homestead exclusion from $65,000 to a new threshold for property taxes in Philadelphia, under certain conditions. The current tax law exclusion amounts vary by year.

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Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 23, 2022

Philadelphia Taxes to Get Slight Relief Starting July 1 as City Council Votes on Rate Cuts

Philadelphia Homeowners to Pay Lower Water Bills Under Proposed City Council Plan that Would Freeze Rate Increases Through 2024 Under the proposal, a two-year freeze would keep water rates for residential customers flat until 2024, providing relief to thousands of Philadelphians struggling with utility bills.

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City Council·LapsedIntroduced May 12, 2022

Philadelphia City Council Passes Bill To Boost Workforce Development Reporting Requirements

Philadelphia City Council has passed a bill requiring the Department of Commerce to report on workforce development activities, including employment rates and training opportunities. The new reporting requirements aim to promote workforce development in the city.

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Business & Commerce·LapsedIntroduced May 12, 2022

Council proposes creation of new Department Commerce division to provide job training opportunities

Philadelphia city council proposes creating new division within Commerce Department to provide centralized job training services for Philadelphians in public and private sectors.

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