Affordable Housing Tax Exemption
Prior to the start of the City Council meeting, Council President Darrell Clarke held a press conference touting proposed legislation “incentivizing affordable housing development by authorizing tax exemptions.”
Clarke explained that inflation, amongst other economic concerns, was a major factor in proposing the legislation.
Read More
“The drivers of inflation, the cost of gas, the cost of food, and, interesting enough, the cost of housing is another driver of inflation,” Clarke said.
The legislation complements a bill introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly that allows for tax exemption for “improvement to deteriorated areas and incentivizes the creation and improvement of affordable housing units.”
According to the legislation, the council bill will apply to the following areas of the city:
“The area bounded by John F. Kennedy Blvd., 15th Street, Roosevelt Boulevard, Old York Road, Pike Street, 13th Street, Germantown Avenue, Ontario Street, 13th Street, Clearfield Street, 12th Street, Glenwood Avenue, 13th Street, Spring Garden Street, and Broad Street.”
The bill identifies affordable housing as:
“Affordable housing unit.” (1) A multi-unit residential dwelling where at least 30% of the residential units meet all of the following: (i) Are rent-restricted. (ii) Are occupied by an individual or family whose income is not more than 60% of area median income. (2) The term includes single family residences that are subject to deed restrictions and occupied by an individual or family whose income is not more than 60% of the area median gross income.”
Clarke indicated the geographical boundaries stipulated in the bill could eventually be expanded.
Committee Hearings and Council Charter Change
In addition to the bill mentioned above, Council President Clarke also had legislation introduced on his behalf calling for fiscal hearings, an amendment to Council’s own charter, and a bill aimed at hiring more municipal workers.
At the beginning of each four-year term, the first piece of legislation city council passes is a resolution outlining their own rules for the coming term. The amendment proposed by yesterday’s resolution would add the Committee of Neighborhood Services which, according to the resolution, would do the following:
Matters concerning City services and neighborhood residents including issues of public safety, litter, graffiti, street and alley trees, broken sidewalks and potholes, snow-removal, street and alley lights, access to and physical condition of recreation, parks and other municipal facilities, nuisance businesses and abandoned vehicles and such other matters as the Council President may determine.
Read More
Economic Recovery Hearing
The Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation will hold public hearings to analyze the city’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the resolution, unemployment rates in the city rose from 5.9 percent pre-pandemic, to 17.1 percent during; currently, the city’s unemployment rate sits at 4.7 percent, the lowest since 1990.
The resolution also makes note of the city’s surprising budget surplus, pegging the dollar figure at $779 million-signficantly more than anticipated at the end of the last fiscal year.
Municipal Worker Recruitment and Retention
In response to the city’s difficulty in filling certain civil service positions, council will create a “Special Committee on Retention and Recruitment of Municipal Workers.”
The resolution makes mention of the staffing shortages across departments, including the Police Department and the Prisons.
Focusing mostly on staffing concerns in the area of public safety, the resolution highlights the difficulty in hiring for police.
“Even when the the city can find qualified candidates,” The resolution says, “New police recruits must still go through a state-mandated training. So assuming each police cadet cohort is as large as the most recent cohort of 72, with 3 cohorts graduating each year, it wil ltake three years to train enough recruits to bring the Police Department up to it’s authorized staffing level of 6522.”
The Department of Prisons is facing an even more significant relative shortfall, with 855 unfilled positions. The resolution states the department has only graduated 100 new correctional officers per year, which means it would take nine years to staff the department fully.
People’s Preservation Package
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier introduced a series of bills aimed at putting “city land in the communities hands.” According to a press release, the “People’s Presevation Package” will do the following:
- Requires property owners to give notice of their intention to sell their affordable housing property to other affordable housing developers and community groups.
- Requires property owners to give other affordable housing providers the opportunity to buy an expiring affordable housing development.
- Authorizes the City of Philadelphia to create a directory of all affordable housing properties in Philadelphia, their funding stream, and when their funding expires.
- Authorizes the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless to conduct hearings regarding discrimination against households holding tenant-based vouchers.
Legislation Passed by City Council
Read More
Resolution No. 220976
Approving the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation as the City’s applicant to receive funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development under the Whole Home Program. Click here to read more.
Resolution No. 220977
Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 3548 Germantown Avenue in the Fifth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code. Click here for more information.
Resolution No. 220978
Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: Clifford street, Cecil B. Moore avenue, North Darien street, Morse street, North Eighth street, North Ninth street, North Tenth street and North Thirty-first street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220979
Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: North Myrtlewood street, North Thirtieth street, North Marston street, North Bailey street, and Cecil B. Moore avenue, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220980
Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: North Seventh street, North Eighth street, North Ninth street, North Tenth street, North Thirtieth street, North Thirty-first street, North Thirty-second street, North Thirty-third street, North Franklin street, Melon street, East Norris street, West York street, West Arizona street, North Camac street, Parrish Street, North Perth street and Turner street, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220983
Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 1308 South Hollywood street, 1310 South Hollywood street and 1312 South Hollywood street, located in the Second Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220984
Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 3418, 3420, & 3422 Kensington Avenue located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220986
Renaming the 5500 Block of Christian Street “Gene Lett Way,” to honor the life and work of activist and community leader, Eugene ‘Gene’ Lett, Sr. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220987
Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1834, 1837, 1840, 1846, 1848 S. Allison Street; 5517 Paschall Avenue; 5804 Hazel Avenue located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220988
Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 239 N. Paxon Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220990
Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2544 S. 5th Street and 1921 S. 6th Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220991
Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 2868 Amber street, 2118 East Monmouth street and 2132 East Monmouth street, located in the First Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. Click here to learn more.
Resolution No. 220992
Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to various properties located in the First Councilmanic District, including on the following streets: South Fourth street, South Sixth street, Agate street, Blair street, Cantrell street, East Clearfield street, Frankford avenue, Kensington avenue, Mercy street, Tree street, East Westmoreland street, Winton street and Wolf street, located in the First Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220666
Amending Chapter 9-3300 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Use and Inspection of Tower and Mobile Cranes in Construction,” to require breaks for operators, all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220814
Amending Section 12-919 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “On-Street Parking of Boats, Motor Homes, Truck Campers, Semitrailers, Truck Tractors, and Vending Carts,” to provide prohibitions on semitrailer and truck tractor parking in the Tenth District of Council, all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220913
Amending Section 14-504(11) of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “/NCO Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (11) Strawberry Mansion,” all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220915
Amending Chapter 14-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Base Zoning Districts,” and Chapter 14-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Use Regulations,” by revising provisions related to Utilities and Services and Water Treatment Facilities, all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220917
To amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by City Avenue, Stout Road, Monument Road, and Belmont Avenue, and to authorize Basic Utilities and Services in a section of Fairmount Park. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220919
To amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designation of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Henry Avenue, Roosevelt Boulevard Extension, Scotts Lane, and Indian Queen Lane. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220921
Amending Chapter 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Overlay Zoning Districts,” by amending Section 14-534, entitled “/AHP, Affordable Housing Preservation Overlay District,” and by making related changes, all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220938
Authorizing the Director of Commerce and the Director of Finance to enter into amendments to multiyear agreements with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (“PAID”), the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, formerly known as the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia (“PRA”), and other parties as necessary concerning the parking garage project constructedas part of the overall Market Street East – Gallery II Redevelopment Project, including an additional amendment to the agreement between the City and PAID, as amended, originally authorized by Bill No. 546 (approved June 15, 1993), and further authorizing the Director of Commerce and the Director of Finance, where necessary or prudent, to enter into ancillary agreements with any or all of PAID, PRA, Parametric Garage Associates (“Parametric”), a new lender to Parametric, and other parties under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220118
Authorizing an encroachment upon East Passyunk Avenue and Moore Street in the vicinity of 1801 East Passyunk Avenue Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220639
Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 27-S by striking from the City Plan the easterly twenty feet wide portion of Swanson Street from Wolf Street to Snyder Avenue, striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portion of Vandalia Street from Wolf Street to Weccacoe Avenue, and reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes within the portion of Swanson Street being stricken and authorizing acceptance of the grant to the City of the said right-of-way, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City of the beds of the remaining unopened portions of Swanson Street from Wolf Street to Jackson Street and from Jackson Street to Snyder Avenue. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220775
Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 291 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portion of Shelmire Avenue from State Road to the centerline of the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad, under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220844
Establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Haverford Avenue between N. 67th Street and N. 68th Street. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220870
Establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Malvern Avenue between 63rd Street and Wynnewood Road. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220871
Authorizing the installation, ownership, and maintenance of various encroachments in the vicinity of 435 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220904
Authorizing the installation, ownership, replacement, and maintenance of various encroachments in the vicinity of 1700-1720 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220922
Amending Section 12-919 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “On-Street Parking of Boats, Motor Homes, Truck Campers, Semitrailers, Truck Tractors, and Vending Carts,” to provide prohibitions on semitrailer and truck tractor parking in the Sixth District of Council, all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220907
Naming and designating the Mill Creek Recreation Center, located at 4700 Brown Street as the ‘Tiffany Fletcher Recreation Center. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220322
Amending Chapter 16-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Surplus Properties,” by adding criteria for evaluating non-competitive dispositions, all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220656
Adding a new Chapter 6-1400 to The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Privacy of Certain Health Information,” to establish privacy protections for information related to reproductive healthcare, all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220665
Amending Title 6 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Health Code,” to establish legal protections related to entities or individuals seeking, providing, or assisting others to obtain reproductive services, all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220923
Amending Titles 9 and 10 of The Philadelphia Code to establish procedures and requirements to prevent the theft of motor vehicles and parts, including catalytic converters and other precious-metal car parts and to impose penalties for non-compliance, all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220664
Amending Chapter 9-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Fair Practices Ordinance: Protections Against Unlawful Discrimination,” to protect against discrimination related to reproductive health, modify and harmonize related provisions of the Chapter, and make other related or technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Bill No. 220846
Approving the plan, estimated costs and proposed method of assessment and charges of the Center City District (the “Authority”) for and concerning business improvements and administrative services to the central business district of the City of Philadelphia for 2023-2027; amending an Ordinance (Bill No. 1069, approved November 2, 1990, as amended by Bill No. 960631, approved November 25, 1996, as further amended by Bill No. 120800, approved December 21, 2012, and as further amended by Bill No. 170927, approved December 20, 2017) adopted pursuant to the “Municipality Authorities Act of 1945,” P.L. 382, as amended (the “Act”); and approving estimated costs for debt service through 2045; all under certain terms and conditions. Click here to learn more.
Our reporters sit through hours of city council meetings, dig through piles of documents, and ask tough questions other media overlook. Because we’re committed to addressing Philadelphia’s poverty crisis — and challenging those who sustain it. If you think this work is important too, please support our journalism.
We’re counting on readers like you.
