COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON RULES Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, December 3, 2025 2:00 p.m. PRESENT: COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS, CHAIR COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA, VICE-CHAIR COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR.
250845, 250947, 250949, 250952, 250983, 250984, 250985, 250986, 250987 - - -
Good afternoon. This is the public hearing on the Committee on Rules. Members and guests, please take their seats. This hearing is now called to order. And the Clerk will now take the roll.
Thank you. A quorum of the committee is present, and the Clerk will please read the title of the bills.
Bill No. 17 250845 and Bill No. 250949 are both being held at the request of the sponsors and will not be heard today. Bill No. 250947, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by North Frazier Street, Master Street, North Ithan Street and Media Street. Bill No. 250952, an ordinance amending Section 14-602 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use Tables" by defining building types and clarifying uses permitted in the RTA-2, Residential Two-Family Attached base zoning district, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 250983, an ordinance amending Section 14-503 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "/NCA, Neighborhood Commercial Area Overlay District," by amending the East Falls Neighborhood Commercial Review Area, and making related changes, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 250984, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Eva Street, Dearnley Street, Flamingo Street, Hillside Avenue, Shaw Street, Wigard Avenue Extension, Umbria Street, Minerva Street, and Shawmont Avenue. Bill No. 250985, an ordinance amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within the area bounded by Bryn Mawr Avenue, Wynnefield Avenue, Nevada Street and the SEPTA Railroad Right of Way. Bill No. 250986, an ordinance amending Section 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Overlay Zoning Districts" by creating Section 14-545, entitled, "/WFS, West Fairmount Sports Area Overlay District," all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 250987, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Ridge Avenue, Sunset Avenue, Harner Street, Port Royal Avenue, Hagys Mill Road, and Cathedral Road. There are no other bills under consideration today.
Thank you, Madam Clerk. Do any members have any opening remarks? (No response.)
Okay. And seeing none, the Clerk will please call the first panel we have to testify on Bill No. 250947.
Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. (Witness approached witness table.)
I put myself backwards on my papers. Good afternoon, Chairperson Bass and members of the Rules Committee. I am Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 250947, introduced into City Council on October 30, 2025, by Councilmember Jones. Bill No. 250947 amends the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of land in an area bounded by Frazier, Master, Ithan and Media Streets in the Carroll Park neighborhood of the West Planning District. This bill will rezone an area at the corner of Master and Frazier Streets in West Philadelphia, from RSA-5 Residential Single-Family Attached, to CMX-3, Community Commercial Mixed-Use zoning district. The proposed CMX-3, Community Commercial Mixed-Use zoning district, is out of context with the immediate area. This designation would allow greater height and massing than is appropriate in this setting and would permit additional uses incompatible with low-intensity residential uses nearby. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission considered Bill 22 No. 250947 at its public meeting on November 20, 2025 and recommended the bill not for approval.
So usually we start this dance where I say she needs a GPS to find things. I want to say on the record that is not true.
I've been in different neighborhoods with you and your sleeves rolled up and she does know her stuff. However, in this case, Madam Chair, I grew up on, as you know, Frazier Street, the House of Umoja and in normal circumstances if all of those buildings on that block were occupied, that might be true, it is vacant land. And the idea there is to create maker space, which is more like a little light tinker shop for people in the neighborhood and some of the surrounding schools that do not have shop, shops that have been taken out of public schools. And so, the rationale there is to build something where tools can be leased or lend out so that people can actually make things in the neighborhood, particularly young at-risk males that are wreaking havoc in the neighborhood, giving them something positive to do. So I understand why the Planning Commission does its thing. It's to safeguard us from ourselves. But in this case, I think we are safe with not overcommercializing or overindustrializing that block.
Okay. Thank you, colleague, for your commentary. Thank you so much. Duly noted. Is there anyone else here to testify on Bill No. 250947? (No response.)
And seeing none, thank you very much for your testimony. Madam Clerk, please call the first panel we have to testify on Bill No. 250952.
Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.
Good afternoon again. Please state your name for the record and proceed.
I'm Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 250952, introduced into City Council on October 30, 2025 by Councilmember Bass for Council President Johnson. Bill No. 250952 amends the Philadelphia Zoning Code by changing the zoning use tables, by defining building types and clarifying uses permitted in the RTA-2, Residential Two-Family Attached based zoning district. The bill amends the zoning code to clarify that attached, semi- detached and fully detached buildings are allowed in the RTA-2, Residential Two-Family Attached based zoning district. These building types were inadvertently omitted from the legislation that created the RTA-2 zoning district. The bill also clarifies that medical marijuana dispensaries and smoking lounges are prohibited in RTA-2 districts, just as they are in all other residential districts. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission considered Bill 24 No. 25095 -- or 942 at its -- I'm sorry, 952, at its public meeting on November 20, 2025, and recommended the bill for approval.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Any comments from members of the committee? (No response.)
And seeing none, is there anyone else here to testify on Bill No. 250952? (No response.)
And seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call forward the next witness to testify on Bill No. 250983.
Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.
I am Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 250983, introduced into City Council on November 13, 2025, by Councilmember Jones. Bill No. 250983 amends the Philadelphia Zoning Code by amending Section 14-503 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "/NCA, Neighborhood Commercial Area Overlay District," by amending the East Falls Neighborhood Commercial Review Area in the East Falls neighborhood of the Lower Northwest Planning District. This bill proposes to make a series of changes to the East Falls NCA Overlay. First, it changes the height and the building requirements for CMX-3 by adding a maximum building height and a minimum setback for the top story. The bill also proposes amending the parking requirements for properties zoned CMX-2.5 that exceed specific dimensions, requiring the affected properties to provide one parking space for every two dwelling units. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission will consider Bill No. 250983 at its public meeting on December 4, 2025. I'll be happy to answer any questions at this time.
Thank you very much. Any questions from the committee? (No response.)
All right. Seeing no questions, is there anyone else here to testify on Bill No. 250983? (No response.)
And seeing none, thank you for your testimony. Madam Clerk, can we please have you call the witness for Bill No. 250984.
Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, and Laura Copeland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner for the Philadelphia Water Department.
Good afternoon. Please state your name for the record and proceed.
Good afternoon. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman and members of the Rules Committee, for the opportunity to testify before you today. My name is Laura Copeland and I serve as the Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Education, Community Engagement and Government Affairs for the Philadelphia Water Department. Today I'm here in support of Bill Nos. 250984 and 250987, each amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by correcting the zoning designations of certain areas within Roxborough. Before I share testimony, it's important that I thank Councilmember Jones for his ongoing support of the critical PWD corrective zoning needs in his district. These zoning updates, which directly impact PWD's ability to upgrade the city's aging water infrastructure, will help ensure that Philadelphians have continued access to clean, safe drinking water. We thank you sincerely for that, Councilmember Jones. As for the two bills in discussion today, making these important zoning corrections in Roxborough is a first critical step in making infrastructure upgrades possible in this neighborhood and ultimately throughout the city. These facilities are currently zoned residential, which does not include water treatment and distribution facilities as an allowable use. The Philadelphia Water Department has operated these facilities providing critical life- sustaining water to Philadelphians for many decades. As such, we are seeking this corrective zoning designation in line with its current and future use. A change to the SP-CIV designation ensures that water utilities can be appropriately located and maintained within civic areas around the city, eliminating costly delays seeking variances or addressing appeals to justify existing uses. In addition, these changes give residents confidence that sites near them will remain in civic use and not be redeveloped into uses incompatible or undesirable to their neighborhoods. As some of you in this body know, this is the case for your own districts as well where upcoming corrective zoning for PWD infrastructure repair is of the utmost importance. We've been able to speak directly to the affected district Councilmembers and their teams regarding these corrective zoning efforts happening across the city, specifically in Districts 4, 8, 9 and 10, and we're pleased to say that these members expressed support of our efforts during our meetings with them in August and September of this year. To advance this same effort, passing Bill No. 250984 will allow the Water Department to maintain and improve the Roxborough High Service Pump Station, which plays an essential role in public health and safety for the entire city. Pump stations like this one move water from our drinking water treatment plants, pushing treated water through a large distribution system, ensuring delivery of clean water that has proper pressure to homes, schools, businesses and for the very important work of firefighters. This bill will correct the zoning of PWD's Lower Roxborough finished water basin at 400 Dearnley Street. Finished water basins are vital to our city, because they provide a reserved water supply for emergencies, making safe, clean water readily available during peak demand periods when the treatment plants capacity is exceeded. Along with that, these basins prevent water pressure drops that can lead to water contamination. Additionally, passage of Bill No. 250987 will allow PWD's work at the Upper Roxborough clear wells and storage basins and the Roxborough standpipes at 600 Port Royal Avenue. The clear wells, storage basins and standpipes are forms of reserve water supply directly improving operational effectiveness, ensuring proper water pressure and reducing overall pumping costs. PWD is always seeking ways to reduce overall operational costs, to lessen their impact on our ratepayers. Maintaining these facilities as they age, as I've mentioned today, is just one example of customer-conscious planning and project work.
To that end, through our focus on ratepayers, PWD also recognizes that infrastructure improvements to pump stations and other PWD assets can raise questions or concerns among nearby residents. That's why we're committed to educating, listening and partnering with the community with thorough outreach and clear messaging for the duration of the legislative process through the life cycle of all PWD work that will follow it. We've already reached out to the affected RCOs to let them know about these rezoning efforts. We've communicated with the upper Roxborough Civic Association and with the Dearnley Park City Civic Association, whose regular meeting we'll be attending later this month on December 17th, to share additional information on our facilities and the zoning changes proposed. PWD will be doing this same kind of outreach and engagement in Districts 8, and 8 and across the city, as we've had 9 the chance to share with many of 10 you. Overall we want Council and this committee to know that by approving these updated zoning designations, this body is truly directly improving safety, accessibility and cost-efficiency of water for all Philadelphians. For these vital reasons, PWD respectfully requests that City Council approve these zoning bills by reporting them favorably out of this committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I'm very happy to answer any questions to the extent I can.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Paula, please state your name for the record and proceed.
I am Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 250984, introduced into City Council on November 13, 2025 by Councilmember Jones. Bill No. 250984 amends the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Eva Street, Dearnley Street, Flamingo Street, Hillside Avenue, Shaw Street, Wigard Avenue Extension, Umbria Street, Minerva Street and Shawmont Avenue in the Dearnley Park Valley neighborhood of the Lower Northwest Planning District. This bill will zone certain areas of land from RSA-1 and RSA-2, Residential Single- Family Attached District, to SP-CIV, Civic, Educational and Medical District. This zoning change is to facilitate the Philadelphia Water Department, to update facilities, to accommodate plants and provide safer, cleaner drinking water throughout the city. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission will consider Bill No. 250984 at its public meeting on December 4, 2025. I'll be happy to answer any questions at this time.
Thank you for your testimony. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.
Madam Chair, members of the Committee, I want you to know that as we prioritize things as District Councilpeople, I can't put it on my colleagues, but I've in the past said out if the water department wants something, do I really want to upset this community, that community in the process for them to do their jobs. And I felt that way and I said, it's okay for them to be mad at me as opposed to my voters, until the day we had the water emergency where we had to shut off intake. We get two sources of water, the Delaware and the Schuylkill. And all hell broke loose and we were scared about contamination. And I remember Walmart and all of the other stores were flying off the shelves with bottled water. The city was in a panic. This department let us know, kept us apprised in realtime. And I learned better to appreciate the work that you do. There's a lot of projects. Some of this zoning -- how old is the water plant that we're talking about?
I have some information, so bear with me. So there's a couple parcels in --
So one of them was built -- like, for instance, the Roxborough High Service Pump Station was built in the 1950s.
And the natural age of a water treatment plant is for how long?
And I only raise that because we make these once-in-a-lifetime investments and changes. They last 100 years. And with the advent of post-911 terrorist threats, our water supply is on the menu. So we need to give them what they need to safeguard and secure. Then you have federal mandates that you have to comply with, often times the public doesn't know. If we don't comply with it, you lose funding, correct?
We could be fined. So for me, I apologize publicly for dragging my feet on some of these things, but I do appreciate now what you do and what importance it is to my constituents.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Jones. Is there anyone else from the committee who has commentary on this bill? (No response.)
And seeing none, is there anyone else here that would like to testify on Bill No. 250984? (No response.)
Okay. Seeing none, can we have the Clerk call forward the next Bill 19 No. 250987.
Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, and Laura Copeland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner.
And I do want to acknowledge, Ms. Copeland, that your testimony for 250987 was previously given in 250984?
Okay. Just wanted to double-check that. Okay. You don't have to read it again. Please state your name for the record and proceed, Paula.
I am Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I am here to testify on Bill No. 250987, introduced into City Council on November 13, 2025 by Councilmember Jones. Bill No. 250987 amends the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning of Ridge Avenue, Sunset Avenue, Harner Street, Port Royal Avenue, Hagys Mill Road and Cathedral Road in the Upper Roxborough neighborhood of the Lower Northwest Planning District. The bill will zone certain areas of land from RSD-3, Residential Single-Family Detached District, to the SP-CIV, Civic, Educational and Medical District. The zoning change is to facilitate the Philadelphia Water Department to update facilities to accommodate plans to provide safer, cleaner drinking water throughout the city. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission will consider Bill No. 250987 at its public meeting on December 4, 2025. I'll be happy to answer any questions at this time.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Any questions from the committee? (No response.)
And seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call for the next panel to testify on Bill No. 250985.
Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.
I am Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I am here to testify on Bill No. 250985, introduced into City Council on November 13, 2025 by Councilmember Jones. Bill No. 250985 amends the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of a property within the area bounded by Bryn Mawr Avenue, Wynnefield Avenue, Nevada Street and the SEPTA Railroad Right-Of-Way in the Wynnefield neighborhood of the West Planning District. This bill changes the zoning designation for 5048 West Nevada Street from RSD-3, Residential Single-Family Detached, to CMX-2, Commercial, Mixed-Use zoning designation. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission will consider Bill No. 20 250985 at its public meeting on December 4, 2025. I'll be happy to answer any questions at this time.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Any questions from the committee? (No response.)
And seeing none, is there anyone else here to testify on Bill No. 250985? (No response.)
And seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the next panel to testify on Bill No. 250986.
Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.
Thank you. Please state your name for the record and proceed.
I am Paula Brumbelow Burns, Director of Legislation for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 250986, introduced into City Council on November 13, 2025 by Councilmember Jones. Bill No. 250986 amends the Philadelphia Zoning Code by creating the /WFS West Fairmount Park Sports Overlay District in the area bounded by Ford Road, Greenland Drive, the Schuylkill Expressway, Montgomery Drive, Belmont Mansion Drive and Chamounix drive in the West Park Planning District. Although the bill's title indicates an area larger than the one to be used for a new playing field, it will only apply to a smaller area off Chamounix Drive. The bill exempts the area from steep-slope provisions, heritage tree removal, and fence- height requirements. The bill will expire one year after it becomes law. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission will consider Bill No. 250986 at its public meeting on December 4, 2025. I'll be happy to answer any questions at this time. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. Any questions from the committee? (No response.)
And seeing none, thank you very much for your testimony. Is there anyone else here to testify on Bill No. 250986? (No response.)
And seeing none, I want to thank you again for your testimony. And being that there are no other witnesses, we will now proceed with taking public comment. Is there anyone else in chambers that wishes to testify before the committee today? (No response.)
And seeing none and there are no 6 additional comments from the committee, this concludes our public hearing. We'll now go into a public meeting shortly to consider the action to be taken on the bills before the committee -- excuse me, on the bills before the committee today. Thank you for your patience. Will the Clerk please call the roll.
Thank you. I note for the record that a quorum of the committee is present. And the Chair now recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion on the amendment to Bill No. 250947.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I offer an amendment to Bill No. 250947. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of the committee. I move that the amendment to Bill No. 9 250947 be adopted. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 250947 be adopted. All of those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the amendment to Bill No. 2 250947 has been adopted. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion on the amendment to Bill No. 6 250983.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I offer an amendment to Bill No. 250983. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of the committee. I move that the amendment to Bill No. 14 250983 be adopted. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 250983 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the amendment to Bill No. 7 250983 has been adopted. And I just want to recognize that Councilmember Gauthier is present. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I offer an amendment to Bill No. 250987. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of the committee. I move that the amendment to Bill No. 20 250987 be adopted. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill No. 250987 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the amendment to Bill No. 13 250987 has been adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion on Bill Nos. 250947 as amended, 250952, 250983 as amended, 250984, 250985, 250986 and 250987 as amended.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that Bill Nos. 250947 as amended, 250952, 250983 as amended, 250984, 250985, 250986, and 250987 as amended be reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that Bill Nos. 250947 as amended, 250952, 250983 as amended, 250984, 250985, 250986, and 250987 as amended be reported from this committee with a favorable recommendation and further move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading of this bill at the next session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the motion carries. And there are no 8 additional comments from the Committee on Rules for today. Thank you very much for your attention. (Committee on Rules concluded at 2:40 p.m.) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. __________________________________ TANEHA CARROLL