m. ) PRESENT: COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO, Chairman COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN, Vice Chair COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN RICHARD T. MARIANO COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILMAN ANGEL L. ORTIZ COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO - - - VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 561-2220 2 /00 STREETS & SERVICES COMMITTEE I N D E X Page Resolution 000041 * Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager, L&I . . * Neighborhood Representatives: Michael Moffitt. . . . . . . Ed Bradley . . . . . . . . Albert Carter. . . . . . . Ralph Wynder . . . . . . . Robert Fortt . . . . . . . Jean Thomas. . . . . . . . Edith Hart . . . . . . . . John Carter. . . . . . . . John Teague. . . . . . . . Earl Grant . . . . . . . . Lucy Tendle. . . . . . . . - Attached written testimony only from: Carolyn Sutton, Tameka Jones, Jane Glenn, E. Younger-Bagby, Dennis Moore, John Altomare Bill 000121 - Cont'd from previous hearing, no live witnesses. - Letter from S. Perkins, Counsel, Cavalier Telephone - Written rebuttal testimony from M. Arias, Cavalier Telephone Bill 000218 - Cont'd from previous hearing, no further witnesses. Bill 000220 - Withdrawn Chas. Denny, Traffic Engineer, Streets Dept. Bill 000279 * Martin Soffer, City Planning . . . . * Frances Jones, SEPTA . . . . . . Bill 000281 * Nancy Sen, Streets Department . . . . Bill 000339 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. ) Bill 000340 * Nancy Sen . . . . . . . . . * Joseph McCullough, Amtrak . . . . . Bills 000358, 000359 * Otis Haigler, L&I . . . . . . . * Patrick Mulligan, Deputy Managing Director * Jennifer DePaul, Regional Advocate, EPVA * Dan Sullivan, hireAbility . . . . . J. Lewis, Voter Accessibility Reform. . . Hi Goldberg, Jewelers Row . . . . . Richard Dixon, Philadelphia Parking Authority Bills 000360, 999361 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . Marty Soffer. . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bill 000362 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bill 000363 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . Marty Soffer. . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bills 000364, 000365 Chas. Denny, Traffic Engineer, Streets Dept. Bill 000366 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . * Marty Soffer. . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bill 000367 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. ) Page Bill 000368 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . * Marty Soffer. . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bill 000369 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bills 000372, 000373 * Nancy Sen . . . . . . . . . Marvin Gerstein, Temple University. . . Bill 000374 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . * Marty Soffer. . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bill 000394 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . * Marty Soffer. . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bill 000396 * Nancy Sen, Streets Department . . . . Bill 000399 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bill 000400 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bill 000401 Otis Haigler. . . . . . . . . - Attached written testimony only from: Guy Bruno, Philip Steinberg, Carolyn Sutton Bill 000402 * Nancy Sen, Streets Department . . . . Guy Eberwein, Conectiv Communications . . ) Page Bill 000403 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . * Marty Soffer. . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bill 000405 * Nancy Sen . . . .
. . . . . Bill 000406 * Nancy Sen . . . . . . . . . Bill 000409 * Nancy Sen . . . . . . . . . Bill 000410 * Nancy Sen . . . . . . . . . Bills 000411 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . Marty Soffer. . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. Johnson Streets Bills 000415 * Paul Lonie. . . . . . . . . Marty Soffer. . . . . . . . - Written testimony attached - W. ) 6 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000220 P R O C E E D I N G S
Good morning. The committee on Streets and Services is now in session. We have a quorum. Council President Anna C. Verna is here. Also to my left is Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Cohen. And to my far right is Councilmember Goode. As most of you know who have come to these Streets and Services Committee hearings, we generally don't go in the order in which the notice has been published. We try to do that so we can get through some of these bills more quickly, and I think it does work better that way. So we'll take them out of the order that they're on the notice, but I think you'll find the hearings will go much quicker that way. We will get all the people from the Streets Department up rather than have everybody come up, sit down, get up, sit down, get up sit down and go back and forth. We have a considerable number of bills today. The clerk will please read the title of the first bill. 7 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000220
Bill No. 000220, an ordinance amending Section 12-2409 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Towing Zone Locations and Hours," by adding a towing zone location on the north and south sides of Green Street, between 11th Street and Street, under certain terms and 8 conditions. 9 (Witness comes forward.) 10
My name is Charles Denny. 11 I'm the Assistant Chief Traffic Engineer, and here 12 to testify on Bill 220. And our records, we believe the block in question is the wrong block. The request is for the 1000 block, not the 1100 block. And what we would like to do is have the bill withdrawn. We can post the tow-away zones as a trial basis. And when the bill is brought in in the correct format, we'll have a chance to have that as a trial and see how it's working and testify at that time.
Okay, why don't 8 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000220 you proceed with the first bill.
Bill No. 000364, an ordinance authorizing the installation of stop signs on Venango Street at the intersection of Janney Street.
The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to develop regulations governing traffic control device in accordance with Federal Highway Administration Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. These regulations apply to all public highways in Pennsylvania, and the City Solicitor has ruled that the Streets Department is legally obligated to comply with the Vehicle Code and related PennDOT regulations. The federal and State criteria require that an all-way control be warranted by an engineering study of traffic conditions, police accident records, traffic volume, speed, distance. A study has not been requested before the introduction of this bill. We have initiated the study. This study should be completed within two weeks. We recommend that the study be done prior to taking action on this bill. This bill is 9 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000365 not supported by the Streets Department.
All right. Thank you. Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 000365, an ordinance authorizing the installation of stop signs on Venango Street at the intersection of Weikel Street.
This request came in at the same time as the previous bill, and our answer is essentially the same. We have initiated the study, but study will take two weeks to finish, and we recommend that the study be done prior to taking action on the bill, and the bill is not 10 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000365 supported by the Streets Department.
Do you have any reason to believe that the study will come back any different than the studies that have come back in the past when City Council has requested stop signs based on what the State laws are?
I have looked at both intersections and both streets. The cross streets only run for one block. From Venango to Pacific, they don't have very much traffic, the sight distance is good, and there is no crash problem there, so it's unlikely that there will be any change. And we did notice there was a stop sign missing at one intersection, and we replaced that stop sign.
Just a quick question. This criteria that you use, or that you're telling me you're required to use, to decide whether or not an intersection gets a stop sign or not, why are we obligated to follow that if these aren't State highways that we're trying 11 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000365 to post?
The Vehicle Code requires that all traffic control in the State be in accordance with PennDOT regulations, and we're in the State of Pennsylvania.
But it's clear that we must follow that even when we're regulating a non-state highway?
Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. Thank you.
Bill No. 000401, an ordinance amending Section 9-205 of the Philadelphia Code related to sidewalk sales by 12 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000401 adding a new provision prohibiting sidewalk sales in the area bounded by and within Wissahickon Avenue from Schoolhouse Lane to the Roosevelt Boulevard Extension, the Roosevelt Boulevard Extension from Wissahickon Avenue to Scotts Lane, Scotts Lane from the Roosevelt Boulevard Extension to Ridge Avenue, Ridge Avenue from Scotts Lane to the Roosevelt Boulevard Extension, the Roosevelt Boulevard Extension from Ridge Avenue to the Schuylkill River, the Schuylkill River from the Roosevelt Boulevard Extension to the Wissahickon Creek, the Wissahickon Creek from the Schuylkill River to Ridge Avenue, Ridge Avenue from the Wissahickon Creek to Schoolhouse Lane, and Schoolhouse Lane from Ridge Avenue to Wissahickon Avenue, under certain terms and conditions. (Witness comes forward.)
Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record.
Good day, Councilman DiCicco and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I am Otis Haigler, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Department of Licenses and Inspections. I'm here to testify on 13 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000401 Bill 000401. The Department of Licenses and Inspections currently enforces provisions of Section 9-205 of the Philadelphia Code relating to the prohibition of sidewalk sales in various sections of the City. The Department, through its Business Regulatory Enforcement Unit, is prepared to effectuate enforcement action in this area delineated in the legislation if Council adopts this legislation. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning this legislation. Also, I have been given some last-minute amendments to the bill and I'd like to read those into the record. Section 9-205(8)(p), there is no 18 particular number here, but the last section, right below where it says "business property," on the last page right, there below "business property," I would like to insert "such building owners or their tenants shall comply with all provisions of Section 9-205, including, but not limited to, the licensing requirements of Subsection 3, except that such building owners or 14 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000401 their tenants shall be exempted from the following provisions: "Subsection (8)(c), relating to placement of stands at the curb line. "Subsection (8)(d), relating to proximity to other licensed vendors. "Subsection (8)(o), relating to the number of stands, and that part of subsection (8)(m), which prohibits the placement of stands within 10 feet of the intersection, as defined therein." These were amendments that were given by the Law Department that were indicated they should be placed in the record.
Thank you. Do you happen to know why there is no 18 number or letter in those parentheses? Is that --
Okay, I just 15 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000401 wanted to make sure we don't have a problem with that. We're fine. Thank you. Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
We have a number of letters from the community in support of this bill and, I would assume, in support of the amendment to the bill. (Letters from community in support of Bill No. 000401 attached hereto.)
Without this amendment, what are the occupiers of these buildings permitted or forbidden from doing on the sidewalk? And can you tell me, does the sidewalk cover from the building wall to the street?
To the curb line. 16 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000401
Correct. That would be the sidewalk, from the building wall to the curb line is considered the sidewalk.
And if this prohibition occurs, then there can be no sidewalk sale on any part, nothing can be taken outside, say, the building front.
Councilman, I just received this. I would have to really read this again. I'm not -- I don't think I really understand your question. Can you repeat your question.
Well, I'm not asking specifically about this. I'm asking about, in general, what is the area that the prohibition on sidewalk sales covers?
It covers the sidewalk, from the building front to the curb line.
Any other questions for this witness? (No further questions.)
Thank you. The clerk will read the title of the 17 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000279 next bill.
Bill No. 000279, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 329 by relocating a portion of Bridge Street between Penn Street and Bustleton Avenue and by declaring the unopened portion of the cutback at the northwest corner of Frankford Avenue and Pratt Street to be legally open, and by declaring the relocated portion of Bridge Street to be legally open, under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 21 000279: This is not an administration ordinance, but an ordinance that was requested by a Miss Cynthia Brey, Project Manager for SEPTA 1234 Market Street. 18 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000279 The purpose of this ordinance is to revise the house lines and curb lines of Bridge Street to facilitate SEPTA's plan for a new transportation center. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer, and I am the Environmental Officer with the Project Planning Division of the City Planning Commission.
Marty, could you speak a little more directly into the microphone thank you.
I am here today to testify in support of Bill No. 00279. The proposed ordinance, as earlier described, authorizes the relocation of an intersection in the Frankford section of Northeast Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to improve pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow and SEPTA vehicle access in 19 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000279 support of a $140 million of improvements to the Frankford Transportation Center. By action at its meeting on May 18, 2000, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill 6 No. 000279 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Frances, do you wish to testify? Please identify yourself for the record.
Sure. My name is Frances M. Jones, I'm Assistant General Manager of Government Affairs at SEPTA, and I'm here to provide testimony in support of the proposed Bridge Street realignment project. We are currently developing a new state-of-the-art intermodal transit facility to replace the old Bridge Pratt Terminal at Frankford Avenue and Bridge Street. The Frankford Transportation Center Complex includes the replacement of the subway elevated station, extensive track guideway signal track power work, as well as a 1,000-car parking garage. All of this construction will occur while maintaining service operations. 20 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000279 As you know -- or if you don't know -- this is one of the busiest and most heavily used lines within SEPTA, providing service to 150,000 riders daily. The Bridge Pratt Terminal is the most active transportation center, with 250,000 passengers daily. We're basically here to support it and to request that the committee today suspend the rules to permit first reading in City Council on Thursday, June 15th, year 2000. So if any questions, we're here to answer them.
I think my question is process. The residents of this community, the business community in general, when we make this type of a change, are they aware that there's going to be an actual physical change in their community?
Yes, Councilman. There are letters of support that were submitted from the Frankford -- the Bridge Pratt Business 21 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000279 Association, the residential community, and all of the business associations in support of this project. They were sent over last week.
Councilman, too, just going a little further with that. As part of any of these changes to the City Plan, part of our process is a hearing, a public hearing before the Board of Surveyors, at which you testified a little while ago, and our responsibility is to actually go out and actually put physical posters around the neighborhood. So if anyone has any concerns or things like that and would like to get on the record that have maybe missed this hearing, they have the opportunity to do that.
Thank you. Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? 22 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000339 (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 000339, an ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill 10 No. 990308), entitled "An ordinance authorizing the vacating of Walker Street from Pearson Avenue to a dead-end approximately 108 northeast of Pearson Avenue, under certain terms and conditions," by extending the period for compliance with the authorization conditions therein.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 22 000329: This is not an administration ordinance 24 but an ordinance requested by Ms. Elaine Kochanski, of Feasterville, Pennsylvania. 23 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000339 The purpose of this ordinance is to extend time period to vacate Walker Street northeast of Pearson Avenue. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Thank you. Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 000360, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. No. 308 by on the City Plan Gaskill Street and Philip Street, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City free and clear of all encumbrances of the beds of Gaskill Street and Philip Street. Companion Bill No. 000361, an ordinance 24 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000360, 361 authorizing the paving of Gaskill Street and Philip Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 9 000361: This is not an administration ordinance 11 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Stephen Mark Goldner, President of Goldner Kline Architects, 260 South 23rd Street, Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to place on the City Plan a new section of Gaskill Street and Philip Street to facilitate 45 new housing units. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer, and I am the Environmental Officer with the Project Planning Division of the City Planning Commission and I am here today to testify in 25 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000360, 361 support of Bill No. 000360. The proposed ordinance, as earlier described, authorizes the placement on the City Plan of two minor streets along the southerly side of the 200 block of Lombard Street and the easterly side of Third Street, located in the Society Hill section of Center City. The purpose of this ordinance is to provide legal street frontage for the subdivision of a 1.5-acre parcel of land and allowing for the construction of 45 single-family attached dwelling units. By action of its meetings on June 1, 2000, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill 15 No. 000360 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000362
Bill No. 000362, an ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill 4 No. 990376), approved July 1, 1999, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 97 by striking from the City Plan Park Avenue to Catherine Street to the southerly line of Clymer Street produced by striking from the City Plan Park Avenue from the northerly side of Clymer Street produced to Fitzwater Street, by striking from the City Plan and abandoning a certain 40-foot wide right-of-way reserved for drainage purposes, by striking from the City Plan and abandoning a certain 20-foot wide right-of-way reserved for drainage purposes, by placing on the City Plan Juniper Street, Clymer Street, and Fawn Street, including the dedication to the City free and clear of any encumbrances, of the beds of Juniper Street, Clymer Street, and Fawn Street; all under certain terms and conditions," by extending the time for compliance with the conditions stated therein.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul 27 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000362 Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 5 362: This is not an administration ordinance 7 but an ordinance by Mr. Robert C. Totaro of Penrose Properties Incorporated, One Liberty Place, Suite 3810. The purpose of this ordinance is to extend the time period to vacate Park Avenue and place several new streets between Broad and 12th Street from Catherine Bainbridge Street on the City Plan to facilitate the development of 92 townhouse units and expansion of the Community Center and the creation of a small community park. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Thank you. Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? 28 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000363 (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 000363, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 97 by striking from the City Plan Watts Street from Catherine Street to Clymer Street by striking from the City Plan Clymer Street from Watts Street to the easterly line of Park Avenue, and by striking from the City Plan and abandoning a certain 20-foot wide right-of-way reserved for drainage purposes and gas main purposes, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 21 000363: This is not an administration ordinance 23 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Robert Totaro, Penrose Properties, One Liberty Place, Suite 3810, Philadelphia. 29 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000363 The purpose of this ordinance is to vacate Watts and Clymer Street between Fitzwater to the north, Catherine to South Broad Street and west to Juniper Street for the assemblage of mixed-use development. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer, and I am here today to testify in support of Bill No. 000363. The proposed ordinance, as earlier described, authorizes the striking from the City Plan of two unneeded streets in the Hawthorne section of South Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to assemble a parcel of land for office-commercial development. This proposal includes the construction of a building with 34,000 square feet of retail space, 75,000 square feet of office space, a day care center, and a multilevel parking garage. By action at its meeting on June 1, 2000, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill 30 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000366 No. 000363 be approved. Thank you.
Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, in the absence of the clerk, I'll read the next title. Bill No. 000366, an ordinance 15 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 319 in the area of Ripley Street and Tabor Avenue by placing on the City Plan Tabor Avenue from Ripley Street to Loney Street, Tabor Avenue from Loney Street southwesterly to a dead end, Loney Street from Lawndale Avenue to Fox Run Lane, Lawndale Avenue from Fox Run Lane to Loney Street, and from Fox Run Lane to Lawndale Avenue to Loney Street, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City free and clear of all 31 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000366 encumbrances of the beds of Tabor Avenue, Loney Street, Lawndale Avenue, and Fox Run Lane.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 9 000363: This is not an administration ordinance 11 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Ray Fox, the Western Development Company, 370 Commerce Drive, Suite 100, Fort Washington. The purpose of this ordinance is to place these streets on the City Plan for the development of 66 new single homes. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Marty Soffer, and I'm here today to testify in support of Bill No. 000366. The proposed ordinance, as earlier described, authorizes the placement on the City 32 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000366 Plan of four new streets in the Fox Chase section 3 of Northeast Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to permit the subdivision of a 12.3-acre parcel of land to allow for the construction of 66 single-family attached dwellings. By action at its meeting on June 1, 2000, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill 10 No. 000366 be approved. Thank you.
Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the next bill is Bill No. 000367, an ordinance 21 authorizing the paving of Tabor Avenue, Loney Street, Lawndale Avenue and Fox Run Lane, under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul 33 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000366 Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 5 000367: This is not an administration ordinance 7 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Ray Fox, Western Development Company, 370 Commerce Drive, Suite 100, Fort Washington. The purpose of this ordinance is to place -- to give the legal authority to the Streets Department to enter into a contract to pave these streets that have been mentioned in the previous bill. This is a companion bill to Bill 15 No. 000366. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.) 34 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000366
Hearing none, the next bill is Bill No. 000368, an ordinance 4 authorizing and directing the placing of City Plan No. 396 of Gina Street from Verree Road at a point approximately 446 feet northeast of Welsh Road and extending into the northwesterly direction the approximate distance of 359 feet to a dead-end turnaround, under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication free and clear of all encumbrances of the bed of Gina Street.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 17 000368: This is not an administration ordinance 19 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Nick Rose, ProTract Engineering, for Costa Homes, Incorporated. The purpose of this ordinance is to obtain the legal authority to place Gina Street on the City Plan in order to develop a subdivision at 9748 Verree Road. 35 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000366 This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Marty Soffer, and I'm here today to testify in support of Bill No. 000368. The proposed ordinance, as earlier described, authorizes the placement on the City Plan of a new cul-de-sac street located in the Bustleton section of Northeast Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to provide a new street for the subdivision of a 2.2-acre parcel of land to allow for the construction of six single-family detached dwelling units. By action at its meeting of June 6, 2000, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill 19 No. 000368 be approved. Thank you.
Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone 36 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000366 else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Bill No. 000369, an ordinance authorizing the paving of Gina Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 15 000369: This is not an administration ordinance 17 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Nick Rose, ProTract Engineering, for Costa Homes Incorporated. The purpose of this ordinance is to grant the authority to the Streets to enter into a contract with this developer for the private paving of the street to facilitate this development. This ordinance is supported by the 37 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000374 Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 000374, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 121 by striking from the City Plan and vacating a portion of Chang Street and by placing a dead-end turnaround at the terminus of Chang Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 25 000374: 38 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000374 This is not an administration ordinance 3 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Philip Licht, Esquire, The Pavilion, Suite 621, Old York Road, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, who represents the 27th & Girard Trust. The purpose of this ordinance is to combine three parcels, eliminating a portion of Chang Street, which borders and separates these parcels in order to facilitate commercial development. This ordinance supported by the Department of Streets and is recommend to your committee for favorable action.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer, and I'm here today to testify in support of Bill 000374. The proposed ordinance, as earlier described, authorizes the striking from the City Plan and the vacating of a portion of an unneeded street from the southerly side of the 2600 block or Girard Avenue, located in the Fairmount section 24 of North Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to permit the assembly of a parcel of 39 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000394 land for the development of a 13,000 square foot retail building, complete with 65 off-street parking spaces. By action at its meeting of June 6, 2000, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill 7 No. 000374 be approved. Thank you.
Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 000394, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 18-S by striking from the City Plan and vacating 36th Street from Wharton Street to Grays Ferry Avenue and placing on the City Plan a certain right-of-way within the bed of 36th Street.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman 40 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000394 and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 6 000394: This is an administration ordinance 8 requested by Mr. John Edelstein of the Commerce Department. The purpose of this ordinance is for a proposed industrial development to benefit Federal Express. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer, and I'm here today to testify in support of Bill No. 000394. The proposed ordinance, as earlier described, authorizes the striking from the City Plan and the vacating of an unneeded street located in the Point Breeze section of South Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to permit the assembly of a parcel of land for the development of a 110,000 square foot Federal 41 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000394 Express building, complete with 320 off-street parking spaces. At its meeting of June 15, 2000, the staff of the Planning Commission will recommend to the Planning Commission that Bill No. 000394 be approved. Thank you.
Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 000399, an ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill 20 No. 990143), approved June 11, 1999, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the striking from City Plan No. 163 of East River Road from Calumet Street to the line of Fairmount Park, under certain terms and conditions," by extending the period for compliance with the authorization and conditions 42 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000399 therein.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 8 000399: This is not an administration ordinance 10 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Robert Lane, of Morgan, Lewis, and Bockius, 2001 Logan Square, Philadelphia, who represents Amoco Oil Company. The purpose of this ordinance is to extend the time period to legally strike East River Road from the City Plan. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.) 43 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000400
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. This is fast process for the people who are at the top of the list, right? Unfortunately, somebody's always at the end. Sorry about that.
Bill No. 000400, an ordinance amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill 9 No. 990369), approved July 1, 1999, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 297 by striking from the City Plan certain portions of Keely Street from Henry Avenue southwestwardly to a dead-end turnaround and making Keely Street conform more nearly with existing physical conditions, under certain terms and conditions," by extending the period for compliance of the authorization conditions therein.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 24 000400: This is not an administration ordinance 44 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000400 but an ordinance requested by Mr. John Murphy, 730 Caledonia Street, Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to extend the time period to make Keely Street conform more nearly with existing physical conditions. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets Department and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. What's the difference between when the City initiates the action and when a private person does? Why doesn't the City, if it approves -- you've been stating that the Streets Department approves of this. Why aren't these other bills also introduced by the City? What's the distinction?
The distinction is basically in Section 2 of the ordinance, that there's a lot of agreements that must be entered into, and there's a lot of responsibilities that 45 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000400 are taken over by the private parties that the City doesn't want to assume that liability. In an administration ordinance, we assume all of the liability for anything that happens as part of the street striking. In Section 2 of the private interest ordinance, what we do is, we ask the party in interest who is going to benefit from these strikings to assume the liability, and that way, the City doesn't necessarily have to take on that risk.
Well, when the City introduces it, does it indicate that it's a City loan or a City grant?
No, it indicates that the City is the abutting property owner, as is the case for 36th Street. There's no abutting- property owners other than the City. And so that's when we generally would do it by administration.
Let the record 46 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000403 reflect that Councilmembers Clarke and Mariano are now in attendance. The clerk will now read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 000403, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by relocating a portion of the westerly side of Independence Mall East a certain distance easterly, under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 17 000403: This is not an administration ordinance 19 but an ordinance requested by Miss Emily Bittenbender, of the Bourse Building, 111 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia 19106. The purpose of this ordinance is to provide additional bus parking for the new Constitution Center and revise the lines and grades to meet that need. 47 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000403 This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Marty Soffer, and I'm here today to testify in support of Bill No. 000403. The proposed ordinance, as earlier described, authorizes the revision of lines and grades on a portion of a street located in the Society Section of Center City. The purpose of this ordinance is to permit the development of a bus drop-off area for the National Constitution Center. At its meeting on June 15, 2000, the staff of the Planning Commission will recommend to the Planning Commission that Bill No. 000403 be approved. Thank you.
Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone 48 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000411 else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 000411, an ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan 271 of an area bounded by Girard Avenue, Hancock Street, Wildey Street, Germantown Avenue, New Market Street, Laurel Street, and Second Street by striking from the City Plan and vacating Germantown Avenue from Second Street to Wildey Street, by striking from the City Plan and vacating Hancock Street from Pollard Street to Germantown Avenue, by striking from the City Plan and abandoning a certain right-of-way for drainage purposes and water main purposes, by striking from the City Plan and abandoning a certain right-of-way for gas main purposes, and by placing on the City Plan certain rights-of-way for drainage purposes and water main purposes, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul 49 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000411 Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 5 000411: This is not an administration ordinance 7 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Bart Blatstein, Tower Investments, Inc., One Reed Street, Philadelphia, PA. The purpose of this ordinance is to develop the former Schmidts Brewery site into a new modern shopping district. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to the committee for favorable action.
Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer, and I'm here today to speak in support of Bill 000411. The proposed ordinance, as earlier described, authorizes the striking from the City Plan and the vacating of two unneeded streets and two unneeded rights-of-way located in the Northern Liberties section of North Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to permit the 50 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000411 assembly of a parcel of land for the development of a neighborhood shopping center. The Planning Commission previously approved Bill No. 956, which authorizes action at its meeting on November 17, 1994. The Planning Commission staff will recommend to the Planning Commission that Bill No. 000411 be approved at its meeting on June 15, 2000. Thank you.
Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 000415, an ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 58 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Melon Street from Ridge Avenue to 13th Street, by striking from the City Plan and vacating Park 51 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000415 Avenue from Wallace Street to Melon Street and by striking from the City Plan and abandoning a certain right-of-way for drainage and water main purposes, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 11 000415: This is not an administration ordinance 13 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Sterlin Daniel, Project Architect and Manager, The School District of the City of Philadelphia, at 734 Schuylkill Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. The purpose of this ordinance is to strike these streets for the development of a new Franklin Learning Center High School at Broad and Ridge. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for a favorable action.
Good morning. My name is Marty Soffer, and I am here today to testify in 52 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000415 support of Bill No. 000415. The proposed ordinance, as earlier described, authorizes the striking from the City Plan and the vacating of two unneeded streets and two unneeded rights-of-way located in the West Poplar section of North Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to assist in the assembly of a parcel of land for the development of a 210,000 square foot magnet school for medical and the performing arts. By action at its June 15, 2000 meeting, the Planning Commission staff will recommend that Bill No. No. 000415 be approved at its meeting on June 15, 2000. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, gentlemen. I have one question with respect to a pedestrian right-of-way. I just want to get for the record -- there was some discussion about having the ability for pedestrians to walk through the school with some sort of a pedestrian 53 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000415 right-of-way. Is that still a part of the plan, if you recall?
I wish the architect was here; he was supposed to be, but he didn't quite make it, for whatever reason. We have the ability within, I believe, Section 2 (c) the of the ordinance to enter into an agreement for basically anything we need to do within that timeframe. If you feel that's something that is necessary, then please let us know and we would be glad to insert that into the agreement, that the School District has to enter into as part of this ordinance.
But I don't know at this point in time what the exact plans are for that right-of-way. I remember a discussion about it.
And I will be at a meeting at the Franklin Learning Center Friday on this project, and I will make sure I bring that up.
Any other questions for these witnesses? 54 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000415 (No further questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Paul, I assume you will be asking for a suspension of rules?
Bill No. 000281, an ordinance authorizing the McDonald's Corporation, 150 South Warner Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, 19106, tenant of the property 942 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, to construct and maintain various encroachments attached to the building and projecting onto and over the south footway of Market Street and the east footway of Tenth Street, all under certain terms and conditions. (Witness comes forward.)
Good morning, Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Nancy Sen. I'm an engineering supervisor for the Streets Department and I'm here to testify on Bill No. 55 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000415 000281 on behalf of the Streets. This bill authorizes the McDonald's Corporation to construct and maintain the following encroachments on and above the public footways at the southeast corner of Tenth and Market: an electrified marquee and three-dimensional icon over the entrance to the building at the corner of Tenth and Market, planters and fabric-covered awnings encroaching into the Tenth Street footway at four window areas on the face of the building, architectural embellishments running along the Tenth Street and Market Street faces of the building, and a permanent cloth banner projecting over Market Street footway. All encroachments leave adequate width and clearance of unobstructed footway on both Market Street and Tenth Street. Therefore, the Streets Department has no objection to the passage of this bill.
Is it a department of the City that authorizes signage? 56 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000415
Well, when a project comes, it's looked at both L&I at the building permit stage, and also they would send up anything that's a little unusual or projecting too far out into the footway to the Streets Department to look at. So both departments -- L&I and Streets look at it from different views.
And this is not something the Art Commission gets into?
The Art Commission, as a matter of fact, I understand from the applicant, has looked at it this just last Wednesday. They don't have their letter yet, but they got a favorable view of it.
Thank you. Are there any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No questions.)
Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the 57 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000340 clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 000340, an ordinance granting permission to the National Railway Passenger Corporation, 60 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC, 2002, to construct, use, and maintain various underground facilities within, under, and across Delaware Avenue between Wheatsheaf Lane and Lewis Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman. Again, my name is Nancy Sen, and I am an engineering supervisor for the Streets Department. I am here to testify on Bill No. 340 on behalf of the Streets Department. This bill allows the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, also known as "Amtrak," to construct and maintain the following underground utilities below the public right-of-way of Delaware Avenue between former Wheatsheaf Lane and Lewis Street: a precast cable trench, buried communications, duct bank and hand holes, ground grid cables, sanitary sewer, main and manholes, an 8-inch water main extension, a 2-inch water main connection branch, and an 8-inch fire line 58 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000340 extension. The Streets Department has reviewed the plan and given preliminary approval. We have no 5 objection to the passage of this bill. (Witness comes forward.)
Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning. I'm Joseph F. McCullough, Program Director of the Electric Traction Department with Amtrak. Members of the committee, thank you for this opportunity to testify on behalf of Bill No. 340. Amtrak's northeast corridor operation provides intercity passenger train service between Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington. The multiple track main line rail road between New York, Philadelphia, and Washington and between Philadelphia and Harrisburg was electrified by Amtrak's predecessor, the Pennsylvania Railroad, in the 1930s, to provide electricity to trains of hertz or cycles, rather than the 60 hertz, 23 which is now almost universal in North America. 24 The choice of 25 hertz to power trains 25 reflected the state of electrical engineering in 59 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000340 the 1930s. More than 60 years later, Amtrak needs to modernize and expand the capacity of its power system where it's constructing a new facility at 3801 North Delaware Avenue to meet our future power requirements. The purpose of the Richmond static frequency converter project is then: 1. To replace antiquated equipment with modern equipment, which is more reliable and more efficient; and 2. To provide for an increase in power system capacity. Bill 340 will permit Amtrak to construct, use, and maintain a series of infrastructure connections to support our new facility, specifically upgrade precast cable trench, a below-grade duct bank to carry control connections between 30th Street Station and the project site, three at-grade hand holes, two below-grade grid cables, a below-grade sanitary sewer main, an at-grade sanitary manhole, a below-grade water main, a below-grade fire line, a below-grade water line and branch. The above facilities are necessary to tie the new converter station into the existing City of Philadelphia 60 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000340 water and sewer utilities in the Amtrak power system. I will be pleased to answer any questions.
And who in Amtrak people -- maybe it's you, I don't know -- would people go to or Councilmembers who are concerned about the upkeep of areas where Amtrak tracks run?
Well, there are any number of people. You could certainly come to me, and I could give you a list of other folks.
Yes, sir. They will be assigned to maintain and operate that facility in the years to come.
My phone number is 61 6/12/00 STREETS, SERVICES - BILL 000340 215-349-1511.
This is for Nancy. Could you, for the record, define "within, under" -- "within, under, and across"? I can -- what exactly does "within" mean when it comes to this bill?
It's -- all of these are just at-grade, where you could see the top of the trench, so we kind of say "on" for that. If any of the mains, like water, that's further under, that would be "under." And "within" is just within the Delaware Avenue right-of-way. That's how we would -- why we use the three terms.