Committee on Streets and Services, April 7, 2025

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Monday, April 7, 2025 1:51 p.m. PRESENT: COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG, JR., CHAIR COUNCILWOMAN NINA AHMAD COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS

COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHNSON

250102, 250148, 250176, 250176, 250177, 250203, 250208, 250209, 250209, 250240, 250241, 250266, 250267, 250271, 250272, 250273, 250274 - - -

Good afternoon, everyone. We're going to get started on this afternoon's Committee on Streets and Services. I want to welcome you to Philadelphia City Council's Committee on Streets and Services, and I note that the hour has come. We do have a quorum. So, Mr. Pullin, would you please call the roll.

Councilmember Ahmad.

Present.

Councilmember Bass.

Present.

Councilmember Brooks. (No response.)

Councilmember Harrity. (No response.)

Vice-Chair Squilla. (No response.)

Chair Young.

Present. And I also note the presence of Council President Kenyatta Johnson is a member of all Committees to establish a quorum here this afternoon. Thank you, Council President, for your attendance. So I note for the record a quorum of this Committee is present and this hearing is called to order. This is a public hearing of the Committee on Streets and Services considering testimony on Bill Nos. 250102, 250148, 250176, 250176, 250177, 250203, 250208, 250209, 250209, 250240, 250241, 250266, 250267, 250271, 250272, 250273 and 250274. I would also like to note that Bill No. 250273 is being held at the request of the sponsor. So before we begin, I just want to acknowledge if any of my colleagues have any opening remarks. (No response.)

Seeing none, Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the first bill.

Bill No. 15 250203 titled, Establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Ogden Street between North 13th Street and Camac Street; Wood Street between North 18th Street and North 18th Street and North 19th Street; North 21st Street between Hamilton Street and Pennsylvania Avenue; Franklin Town Boulevard between Callowhill Street and Wood Street. Thank you.

Mr. Pullin, would you please call the first witnesses to testify on this bill.

The first witness to testify is Lester Emerson, Deputy Parking Manager for the Philadelphia Parking Authority. (Witness approached Witness table.)

Good afternoon, Mr. Emerson. Please state your name for the record and begin with your testimony.

(Inaudible).

Could you pull the mic a little closer. Thank you.

(Inaudible).

Hold on for a second, Lester. Still the stenographer is unable to hear you. The mic isn't working. Nothing.

There we go.

There we go. Thank you.

Good day, Council. My name is Lester Emerson, Deputy Manager for the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Thank you for allowing me to testify before Council regarding Ordinance 250203, establishing parking regulations. The Philadelphia Parking Authority has no objection to the ordinances previously read before Council and recommends favorable consideration. Thank you again for your time. I will be happy to respond to any questions at this time.

Thank you, Mr. Emerson. Are there any questions or comments from members of the Committee for this witness on Bill 4 No. 250203? (No response.)

Seeing none, is there anyone else in chambers wishing to testify on Bill No. 250203? (No response.)

Seeing none, thank you so much for your testimony. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill.

Bill No. 18 250208 titled, Amending Section 19 12-1117 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Physically Handicapped and Disabled or Severely Disabled Veteran Parking," as it will take effect pursuant to Bill No. 24 240613-AA (approved December 18, 2024), by revising the definition of disability parking space and further amending The Philadelphia Code by updating cross-references to Section 12-1117 that now appear in Title 9, entitled, "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," and Title 12, "Traffic Code," all under certain terms and conditions.

Thank you, Mr. Pullin. For the record, I would like to acknowledge the presence of Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. Mr. Pullin, would you please call the first witness to testify on Bill No. 250208.

The first witness to testify is Rich Lazer, Executive Director for the Philadelphia Parking Authority. (Witness approached Witness table.)

Good afternoon, Chair Young, members of the Committee. My name is Rich Lazer, Executive Director Philadelphia Park Authority. I'm here to testify in support of Bill 7 No. 250208. Section 12-1117 of The Philadelphia Code outlines requirements and conditions related to the placement of designated disability disabled parking spaces, including in residential areas. Bill No. 240613-AA amended Section 12-1117 primarily to provide for residential disabled parking spaces reserved for the vehicle owner of the disabled applicant. This bill also modernizes language applicable to the disabled community and largely reorganizes the section. The amended Section 1117 will go into effect July of '25. Bill No. 250208 is now proposed to correct cross-references and certain terms used in Title and Title 12 related to disabled parking in order to be consistent with amended Section 12-1117. So it's pretty much a just a correction to clear up some language in the Code.

Thank you, Mr. Lazer. I do have one question. Could you tell us for the record just how, if anything, is different for a constituent wanting to apply for the program?

Yep. So when people apply for the program, the application process is still the same. The goal would be this now will allow for us to have a reserve -- so now, when we put the new signs up, if the person accept it, that we put the license plate on the sign so it would only be for the applicant's vehicle. Right now ADA spaces are allowed for anyone that has either a plate or a placard can use them. The prior bill that was passed before designated that the spot will be for the applicant only.

Thank you. And is there something on the sign that will indicate that it's only for that applicant or address?

Yeah, correct. So we're redesigning the signs to make sure that it'll say that only the person with that plate number will be able to park in the spot.

Great. Thank you. Are there any other questions from my colleagues? (No response.)

Seeing none, thank you. Is there anyone else in the chamber who would like to testify on Bill No. 250208? (No response.)

Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill.

Bill No. 12 250209 titled, Amending Title of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code" to clarify penalties and procedures associated with smart loading zone parking enforcement, under certain terms and conditions.

Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Please call the witness to testify on this bill.

The next witness to testify is Rich Lazer, Executive Director for the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

Thank you, Mr. Lazer. Please begin.

Good afternoon, Chair Young. My name is Rich Lazer, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, here to testify in support of Bill 10 No. 250209. Section 12-923 labeled, Smart Loading Zones and Section 13 12-924, Camera-based Parking Enforcement System were added to The Philadelphia Code through Bill 16 No. 211063. Now, Bill No. 250209 proposes an amendment to the Code 12-2809 to identify the Subsection in 12-923 that will be subject to the identified penalty for a smart loading zone violation. It's just adding it to that section. No change to the penalty amount is proposed. The bill also proposes the addition of the word adjudication to 12-924, Section 2 to clarify that all the terms and procedures, including the hearing process of any parking violation, will also apply to a parking violation notice issued by a camera-based system. So it just makes every parking violation have the same exact adjudication process. That wasn't clear in the prior bill. So we just wanted to clean that language up.

Thank you, Mr. Lazer. For the record, can you tell us the areas where the smart-loading zone parking enforcement will be enforced?

Yeah. So right now we're piloting the program. It'll go live in another week. The cameras, about 23 cameras at 108 spaces primarily 24 from 8th to 20th, 22nd to Walnut, Chestnut and Sansom.

Thank you. And what's the rationale behind this pilot program?

So it applies like a metered fee to it, $0.10 per minute after three minutes. You get a three-minute grace period in case you're dropping off or picking up. But the goal is to kind of continue to make those zones more user-friendly for delivery and drop-offs to try to open up congestion on those streets. So this will be camera- enforced instead of just PEO-enforced, because PEOs have a route that they work where the cameras constantly will be monitoring those zones to make sure that they're being used for the proper purpose.

So essentially, we've had a number of drivers and motorists just pretty much parked in these loading zones and we need to free these spaces up, particularly for commercial activities --

Correct.

-- in our city's core and things like that?

Yeah, because people are using them longer than they're supposed to. And what happens is then you get to somebody double parking, so now you have the loading zones being used, then the traffic lane is now being used. Now, you're going -- and these streets are congested now. You're taking a whole level of traffic away.

Thank you, Mr. Lazer. Are there any questions? Chair recognizes Councilmember Ahmad.

Good afternoon. Hi, Richie.

Hi. How are you doing?

Good to see you in this forum. Quick question about applying this in other spaces. I know you're just doing a pilot for this, but for people doing drop-off, pickup, are we able to transfer this technology to maybe other assigned spaces where that process can occur in a block?

Yeah, definitely. I think the goal for us is to see how this goes, have the pilot, look at the zone, because I think there's other zones that are primarily delivery -- either it's UPS or a small mom-and- pop delivery or Uber Eats. The goal is to get the data from this program to see how it's working and see how we can expand it. We are using camera- based technology. As of today, we had an announcement with SEPTA and Department of Transportation and we are rolling out the bus camera legislation as well. That's going to take effect May 7th.

And just another point because you might have use of these spaces high for certain things at certain times. Is there a way to read -- is it too complicated to say, we use this space for deliveries between this hour and this hour and this is for deliveries and something else for the remaining evening?

Yeah, we could definitely do that. So some zones are mixed. Like in the morning it may be 7:00 to 11:00 or 7:00 to 10:00 it's just for delivery drivers. And then after 10:00 or 11:00, it switches to meter parking for folks that are coming up to just park in a normal spot. So we have that capability of switching. I think the goal is to look at the data, who's using them, what's the time frame, things like that and the enforcement kind of patterns to make decisions that we can pass on to have better usage of loading zones in general.

Thank you. Thank you for being smart about our technology.

Thank you.

Thank you. Just to follow up on that, so there is the ability to let's just say in our downtown area if we're trying to spruce up the nightlife to get our city, for lack of a better phrase, popping again, right, we can change the loading zones to a metered parking spot to allow folks to come into the city, find a parking space, pay to park, things like that?

Correct.

That's perfect. Thank you so much.

Yep.

Are there any other questions of this witness? (No response.)

Seeing none, is there anyone else in the chamber who would like to testify on Bill No. 250209? (No response.)

Seeing none, thank you. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill.

Bill No. 2 250241 titled, An ordinance 3 amending Section 2 of an Ordinance 4 (Bill No. 220454), approved 5 November 30, 2022, entitled "An 6 Ordinance Authorizing the vacating 7 of Krewstown Road from Norwalk Road 8 to its terminus southwestwardly 9 therefrom, under certain terms and 10 conditions," by extending the 11 period for compliance with the 12 terms and conditions stated 13 therein. 14

Thank 15 you, Mr. Pullin. Please call the 16 witnesses to testify on this bill. 17

The next 18 witnesses to testify is Noelle 19 Marconi, Legislative Affairs 20 Director for the Department of 21 Streets and Sarah Chiu, Development 22 Director for the City Planning 23 Commission. 24 (Witnesses approached Witness table.)

Thank you. Good afternoon. Please state your name for the record and begin with your testimony.

Good afternoon, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill 14 No. 250241, introduced by Councilmember O'Neill. This is not an Administration ordinance, but an ordinance requested by George Weiss, Jr., on behalf of Norwalk Gardens, LL -- excuse me, LP. The purpose of this proposed ordinance 22 is to amend a previous ordinance, Bill No. 220454, approved November 30, 2022, which authorized the vacating of Krewstown Road from Norwalk Road to its terminus approximately 402 feet southwestwardly therefrom. The proposed amendment will extend the operable period for compliance with the terms and conditions of the authorizing ordinance for an additional two years. This portion of Krewstown Road was open for the public in 1821 but was not plotted on, on the City Plan. This road has not been used by public traffic for many years, and the Department of Streets is not desirous of maintaining a street at this location. This action has been requested by an abutting property owner in order to remove Krewstown Road as an encumbrance on their land and facilitate planned residential construction. The Department of Streets supports this proposed ordinance and recommends it to the Committee for favorable action. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you so much. Ms. Chiu, please begin.

Good afternoon, Chairmember Young and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I'm Sarah Chiu, City Planning Manager with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 250241, introduced by Councilmember O'Neill on March 20, 2025. Bill No. 250251 will extend the compliance period to November 30, 2026, for a previously approved Bill No. 220454. The former bill 23 was passed to remove a portion of Krewstown Road as encumbrance on the adjacent owners' property and facilitated a potential development. This section of the road was opened for public use in 1821, but it was not plotted on City Plan. It is not physically improved as a street nor open for public vehicular or foot traffic. The Planning Commission at this meeting on June 9, 2022 recommended for approval. The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider Bill 250241 at its meeting on April 20, 2025 with a staff recommendation for approval. I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you. So did I hear right, Ms. Marconi, that once the striking occurs or vacating occurs rather, it's going to be developed. That's a proposal by the property owner?

Correct.

When these streets are vacated, is there a cost attributed to the property owner who then wants to use this now formerly public right-of-way to develop on?

Yes, I believe the person requesting the ordinance pays the City $200.

Okay. That's the ordinance fee?

Right.

Okay. But I guess my question was regarding the actual -- I don't know the width or length of the street, but that now becomes a part of their private property; am I correct?

Yes.

Okay.

It depends on how the street was initially opened.

Okay.

So if the street was dedicated to the City at no cost, then the abutting owners get half of the street each equally with no cost associated with it.

Oh. Thank you.

But if the City had paid cost or bond or paid for damage to open the street, then they have to pay back.

Okay. Thank you. Are there any other questions for these witnesses on this bill? Chair recognizes Councilmember Ahmad.

Thank you. I wanted just a clarification. So this is now currently a piece of public property that is being put over purview of a private owner; am I correct?

Yes.

What is the use of the public property now?

For now it's been extended as a part of the side yard for the property owner. They have maintained for a long time part of the yard.

It doesn't really generate any revenue or there's nothing on there?

No. 18

It's just a piece of land that he wants to -- it's just because we're giving more area to a private individual where we could be generating revenue if it were a piece of property that allowed it to do so. But you're saying to me that that piece of property does not allow itself to be generating revenue for the City as is?

Not currently.

All right. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember. Are there any other witnesses or anyone in the chamber wishing to testify on Bill No. 14 250241? (No response.)

Seeing none, the Chair also recognizes the presence of Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson. Mr. Pullin, will you please read the title of the next bill.

Bill No. 250102 titled, Amending Section 2 of an Ordinance Bill No. 220639, approved January 10, 2023, entitled "An Ordinance 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," by extending the period for compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein.

Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Would you please call the witnesses for this bill.

The next witness to testify is Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets, and Sarah Chiu, Development Director for the City Planning Commission.

Thank you. Please proceed with your testimony.

Good afternoon, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill 4 No. 250102, introduced by Councilmember Squilla. This is not an administration ordinance but an ordinance requested by Ronald Patterson, Esq. of Klehr Harrison Branzburg, LLP representing 11 Snyder LLC. The purpose of this 12 proposed ordinance is to amend a 13 previous ordinance (Bill No. 14 220639) approved January 10, 2023, 15 which authorized the striking from 16 the City Plan of the easterly 20 feet wide portion of Swanson Street from Wolf Street to Snyder Avenue and the striking of Vandalia Street, from Wall Street to Weccacoe Avenue. The portions of Swanson Street and Vandalia Street proposed to be stricken are not currently used by public traffic. A right- of-way for sewer and drainage purposes will be reserved within the portion of Swanson Street being stricken to accommodate the existing intercepting sewer running through this area. This ordinance 8 will extend the operable period for compliance with the terms and conditions of the authorizing ordinance for an additional two years. The changes proposed for Swanson Street have been coordinated with the Streets Department planned Swanson Street Improvement project to ensure the City's proposed roadway and streetscape improvements are accommodated. As a further condition of the proposed street striking certain portions of Swanson Street, which are currently shown are not legally open per Street Department records, will be dedicated to the City as a public right-of-way by the abutting property owner. These actions will facilitate the redevelopment of the adjacent formal industrial site into a commercial shopping center. The Department of Streets supports this ordinance and recommends it to the Committee for favorable action. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you. Ms. Chiu, please proceed.

Good afternoon, Chairman Young and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I'm Sarah Chiu, City Planning Manager with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 250102, introduced by Councilmember Squilla on February 13, 2025. Bill No. 250102 will extend to the compliance period to January 10, 2027 for a previously approved Bill No. 220639. The former bill was passed to strike an easterly feet wide portion of 11 Swanson Street from Wolf to Snyder 12 Avenue and reserve this area as a 13 drainage right-of-way. The width 14 of Swanson Street will be reduced 15 from 100 feet to 80 feet. 16 Additionally, it struck 17 and vacated a legally portion of 18 and Vandalia Street from Wolf 19 Street to Weccacoe Avenue. The 20 purpose of this action was to facilitate the redevelopment of adjacent site formerly occupied by the Inolex Chemical Company into a commercial shopping center. The Planning Commission at its meeting on July 21, 2022 recommended Bill No. 220639 for approval. The Planning Commission at its meeting on February 20, 2025 recommended Bill No. 250102 for approval. I'll be happy to answer any questions at this time.

Thank you. Are there any questions from my colleagues on this bill? Chair recognizes Councilmember Ahmad.

Thank you. Quick question. It says this was the Inolex Chemical Company. Is there any remediation needed for the piece of land?

I would imagine so, but the remediation usually goes through DEP.

And who will pay for that?

The developer.

The developer?

Yeah.

And is there certification before we actually put commercial use on that, that regular public will be using to make sure it's safe and we're not leaching anything?

Right. Once this goes through the remediation process, there are certain standards that the development company has to meet, yeah.

And so, they'll be certified to do that. All right. Thank you.

Thank you. Are there any other questions for these witnesses on this bill? (No response.)

Seeing none, is there anyone else in the chambers wishing to testify on this bill? (No response.)

Seeing none, thank you. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill.

Bill No. 14 250176 titled, An Ordinance 15 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 118 by striking from the City Plan and vacating a widened portion of Warnock Street, on the westerly side thereof between Berks Street and Norris Street, and relocating the westerly houseline of said Warnock Street so as to align with the westerly houseline of the unaffected portions of Warnock Street as extending from Berks Street to Norris Street, under certain terms and conditions.

Thank you. Mr. Pullin, please call the next witnesses.

The next witnesses to testify are Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets and Sarah Chiu, Development Director for the City Planning Commission.

Thank you. Please proceed with your testimony.

Good afternoon, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill 2 No. 250176, introduced by Councilmember Young. This is not an Administration ordinance but an ordinance requested by Meredith Trego, Esq., Ballad Spahr representing Jonathan Rose Companies. The purpose of this proposed ordinance is to authorize the striking from the City Plan and vacating a widened portion of Warnock Street, which forms a perpendicular parking lane along the west side of said Warnock Street from a point approximately 156 feet north of Berks Street to a point approximately 192 feet further northwesterly therefrom. The curbline in this area will be relocated in line with the curb through the rest of the block from Berks Street to Norris Street. The Philadelphia Housing Authority owns the abutting land bounded by Warnock, Berks, 11th and Norris Streets and has engaged the requesting party to redevelop this block. The proposed site improvements will include onsite parking spaces, eliminating the need for the existing parking lane. The Department of Streets supports this proposed ordinance and recommends it to the Committee for favorable actions. This concludes my testimony and I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you. Ms. Chiu, please proceed.

Good afternoon, Chairman Young and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I'm Sarah Chiu, City Planning Manager with the Florida City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 250176, introduced by Councilmember Young on March 6, 2025. This bill will strike and vacate a widened portion of right-of-way of Warnock Street to facilitate the redevelopment of a PHA-owned block in partnership with Jonathan Rose Companies. This is Phase 2 of the partnership, which is pursuing a low tax housing -- low-income tax housing credit application for development containing 136 units of affordable housing and 15 homeownership townhomes and replacement of recreational facilities. This approximately 4000 square feet of area stricken from the City Plan will be added to the development site to create a 65,000 square feet parcel. The Planning Commission at its meeting on March 20, 2025 recommended Bill No. 2 250176 for approval. I'll be happy to answer any questions at this time.

Thank you. Are there any questions from members of the Committee on this bill? (No response.)

And just for the record again, Ms. Chiu, you said this is going to be -- can you reiterate for us how many units of affordable housing on this site?

136 units of multi-family dwelling units plus the 15 townhome units.

Thank you so much. Seeing none, are there -- is there anyone else in chambers wishing to testify on 250176? (No response.)

Seeing none, thank you. Mr. Pullin, please read the title of the next bill.

Bill No. 8 250177 titled, Authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 22 Wolf Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148, under certain terms and conditions.

Thank you. Can you please call the witnesses for this bill.

The next witnesses to testify are Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets, and Sarah Chiu, Development Director for the City Planning Commission.

Please proceed.

Good afternoon, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill 10 No. 250177, introduced by Councilmember Squilla. This bill authorizes 22 Wolf Associates, LLC, the owners, to install, own and maintain encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk café, Federal Donuts, located at Wolf Street. A total 18 of 4 tables and 16 seats for a 19 sidewalk café will be adjacent to 20 the building of 22 Wolf Street. The 21 Department of Streets is not 22 opposed to this proposed sidewalk café, as it will maintain 9 feet of unobstructed footway. This concludes my testimony and I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you. Ms. Chiu, please proceed.

Good afternoon, Chairmember Young and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I'm Sarah Chiu, City Planning Manager with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I'm here to testify on Bill No. 250177, introduced by Councilmember Squilla on March 6, 2025. This bill will allow a sidewalk café at Wolf Street 20 with a minimum of 9 feet of clear 21 sidewalk space to remain after 22 installation meeting the City's Complete Streets Policy. The Planning Commission at its meeting on March 20, 2025 recommended Bill 2 No. 250177 for approval. I'll be happy to answer any questions at this time.

Thank you for your testimony. Are there any questions of the members of the Committee regarding this bill? (No response.)

Seeing none, is there anyone else in chambers wishing to testify on Bill No. 250177? (No response.)

Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill.

Bill No. 23 250272 titled, Authorizing an encroachment in the nature of planters in the vicinity of 3322-40 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106, under certain terms and conditions.

Thank you. Mr. Pullin, would you please call the witness to testify on this bill.

The next witness to testify is Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets.

Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Please proceed.

Good afternoon, Chairperson Young and members and of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill 24 No. 250272, introduced by Councilmember Squilla. This bill authorizes the minister, trustees, elders and deacons, or the owners, designee, the owners, to install, own and maintain encroachments in the nature of planters at 322-40 Race Street. A total of five proposed planters will be located along the south sidewalk of Race Street and the east sidewalk of North 4th Street along the curbline. The Department of Streets is not opposed to these proposed planters, as they will maintain 6 feet of unobstructed footway. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Are there any questions from the Committee? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Ahmad.

I just had a question about the upkeep of these planters. If this were to be owned by someone else at some other point, is this going to be grandfathered onto whoever is the owner of said property?

Yes, they would have to be the owner's designee, so they would be responsible for the upkeep for this in perpetuity.

Thank you.

Thank you so much. Are there any other questions of this witness on this bill? (No response.)

Seeing none, is there anyone else in chambers wishing to testify on Bill No. 250272? (No response.)

Seeing none, Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill.

Bill No. 8 250274 titled, Authorizing an encroachment in the nature of planters in the vicinity of 219 West Rittenhouse Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19144, under certain terms and conditions.

Thank you. Would you call the next witness for this bill.

The next witness to testify is Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets.

Thank you. Ms. Marconi, please proceed with your testimony.

Good afternoon, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill 9 No. 250274, introduced by Councilmember Bass. This bill authorizes RITTENHOUSE SOUNDWORKS PR, the Owners) to install, own and maintain encroachments in the nature of planters located at 219 West Rittenhouse Street. A total of three proposed planters will be adjacent to the curbline of 219 West Rittenhouse Street. The Department of Streets is not opposed to the proposed planters as it will maintain 6'3" of unobstructed footway. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Are there any questions of this witness on this bill by members of the Committee? (No response.)

Seeing none, is there anyone else in chambers wishing to testify on Bill 250274? (No response.)

Seeing none, thank you, Ms. Marconi. Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill.

Bill No. 21 250271 titled, Amending The Philadelphia Code by increasing the penalties for the prohibited parking or maintaining of semitrailers and truck tractors or residential properties, all under certain terms and conditions.

Thank you, Mr. Pullin. Would you please call the witness testify on this bill.

The next witness to testify is Noelle Marconi, Legislative Affairs Director for the Department of Streets.

Ms. Marconi, please proceed.

Good afternoon, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill 23 No. 250271, introduced by Councilmember O'Neill. This bill increases the penalties for the prohibited parking or maintaining of semitrailers and truck tractors at residential properties. The penalty for parking a semitrailer or truck tractor at a residential property will increase from $500 to $1,000 per day. The Department of Streets is not opposed to increasing the fines associated with the parking of these vehicles on residential property. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you, Ms. Marconi. Are there any questions by members of the Committee on this bill? (No response.)

Seeing none, is there anyone else in chambers -- sorry. Chair recognizes Councilmember Ahmad.

Just wanted to -- thank you. I just wanted to know who would be enforcing these violations?

It's the administrative -- the administrative -- excuse me. I'm drawing a blank. It's the --

Is it L&I of some sort?

No, it's not L&I. It's -- you go to the Administrative Bureau of Adjudications. I believe that's what the title is. And you have to -- basically if somebody wants to fight the ticket, that's where they would go. It's the Administrative Bureau of Adjudication.

And who would issue the ticket, just the regular --

It's the police department.

Police Department. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Are there any other questions of this witness on this bill? (No response.)

Seeing none, is there anyone else in chambers looking to testify on this bill? (No response.)

Seeing none, Mr. Pullin, would you please read the title of the next bill.

Bill No. 250240 entitled, An Ordinance 2 amending Chapter 12-900 ("Parking Regulations and Penalties") and Chapter 12-2800 ("Administrative Adjudication of Parking Violations") of The Philadelphia Code revising penalties related to parking certain large vehicles, including boats, motor homes, house coaches, house trailers, truck campers, recreational cargo trailers, and recreational trailers, under certain terms and conditions.

Thank 16 you. Would you please call the 17 witness for this bill. 18

The next 19 witness to testify is Noelle 20 Marconi, Legislative Affairs 21 Director for the Department of 22 Streets. 23

Thank 24 you. Ms. Marconi, please proceed with your testimony.

Good afternoon, Chairperson Young and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Noelle Marconi and I'm the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Streets. I'm here today to offer testimony of Bill 11 No. 250240, introduced by Councilmembers O'Neill and Squilla. This bill amends Chapter 14 12-900 of The Philadelphia Code to revise penalties related to the parking of boats, motor homes, house coaches, house trailers, truck campers, recreational cargo trailers and recreational trailers within the 1st, 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th Councilmanic Districts. This legislation will increase the fines associated with the parking of these vehicles in these Council Districts. The fines would double from $500 to $1,000 for the parking of a boat, motor home, truck camper or vending cart for more than days or parking a 6 semitrailer or truck trailer on the 7 street. The fine for onstreet 8 parking of a boat, motor home, 9 house coach, house trailer, truck 10 camper, recreational cargo trailer 11 or recreational trailer will 12 increase from $150 to $300. 13 The Department of 14 Streets is not opposed to 15 increasing the fines associated with the parking of these vehicles. This concludes my testimony. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you, Ms. Marconi. I just have one question. Is this for vehicles that will be parked on streets, just on the street in the public right-of-way, or is this for vehicles that are parked in, say, vacant lots as well?

Just in the public right-of-way. And I believe it's just in the 1st, 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th Council Districts.

Thank you. Are there any other questions of this witness on this bill? (No response.)

Seeing none, is there anyone else in chambers wishing to testify on 250240? (No response.)

Seeing none, thank you, Ms. Marconi. Mr. Pullin, please read the title of the next bill to be -

Bill No. 2 250266 titled, Regulating the direction of movement of traffic on 47th Street between Chestnut Street and Kingsessing, all under certain terms and conditions.

Thank you. Mr. Pullin, please call the first witness.

The first witness to testify is Cole Appleman, Policy Analyst for the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. (Witness approached Witness table.)

Good afternoon, Mr. Appleman. Please state your name for the record and begin your testimony.

Absolutely. I think -- oh, here we go. Got it. Yep. My name is Cole Appleman. I'm a Policy Analyst with the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. Good afternoon, Chairperson Young members of the Streets and Services Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear here before you today. As I just mentioned, my name is Cole Appleman. I'm a Transportation Policy Analyst at the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. You probably know us better as OTIS. I'm here today to offer testimony on Bill No. 250266 sponsored by Councilmember Gauthier. This bill amends Title 12-203 of The Philadelphia Code to establish a northbound one-way street, 47th Street, from Kingsessing to Chestnut Street as part of the 47th Street Repaving and Traffic Safety Project. This project will convert two-way vehicle traffic to a one-way northbound on 47th Street in between Kingsessing Avenue and Chestnut Street. This project was a result of months of community 7 engagement on the 47th and 48th 8 Street corridors. To improve 9 loading on this corridor, the 10 project will also include loading 11 zones on commercial and residential 12 blocks to enable better access for 13 passenger pickup and drop-off as 14 well as for deliveries. 15 The City team also 16 worked closely with three schools 17 along the corridor to verify that 18 this project will improve traffic safety for kids going to and from school. In summary, this legislation will improve traffic safety for all users of the 47th Street corridor. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I'd be happy to answer any questions at this time.

Thank you, Cole. Can you just describe exactly what the direction change is on the street so folks who are listening get an understanding of what's going on?

Yeah. Once again, it's going to be a direction change. So currently it's a two-way street on 47th from Kingsessing to Chestnut. It's going to be a northbound one-way.

Thank you. Are there any other questions of this witness on this bill? Chair recognizes Councilmember Ahmad.

I just wanted to know how much time the community and people who use that part of the road will be given to understand the change and prevent actual accidents from people going on there?

Sure. So I actually do have a documentation memo here laying out every single community meeting that our office undertook on 47th and 48th Streets. As I've mentioned before, it was about months. So the community 12 has been well-engaged and these 13 projects do take a while, so there 14 will be additional time for more 15 engagement should it be necessary. 16