COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, May 8, 2008 2:10 p.m. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILMAN FRANK DiCICCO, CHAIR COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM GREENLEE COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE BILLS 080162, 080163, 080164, 080406, 080380, 080404, 080129, 080382, 080383, 080384, 080408, 080374 and 080375 - - - V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Services Eleven Penn Center 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 2 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Good afternoon, everyone. I apologize. We're a little bit late. I apologize, for those of you who have been waiting. I'm going to hand out a memorandum that was sent to me from Julia Chapman, the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Mayor. At a hearing that was held on April 3rd of this Committee, we held a bill that was introduced by Councilman Kenney regarding sidewalk closures for construction projects. We're not going to be doing anything with that bill 16 today, but I just wanted to, for your purposes, see what the response to that asking for holding of the bill was at that time. With that, I will now ask Mr. Abernathy to read the title of the first bill -- the first three bills. Same testimony for all three?
Yes. Bill No. 080162, an ordinance 3 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. amending Chapter 11-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Openings and Excavations in the Streets," to revise the operative period of permits to break streets and footways for the installation and repair of underground conduit, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 080163, an ordinance 10 amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," and Title 11 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Streets," to provide authorization to the Streets Department to adopt regulations establishing fees for issuing permits for hauling oversized and overweight vehicles; breaking streets and footways for the installation and repair of underground pipes and conduit; placing construction materials, construction equipment and portable on-demand storage units in the right-of-way; and for providing accelerated service for the survey activities and City plan changes 4 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. and plan reviews of private paving plans; and to establish supplementary inspection fees when the work or activity has been commenced without the permit first having been obtained. And Bill No. 080164, an ordinance amending Chapter 11-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Construction Encroachments and Projections Over, On and Under Streets," make the Streets Department the permitting agency for the placement of construction materials in the right-of-way; adding a section 15 prohibiting the blocking or closure of a roadway or sidewalk for loading or unloading, building maintenance or related activities without a permit; and authorizing the Streets Department to issue regulations for such permits; all under certain terms and conditions. (Witnesses approached witness table.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Mr. Perri, Mr. Denny. Good afternoon, gentlemen. 5 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Decide among yourselves who will be providing the testimony.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is David Perri and I am the Chief Engineer for the Bureau of Surveys and Design for the Department of Streets. Joining me today to my right is Deputy Commissioner Michael Zaccagni and to my left, Chief Traffic Engineer Charles Denny. We're here to offer testimony in support of Bill 0801620, 0801630 and 0801640. Combined, these three bills will accomplish the following seven objectives: Number one, transfer the permit issuance responsibility for the use of the right-of-way for temporary storage of construction materials in the roadway from the Department of Licenses and Inspections to the Department of Streets. Number two, provide the Department of Streets with the authority to charge supplemental inspection fees 6 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. whenever work or activities that are regulated under Title or Title occur 4 without first obtaining the required 5 permits. 6 Three, provide the Department 7 of Streets with the authority to 8 establish permit fees by regulation for 9 activities that are regulated under Title 10 9 of The Philadelphia Code. 11 Four, provide the Department of Streets with the authority to establish optional accelerated services for survey activities and for the review of private paving plans. Five, provide the Department of Streets with the authority to charge permit fees for the placement of pods, dumpsters and other construction equipment in the public right-of-way. Six, provide the Department of Streets with the authority to charge permit fees for full or partial street and sidewalk closures. Seven, changing the valid 7 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. operative time for a street opening permit from two weeks to 30 days and the elimination of permit renewals. These seven objectives support the following goals: One, improve pedestrian and bicycle circulation by providing a disincentive for the extended use of public roadways and sidewalks for the staging of construction and maintenance activities. Two, improve customer service by offering optional accelerated services. Three, cost recovery for services performed by the Department. Attached is the proposed fee schedule. The process for implementing these fees will be by formal regulation. As you know, the promulgation of regulations to The Philadelphia Code includes a legal review by the Law Department and public advertising and recording by the Records Department. 8 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Thank you for consideration of these bills. We are available to answer any of your questions. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Before I begin, for the purpose of the record, we do have a quorum. To my far left is Councilman Green, my immediate left is Councilman Greenlee, to my far right is Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, and to my immediate right is Councilman Jones, and myself as Councilman DiCicco as Chair. Is there anyone else testifying or just you?
That's it. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any questions for these folks from the Committee? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Is there anyone here who wishes to testify on behalf of this bill, either for or against this bill? (No response.) 9 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Seeing none, Mr. Abernathy, please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 080406, an ordinance amending Chapter 12-2400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Towing and Immobilizing of Parked or Abandoned Vehicles," by adding and changing towing zone locations, all under certain terms and conditions. (Witness approached witness table.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Good afternoon, Mr. Fenerty. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon, Chairman DiCicco and Councilmembers. My name is Vince Fenerty and I'm the Executive Director of the Parking Authority. I'm here to testify on behalf of Bill 080406. I would like to thank Chairman DiCicco and the members of the Committee 10 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. for allowing me to testify here today. I am testifying in favor of Bill 080406, which would extend the boundaries in which the Parking Authority can impound a vehicle in the City of Philadelphia. Please note that there is an amendment attached to this ordinance and I am asking for approval to the amendment also of Bill 080406. Currently, the Parking Authority may impound a vehicle from Spruce to Vine Street for rush hour or safety violations. The Authority would also like to extend the boundaries from Spring Garden Street to Bainbridge Street and from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River. The streets which lie in between those boundaries have several "no stopping" or "no parking any time" zones and rush hour zones. The boundaries also conform with the Center City boundaries for other parking violations. When reviewing traffic patterns 11 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. in the Center City area, you will note that the exit to Interstate I-95 northbound is at Callowhill Street. The extension of the tow enforcement area would include this street. By granting the ability to enforce from Spring Garden and Callowhill Streets with tow-away zones, the Parking Authority would be able to keep all lanes of traffic open during the morning rush hour. I am confident that there will be a vast improvement of traffic flow arriving into the City during the peak hours if this ordinance is passed. Bill No. 080406 also includes extending the rush hour enforcement on Broad Street from Spring Garden Street to Hunting Park Avenue. Currently, North Broad Street is enforced for rush hour by parking enforcement officers, but the Authority cannot tow from Spring Garden Street north on Broad. Broad Street is a major artery for the City of Philadelphia and to have one lane blocked by vehicles 12 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. in the morning or afternoon rush hour impedes the flow of traffic. Located along North Broad Street there are several large businesses, a major university and a large hospital. Along with these institutions, there are several fire hydrants, "no stopping" and bus zones. By granting the Authority the capability to enforce the tow zones along North Broad Street, you would greatly enhance the safety of drivers and pedestrians alike. I ask that this Committee give Bill 080406 a favorable recommendation and request that the rules be suspended to allow the first reading at the next Council session. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify before the Committee this afternoon, and I would be happy to answer any questions which you may have. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. 13 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, Mr. Fenerty. Just so I'm clear on this, this would allow you to tow anywhere where there's "no parking any time"? We're not just talking rush hour. I'm not real clear.
It would be "no 12 parking any time" in a marked tow-away zone.
Yes. There are many areas that are just marked "no 18 parking any time" which are not marked tow-away zones.
I guess the reason I'm asking, I can think -- you mentioned bus zones. Is that a tow-away zone?
Most bus zones are a tow-away zone. 14 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc.
And the other thing I'm thinking of -- and I don't know if it's in this area, but it's in the area just north of Spring Garden, which I have a little interest in, there's some old signs which we've been trying to get taken away -- maybe they finally have been. I'm not sure -- that say things like no parking during Wednesdays between such-and-such. I think they were left over from street-cleaning days.
If there's any signs, Councilman, that are in your district, we would be glad to look at them.
It has to say tow zone. And when you leave here today and maybe walk towards home, if you look at 15 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. the sign, it will have a little tow truck also on the top of it, say tow-away zone. Some of them have a little tow truck.
So just plain illegal parking doesn't necessarily get you towed?
All right. We'd probably have chaos. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Miller.
I was just wondering, too. Councilman Greenlee did ask basically what I was going to ask, the difference between a tow-away zone and what's there now. I would think that it's important that when you decide to -- the bill is approved, that the signs are large enough that people 16 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. understand that if they park there, there's a chance of getting towed. Does this mean that -- I believe during rush hour here in Center City if a car is parked in one of those zones, you immediately tow it?
So that means that from Spring Garden up to Hunting Park any car parked at 4 o'clock -- is it 4 o'clock?
-- (continued) would be towed if they're in that lane?
Right. A parking enforcement officer or a police officer would have to cite the vehicle first with a parking ticket, and then sometime after it's cited, the tow truck would come up and move it. And the reason for that is because we have going towards north going along North Broad Street, both in and 17 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. out, we have complaints in the morning. There's a bottleneck here. We can't do anything with it. We can't move it in a bottleneck traffic. It's been something we studied for a long time. The traffic patterns have changed. And before we naturally would do this, we would make sure the whole stretch -- the signs are corrected and we would for at least a period of one to two weeks "steer clear out" first, which means people who are used to squatting, some people just take a ticket and pay it or not pay. If we would put "steer clear out" before we could start towing the vehicles.
Those vehicles would be taken to Lot No. 1 down in South Philadelphia.
Is there such a thing that you just take vehicles to a place where parking is permitted? I think I recall a constituent or so that 18 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. have had their cars towed, but then nobody kind of knows where the car is.
We primarily do that during snow emergencies and also street closures for police, temporary no 7 stopping where it wouldn't be. We don't move a car and impound it to another street as a normal course of business. It would become an impound.
So what would happen if, hypothetically, my car was towed? I then call probably 9th and Filbert to say, Hey, my car is not here, can you tell me where it is.
They would tell you where it is. Everything is computerized. They will be able to tell you immediately where it is. You could go to that lot and you could pay for the towing fee, and if you felt that the towing was improper, there you would be given the proper paperwork to file to contest the towing of the vehicle or the ticket, and a hearing would be scheduled 19 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. later at the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication.
So on Broad Street, North Broad Street, in the morning coming south is when you have enforcement and then in the afternoon going north?
I'm certainly familiar with the fact that sometimes those lanes are blocked with cars.
And it does cause a bottleneck. I mean, that's happened for years. So this would actually change it.
It would change it and how the towing would be done. You can imagine a bottle. You open the bottleneck up. So going-home traffic going northbound, you would start on the southern end closest to Spring Garden and you would open the bottleneck up. Coming 20 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. in in the morning what you would do is, you would reverse it the same way. You open the bottleneck up.
Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Chairman. Good afternoon. Just for the record, how much is the towing fee and what is the average ticket? Is that in addition to the towing?
The towing fee is $125 and the average ticket for no 18 stopping -- I don't have a book in front of me. I think -- and please don't hold me to it -- I think that's a $41 ticket.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any further questions? Councilman Green. 21 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc.
Can you refresh my recollection about how money flows from the Parking Authority to the City of Philadelphia and then --
The money flows from the Parking Authority. We submit a budget to the City Finance Director by December 1st of each year.
No. I mean particularly what I'm thinking of is after million, the rest of the money 17 does not come to us or -- 18
The rest of the 19 money goes to the Philadelphia School 20 District. 21
I've read 22 public statements that where the Parking 23 Authority has said that they are going to 24 give the -- the City of Philadelphia is 25 going to get its whole $25 million. 22 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc.
Councilman, our fiscal year goes from April 1st to March 30th of each year, and we reconcile our books two months after the close of each month. Our Board approves it. The City of Philadelphia for our last fiscal year, which ended March 30th, there has been $25 million already transferred. We transfer money each month. We're currently reconciling the books for the last two months. We will meet the goal and we will exceed the goal of 1.25 million for the School District this year, and I don't know by how much. I will know within the next week or two, and our Board will approve those financials the day after Memorial Day at its Board meeting.
And you project that you will provide the City of Philadelphia million next year? 23
And that's 23 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. without -- you're doing that without some of the things that I've seen recently, extending hours of parking on streets --
-- and this towing proposal and other things like that? So I guess just from an economic perspective, from the City of Philadelphia's perspective -- and I understand that cars need to be towed if they're a danger, but why should the Parking Authority do it rather than have a unit of the Police or Streets or somebody else do it where we can get the revenue and put the dollars into the City budget? Because we're capped out from everything we can get from the Parking Authority. Why continue to provide you additional dollars versus maximizing the City's revenue when we have a $200 million hole in our own budget over the next five years?
Well, Councilman, 24 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. there is an agreement of understanding between the City of Philadelphia and the Parking Authority where we enforce the on-street regulations, and going back to 1983 when the duties were transferred over, it was so that the police tow squad, which has very small numbers, would concentrate on crime scenes and the Streets Department would concentrate on "downed" vehicles. We concentrate on those vehicles which are in violation. And we're not -- we don't need to add any employees or staff for these expanded boundaries.
No. I wasn't suggesting that. I'm just saying -- which means it's definitely going to hit the bottom line, increase revenues.
The profit will go to the Philadelphia School District, not to the Parking Authority.
Right, and not into the City's General Fund, which 25 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. is 200 million short over the next five years in our Five-Year Plan.
I understand your point, but the City has no impoundment lots, so, therefore, the City is not equipped to do this type of towing. We estimate --
But it's a good business, right? I mean, if we went into it, we'd probably make money.
If you went into it, you would probably make some money, but what you would be doing is replicating the same services.
But we'd get the dollars. Is there any way that you can share dollars with the City of Philadelphia if we extend your authority or permit you to extend hours on parking signs?
The money goes to the schools. Personally, if that were changed, if the Mayor found a way to change it and all the money went into the City budget, that wouldn't matter to the Parking Authority, the same as we had hoped to change the red light camera money from going to PennDOT into the City schools to keep it local. We weren't successful in Harrisburg on doing that. It doesn't matter to me where the money goes. What matters to me as the Executive Director of the Parking Authority is trying to clear the streets.
But we could do it. I mean, a police unit could write tickets, a police unit could tow, and we could generate profits that come right into the General Fund, essentially go into competition with you.
I don't mean -- don't take this as a contradiction, but 27 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. in order to do that for the amount of additional towing, it wouldn't be cost effective in any way, because once we start enforcing, we estimate that we'll probably pick anywhere from five to eight tows up total along Broad Street. Once we start enforcing, people who get towed one time will not do it again. The towing is the deterrent. The towing is not a great moneymaker.
No, no. I understand. My questions really didn't relate to the specifics of this towing proposal, but just the public policy in general.
Well, I don't know how Council or the Mayor are going to formulate their budget, but the more money the Parking Authority generates for the schools possibly, that's less money the City has to provide to the schools. So it's all going into the same pot. It's just how it's divided is up to this Council and to the Mayor. 28 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc.
Right. Councilman DiCicco, who decides where the -- the extension of hours for parking meters on the street? Is that something that has to be done through the Streets Committee or can that be done unilaterally by the Parking Authority? In other words, where the sign used to say 9:00 to 6:00 and now it says 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I think that varies depending on --
It varies. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: -- the neighborhood. I mean, as an example, parking permits are not consistent in terms of the hours on which you need to have a permit to park in a particular neighborhood, and I think the same probably goes for parking regulations throughout the rest of the City, depending on the environment, whether it's a commercial corridor versus a mixed use. 29 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. I don't know if I'm saying that right, Mr. Fenerty. You can correct me if I'm wrong.
You are correct. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It's based on what the City Streets Department feels its needs are on cars being removed from a particular street at a certain time in order to allow a more appropriate flow of traffic, rush hour. Walnut Street certainly would be a different time than maybe -- I'm just using Spruce Street, but another street as an example.
I won't belabor the point because I know that's not the topic of your testimony today, but I do understand that the Parking Authority is unilaterally putting up -- changing hours on signs and then enforcing those.
Well, but you do it without authority from the City 30 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. of Philadelphia.
I'm not prepared to answer those full questions today, but I can tell you, for instance, what Councilman DiCicco brought up. A residential parking permit area, a question came from another Councilmember that he had a complaint about we extended the time from 10:00 p.m. in a residential parking zone, which would mean no parking unless you have a residential parking permit. And we researched that. When we do a study, we have to talk to the neighbors, a petition has to be filed by the neighbors, and notification of change of hours have to be filed with the Chief Clerk of City Council. And when that question came up, everything had been properly done. There is a set of formula regulations where we just can't go out and unilaterally change hours. There's a formal notification process. And I'm a little rusty on what it is, Councilman 31 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Green, and I'd be glad to find that out for you.
-- many times to come down and ask me all your questions, give you a tour --
-- so I can answer all the questions you have. And whenever your schedule allows it, I'll give you a whole day.
Thank you very much. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Just since the question was raised about possibly the City doing towing and what the benefits may be, if there are any benefits, if you can supply the Chair with a breakout of what it costs to run 32 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. your towing fleet in terms of equipment, man hours, person hours, they're operated, just to get a sense of whether it would make sense. My guess is it's not. I think your doing it one-stop shop, if you will, probably makes more sense, but I think it will be helpful to this conversation. Councilman Jones.
Very quickly, Mr. Chairman. Pretty much the idea here is to give you a wider range of authority to tow in order to alleviate traffic in certain timeframes, correct?
In fact, what are those timeframes? Are they what are traditional timeframes such as rush hour, both in the morning and afternoon?
Rush hour as posted on the rush hour streets. We enforce "no stopping" zones. We enforce the loading zones. We enforce "no 33 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. parking" zones, valet zones, to name -- they're the major we would do. For instance, if someone is parked in a passenger loading zone or a regular loading zone for a truck, the sign would specify how long that vehicle can be there, if it's minutes or 30. After 9 30 minutes, when a parking enforcement 10 officer is making the rounds, they ticket 11 the vehicle. We would remove that 12 vehicle in order to open up the loading 13 zone for deliveries so the streets don't 14 get bogged down with double-parkers. 15 Someone is parked in a "no stopping" 16 zone, which is a bus zone, it would say 17 "no stopping, bus" or "no stopping here 18 to corner." When the vehicle is parked 19 in there, it's properly marked, we tow 20 it. And that's generally during the normal hours. We don't go out and tow them in the middle of the night. In Queens Village, Society Hill on the weekends, we do tow down there, and that's at the request of the neighborhood 34 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. and the restaurants. We have to keep order.
Just one other observation. In the traffic patterns, are you noticing or do you take into account that there is an increase in traffic congestion in coming into the City on Friday evenings now and is that a part of your --
There's traffic congestion coming into the eastern end of the City on Friday and Saturday evenings. There are no rush hours that extend for that type of violation. What we have done is, we've extended some areas where meters go now until 12:00 and until 2:00 a.m. to turn it over. We've extended many residential permit parking zones at the request of the community so people will be able to get back into their neighborhood and park, so it wouldn't be totally loaded where someone who may own a home at 3rd and Pine has to park at Broad and Pine and walk back. So we 35 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. limit it, and we have a good study on everything, and all that is done by petition with the residents.
Just as a footnote, with the increased amount of popularity of our Center City nightlife, I just want to make sure that as we start to make these adjustments on times on signage, that it's taken into account some of the folk who have to live through our prosperity almost in a negative way because of the parking and congestion.
We do do that, and also within the upcoming year, Councilman, you may not know, but we've experimented with what we call a multi-space meter, and there are six of them down in the Headhouse District in Councilman DiCicco's district. The Parking Authority has just contracted to buy 50 more of them, and they will be primarily located in Center City business districts. For instance, along Broad 36 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Street where there are restaurants or along Walnut Street where there are restaurants, you need a two-hour zone normally during the day to turn the traffic over. The current stand-alone parking meters only allow one type of regulation, two hours, three hours, four hours, whatever they're set. If we set them in the restaurant zone for four hours, that would be good -- for the stand-alone meter, that would be good for the evening business in the City, but it would be no good for the retail business or the hospital business during the day, because it wouldn't turn it over. With the new multi-space meters, you eliminate ten parking meters that handles ten spots. We can set those type of meters to, for instance, from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. or until 4:00 p.m., whatever the time may be, for two-hour parking and thereafter we can set it for three-hour parking, four-hour parking, three-and-a-half-hour parking to 37 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. accommodate the businesses that have moved into Center City so people don't, I'm eating dinner, I got two hours and at one hour and 50 minutes they have to walk down the street to feed the meter. We're looking at that. The technology has changed drastically in the last several years. Those multi-space meters take Smart Cards, they take debit cards, they take credit cards, and you'll start seeing them being placed at the end of the summer in Center City. They also do turn a projected additional revenue of 30 percent, and that's because when you drive away from a stand-alone meter and you place your change in it, that time is still on there. The next person can come up and use that time. With a multi-space meter, it gives you a small ticket to put on the left-hand side of your window inside. The parking enforcement officer walks by, looks at it and you have until 3:30 or 38 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. 3:43, whatever you paid till. When you drive away, you drive away with that in your car. The next person coming in has to buy new time. And down in the Headhouse District with the six multi-space meters, which handle approximately 60 spaces, we have seen a 30 percent increase in the revenue.
That's right, parker's luck. But these are things which we are doing that moving along to enhance technology in the City of Philadelphia with parking.
Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any other questions? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any other witnesses here to testify for or against this bill? 39 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Mr. Fenerty.
Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, Mr. Abernathy, the title of the next bill, please.
Bill No. 080404, an ordnance authorizing the construction of a sewer and appurtenant work required to alleviate unsanitary conditions in a portion of East Willow Grove Avenue. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: We just jumped around a little bit from the Calendar because there are a couple bills which we think will take a little bit longer. For those non-controversial bills, we want to get those folks to testify so they can get on their way. Thank you. Mr. Holst.
Good afternoon, Chairman DiCicco and members of the Committee of Streets and Services. I am 40 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Arthur Holst, Government Affairs Manager of the Philadelphia Water Department. I am here today to testify on Bill No. 5 080404, which authorizes the construction of a sewer and appurtenant work required to alleviate unsanitary conditions in a portion of East Willow Grove Avenue. Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller introduced this bill on April 17, 2008. Bill No. 080404 authorizes the construction of a sewer and appurtenant work in a portion of East Willow Grove Avenue from Germantown Avenue to Winston Road. The properties at this location currently have a private sewer which is failing. This situation is creating an unsanitary condition. To alleviate the problem, the construction of a public sewer is required. The residents affected by this construction shall be assessed for a new sewer in accordance with The Philadelphia Code. The Water Department recommends 41 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. that this bill be reported favorably out of Committee and that the rules of Council be suspended to allow for a first reading of this bill at the next session of City Council. This concludes my testimony. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Mr. Holst. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Seeing none, Mr. Abernathy, the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 080129, an ordinance granting permission to Sunil Shroff, owner and operator of the newsstand located on the northwest corner 42 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. of 40th Street and Spruce Street, to construct, use and maintain conduits for fiberoptic facilities in, under and across the northwest corner of 40th Street and Spruce Street, for the purpose of supplying electrical service and telephone service to said newsstand.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Robert Black and I'm a construction engineer with the Streets Department. I am here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 080129. This bill grants permission to Sunil Shroff, owner of the newsstand at the northwest corner of 40th Street and Spruce Street, to construct, use and maintain an electrical conduit with electrical service line and a telecommunications conduit with a telephone service line in and under the public right-of-way, for purpose of supplying electrical and telephone service to the newsstand. 43 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no objection to the passage of this bill. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? Councilman Green.
How much do we charge somebody for a permit like that, to use the public right-of-way?
There's degradation fees that's just based on the linear amount of damage to the street, and that's how it gets based on. For something like this, it's very, very minor.
But that's essentially recovering -- it's not a fee because it's what it costs us to maintain the street is what they pay?
Exactly. A lot of the major fees for this comes from the bigger animal such as Verizon, PECO. 44 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc.
Okay. Thank you very much. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: On that same note, did we not a couple years back have some discussion and agreements that in the cost it was built in for five, six, ten years out? Because a lot of times when you do excavation, the settlement doesn't happen for a few years out, and did we not factor in those costs that we anticipate in the out years?
There is a degradation chart that goes with that. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any other questions for this witness on this particular bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Mr. Abernathy, the title of the next bill, please. 45 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc.
Bill No. 080382, an ordinance authorizing Mariner Commercial Properties, Incorporated, owner and developer of 1441 Chestnut Street, to construct, own and maintain various encroachments to be installed in conjunction with a mixed-use development, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Robert Black and I'm a construction engineer with the Streets Department. I am here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 080382. This bill grants permission to Mariner Commercial Properties, owner and developer, to construct, use and maintain various encroachments to be installed in conjunction with a mixed use for 1441 Chestnut Street. There are various building encroachments on Chestnut Street. There is a rigid canopy approximately 124 foot wide and 16 foot high. There are two 46 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. cornices. The first is 124 feet wide and 54 feet high. The second is 124 feet wide and 150 feet high. There is a balcony 124 feet wide and 78 feet high. There is a bay window approximately 90 feet wide and 158 feet high. There is an angled bay window approximately feet 9 wide and 109 feet high. There is also a 10 light box encroachment on 15th Street 11 that is approximately 23 feet wide and 12 approximately 18 feet high. 13 The Streets Department has reviewed the preliminary construction plans for this project and has no 16 objection to the passage of this bill. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else testifying on this? Mr. Patterson.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ronald Patterson with the Klehr Harrison law firm, 260 South Broad 47 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. I'm the land use attorney for this project, and with me is Tim Mahoney and David Ertz, architect. We thought you should just see at least what the encroachments regard, if you'd like. In 2007, we obtained a zoning permit for this 58-story building, about 670 feet, to contain a mix of condominiums, hotel rooms and parking spaces in the lower pedestal, and this ordinance would approve the encroachments over the sidewalk, as I'm depicting, as part of the architectural design. And I have Tim Mahoney here, who you can address any other questions you may have. Tim, if you want to say a few words.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the Council. What we plan on building here is a five-star hotel, true world-class, truly unlike anything that's in Philadelphia now and even some of my 48 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. colleagues are building that are here today. But the encroachments are strictly architectural to accentuate the building at the base for the guest entrance and the guest experience walking in as the portico share encroachment. And then we have an actual day-lit ballroom up on the 11th Floor, 10th Floor where you have the cornice encroachment and, above that, the bow -- the very pronounced bow window that David is pointing to right there. The fourth and final encroachment is what's referred to as the light box at 15th and Chestnut. That will be above a signature retail store. So we see that as, again, a prominent architectural feature to make this building really truly stand out along Chestnut Street.
And while we do have the zoning permit, we have filed plans to make minor adjustments, and these plans contain the minor adjustments 49 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. that are within this ordinance in front of you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: This building is the one that is immediately south of the Ritz, right?
That's correct. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: What is between the north side of this building and the south side of the Ritz building? Is there --
There's Ranstead Street that was vacated, which will remain a vacated street the Ritz will use for access, and as part of, I'll say, a settled lawsuit between the two developers, we worked long and hard to ensure that there were no build zones so that the two buildings could be aligned in certain configurations so as to provide each the best views possible.
Ron summed it up. 50 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. The buildings are very sympathetic to each other, and that was the result of very long and protracted negotiations. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Yeah. I'm aware of that. One of the few I didn't have to deal with in my district. It's not my district. I understand that there has been an amendment that has just been -- are you aware of any amendments to this --
Yes, I am. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: -- that's been sent up by the Administration? Mr. Black.
Yeah. There is an amendment to make it appurtenant to 1441 Chestnut for Section 1. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And you guys are okay with that?
Yes. That's fine. It was a correction that was needed. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Councilman 51 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Green.
You said you had a zoning permit, so I'm sure the answer to this is yes, but I just want to confirm. This has been approved by the Planning Commission?
Yes. The 2007 permit was. And we then resubmitted plans. The Planning Commission has reviewed and approved it. However, they wanted to see this ordinance go through to allow for the encroachments before they released the plans, and then we'll get an updated permit.
But the Planning Commission has publicly met and approved what you're proposing today?
I personally am not comfortable voting for anything 52 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. that hasn't been approved by the Planning Commission itself, so for that reason, I'll be voting no. 5 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any other questions for these witnesses? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against this bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Mr. Abernathy, the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 080383, an ordinance authorizing Arch Street Hotel Partners, LLC to construct, own and maintain various encroachments at 1421 Arch Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Bill No. 080383, granting permission to Arch Street Hotel Partners to construct, own and maintain various encroachments to be installed on 1441 Arch Street. 53 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. There is an awning that's feet wide and 21 feet long. There are two movable urns along Arch Street to an amended four feet in diameter. There is a bike rack on Arch Street approximately ten feet in length. The Streets Department has reviewed the preliminary construction plans for this project and has no 11 objections to the passage of this bill. There is an amendment that is added that specifies the four foot in diameter for the urns. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Mr. Patterson.
Yes. Good afternoon again. Ronald Patterson on behalf of the owner. With me is John Hayes, architect on the project. By way of background, in April of 2007, we obtained a "by right" zoning permit to convert the old YMCA building into a 198-room hotel called the Le Meridien, with retail and commercial on 54 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. the first floor, and this ordinance, as John could depict again, is to approve projections from the building over the sidewalk, including the awning that's shown on the plan, some movable urns and a bike rack. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any questions for these witnesses? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none --
I just want to mention, because Councilman Green asked, when this permit was issued, as all zoning permits are issued, the Planning Commission reviews and stamps the plans. So this permit did go through Planning. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: By the way, what hotel will this be? 55 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc.
It's a Starwood brand hotel. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Old age. I couldn't see.
John Hayes of Blackney Hayes Architects. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I'm sorry. I couldn't read it from here. That's why I had to ask.
Le Meridien. It's a Starwood brand. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It's the old YMCA building.
I'm sorry. Excuse me, Councilman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Did you say the Planning Commission has approved this, the Commission itself?
Not the 56 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. ordinance, but the zoning plans that were filed to get the zoning permit.
No. We did not run that through Planning. That goes through Streets because it's a street encroachment.
You're welcome. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: There is also an amendment to this bill, as you know.
Yes. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Okay. Thanks. I'll read the next bill while he's talking. Bill No. 080384 -- I'm sorry. 57 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Is anybody else testifying on this, on 383? (No response.)
It's the next bill. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Mr. Grasso is coming up for 384, right? Bill No. 080384, an ordinance 10 authorizing Grasso Holdings, Inc., the owner and developer of 1601 Vine Street, to construct, own and maintain various encroachments to be installed in conjunction with a mixed-use development, all under certain terms and conditions. Mr. Black.
I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 19 080384. Bill No. 080384, granting permission to Grasso Holdings to construct, own and maintain various encroachments to be installed in conjunction with mixed-use development projects for the lots known as 1601 Vine Street. 58 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. There are various building encroachments on Vine Street. There are three rigid canopies of varying width, from feet to approximately feet in 6 width, and varying heights, from 19 feet 7 to 56 feet. There is a facade overhang 8 encroachment along Vine Street and 9 Franklin Boulevard, varying width from 18 10 feet to 62 feet and 12 feet to 46 feet in 11 height. There are three rigid metal 12 canopy encroachments on Franklintown 13 Boulevard. These vary in width from 14 eight feet to an amended 104 feet and 12 15 feet to 17 feet in height. There are two 16 rigid metal canopy encroachments on Wood 17 Street. These canopies are approximately 18 25 feet wide and 25 feet high. 19 There are two amendments to this bill, one in Section 1 relating to the width being changed to 104 feet and also in Section 1 dealing with the appurtenant 216 -- 1601 Vine Street for the actual place. The Streets Department has 59 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. reviewed the preliminary construction plans for this project and has no 4 objection to the passage of this bill. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Mr. Patterson.
Thank you. Good afternoon again. Ron Patterson on behalf of the owner, and David Grasso is here as the owner. By way of background, in January of 2007, we obtained a "by right" zoning permit to construct a 33-story and a 45-story tower connected with a pedestal base for a combination of a mixed use of 530 residential units and 278 hotel units, with an interior parking garage with over 900 parking spaces and retail on the ground floor, including a large Fresh Foods space. With that plan in mind, we then recently submitted a revised site plan that would break this into phases, with the larger tower going first, and with those revised plans, we made some 60 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. revisions that would require this ordinance to approve the encroachments over the sidewalk. And I'll turn it over to David to explain more about the project.
Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee on Streets and Services. I'm David Grasso. I'm the CEO of Grasso Holdings. I'm a developer here in Philadelphia. And this project, 1601 Vine Street, has been in the planning stages for several years now. We're at the final stages, and I'm happy to come here and tell you a little bit about the project. It's a pretty big project, so I think it's worth explaining to you kind of what it's all about. It will probably be one of the largest projects that -- private projects, that is -- that goes on over the next couple of years. The project in -- Phase I of the project, which entails the Whole 61 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Foods Market at 60,000 square feet, Best Buy stores at 45,000 feet and the signature tower, which you see in that rendering there, which includes the 250-key InterContinental Hotel, with about an 8,000-square-foot ballroom and 15,000 square feet of additional meeting space, which is primarily used as an executive conference center. Above that you have around 200 residential units in the tower, which are substantially all rental apartments, which there's a drastic need in Philadelphia for rental apartments. Everything has been converted to condominium. This project is a joint venture between myself and the State Employees Retirement System of Pennsylvania. This is an example of the State Pension Fund's investing their dollars back into this Commonwealth. We're proud to be a part of that. Like I said, it's a big job. 62 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. It's going to create approximately 600 well-paying jobs. Most of them are permanent jobs -- I mean, most of them, excuse me, are full-time jobs. It's going to generate approximately $15 million of additional tax revenues for the State and -- the City and the Commonwealth. So this is a substantial generator of jobs and economic benefits to the region. We've gone through a lengthy process of entitlements here. We spent a long time getting the neighborhood to approve our project and ultimately won their support after a long road. We were originally -- we were originally in the overlay which Councilman Clarke introduced, I guess, a year or two ago creating a height restriction in this entire area, and through our endeavors, we were able to convince him and the community to allow us to be the only property to be excluded from that height restriction. 63 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. So it's been a long road. We've generated the support of everyone who can be opposed to it over a long process, and I just wanted to tell you a little about the project, and I'll answer any questions. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Mr. Grasso. This project is, if I'm not mistaken, is that kind of like the perimeter of the overlay?
I think it is the perimeter of the overlay. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Towards the eastern end of it; is that right?
That's right. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: I remember there was some original controversy when you first proposed it. And Whole Foods would be the retailer, right? Is that what I heard you say?
Correct. They're the anchor. They're on the ground floor. 64 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc.
Their entrance would be on the corner of 16th and Vine Streets, which would kind of enliven that whole street there. I mean, it's pretty dead around there. This has been a parking lot for the past 30 years. It was originally part of the original Franklintown Redevelopment Area, which all this ground around here was condemned 30-some-odd years ago and the parcels were doled out to developers, as well as major corporations. SmithKline, their headquarters are as a result of this, and the streets were realigned and infrastructure was put in place to foster large-scale development. This is one of the largest last remaining tracts in the Franklintown Redevelopment Area, and it was zoned specifically for this type of use when it was rezoned 30 years ago. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The other question is, as it relates to Whole 65 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Foods, they will be vacating their current site?
That's correct. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Because they just kind of grew out of space there, right?
That's right. They're in approximately 20,000 square feet in their existing location, with only about 40 parking spaces. They're going to be now 60,000 square feet, with 300 parking spaces. So it's a much better deal for them and for us. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And it's much needed in that community.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I apologize, Mr. Grasso, for having your lawyer educate me on zoning law in Philadelphia. I know you pay him by the hour. 66 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc.
My apologies. So when you originally submit plans to the Planning Commission, did they in 382, 383 and 384, did they include these encroachments? In other words, did the plans approved by the Planning Commission include the encroachments?
Are you talking all three? Do you want to go through all three again?
Yeah. They would see the encroachments and they would stamp the plan, allow us to go to the next step, which would normally be the Streets Department, before we would go to L&I.
So all of these encroachments were seen in the designs provided to the Planning Commission? 67 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc.
Whether they have the authority to say we approve the encroachments --
No, no. 8 That's not the question I was asking. They were seen in the designs submitted to the Planning Commission.
Thank you very much. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: So, in effect, if they didn't like the plan and maybe the encroachment was one of the components that they didn't like, they wouldn't give you an approval?
Correct. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: It kind of goes together, right?
Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Councilman 68 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Greenlee.
Just a quick observation, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Grasso, I agree that Whole Foods will be much better served here, even though you're stealing it from my neighborhood. I think it's a good plan, and good luck. I know it took a long time to get this approved. So I think it will be certainly a major positive addition to that area.
I'll just have to go farther to Whole Foods. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'm not a member of the Committee, but thank you for giving me an opportunity to say a couple words. I just wanted to say that this 69 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. is obviously, from our perspective, a very exciting project. There have been significant meetings in the surrounding community about the project for quite a while. This is one of those projects where I guess there's pretty much a consensus. You can always find one or two people who don't like anything you propose, but in this particular case, there was actually -- at one point it was a height overlay, and as a result of the discussions in the community, there was an agreement to remove the height overlay to allow this to proceed. So I just want to say that I'm very supportive and happy and look forward to a groundbreaking ceremony.
Thank you. Me, too. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. I'm sure of that, Mr. Grasso.
Thank you for all your help, Councilman Clarke. You've been great. 70 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Again, to Mr. Patterson, you know there's also an amendment that has to do with the size of the canopy?
That's correct. It's a needed correction. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: No 9 concerns about that, right?
No. 11 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any other questions for these witnesses? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Is there anyone else here who wishes to testify? Please join us. Just pull one of those chairs up. (Witness approached witness table.)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll be really brief. Rob Stewart, Van Pelt Street, President of Logan Square Neighborhood Association. I want to note that Mr. Grasso appeared before our association several 71 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. times, and while we don't yet have a finalized neighborhood development agreement which we -- because this project has been in the works, and then in terms of a volunteer association, we've been working on other things. We expect that now that this is moving forward, we will ink that agreement. It's been worked out in principle and we will be supportive of the project. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Well, thank you for your testimony. I can assure you having worked with the Grasso family on numerous projects in my district, they've always lived up to those agreements, even if we were not finalized at the time approvals were -- they've always acted in good faith, and I suspect they will do the same in this regard as well.
We have no doubt. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any other questions? (No response.) 72 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, thank you, gentlemen.
Thank you. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, Mr. Abernathy, title of the next bill.
Bill No. 080408, an ordinance granting permission to Howard Foreman, owner of the Island Caribbean Restaurant, 1338 to 44 Rising Sun Avenue, for a raised deck encroachment for accessory seating for the restaurant, under certain terms and conditions.
I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 20 080408. This bill grants permission to Howard Foreman, owner of Caribbean Feast Restaurant and the property 1338 to 1344 Rising Sun Avenue, for a raised deck encroachment to an existing restaurant along Rising Sun Avenue and Westmoreland 73 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Street. The raised deck is approximately inches high. The deck 5 is approximately six feet wide and 37 6 feet along Rising Sun Avenue and six feet 7 wide by 12 feet along Westmoreland 8 Street. This encroachment still leaves 9 approximately eight feet of clear footway 10 space on Rising Sun and six feet of clear 11 sidewalk on Westmoreland Street. 12 The Streets Departments has 13 reviewed the encroachment and has no 14 objection to the passage of this bill. 15 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. 16 Any questions for this witness? 17 (No response.) 18 COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, Mr. Abernathy, the title of the next bill, please.
Bill No. 080374, an 74 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. ordinance establishing a one way regulation on Guilford Street, from Crispin Street to Rowland Avenue, westbound. (Witness approached witness table.)
Good afternoon, Councilman DiCicco, honorable members of the Committee, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Dave Dlugosz. I am the District Traffic Engineer for Northeast Philadelphia, District 3. I am here offer my testimony on Bill 080374. The Streets Department has posted this block on a trial basis for one way direction on October 12, 2007 and since has received no negative feedback from the residents of this community or the Councilwoman's office. Therefore, the Streets Department has no objection to this change. Thank you for the opportunity to appear and I'd be happy to take any questions. 75 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Any questions for this witness? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Seeing none, Mr. Abernathy, the title of the next bill, please.
Bill No. 080375, an ordinance establishing a one way regulation on Brighton Street, from Sackett Street to Rowland Avenue, eastbound.
Good afternoon, Councilman DiCicco, honorable members of the Committee. My name is Dave Dlugosz, District Traffic Engineer, District 3, which is Northeast Philadelphia, for the Department of Streets. I offer my testimony on Bill 080375. The Streets Department has posted this block for one way on a trial 76 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. basis on October 22, 2007 and since has received no negative feedback from the residents of the block or the community. Therefore, the Streets Department has no 6 objections to this change. Thank you for the opportunity to appear, and I'll take any questions. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Anyone here who wishes to testify on behalf of this bill? (No response.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. The title of the next bill.
Bill No. 080380, an ordinance authorizing and directing the revision of curb lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 97 by relocating the easterly curb line of Broad Street approximately nine feet six inches eastwardly, from a point approximately 77 77 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. feet one inch south of the south curb line of Fitzwater Street the distance of approximately 112 feet two inches to a point approximately 189 feet three inches south of the south curb line of Fitzwater Street, under certain terms and conditions. (Witnesses approached witness table.) COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Good afternoon, Mr. Morelli. Please proceed with your testimony
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Frank Morelli, and with me is Darin Gatti, Transportation Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 21 080380. This is not an administrative ordinance, but an ordinance introduced on behalf of Dranoff Properties, 3180 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. 78 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. The purpose of this ordinance 3 is to realign a portion of the easterly curb line of Broad Street south of Fitzwater Street to establish a nine foot six inch wide traffic layby lane. The location of the proposed layby as described in the bill is not consistent with its location as shown on the plans submitted to the Planning Commission. This proposal was not reviewed by the Department of Streets prior to its introduction in Council. The Department does not approve of this layby on Broad Street due to its detrimental impact on pedestrian traffic. The Department's policy is not to permit layby lanes when there is parking lane available for a loading zone, as is the case here. The proposed nine foot six inch depth of the layby, when added to the existing parking lane, will encourage several rows of parking and create safety hazards because the inside of the lane will be out of the 79 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. sight line of traffic. Covered drop-offs, such as the one proposed for this site, cannot be safely created with layby lanes. They must be outside the right-of-way with driveways. Additionally, a review of the utility records indicate that a proposed new curb at the interior of the layby will conflict with utilities under Broad Street sidewalk at this location. In view of these issues, the Department of Streets does not support this bill. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Thank you, Mr. Morelli. Are you testifying, Mr. Gatti, or are you just here to help with the questions?
Just to answer questions. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: All right. In your testimony you say that the proposal was not reviewed by the Streets Department prior to introduction. 80 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. Would that have changed your recommendation? I'm not being critical. I'm just curious.
No, it would not. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: The recommendation would be the same whether -- okay.
Correct. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: And the proposed nine feet six inch depth of the layby, when added to the existing parking lane, will encourage several rows of parking and create a safety hazard because of the inside of the lane will be out of the sight line of traffic. I understand that. Are you suggesting or telling me that there are no -- we don't have any layby lanes where we have parallel parking on the same block?
We don't like layby lanes being that deep. Nine feet six inches is too deep for a layby lane. It will encourage two -- more than one 81 5/8/08 - STREETS - BILL 080162, etc. row of cars will be pulling in that area. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: Into the layby?
Into the layby area, yes. COUNCILMAN DiCICCO: In the plan was it -- I'm going by memory. In the plan was it a four foot layby.