COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC HEARING COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES - - - Room 696, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, March 19, 2003 2:15 p.m. - - - BILLS 020757, 030018, 030019, 030020, 030021, 030026, 030076, 030077, 030079, 030080, 030100, 030102, 030124, 030137, 030139, 030140. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN MICHAEL NUTTER - - - V A R A L L O, INCORPORATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 I N D E X BILL 030139 PAGE FRED KRIZER, East Girard Business Coalition.. SAM WEINER, East Girard Business Coalition... BILL 030124 PAUL LONIE, Dept. of Streets ................ MARTIN SOFFER, City Planning Commission ..... 6 BILL 030137 PAUL LONIE, Dept. of Streets ................ 7 BILL 030140 PAUL LONIE, Dept. of Streets ................ BILL 030076 PAUL MCCLOSKEY, Water Department ............ BILL 030077 PAUL MCCLOSKEY, Water Department ............ BILL 030100 PAUL MCCLOSKEY, Water Department ............ BILL 020757 RUSSEL HART, University of the Sciences ..... WILLIAM MAUTZ, Streets Department ........... BILL 030026 WILLIAM MAUTZ, Streets Department ........... JOEL FAGERSTROM, Hahnemann .................. BILL 030019 HILLEL LEVINSON, Parkwood Community Assoc.... 27 CHARLES DENNY, Streets Department ........... 34 JOSEPH BLOOM ................................ 36 BILL 030021 JEANNIE KEOUGH .............................. 37 LEROY RENSHAW ............................... 38 PAUL GOOD ................................... 40 BILL 030102 CORA WARE ................................... 41 WILLIE BROWN ................................ 41 LAGINA ROBINSON (ph) ........................ 42 BILL 030080 LAURIE ACTMAN, CPTMA ........................ 52 CHARLES DENNY, Streets Department ........... 56 RICHARD DICKSON, Parking Authority .......... 63 PAUL BONNIE ................................. 63 3 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030139
Good afternoon, everyone. This is the hearing of the Committee on Streets and Services. In attendance today are Councilman W. Wilson Goode, Jr., Councilman Rizzo, Councilman Richard Mariano, Councilman Darrell Clarke. We have a quorum. My name is Frank DiCicco, I'm the Chairman of this Committee. The title of the bill will be read by the Clerk.
Bill 030139 an Ordinance 12 amending Section 9-205 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Sales," by exempting sidewalk sales by owners and tenants of properties on both sides of Girard Avenue between Frankford and Susquehanna Avenues, and by permitting such activity, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon gentlemen. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon. My name is Fred Krizer. I'm the President of East Girard Business Coalition, and we're here to support this bill to be introduced to Council for the promotion of sidewalk sales for the businesses along East 4 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030139 Girard Avenue.
You can read from that if you want. It's not a long one. Otherwise, I'd tell you to summarize. Identify yourself for the record, as well.
My name Sam Weiner. I'm Vice President of the East Girard Business Coalition. I do have some people here in support of us, if I can take a few moments to introduce them. I have Sandy Saltzman, the Executive Director of the New Kensington Community Development Corporation. Seated with Sandy is Noelle Dames, a staff person or a community liaison with the New Kensington Community Development Corporation. I have Isaac Evans, Jr., from the Brotherhood Mission; Evelyn Turner and Blanche Culpa (ph) from the Young at Heart group from St. Michaels. There's a senior citizens group. They're all on Girard Avenue. I've got a real quick statement and we'll get out of the way. Fred and I are here today representing East Girard Coalition. We are a non-profit corporation of businesses located on East Girard 5 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030139 Avenue in Fishtown. I will keep my remarks brief by expressing our support for the amendment to Bill 4 030139 allowing sidewalk sales East Girard Avenue. Our ability to conduct sidewalk sales events will enable us to entice consumers to our area, thus improving the business climate on East Girard Avenue. Many of our businesses need this help, especially during these times. The East Girard Business Coalition would like to thank Councilman DiCicco and Clarke for their efforts in helping small businesses. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. And finally, I'd like to express that, may we say, God bless our troops in the Middle East and God bless America. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for these witnesses from the Committee? Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, from time to time I've talked to a number of our colleagues about my history of playing football, and I'd like to say that I have a gentleman here who could confirm some 6 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030124 of what I said. Mr. Ware actually played on the football team with me some years ago. We won't talk about how long. So after the hearing, we're going to talk football stories and how good I was. (Laughter.)
And since he's asking for consideration on a bill, I assume he would say you were the best player on the team.
Any other questions for these witnesses from the Committee? (No response.)
Is there anyone else here who would like to testify on these bills? (No response.)
Seeing none, thank you, Gentlemen. Good luck to you. The Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 030124, an Ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan Nos. 317 and 319 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally opened portions of Borbeck Avenue from Algon Avenue 7 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030124 to Pennway Street and reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for gas main purposes, under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager with the Department of Streets. And the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 030124: This is not an Administration ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Ms. Linda Goldman Developers Investment Group, 7900 Algon Avenue. The purpose of this ordinance is to strike and vacate a legally opened portion of Borbeck Avenue from Algon to Pennway from the City Plan and secure the area for future business development. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your Committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Martin Soffer, City Planner, and I'm here to testify on behalf of the City 8 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030124 Planning Commission. The proposed ordinance authorizes the striking from the City Plan and the vacating of a minor stub-end street located in the Rhawnhurst section Northeast Philadelphia. This action will permit Linda Goldman, owner of the Barry Place Apartments at 7900 Algon Avenue to secure the property and eliminate short dumping. The Planning Commission reviewed and recommend approval of this streets bill which would permit the adjacent property owner to control the bed of this unneeded street at its meeting of March 18, 2003. Therefore, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill No. 030124 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for these witnesses from the committee? (No response.)
Anyone else here who would like to testify on or against these bills? (No response.)
Seeing none, the 9 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030137 Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 030137, an Ordinance authorizing the vacating of a portion of Sheaff Lane, from a point approximately 1,553 feet south of Penrose Avenue to a point approximately 866 feet southwardly therefrom, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name, again, is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets. And the Department would like the offer the following testimony on Bill 030137: This is not an Administration ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Attorney Joseph Beller, 1700 Market Street who represents 3900 Sheaff Lane, Incorporated. The purpose of this ordinance is to vacate unused ground for the expansion of an existing apartment complex. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the 10 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030140 Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else to testify for or against this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 030140, an Ordinance authorizing the striking from City Plan No. 97 and abandoning of a portion of a certain right-of-way for drainage purposes lying within the lines of former Jessup Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. Again, my name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets. And Department would like to offer the following the testimony on Bill No. 030140: This is not an Administration ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Mr. Terry Crocket of Crocket Architects, 316 Queen Street, who represents Mr. Mott. The purpose of this ordinance is to strike and vacate a portion of a right-of-way lying 11 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030076 within the limits of former Jessup Street for the development of the property for commercial use. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your Committee for favorable action.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 030076, an Ordinance authorizing the construction of sanitary sewers and appurtenant work in portions of Lemonte Street and in Fairmount Park Property.
Good afternoon, Members of the Committee. My name is Paul McCloskey, I'm representing the Water Department. This bill authorizes the Water Department to construct a sanitary sewer at Lamonte Street from Fallor to Mansion Street and a Fairmount 12 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030076 Park property adjacent to Mansion Street from Lamonte Street to Cinnaminson Street. Lamonte Street is a block of single-family dwellings in the Lower Roxborough section of the City. The block is currently serviced by individual on-site sewer treatment facilities for each property. They've outlived their usefulness and require total replacement. The malfunctioning of the septic systems have created an unsanitary condition. And in light that the residents are serviced by public water, a public sewer was requested. An assessment should be levied had against the owners having frontage in order to absorb a portion of the cost of construction and the residents will be required to connect the new sewer at their cost in accordance with Philadelphia Code. We recommend that the bills be favorably reported out of committee.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill? 13 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030077 (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 030077, an Ordinance authorizing the construction of Dobson's Run Stormwater Relief Sewer and all appurtenant work in portions of Allegheny Avenue, 32nd Street and in proposed rights-of-way for drainage and sewer purposes in Allegheny Avenue produced and in 32nd produced.
Good afternoon, gentlemen. Again, my name is Paul McCloskey. I'm representing the Water Department, City of Philadelphia. The existing Dobson's Run sewer is in the main trunk sewer for the East Falls area of the City. Currently, the sewer is in need of replacement and is surcharged. However, a good portion of the existing sewer is covered by factory buildings and is inaccessible. The existing sewer is in a drainage right-of-way on former Ontario Street. The area in need of replacement is on Henry Avenue to the Schuylkill River. Currently, the industrial businesses in 14 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030077 the area are experiencing severe flooding due to the surcharged stormwater sewer. The existing conditions will be further compounded by proposed large condo developments that are currently being planned for the area. In order to resolve these issues and avoid condemnation of the area's businesses, the Water Department plans to redirect the drainage in a parallel sewer in and on a line of Allegheny Avenue from the Schuylkill River, crossing Kelly Drive, under the Laurel Hill Cemetery on line with 32nd Street. The sewer will then travel northward in 32nd Street crossing Pep Boys parking lot, CSX Transportation Railroad, and partially crossing 3500 Scotts Lane to the former Ontario right-of-way. The sewer will be constructed totally in tunnel so as not to disrupt the community or most of the properties. The obtainment of the needed right-of-ways for the project has either been obtain or currently in negotiation. We recommend that these bills be favorably reported out of committee.
Thank you. . 15 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030077
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is probably a little unusual to say that a water and sewer project is exciting, but under the circumstances, given the opportunity for development at what is generally known as the Chelsea Apartments, soon to be Dobson, which I think was its original name, is a tremendous opportunity for the City. And this kind of legislation, while often going somewhat unnoticed, is actually what allows some of the great development to take place in this City. So I want to thank the Streets Department and the Water Department for their work in this particular regard and for getting this bill 15 done. It will naturally ultimately culminate in the work to be done over at Dobson, and I just want to thank you for staying on this. Appreciate it.
Thank you. Any other questions for this witness from the committee? (No response.)
Would anyone else like to testify for or against the bill? (No response.) 16 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030100
Seeing none,the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 030100, an Ordinance to authorize the Water Commissioner on behalf of the City to enter into agreements with the owners of the properties and their successors of a private street known as Blakiston Lane from Frankford Avenue to a dead-end approximately 358 feet northeasterly of Frankford Avenue for the grant of a right-of-way to the City for drainage, sewer and water main purposes.
Good afternoon, again. My name is Paul McCloskey with the Philadelphia Water Department. Blakiston Lane is a private street in the Holmesburg section of the City. The south side of the street is a grouping of small single-family dwellings. The north side of the street is St. Dominic's Roman Catholic Cemetery. The block is currently serviced by water main, a private drain, a public gas main. The Holmesburg Water Company placed the water main somewhere between 1820 and 1845. Over the years, the facilities of this company were absorbed by the City. The water main, obviously, has outlived its 17 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 020757 usefulness and it requires total replacement. Since Blakiston Lane ia a private street, the owners of the abutting properties must grant the City a right-of-way for draining, sewer, and water main purposes in order for the City to have access to the facilities. This bill authorizing the Water Commissioner to enter into agreements with the homeowners to accept the right-of-way. The agreements also provides language that they City may place the right-of-way on City plan at a future date. We recommend that this bill be favorably reported out of committee.
Any questions for this witness from the Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against bill. (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill 020757, an Ordinance 25 granting permission to University of the Sciences in 18 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 020757 Philadelphia, 600 South 43rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495, to construct, own, use and maintain underground steam lines, telecommunication lines, chilled water and chilled water return lines and electrical conduit under the 4200 block of Woodland Avenue; all under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, my name is Rus Hart and I'm with the University of Sciences in Philadelphia. I'm Capital Program Manager for the University. With me are Joe Delu (ph) from Ballinger Architects and Bob Campbell from Pennoni, the engineers for the project. We have testimony to offer on behalf of the bill. Attached to the testimony, you'll also find an exhibit which you see placed before you by Mr. Delu. I hope everyone can see it okay. The red line actually depicts the crossing of Woodland Avenue for the proposed utility distribution piping. The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, founded in 1821, is the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science and established in 1997 as a University provides undergraduate, professional, and graduate programs in the pharmaceutical health and natural sciences. The 19 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 020757 University enrolls approximately 2,040 undergraduate and 220 graduate students in four schools: The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Misher College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health Sciences, and the College of Graduate Studies. The University campus is located in University City section of Southwest Philadelphia within the 4100 and 4500 of Woodland Avenue. In 1998, the University acquired and subsequently demolished the vacant Breyers Ice Cream plant which was located within a 4300 block of Woodland Avenue at the former 700 south 42rd Street. Currently underway on the former Breyer site is Phase I of the University's campus expansion and development plan. This plan includes construction of a new student athletic recreation center, adjacent parking, and central utility plant. In this initial phase, the central utility plant will provide utility services only to the athletic center on the south campus, however, future implementation phases will link the plant to the University's north campus via woodland Avenue. While completion of Phase I of the central plant is anticipated in early April of 2003, 20 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 020757 there still remains the task of constructing future phase infrastructure to connect the north campus buildings. This, of course, involves crossing beneath Woodland Avenue right-of-way, which is the basis for this private interest ordinance. In order to link the central plant with a north campus, we propose to install the following utilities within the right-of-way: An 8-inch diameter medium pressure steam pipe; 2-inch diameter pumped condensate pipe; 10-inch diameter chilled water supply and return; and concrete encased 4-inch electrical conduit piping. All of the above will be installed by coring under the road with the coring pits being located outside the right-of-way on University property. In addition to the utilities listed above, we will include the installation of campus telecommunications cable as part of the scope of work. At this point we do not anticipate interruption to SEPTA's service to complete the installation. Likewise, we do not anticipate an impact on vehicular or pedestrian traffic along the roadway. Nevertheless, all activity within the construction zone will be coordinated with SEPTA and 21 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 020757 the City's Streets Department. The central plant will provide the University with an efficient and reliable source of heating, air conditioning, and electricity for the entire campus with centralized services for heating, cooling, and electric. Your approval of the proposed ordinance 9 will allow the University to take full advantage of the benefits anticipated through implementation of a centralized distribution strategy. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have about the project.
Thank you. Any questions for these witnesses? (No response.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against the bill?
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz. I'm a construction engineer with the Streets Department, and I'm here to offer the following testimony for Bill No. 020757 on behalf of the Streets Department. This bill grants permission to the 22 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 020757 University of Sciences in Philadelphia, 600 South 43rd Street to construct, own, and maintain underground steam lines, telecommunication lines, chilled water supply and return lines and electrical conduit under the 4200 block of Woodland Avenue. The encroachment descriptions are as follows: Steam line, a 20-inch diameter steel casing pipe contains two steam lines, 8-inch diameter medium pressure steam line, and a 2-inch diameter pump condensation line. The casing pipe crosses the entire right-of-way Woodland Avenue at approximately right angle distance of 90 feet. The casing pipe is approximately 12 feet below the roadway grade. A 10-inch diameter chilled water return line is contained within a 20-inch diameter steel casing pipe. This also crosses the entire right-of-way of Woodland Avenue at approximately 90 feet and is 12-foot below the roadway grade. Electrical conduit. Four 4-inch diameter ducts cross the entire right-of-way of Woodland Avenue at a distance of approximately 90 feet. The duct bank depth varies from feet to feet below the footway grade. The Streets Department has reviewed the 23 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030026 construction plans for this project and has no 3 objection to the passage of the bill.
Thank you. Are there any questions for these witnesses from the Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else here who would like to testify for or against the bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 030026, an Ordinance authorizing Tenet HealthSystem Hahnemann, LLC, owner of the property known as Hahnemann University Hospital, Broad and Vine Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19102, to construct, own and maintain underground conduit and pedestrian light 19 poles with attached banner arms on and under the 20 west footway of Broad Street, the south footway of 21 Vine Street and the east footway of 15th Street 22 adjacent to the hospital property, all under certain 23 terms and conditions.
Good afternoon. Please proceed with your testimony 24 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030026
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is William Mautz, and I'm a construction engineer with the Streets Department. I'm here to offer testimony for the following bill: No. 030026, on behalf of the Streets Department. This bill authorizes Tenet HealthSystem Hahnemann, LLC, owner of the property known as Hahnemann University Hospital, Broad and Vine Streets, to construct, own, and maintain underground conduit and pedestrian light poles with attached 13 banner arms on the west footway of Broad Street, the 14 south footway of Vine Street, and the east footway 15 of 15th Street adjacent to the hospital property. 16 The encroachment descriptions are as 17 follows: 18 Pedestrian lights with banner arms. 19 Pedestrian light poles are approximately 14 feet 20 high, sit atop a reinforced concrete footing 21 approximately 4 feet deep by 18 inches in diameter 22 and are located approximately 30 inches from the 23 curb. The attached banner arms are 30 inches long and a minimum of 10 feet above the footway. Eight pedestrian lights are located on west footway of 25 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030026 Broad Street, leaving a clear footway of 19 feet, 6 inches. Eight pedestrian lights are located on the south footway of Vine Street, leaving a clear footway of feet, 6 inches. Seven pedestrian 6 lights are located on east footway of 15th Street, 7 leaving a clear footway of 9 feet, 6 inches. 8 Underground conduit. Four 1-inch 9 diameter underground conduits proceed out of the 10 hospital building and underneath the footways of 11 Broad, Vine and 15th Streets to supply electrical power to the pedestrian lights. The conduit is 2 feet, 6 inches below the footway grade. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no 16 objection to the passage of the bill.
Good afternoon, Councilmembers. My name is Joel Fagerstrom, I'm Chief Operating Officer at Hahnemann University Hospital. Last month, we presented planters and trees as part of this project. This is lighting ordinance.
Point of order a moment. Can the Chairman instruct the witness to 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030019 speak directly into mike.
Speak directly into the mike. You have to speak up a little.
Last month we presented the planter and tree ordinance. This is light ordinance that's part of the same project. We hope to beautify our sidewalks and help the lighting along those sidewalks. We worked with Paul Levy from the Center City District to make sure that the lighting fixtures are the same that the Center City district has put up throughout the City. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for these witnesses from the Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify for or against this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill. For the record, Councilmembers Ortiz and Cohen are also in attendance for this hearing. Thank you.
Bill No. 030019, an 27 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030019 Ordinance authorizing the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of Parkwood Lane and Summit Avenue.
Good afternoon, gentlemen. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Members of the Committee. My name is Hillel Levinson. I am chairman of the Board of the Parkwood Community Association and here testify in support of the bill. And with me is Joseph Bloom who is the Vice Chairman of the Board of the Community Association. I have handed out a hand-drawn map of the area. And I apologize; it's not to scale, but that's the best I can do. But what it tries to show is why we think it's important that we get a stop sign. And where we're requesting this stop sign is -- if you'll take a look at the bottom of the page, there appears to be a large "P". That is the Community Association, and the street coming out onto Summit Avenue is where we're asking for the three stop signs to be located. The reason for it is this road, Old Lion 28 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030019 Road and Summit Avenue are a shortcut for people going from Bells Mills Road to Henry Avenue, both directions, in the morning and in the afternoon and during the course of the day. The red circle dots are existing stop signs along the route and they were put in there for the same reason that we are asking. The people come along there at a high rate of speed, they have no regard for traffic trying to enter into or come out of either Old Lion Road or Summit Avenue. And we have had some very close calls on residents of the Parkwood Association trying to enter onto Summit Avenue. Part of the problem is, if you will take a look just adjacent to that large P there's a little arrow there. I put that on there because there is a substantial rise in the road on Summit Avenue and there is no way for someone trying to exit from the Parkwood community onto Summit to see to the left with traffic approaching. So clearly, it would be a great safety feature if we could have a stop sign on Summit Avenue for the people heading westbound on Summit Avenue so that people exiting from Parkwood. We think the best solution, our suggestion is the best solution is to have three stop signs. One for the 29 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030019 traffic coming out of Parkwood Avenue to make sure that -- I mean, all the residents know to stop there, but people who are visiting, it would be a big help for them to make sure they stop there; and, of course, for the traffic going both directions on Summit Avenue. As I said, it has become a throughway. Once people getting past Port Royal, they come zooming down that remainder of Old Lion Road, make that turn onto Summit, and they're coming along there at 40, 50 miles an hour. And it really is a very dangerous situation. Basically, we're asking for exactly the same treatment as has been done by the City with all those stop signs along Old Lion Road.
Thank you. Mr. Levinson, I have one question. Approximate distance from Ridge Avenue to Summit Place Road, just to the right of your little arrow?
Well, actually, if I may, the more critical question is from Henry Avenue to from Summit because that little piece Summit from Ridge to Henry is only eastbound; it's a one-way street, only eastbound. Summit from Henry Avenue 30 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030019 and continuing on eastbound is two ways. And I would say that that is 300 yards.
Oh yes. Not only that, but it is substantially downhill from Henry Avenue down Summit and they really pick up a good head of steam. They're coming by there in excess of 40, 45 miles an hour. The speed limited is a posted 25, but I guarantee there's no one that does that speed along that area.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm not going to belabor this bill or any of the other stop sign bills. I just want to say for a record -- and I've attended some of these hearings in the past and Councilman Clarke has a bill as well. Mr. Chairman, it is a pretty sad state of affairs that we have a former Managing Director, Mr. Levinson, and the former Director of Labor Relations and Chief Negotiator for the City of Philadelphia, Mr. Bloom, representing their neighbors who I've met with about this particular 31 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030019 issue, a relatively new development in the City, some new residents and taxpayers in that particular section, and all they've asked their government for is a set of stop signs. I don't think I received any calls about snow removal or many of the other common everyday occurrences in life. All they ask for is a stop sign, went through a process and procedure, wrote a letter over to the Streets Department, and get the standard warrantless response. And now here we are having a public hearing. Some many other important things are going on in the City, in the State, if not in the Country, and we're having a hearing about whether somebody can have a stop sign or not is just beyond my comprehension. So I've seen the drawing, Mr. Chairman, and whether it's this bill or a couple other bills that I have or even Councilman Clarke's bill, and he'll lobby for his particular bill, I just don't understand under the circumstances why we have to drag citizens down here, why members have to be subjected to trying to explain the need for a stop sign at intersections where clearly there are safety factors involved. So I just ask my colleagues to please 32 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030019 support this particular legislation. I have a couple other bills of the same type. But I just feel compelled to say for the record that this is outrageous that we have to go through this and drag citizens down here for what should be a relatively routine process in the government. No one's here -- they're not asking for any money, they're not asking for any jobs, they're not asking for tax relief, they're not -- there isn't any snow outside to worry about. And they all have something else to do with themselves here today. And here we are about stop signs. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Councilman Nutter. I think you know my position on this as well. (Applause.)
Over the last several years as being Chair of this Committee, I've had very few of these bills, actually. So it isn't like every week someone's coming in asking for a stop sign. I think the number of requests that are probably made in my district may be bout four in a seven-year period. So it isn't like everyone is coming in for this rush on stop signs. Generally, 33 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030019 when people take the time, as these gentlemen have today and folks in the audience, it is obviously a very serious situation for them. They take this very serious. And you're right, we shouldn't have to put people through all this. And I know that the Streets Department will probably object to the installation of these signs, which is normal. Nothing personal. I know you're doing your job. And that's what causes us to have to go through this: Process. The only way we've been getting some relief is by way of legislation, and that doesn't always work either. But thank you for those comments. Any other questions from the Committee for these witnesses? (No response.)
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, thank you for opportunity to appear before you today. My name is Charles Denny. I'm the Assistant Chief Traffic Engineer for the Department of Streets. I'm here to offer testimony on Bill 030019. 34 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030019 The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code requires PennDOT to develop regulations governing traffic control devices in accordance with the Federal Highway Administration's manual on uniform traffic control devices. These regulations apply to all public highways in Pennsylvania. And the City Solicitor's ruled the Streets Department is legally obligated to comply with the Vehicle Code and related PennDOT regulations. Federal and state criteria require an all-way stop control to warranted by an engineering study of traffic conditions.
Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to ask for expediency sake, we do have the testimony from Mr. Denny. And I mean no disrespect to him. I think the testimony is the same as the letters that we've received which, quite frankly, Mr. Chairman, is the reason that we're here in the first place. And so if at all possible -- because, Mr. Chairman, all that's going to happen is Mr. Denny is going to read this two page letter. I'm 35 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030019 just going to get upset listening to it. Councilman Clarke's going to get upset listening to it. The constituents are going to get upset listening to it. Then I'm going to have to ask him questions and 6 further delay this hearing to get something done 7 that makes no sense for us being here in the first 8 place. So why don't we keep our blood pressure 9 down, try to maintain some levels of civility within 10 the government, don't read the letter into the 11 record because I'm only going to get angry and upset 12 about it and start raising my voice and you're not 13 going to like. And you're a decent guy. Look, I 14 know you're not the keeper of the stop signs. I 15 know at the end of the day you are not going to 16 lose any sleep tonight whether we have a stop sign 17 up at this location, 13th Street, or some other 18 unnamed street that somebody's now sitting in their 19 house trying to figure out if they can get a stop 20 sign around their neighborhood as well. I mean, it's 21 just not that much. So why don't accept your 22 testimony as it was laid out, it be incorporated in 23 the record, and we just move on. Because I'm going 24 to have to ask you 20 questions, and you're not like 25 any of them. 36 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030019
Thank you for that brief comment, Councilman Nutter. (Applause.)
I think that's a good recommendation. I think you would agree as well, right? So let the record reflect that you have written testimony which will be placed into the record stating the City's opposition to the installation of these and the all the other stop sign bills that we have in front of us today. (Testimony attached.)
I'm Joseph Bloom, I'm a member of Mr. Levenson's august board, former Chief Negotiator for the City of Philadelphia. I would just like to remind the Streets Department that many of the fine work rules for their productivity that they're now using were negotiated by yours truly.
If I had the advantage of that information, I would have asked you to negotiate with the Street Department over 37 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030021 trying to get these stop signs installed and have you come back into service.
Thank you. Any other questions for these witnesses? (No response.)
Are there any other folks who would like to testify for or against this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 030021, an ordinance authorizing the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of Acorn Street and Henry Avenue.
I'm going to be brief. My name is Jeannie Keough. I live at 6462 Henry Avenue, and we're asking for a stop sign at the corner of Henry and Acorn. I've lived for six years, and the cars come down increasing speed as 38 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030021 they come down the hill. I have two pictures, one which was a car accident that was in front of my neighbor's which resulted in a car landing on my lawn, and another picture of a car accident and my neighbors car totaled. Over the summer last year, there was about five kids right at end of my driveway playing and a car sped down our street going about, I'd say, turnpike speed because it was that fast. Now, if there as a stop sign at the hill, I would think possibly it would slow them down. Thanks.
Thank you. Good afternoon, sir. Please identify yourself.
Good afternoon. My name is Leroy Renshaw. I live on the northwest corner of Acorn and Henry and I've been there since 1951 so I've seen a few accidents. I've had automobiles on my lawn, which I have a five foot high bank and I get them all the way up every time you get ice on the street. Last year, and the only snow we had, three children standing waiting for a school bus, a car lost it coming around the corner, come up on my 39 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030021 lawn, missed the three children, back down and waved to me as he went up the street. Somebody going to die there, then we'll have something could be about it. When. They come to survey, they sit there for a half hour and don't see anything. See, I've been there since '51, I've seen it on a continuing basis. The street is a slight downgrade and when they turn left on Acorn Street, the streets crown. As they make that turn, they slide off the crown and get right up on the sidewalk because they come off of Henry Avenue, which is a high speed road basically; it's supposed to be 35, but everybody does 60. And they come off of this little street and they haven't programmed themselves to slow down yet in the neighborhood. They come down there too quick. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. Anyone else here to testify on this bill? The written testimony we'll accept. Thank you. You wish to testify, sir? 40 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030102
I'm Dr. Paul Good. I'm a committeeman in the 31st Division of the 21st Ward. These are my neighbors. That street is a narrow street. There's parking along it. When cars are coming opposite directions, they have to slow down to pass each other or hit park cars. It's used as a cut-through between Henry Avenue and Ridge Avenue so it gets an inordinate amount of traffic. And frequently the cars drive faster than they should if there's not a car coming from the other direction, so stop sign there wouldn't be a bad idea. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. Any questions for these witnesses from the Committee? (No response.)
Anyone else who wishes to testify for or against this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 030102, an Ordinance authorizing the installation of all-way 41 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030102 stop signs at the intersection of 13th Street and Brown Street.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Council. My name is Cora Ware and I'm committeewoman in 14-4 and I also live at the corner of 13th and Brown. We've had many, many, many, many near accidents on that corner. There are children who try and cross the street there. Unfortunately, on November 25th of 2002 at 10:00 a.m., there was an auto accident there. My son called me at work and said, "Mom, there's a car in the front door almost on the steps." It's just a speedway from Fairmount where there is stop sign to Parrish where there is another one. But from Fairmount to Parrish, it's a speedway. And it's a dangerous situation and we'd like to have a stop sign before someone gets hurt. Thank you.
Good afternoon Mr. Chairman and Committee. My name is Willie Brown and I live 807 Park Avenue and I'm the committeeperson in 14-4. Last year this time, I had to go around there and be like a crossing guard three days 42 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030102 straight to get the little children and the senior citizens across the street. It's a lot of traffic come up there. And I also have talked with the 6th District and they have put a patrol car around there some time to try to help the children get across there. At night, the teenagers and all, they just fly up and down the street like it's Annapolis Speedway. And I'm supporting this and I'd like for all ya'll to support it too so we can get a stop sign because I don't want to see nobody get hurt or get killed. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for these witnesses? I apologize, ma'am.
Good afternoon, Chairman and Committee. My name is Lagina Robinson (ph) and I'm a neighbor of the West Poplar community. I'd just like say that I think that if the stop sign was placed at the corner of 13th and Brown, it would save a lot of lives due to the fact that we have children that are in and out, you know, dashing across the street taking chances. And when you come to stop sign at Brown Street and someone is 43 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030102 basically passing through on 13th, the person that's at Brown Street is under the influence that the other person at 13th Street is going to stop. And being as though there's no stop sign, it's a problem because they don't know whether to go or stay. And it causes a problem because it doesn't really make sense to have a stop sign located at 13th and Wallace and then at 13th Fairmount, and not one placed at 13th and Brown, and then we have one at Parrish. It doesn't make sense to have stop signs posted at every area except that one area. So I would ask that you support us in providing us a stop sign.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, I'd like to thank the residents for coming down. Unfortunately, you had to take time out of your day, but sometimes we have to do what we have to do. This particular community is actually a relatively new community. The Nehemiah Town Homes is 196 housing development that we completed approximately two years ago. And I think at the time when the earlier analysis was done, those units 44 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030102 were not complete. In close proximity to this particular development, there's currently under construction around 400 units of housing, the rebuilt Richard Allen and Cambridge Plaza development, thus bringing additional individuals and children into that community. So my concern, as indicated earlier testimony, is that the first opportunity or requirement for a vehicle to stop is in the middle of this housing complex where it should be on the perimeter, slow them up before they get into that. There's about a three-block run, I think, from the earlier stop sign and, unfortunately, people feel the need to test the 0 to 60 time that's listed on their sales document when they purchase their vehicle. So we want to make sure that they stop at the perimeter of the development, not simply in the middle of the development. So I'd like to ask for support from my colleagues on this particular bill.
Thank you. Councilman, I'm very familiar with the 13th Street corridor. I worked for many years former Philadelphia Traffic Court building at Broad and Brown, o I know the neighborhood pretty well. I 45 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030102 spent about years of my life traveling from South Philadelphia up to Broad and Brown. And you're right, I think that one of the things -- the point that may be missing here is the fact it is now a much more populated neighborhood than it had been in the past. And I'm also familiar with a similar situation I had in my district on Third Street where there was not a stop sign or traffic device from Spring Garden to Girard, so I'm familiar with the fact that people would, I guess, normally not see any traffic devices and see this long expansive highway and kind of take it from granted that it's okay to go a little more faster or quicker than you normally would on any City street. So again, I'm familiar with it and obviously I support this bill, as I will all the other ones. I just wanted to point out to you that from personal experience I know what it is you're speaking to. Thank you. Thank all of you coming out today. Anyone else here who wishes to testify? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 030018, an 46 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030018 Ordinance authorizing all-way stop signs at the intersections of Valley Avenue and Renz Street and Valley and Shalkop Street.
No one here to testify except the Streets Department, and we already have that testimony in writing.
Mr. Chairman, if it's okay with you, I have a letter from a constituent that I would like to read into record with regard to 030018.
"We in the neighborhood of Valley Avenue and Shalkop Street have been trying unsuccessfully now for the past nine years to have stop signs installed on the corners. In the past when we have attempted this, we were told that a study had to be done to see if stop signs were warranted. "Myself, living on the corners in question kept a watch-out for the people who were supposedly doing the study. When I couldn't be there, I made sure wife would be looking. Well, low and behold we received a copy of a study the mail 47 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030018 saying that there was not enough traffic to have stop signs installed. The amazing thing about it was we never once saw one traffic car there, we never saw a traffic counter stretched across the road to count the amount cars that traveled on that street, but yet we received a report. "First of all, let me give you the reasons why I and my neighbors think stop signs are needed. It's not about the amount of traffic; it's about the amount of children in that area that need to cross that intersection. Since there aren't any stop signs, the cars can reach a very high rate of speed when traveling on Valley Avenue. The corner is also used as a bus stop for many different schools, some being, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Archbishop Carroll, St. Josephats, and Shawmont Schools. On numerous occasions when either I or my wife have gone out to meet the bus, we have had to get out of the way of cars that disregard the fact that a school bus is unloading children. "There also have been many accidents over the years (of minor and major variety, the last being major) where a car traveling southbound on Valley Avenue had tried unsuccessfully to make a 48 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030020 left on Shalkop Street only to end up in the backyard of a neighbor. This accident was highly publicized, and still we have no stop sign. "We read in hear all the time about people losing loved ones because the city or state refused to install a stop sign on a corner that obviously all along needed a stop sign. Then after the horrible tragedy, a sign will be installed. Well, let's not wait this time. "In closing, let me say that this is one corner where common sense would tell you that a stop sign is needed. Please, let's use some. "Sincerely, Philip J. DiWilliams."
Thank you, Councilman. Any other comments from the committee? (No response.)
Bill No. 030020, an Ordinance authorizing the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of 51st Street and Overbrook Avenue.
Any here who wishes 49 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030020 to testify?
Thank you. Mr. Chairman, this is a letter addressed to me. "Dear Councilman Nutter" -- I won't read the first sentence. "Unfortunately a longstanding commitment prevents me from testifying in person in support of Bill No. 030020, which would provide for the installation of an all-way stop sign at the intersection of 51st Street and Overbrook Avenue. "Please accept this written testimony on behalf of myself and my neighbors who live in the vicinity of the intersection of Overbrook Avenue and 51st Street where numerous automobile accidents have occurred in recent years, one of which last year involved a mini school bus. Just five or six weeks ago, a car had to drive up on my lawn to avoid a serious accident. "This intersection consisting of two major streets is the only one in our section of Wynnefield which has only a two-way stop sign to 50 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030020 control traffic. Many of the accidents, we believe, have occurred because drivers traveling north and south on 51st Street stop at 51st Street and assume that cars using Overbrook Avenue also have a stop sign and, therefore, they proceed across the intersection anticipating that the cars on Overbrook will stop. Thus, we are requesting that this intersection have an all-way stop sign. Stop signs on Overbrook will also likely help to reduce the speed of cars traveling Overbrook Avenue. The installation of an all-way stop sign at the above intersection has become even more important in light of recent news that St. Joseph's University is preparing to build two residence halls on City Avenue between 54th and 52nd. The proximity of these halls will certainly increase the flow of traffic in our area. "Thank you very much for your continued attention to our community needs. "Signed, Richard F. O'Malley," who is actually, Mr. Chairman, a former longstanding committeeperson in the 52nd Ward. Mr. Chairman, I would add a personal note to this particular issue. I am very familiar 51 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030020 with this particular intersection. It os approximately a block and a half away from my home. The peculiar situation here is that 51st Street, which is the street that has the stop signs, Overbrook Avenue is the much larger and more heavily traveled street does not. Overbrook Avenue between Bryn Mawr Avenue and 51st Street is on a decline going in the western direction, and Overbrook between 52nd and 51st is relatively flat. The street is rather wide. There is a depth perception problem. If you are going southbound on 51st Street, you actually often can misjudge the speed of the traffic on Overbrook Avenue, to which I will attest personally. I have not been in an accident, although I was in a near miss sometime ago. So there are a number of serious situations out at this particular intersection and clearly a stop sign would make that intersection much safer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you for our testimony. Anyone else here who wishes to testify? (No response.)
Any questions? 52 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030080 (No response.)
Seeing none, the Clerk will read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 030080, an Ordinance amending Chapter 12-400 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Right-of-Way Regulations and Penalties," by increasing the penalty for violations of Section 12-407, which prohibits the operator of a vehicle from entering an intersection or crosswalk unless there is sufficient space beyond the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians, and by requiring that certain signs and painted stripes be installed at intersections designated by ordinance as "Don't Block The Box" intersections; and by designating certain intersections in the City as "Don't Block The Box" intersections; all under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon. My name is Laurie Actman. I'm Manager of Transportation and Planning Initiatives at the Central Philadelphia Development Corporation. Today, I'm here on behalf 53 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030080 of Paul Levy, our Execute Director, also, the President of the Central Philadelphia Transportation Management Association. I'm here to offer our strong support for Bill No. 030080 which applies Don't Block The Box provisions recently passed for South Street to a range of challenging intersection in Center City. In Philadelphia, we have become quite adapt at focussing on problems that result from the loss of market share, abandoned buildings, and deteriorated lots. But if we wish to retain and grow jobs, we need to devote equal attention to managing the challenges that come with success. Chief among those challenges is traffic congestion in Center City, the location for 43 percent of all jobs in Philadelphia. "Within the last decade, Center City sit has had a dramatic increase in visitor destinations, new theaters, hotels, and tourist attractions. Between 1992 and 2002, the number of fine dining restaurants in the core area of downtown increased 169 percent, from 65 to 175. There are another 42 restaurants in Old City. Since 1990, downtown's residential population grew by 9 percent. Delaware 54 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030080 Valley Regional Planning Commission statistics indicate that between 1995 2000, there was an increase of almost 30,000 vehicle trips per day coming into Center City. During the same time, ridership on SEPTA and PATCO decreased by percent. 7 Our Transportation Management 8 Association is focussing on a strategy to promote 9 greater use of public transportation. But many people will continue to use their cars to travel downtown. If these drivers repeatedly get trapped in traffic jams, eventually they will become frustrated and simply choose not to run. Expanding Don't Block The Box regulations to the intersections recommended in this ordinance is one important tool to help ensure that traffic can continue to move freely in Center City. To maximize effectiveness, this legislation should be accompanied by sufficient resources for the Philadelphia Police Department to restore traffic police to regularly assigned intersection throughout downtown at key locations of chronic congestion. We estimate a need of eight traffic officers dedicated to Center City at an annual cost of approximately $450,000. A less 55 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030080 expensive option is to utilize Parking Authority's parking enforcement officers at a cost of $320,000 annual. This option would require the state authorization so that we could follow the example of New York City and Baltimore who have used trained civilians for traffic enforcement purposes. Attached is information about the programs in New York City and Baltimore as well as a map of the repeatedly congested intersections in Center City that we have assembled from surveys conducted by the CCD's on-street staff and through conversations with SEPTA, the Philadelphia Police Department, the building owners and manager's association, property managers, and parking lot operators. We are pleased that these intersections are all contained in the bill. We very much appreciate City Council's attention to this important issue. We must do everything to balance the growth of Center City with the challenges that increased traffic congestion bring. Thanks.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No response.)
Your testimony, 56 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030080 this one we'll listen to.
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. My name is Charles Denny, the Assistant Chief Traffic Engineer at the Department of Streets. I'm here to offer testimony on Bill 8 030080. The Streets Department supports the concept behind Don't Block The Box program and believes that it could potentially be one method of dealing with the problems of traffic congestion at any critical intersections throughout the City. The Streets Department would like to see the list of streets amended to include all signalized intersections bonded by including Vine Street, 10th Street Locust Street and 20th Street. This area includes all the intersections on the current bill. Congestion and blocking the box is not limited to a list of intersection on the current list, but affects all the intersections in this core area of Center City. I would like to note that the issue of traffic congestion and gridlock is a problem throughout the City. The Streets Department feels that the core area of Center City is the place 57 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030080 to start Don't Block The Box, and after a start-up period addition areas outside Center City can be added. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I would be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you. Mr. Denny, at a prior hearing I believe you testified that the Streets Department would not be installing signs for the Don't Block The Box; is that correct?
No. We just wanted to have enforcement take place without the signs, but we are prepared to -- we will be prepared to installed signs. We have to develop the signs first and then get approval from PennDOT that the signs are acceptable, which if we don't break any rules, we should be able to do.
How long do you think that will take to get the approval from PennDOT?
A month or two. We are a day away from spring. And I'm not criticizing 58 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030080 you. I just need to know if there's a way we can expedite this because Monday night I was driving south or Sixth Street again, and I think in my prior testimony when we first did the bill, Sixth and South was where the fire station is, and I had to wait for the light to change twice before I could cross over South Street. So I am glad to hear that the Streets Department is willing to install signs. I'm just concerned about the timing of this. Could you tell me when the City would be willing to do the striping of the streets? Do we need state approval on that as well?
We don't have an approved method of marking the street, and we would need to determine what that method would be. The method used in New York would not work on intersections like 15th and Market; 15th and Arch; 17th and Walnut; where we have either multiple lanes turning or a transaction through the intersections. The marking should not interfere with the other markings on the street which are directing traffic down the street.
So it's a design issue? 59 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030080
It's a design issue. We're looking at something where we place the markings between the stop bar and the crosswalk, perhaps a color marking if we're that's acceptable to PennDOT or some sort of pattern with white markings.
Any idea when we may have a design in place that not only is a acceptable to PennDOT but at least from our side, the City side when we'll have the design?
I think in the next couple weeks we can get together and figure out what's a good design for that and then submit it to PennDOT. Markings are generally supplemental to signs and aren't -- in most cases are not the enforced issue. If you put markings down on the street like an arrow and only, you can't enforce that unless there's sign to back it up because markings wear away faster than the signs fall down and --
That was my concern at the original hearing that if we don't do the signs, it would have some impact on the enforcement.
The signs are the controlling factor. The markings are supplemental. 60 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030080 So we can do the signs without the markings.
We agree on that. Thank you. Any other questions? Councilman Rizzo?
Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I'm really pleased that we're moving forward on this concept of Don't Block The Box. I know I've had many conversations with you. But I want to make sure that the Streets Department as they move forward know that or as a courtesy to Councilman DiCicco that we're about to have hearings on camera enforcement for red light running, and I would hope that the big picture is that we are going to have intersection, hopefully, monitored by cameras to enforce red light running that we plan this process with that in mind, that some of these intersections in question could eventually be equipped with cameras. So I would want you to be aware that that is an issue. Again, we're going to have a hearing in the very, very near future about that issue. So please keep in mind it's not just Don't Block The Box, it's camera enforcement at many of these intersection that may be included in this, 61 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030080 legislation, even the expanded coverage that you just noted today.
We don't have a problem with camera enforcement of red light running. There is no software developed yet For Don't Block The Box and cameras yet. And that needs to be developed by someone selling the equipment?
But my point here is that I don't want you to develop a system that six months from now once cameras are introduced into the scenario that you say, "Well, now we have to change everything because now we're going to be enforcing -- I can't imagine that occurring, the installation of cameras. All I can see is the Don't Block The Box helping relief this congestion that was just described here. But please keep in mind the camera enforcement, hopefully, is coming to Philadelphia.
Charles, one of the other things I want to mention to you is if there's anything that you think we can do, either as a Body or individually in helping to expedite and move the process along at the state level, getting approvals or what-have-you, please do not hesitate to call me 62 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030079 whether through Senator Fumo's offices, our contacts in Harrisburg. We want to get this thing going as quickly as possible.
Thank for your testimony. Any other questions for these witnesses? (No response.)
Bill No. 030079, an Ordinance amending Section 12-2703 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Permit Parking Districts," by amending the definition of District 5 (the area generally bounded by Market Street, the Delaware River, South Street, and Seventh Street) by removing certain portions of that area from the permit parking district, all under certain terms and conditions.
I'm sorry, you must have done something to my legislative assistant to keep you to the end. Not yet, but I plan on it in the near future. 63 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030079 (Laughter.)
I'm going to take the gently-stated suggestion of Councilman Nutter and submit my testimony in writing for the record. I'll just say that the Philadelphia Parking Authority opposes this bill because we believe it treats similarly situated residents in a disparate manner and does not contribute to residential development in the City.
Thank you. Mr. Bonnie, please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
My name is Paul Bonnie. I'm a Society Hill resident, Vice President of the Society Hill Civic Association, and I'm the Chair of the Civic Association's Zoning and Historic Preservation Committee. I want to thank Councilman DiCicco and the other Councilpeople here today. This bill would amend Parking Zone 5 to take out a couple blocks from that zone. Those couple of blocks are 95 percent commercial, so it really doesn't apply to those buildings anyway. Generally speaking, only a certain amount of people can park in any given area. Society Hill is already 64 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030079 tremendously over-saturated with people looking for street parking. It's one of the -- the scarcity of parking is one of the biggest quality-of-life issues in our neighborhood. Anybody from the suburbs -- I'm sure if any of the Councilpeople in conversations with your friends, family, and acquaintances, if anyone from the suburbs is thinking of moving downtown, one of the first things they ask is, "Is there parking? Is there a parking spot if?" And there's not, it's usually a deal breaker because people just won't move in town if they don't have a parking spot. People don't want -- in my neighborhood, you have to sometimes look for 40 minutes or more to be find a parking spot if it's a Friday or Saturday night. And also, of course, it limits -- for those who can afford and like a nice car, it sort of limits your choices to what kind of car to have. One of the worst causes of over-saturation of people looking for parking are big commercial buildings that flip residential, because then in the course of just a couple hundred feet of frontage, you could have 100 or 200 additional residences. The zoning code is supposed 65 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030079 to -- it says and it's supposed to accommodate that by forcing folks who convert buildings to have on-site parking. And that's what a lot of the big buildings in our neighborhood have done. A lot of these old insurance companies or publishing companies like the Lippincott building on Washington Square, they were built with an underground garage or basement, and the developers have converted those basements into parking. That's what they're doing for Book Binders also in their new development. Of course, it makes sense. It makes the apartments or condos a lot more marketable. The problem is, developers sometimes have a cozy relationship, shall we say, with L&I or zoning board those provisions don't always get enforced. So what we have we think sort of all over the City are these huge commercial buildings, mostly insurance companies or banks that go belly up, developers find those buildings, flip them to residential and the streets get inundated with cars looking for parking. We've had that happen already on one of these buildings on these blocks, and we fear that it's going to happen in the future with other buildings on these blocks. As you know, these 66 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030079 insurance companies sort of tend to go out of business every once in a while. And this would be an additional measure to try and get everybody to do what they're supposed to do, which is provide on-site parking. So this particular bill and this idea for the bill was born in our community and it came up through the Civic Association. It came to our committee, which is about or people and got 11 unanimous support. And then it came to the Board of 12 Society Hill Civic Association where it also got 13 unanimous support. 14 We respectfully disagree with the 15 Parking Authority position that it treats similarly 16 situated people differently. I think a developer or 17 anybody he rents to in a huge structure that has 100 or 150 people take a disproportionate bite out of the available parking in that area and has a disproportionate impact. And it can really sort of kill parking in a neighborhood, and that's what we're try to go prevent. Thank you very much for your time.
Thank you, Mr. Bonnie, and thank you for your patience. 67 3/19/03 - STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 030079 Any questions for these witnesses? (No response.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify? (No response.)
There is no one else here. We're going to have to recessed this hearing for a few minutes until the Council President comes up to appoint Councilman Nutter to this committee. The other members are downstairs in the lottery trying to find out what position they are on the ballot. (Brief recess.)
Council President is here. I believe she will be appointing Councilman Nutter.
Councilman Nutter, I'm appointing to the Committee of Streets and Services today. - - - 68 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC MEETING COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES - - - March 19, 2003 - - - Public Meeting conducted by the Committee on Streets and Services, held in Room 696, City Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the above date, to consider action on the following: BILLS 020757, 030018, 030019, 030020, 030021, 030026, 030076, 030077, 030079, 030080, 030100, 030102, 030124, 030137, 030139, 030140. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO, Chair COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANNA C. VERNA COUNCILMAN DARRELL CLARKE COUNCILMAN MICHAEL NUTTER - - - 69 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
Council President Verna has since appointed Councilman Nutter to the Committee on Streets and Services. We will now move into the public meeting. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter for a motion on Bill No. 030139.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030139 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030139 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. 70 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING Councilman Nutter on Bill No. 030124.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030124 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030124 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. Council President Verna, you have a bill 22 030137.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 030137 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, also a 71 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030137 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nutter for a motion on Bill No. 030140.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030140 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030140 be reported 72 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. Councilman Nutter for a motion on Bill 12 No. 030076.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030076 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030076 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor, signify by saying 73 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. Councilman Nutter, Bill No. 030077.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030077 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030077 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) 74 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
The bill is approved. Would Councilman Nutter introduce a bill 5 on behalf of Councilman O'Neill, Bill No. 030100.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030100 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.) Ecommendation, and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. Councilman Clarke on Bill No. 030026.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030026 be reported out of this Committee 75 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING with a favorable recommendation, and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030026 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. Councilman Nutter, Bill No. 030018.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030139 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030018 be reported 76 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. Councilman Nutter on Bill No. 030019.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030019 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030019 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is 77 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING approved. Councilman Nutter for a motion on Bill 4 No. 030020.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030020 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030020 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. Councilman Nutter for a motion on Bill 21 No. 030021.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030021 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.) 78 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030021 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. Councilmember Clarke for a motion on Bill No. 030102.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030102 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030102 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.) 79 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
The bill is approved. Councilmember Nutter, would you introduce 030079 with a suspension?
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030079 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation, and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030079 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation and with a suspension of rules. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. 80 3/19/03 - STREETS AND SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING Councilmember Clarke for a motion on Bill No. 030080.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 030080 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 030080 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The bill is approved. This concludes the public meeting of Committee on Streets and Services. Thank all of you for being in attendance. And thank you, Council President. - - - (Council adjourned at 3:35 p.m) 81 C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of March 19, 2003, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public