You brought it up, and I'm going to finish it. I'm going to make a statement here and then we'll go from here. Since 1994, the City of Philadelphia has refused to give me a payment arrangement for past due real-estate taxes because if it -- if a payment arrangement would be given to me, it would include a property that I own at 18th and Delancey, okay, since 1976.
Now, the reason why they won't give me a payment arrangement is because -- (Unintelligible, parties talking over each other.)
Wait, wait, wait, wait. Hold it, hold it, hold it. (Ms. Kennedy continues to speak over objections of committee.)
Time out, time out, 115 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 time out, time out. What does this have to do with Seventh and Catharine?
Because when there's something like a blighted building, as you call it, there may be other reasons that are going on that stop a person from doing anything. Now, 18th and Delancey --
This has nothing to do with -- 18th and Delancey, the church on Lombard Street, whatever else has nothing to do with Seventh and Catherine or the Donatucci lot.
18th and Delancey, okay, from 1996 November, okay, I have not done one stitch of work there that I started to.
Because a judge, Judge O'Keefe, put a bench warrant out on me just to stop 116 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 me from the going to the property to do work, and now I have started to do work. You don't know what that -- I don't even know the gentleman who owns it. For me, I thought it was the old Pazacky (ph) family. I've been in the community 55 years, okay? And I understand there is all these restaurants and this and that and there's people who want to see their homes or whatever the case might be, but why don't you give an opportunity to the owner to negotiate with Mr. --
Because years, 14 20 years is long enough, and the people who live 15 next door to that property -- 16
Let me finish. 18 The people who live next door to that 19 property, who live in the vicinity of that 20 property, who have moved in or who have been here a long time, who keep up their homes and try to do their best to keep their neighborhood together deserve more respect than the owners of that property are giving them. The government then has a 117 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 responsibility to step in and cure the problem, and that is what the government is going to do.
And you have the right or Mr. Orapollo or whoever has the right to go to court to do whatever they want to do, but the government is going to cure this problem.
Okay, the government sometimes steps in when someone makes a phone call and says, Hey, buddy, look, I've been wanting that property for years and the guy won't talk to me at all.
Okay. I think the newspapers should understand how people's properties are taken --
It's a public 118 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 hearing.
That's very fine, and I hope they pick it up. And as far as blighted properties, this property is not the only blighted property in the area, but maybe the property is owned by somebody who has some ties to City Hall. That is the most -- that is --
Mr. DiCicco, I really wouldn't laugh, because you're one of the very ones that is hounding me to sell the church for people that have been bugging you. Thank you very much.
Miss Kennedy, for the record, I have not been hounding you. I inquired on behalf of someone who expressed an interest in that property, as I would do for anyone -- friend or foe alike -- as to who the owner was. I got a breakout of the status of the 119 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315 taxes that were due and handed it to a potential developer.
That developer has the option to either come to you or to try to buy the property. So for the record, if you're acusing accusing me of doing something that is underhanded, for the record, I will do for anyone what I did for that gentleman if they expressed an interest, especially in a property that is a blighted nuisance to the residents.
And you want me to arrange to have your taxes go away; I can't do that. I can't do it for me.
Excuse me, I wanted what the taxes? It's not a blighted residence; it's a property that people want because they want to tear down a historically --
Well, I have started now to do things because I -- 120 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315
Okay. Do you recall Senator Fumo, a $50,000 grant that went into that building to keep it from collapsing that you had nothing to do --
And I asked you, was that repaid? Don't make -- 'cause you will not make a fool out of me 'cause I'll trace it back.
And I'm tired of people like you who own properties in this city and don't maintain them and just bring down neighborhoods.
The day of people like you is coming to an end in this city, at least in my district.
Okay, and I am tired of people like you that circumvent and harass and torture people that own property and especially that you -- 121 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020315
Well, tell him to stop it just to end the thing because you know what -- but in any event, I guess you're going to pass the bill 6 because you already made up your mind, and I think you really -- I really think you should open the closet door and see the skeletons.
Anything you think you have against me I'm sure the press will be interested in knowing.
(Addressing Councilman DiCicco) You need to sit back down.
Thank you. Have a nice day. - - - 122 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020317
The next bill for consideration Bill No. 020317, which is an ordinance amending an ordinance approved December 15, 1969, as amended, which approved the redevelopment proposal and the urban renewal plan and the relocation plan of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia for the redevelopment of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area by approving the 25th amendment of the redevelopment proposal, the 21st amendment to the urban renewal plan, and the 20th amendment to the relocation plan, which provide -- what?
Mr. Chairman, I just want -- before we get into this bill, I just want to take this time to thank all of the folks from Bella Vista -- Mitchell; Vernon, I think, left; Susan Stone, Greg, everyone for your help in supporting this. Sorry it took so long. It's a learning process for me on how to get these things done but it's done. Thank you. It's history.
See you later, bye-bye. (Witness comes forward.) 123 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020317
Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
My name is Herbert Wetzel, and I'm the Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I'm here to testify on behalf of Bill 10 No. 020317, which would authorize the 29th amended redevelopment proposal and the 21st amended urban renewal plan for the North Philadelphia Redevelopment Urban Renewal and Model Cities Urban Renewal Area. This bill would authorize the Redevelopment Authority to acquire properties 17 for three separate affordable-housing developments 18 and a modification to the boundary of the Model 19 Cities Urban Renewal Area. This modification will facilitate the creation of the new urban renewal area along the American Street Industrial Corridor. The three projects and modifications are as follows: Three properties will be acquired on behalf of the Norris Square Civic Association and 124 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020317 combined with 65 that were previously acquired to complete site acquisition for the Hunter School Home Ownership Project. The Norris Square Civic Association proposes to build 33 units of affordable housing for the purpose of home ownership. These units will be marketed to first-time homeowners who are low- to moderate income. The acquisition costs for the three properties is estimated at $48,700 and will be funded by the Office of Housing and Community Development from its Year budget. 14 The development phase of this project 15 will be funded with a subsidy from OHCD and from 16 sales proceeds. 17 The second project is to acquire five 18 properties on the 1500 block of Fontain Street. 19 Acquisition costs are estimated to be $13,200 and 20 will be paid for by OHCD. These properties will be 21 land-banked for future development. 22 Eleven properties will be acquired in 23 the Brewerytown section of North Philadelphia on 24 behalf of OHCD and and additional five properties 25 will be acquired but not in the urban renewal area. 125 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020317 The Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation will rehabilitate all of the properties for first-time home buyers under its Home Start Program. The program is described in the Year 27 Consolidated Plan. OHCD supports the acquisition of the properties in the Brewerytown area of North Philadelphia for inclusion in the Home Start. And finally, the Philadelphia Empowerment Zone and Commerce Department are working jointly to encourage the development of the Industrial Corridor centered around a portion of North American Street between Girard and Lehigh Avenues. At the request of these entities, the Redevelopment Authority has acted to create a new urban renewal area to both facilitate land acquisition and to help establish the identity of the industrial corridor. Creating the new urban renewal for American Street will require the deletion of those portions of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area that overlapped with the proposed American Street Urban Renewal Area. In addition, some portions of Model Cities will acquire expansion in order to preserve 126 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020317 contiguous land area and to eliminate various boundary irregularities that would otherwise result from deleting the overlapping sections of the American Street Urban Renewal Area. The Planning Commission, at their April meeting, 2002, approved at 29th amended 8 redevelopment proposal and 21st amended urban 9 renewal plan for the North Philadelphia, 10 Redevelopment Area and Model Cities Urban Renewal 11 Area, as set forth in Bill No. 020317 for the 12 acquisition of these 19 properties. 13
Thank you very 14 much. The Planning Commission's in agreement? 15
Great, thank you. 17 Anyone else to testify on this bill? 18 Please come forward. (Witness comes forward.) NORRIS SQUARE REP.: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.
Good afternoon. NORRIS SQUARE REP.: I am (indiscernible) from Norris Square Civic Association on behalf of Norris Square. We are in 127 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020317 support of this project. Essentially, the organization, which is a nonprofit organization based in the community, as myself being a resident of the community, we have made community meeting surveys throughout the neighborhood and have shared concerns with the neighborhood. It's a fact that we're in need of housing and to eliminate the blight of that community. This project will also supports the new Hunter Elementary School being developed at the same site where we deveoping the houses. So I would like thank you for that support and thank you very much.
Thank you very much and thanks for waiting. I appreciate your patience Anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
We will now move to Bill No. 020345, which is an ordinance to change the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Frankford Avenue, Carteret Street, St. Dennis Drive, Poquessing Creek, Grant Avenue, Ditman Street, Primrose Road, Frankford Avenue, Fitler Street, Leon Street, and Grant Street. (Witness comes forward.)
Please identify yourself for the record. And we welcome into the chamber Mr. Ed McBride from -- Mr. Ed McBride, welcome back. (Applause.)
You're looking very healthy and svelte, I must say. Nice to see you back. MR. McBRIDE: Nice to be back.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the Rules Committee. My name is Thomas Chapman, and I am the Division 129 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020345 Director of the Development Planning Division of the City Planning Commission, and I'm here today to testify on Bill No. 020345. This bill was introduced by Councilmembers Krajewski and O'Neill on May 16th of this year. This bill amends the zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of several parcels of land located near the intersection of Grant and Frankford Avenue to a designation of institutional development district. There is no new construction proposed as part of this amendment to the master plan. This amendment simply reflects the actual ownership of the campus of Holy Family College. The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider this amendment to the zoning maps at its meeting of June 17, 2002. I'd be happy to answer any questions of the committee.
Thank you very much Any questions of this witness? Councilmember O'Neill.
It's my understanding, Mr. Chairman, and the witnesses can 130 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020345 verify this, that the civic association has been contacted and doesn't have a problem with this. Councilwoman Krajewski and myself equally represent the campus, and I just wanted to make sure that that had been done. It's my understanding that it was.
Yes, I can confirm that this was discussed with East Torresdale as part of our discussion of the next item on your agenda.
My name is Albert M. Cantella. I'm a member of the board of trustees of Holy Family College, which is one of the constituents on the I.D.D. I thank you very much for the opportunity to speak here this afternoon.
Thank you very much for your patience. 131 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020345
Hearing none, anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
We will now move to Bill No. 020346, which is an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain area of land located within an area bounded by Linden Avenue, State Road, a line 233 feet north of Arendell Street and the Delaware River. Please identify yourself for the record.
My name is Thomas Chapman and I am the Director of the Development Planning Division of the City Planning Commission, and I'm here today to testify on Bill No. 020346. This bill was introduced by Councilwoman Krajewski on May 16, 2002. This bill 17 amends the zoning maps within an area bounded by State Road, Linden Avenue, the Delaware River, and a line approximately 233 north of Arendell Street. This area is currently zoned R5 residential, with the exception of areas of Delaware Avenue, which is zoned (inaudible). This bill proposes to change most of the area to a zoning designation of R4 residential, while leaving the existing recreational zoning 133 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020346 intact (inaudible). The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the amending of the zoning maps at its meeting on the 17th of (inaudible). This bill was the subject of many meetings with Councilwoman Krajewski and (inaudible).
Thank you very much for your testimony. Any questions for this witness?
Hearing none, any other witnesses to testify on this bill? (No response.)
We will now move to Bill No. 020283, an ordinance amending Title of 4 the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and 5 Planning," by amending Chapter 14-200, entitled 6 "Residential Districts," by amending Section 7 14-206, entitled "R5 Residential District," by 8 making certain technical amendments, under certain 9 terms and conditions. 10 The Chair recognizes Councilmember 11 O'Neill for the purpose of offering an amendment. 12
Thank you, 13 Mr. Chairman. 14 The purpose of this bill is, in R5 residential districts, the side yard requirement right now is eight feet, and it's really been a burden on any neighborhood once development occurs because there just isn't enough space between the homes. R4 is 16 feet, and when the R5 was created in the 1970s, rather than just move it a little bit down from R16 to make it less of a burden on a builder, it was moved all the way to eight feet. And if you have a side step, it almost goes right into the property line. 135 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020283 So I'm recommending that R5 in this bill, that R5 be changed so that the side yard requirement of eight feet and the lot being enlarged to accommodate that. The Planning Commission at its most recent meeting recommended that the bill be held because they were concerned about the R5 twins that are currently occupied and those twins -- those homeowners would be in a non-performing situation, so I'm offering an amendment to remedy that so that the bill only applies to new construction going forward from this day. And the amendment reads as follows: Under Section 14-206, Section (5) to be added: "These provisions shall only apply to new construction and improvements for which zoning and building permit applications are submitted after June 5, 2002" And I'll ask that the committee receive it favorably, and I'd be willing to work with the Planning Commission over the summer if there are any further modifications to R5 that that would like. But real estate right now, thanks to 136 6/5/02 RULES - BILL 020283 some actions taken by this committee and generated by some of my colleagues at the table, with tax abatements have just gotten construction going crazy and the prices of new homes going crazy. And to the extent that we can make them nicer and better for the community therein, I think it's incumbent upon us to do so.
Thank you very much. Mr. Chapman, do you have anyone anything else to add?
Councilman O'Neill pretty much took care of the testimony, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you very much. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Seeing none, that will conclude the business of the public hearing of the Committee on Rules. - - - 137 6/5/02 RULES - PUBLIC MEETING
We will now convene a public meeting. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nutter for a motion on Bill No. 020253. We'll have a standing request for a rules suspension.
All right. Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 020253 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommedation that the rules of Council be suspended so was as to permit first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 17 020253 will be reported out of this committee favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nutter for a motion on Bill No. 020274.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 020274 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a 138 6/5/02 RULES - PUBLIC MEETING further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 9 020274 will be reported out of this committee favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Clarke for a motion on Bill No. 020279.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I make a motion that Bill No. 020279 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for a suspension of rules so as to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 25 020279 will be reported out of this committee 139 6/5/02 RULES - PUBLIC MEETING favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nutter for a motion on Bill No. 020282.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 020282 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.
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 18 020282 will be reported out of this committee favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nutter for a motion on Bill No. 020284.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I make a motion that Bill No. 020284 140 6/5/02 RULES - PUBLIC MEETING be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for a suspension of the rules so as to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 10 020284 will be reported out of this committee favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember DiCicco for a motion on Bill No. 020315.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill No. 020315 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 25 020315 will be reported out of this committee 141 6/5/02 RULES - PUBLIC MEETING favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Clarke on a motion on Bill No. 020317.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I make a motion that Bill No. 020317 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a request for a suspension of the rules so as to allow for first reading at our next session Council. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 17 020317 will be reported out of this committee favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nutter for a motion on Bill No. 020345.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 020345 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and also 142 6/5/02 RULES - PUBLIC MEETING a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so allow for first reading at our next session of Council.
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 10 020345 will be reported out of this committee favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Neill for a motion on Bill No. 020346.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 020346 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and also a request for a suspension of the rules to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 25 020346 will be reported out of this committee 143 6/5/02 RULES - PUBLIC MEETING favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Neill for a motion to approve the amendment to Bill 020283.
On Bill No. 9 020283, I move that the amendment that was read into the record be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. The amendment is, therefore, approved. The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Neill for a motion on 020283, as amended.
I move, Mr. Chairman, that Bill No. 020283 be reported out of this committee, as amended, with a favorable recommendation and also a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended to allow first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and seconded. 144 6/5/02 RULES - PUBLIC MEETING All in favor, aye? There are none opposed. Bill No. 4 020283, as amended, will be reported out of this committee favorably and a request will be made for a rules suspension to allow for first reading at our next session of Council. That concludes the business of the Rules Committee public meeting. (Committee proceedings end at 12:46 p.m.) - - - 145 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia's meeting of the Committee on Rules of Wednesday, June 5, 2002, are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. ______________________________, Josephine Cardillo Registered Professional Reporter and Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)