City Hall Roll Call: May 1st, 2025
Mayor Sends H.O.M.E. Legislation to Council
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Welcome to City Hall Roll Call, a summary of City Council’s weekly Stated Meeting. Reminder, the information provided below is not an official or complete record. City Council’s official legislative database can be accessed through Legistar.
For a full play-by-play of the Council session be sure to follow me on Blue Sky.
Session Recap:
Today, Mayor Cherelle Parker (D) checked an important box in reaching her Administration’s goal of creating or preserving 30,000 units of housing over the course of her term. At today’s City Council Stated Meeting, the Mayor transmitted five pieces of legislation to Council for its consideration. Under the Home Rule Charter, the Mayor cannot introduce legislation herself — she can only transmit it to Council for introduction. A Councilmember must then introduce the legislation in order for it to trigger Council’s legislative process. Of the five bills transmitted, only one was actually introduced. Below is a summary of the bills the Mayor transmitted to Council today.
1) Land Bank Process Changes
Making good on her campaign promise of trying to shorten the city’s Land Bank timeline for moving city-owned vacant properties back into use and onto the tax rolls, Mayor Parker transmitted a proposal to cut a step from the city’s notoriously lengthy process. Under the bill, City Council would no longer need to introduce and approve a resolution to transfer land from the City departments holding title to the land (Public Property or the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority) into the Land Bank. Council approval would still be required for the disposition process, to transfer land out of the Land Bank.
2) Elimination of Certain Parking Minimums
Another bill sent to Council for introduction was a proposal to remove parking minimums for multi-family residential use in CMX-4 and CMX-5 districts. Currently, the zoning code requires three parking spaces per ten units in each district for multi-family use. Under the current zoning maps, most CMX-4 and CMX-5 zoning is located in Center City which has lower rates of car ownership due to the robust access to public transit and high walkability. By eliminating the parking minimum requirement, the hope is to reduce the cost of constructing housing in the denser and higher demand areas of the city.
3) Removal of Exceptions in Fifth District
While the Mayor transmitted five pieces of legislation related to her H.O.M.E. initiative, only one of the five bills was actually introduced by Council today. That bill, introduced by Councilmember Jeffrey Young (D-5th), would “remove exceptions [from the Fifth District Overlay] for minimum residential lot area and floor area, height, and dwelling unity density bonus eligibility.”
The current zoning code restricts eligibility for height and density bonuses for mixed-income housing in the Fifth District, which includes parts of Center City, Fairmount, Fishtown and North Philadelphia. The Fifth District Overlay also provides for a heightened requirement for minimum lot size. While the minimum lot size for single-family rowhomes is 960 square feet under the current code, the Fifth District retained the older and larger lot size requirement of 1,440 square feet.
This bill would bring the Fifth District Overlay more in line with the rest of the city’s base zoning code by eliminating the location based exceptions which require larger lot sizes and limit eligibility for height and density incentives.
4) Creation of New Base Zoning District
The Mayor also proposed the creation of a new base zoning district, “RTA-2, Residential Two-Family Attached.” This legislation would allow for the conversion of single family homes into two units. The hope is that this new designation would both eliminate the number of cases brought before the Zoning Board of Adjustment to authorize the splitting of units, as well as address community concerns that the existing multi-family zoning code districts allow too much density or physical overbuild.
Even should this bill pass and the new base zoning district is added to the Zoning Code, Councilmembers would still need to remap their district to designate which properties would be converted from by right single-family to the new, by right two-family zoning.
5) Technical Amendment Omnibus Bill
Lastly, the Mayor transmitted legislation that would make numerous technical amendments to the Zoning Code, correcting outstanding issues by clarifying various definitions and procedures, correcting spelling errors and removing lapsed provisions of the code. These proposed amendments are the result of the regular Zoning Technical Committee meetings, as well as issues flagged through regular administration and enforcement of the Code.
It is not out of the ordinary for transmitted bills to be introduced at a subsequent Stated Meeting. Council’s decision to not introduce four of the bills today could be simply a matter of wanting more time to review and understand them, or a sign of reluctance in supporting the substance of the bills. Only time will tell.
Council stands adjourned until Thursday, May 8th at 10AM
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Subject Matter)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
🏗️ Construction / Zoning
Bill amending Philadelphia Zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Roy Street, 11th Street, Allegheny Avenue and Germantown Ave. (Young)
Bill amending Section 14-529 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “/VDO, Fifth District Overlay District” by removing exceptions for minimum residential lot area and floor area, height, and dwelling unit density bonus eligibility. (Young)
Bill amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Emily Street, Fourth Street, Mercy Street and Fifth Street. (Squilla)
Bill amending Chapter 14-600 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Use Regulations” and Chapter 14-700 entitled “Development Standards” to establish use requirements for above ground garages owned by a public entity, and new development standards applicable to certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 10th Street, Chestnut Street, 11th Street and Ludlow Street. (Squilla)
🚓 Public Safety
Resolution authorizing the development and implementation of a real time safety awareness signage initiative to publicly display crash data and alignment with the City's Vision Zero goals and to promote street safety awareness and behavioral change. (Phillips)
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Bill authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the Seventh Councilmanic District. (Lozada)
Bill authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the Seventh Councilmanic District. (Lozada)
🔏 Contract / Agreement Authorization
Bill authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to convey fee simple title or lesser real estate interest in and to all or a portion of the property in Cobbs Creek Park, bordering City Avenue in Delaware County, and in Cobbs Creek Golf Course, bordering City Avenue in Philadelphia County. (Jones)
Bill authorizing the Commissioner of Public property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for use by the city of premises located at 1601 through 29 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Young)
Bill authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement for the use of all or a portion of the city-owned underground area, commonly known as Broad Street Sub-concourse North that neighbors the basement of the Municipal Services Building located at 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, under which the operator will maintain and operate the space to provide services to the community and unhoused persons. (Young)
Bill authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with the Holmesburg Fish and Game Protective Association Incorporated, for use of all, or a portion of the city property founded by the Pennypack Creek, the Delaware River, Pennypack Street and State Road in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Driscoll)
Bill authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to enter into an amendment to a lease agreement with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority for use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107.
Bill authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with the New Market and Head House Conservancy for use of all or a portion of the city owned premises, commonly known as the Head House and Shambles in Head House Square located along Second Street between Pine and Lombard Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the public benefit. (Squilla)
🚦Streets
Bill authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 230, by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portion of Crescent Street from Ridge Avenue to Osborne Street. (Jones)
Bill establishing parking regulations in the Seventh Councilmanic District. (Lozada)
Bill authorizing the striking from the City Plan No. 123, an abandonment of a certain right of way reserved for water main purposes, located north of Montgomery Avenue and extending from Broad Street to 15th Street. (Young)
Bill amending Title 12 of the Philadelphia Code entitled “Traffic Code” to prohibit the stopping, standing or parking of a motor vehicle on a public street, or as otherwise prohibited for purposes of short dumping and authorization of enforcement through a camera-based enforcement system and designating penalties and impoundment. (Squilla)
Bill authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by relocating certain portions of curb lines of Ludlow Street from 10th Street to 11th street. (Squilla)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution authorizing the Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings to investigate the Administration's progress on the establishment of the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority. (Young)
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Member)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
Councilmember Mark Squilla (D-1st)
B: Amending Chapter 14-600 of the Philadelphia Code entitled, “Use Regulations” and Chapter 14-700 entitled “Development Standards” to establish use requirements for above ground garages owned by a public entity, and new development standards applicable to certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 10th Street, Chestnut Street, 11th Street and Ludlow Street.
B: Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by relocating certain portions of curb lines of Ludlow Street from 10th Street to 11th street.
B: Amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Emily Street, Fourth Street, Mercy Street and Fifth Street.
B: Amending Title 12 of the Philadelphia Code entitled “Traffic Code” to prohibit the stopping, standing or parking of a motor vehicle on a public street, or as otherwise prohibited for purposes of short dumping and authorization of enforcement through a camera-based enforcement system and designating penalties and impoundment.
B: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to enter into an amendment to a lease agreement with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority for use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107.
B: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with the New Market and Head House Conservancy for use of all or a portion of the city owned premises, commonly known as the Head House and Shambles in Head House Square located along Second Street between Pine and Lombard Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the public benefit.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
B: Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 230, by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portion of Crescent Street from Ridge Avenue to Osborne Street.
B: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to convey fee simple title or lesser real estate interest in and to all or a portion of the property in Cobbs Creek Park, bordering City Avenue in Delaware County, and in Cobbs Creek Golf Course, bordering City Avenue in Philadelphia County.
Councilmember Jeffery Young (D-5th)
B: Authorizing the striking from the City Plan No. 123, an abandonment of a certain right of way reserved for water main purposes, located north of Montgomery Avenue and extending from Broad Street to 15th Street.
B: Amending Philadelphia Zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Roy Street, 11th Street, Allegheny Avenue and Germantown Ave.
B: Amending Section 14-529 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “/VDO, Fifth District Overlay District” by removing exceptions for minimum residential lot area and floor area, height, and dwelling unit density bonus eligibility.
B: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for use by the city of premises located at 1601 through 29 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
B: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement for the use of all or a portion of the city-owned underground area, commonly known as Broad Street Sub-concourse North that neighbors the basement of the Municipal Services Building located at 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, under which the operator will maintain and operate the space to provide services to the community and unhoused persons.
R: Authorizing the Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings to investigate the Administration's progress on the establishment of the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority.
Councilmember Mike Driscoll (D-6th)
B: Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement with the Holmesburg Fish and Game Protective Association Incorporated, for use of all, or a portion of the city property founded by the Pennypack Creek, the Delaware River, Pennypack Street and State Road in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (D-7th)
B: Establishing parking regulations in the Seventh Councilmanic District.
B: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the Seventh Councilmanic District.
B: Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the Seventh Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Anthony Phillips (D-9th)
R: Authorizing the development and implementation of a real time safety awareness signage initiative to publicly display crash data and alignment with the City's Vision Zero goals and to promote street safety awareness and behavioral change.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at Today’s Session
Resolutions:
🗣️ 250385 (Johnson): Condemning the act of arson committed against Governor Shapiro at the historic Pennsylvania Governor's Residence, and expressing gratitude to first responders for their heroic efforts responding to the fire, and denouncing all forms of political violence.
🗺️ 250392 (Young): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 3101 N. 8th Street in the Fifth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗺️ 250393 (Young): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1412, 1416, 1421, 1429, 1435 N. 17th Street located in the 5th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗣️ 250396 (Johnson): Urging the General Assembly to pass legislation allowing cities of the first class to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, an essential step toward ensuring that all Philadelphians are able to keep up with the rising cost of living and have the opportunity to build a better future.
🗺️ 250401 (Squilla): Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 2045 E. Auburn Street, 2054 E. Auburn Street, 2051 E. Rush Street, 518 Pierce Street, 2315 S. Marshall Street in the First Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗺️ 250402 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 100 Emily Street, 2315 S. Marshall Street, 518 Pierce Street, 2549 S. 3rd Street, 2117 S. 6th Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🗣️ 250408 (Bass): Directing the City Pension Funds to review and act on investments in El Salvador, ensuring transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility in light of recent developments.
🏆 250### (Phillips): Honoring and celebrating Summer Search Philadelphia for their dedication to empowering Philadelphia's youth through mentorship, education and career exploration.
🏆 250### (Phillips): Honoring and celebrating Feliz Filadelfia for its dedication to empowering youth through recreation, education and community development.
🏆 250### (Johnson): Congratulating the School District of Philadelphia, the developer of the Bellwether District, HRP Group, Arco Design Build Clayco Corporation and the General Building Contractors Association for their collaborations to fund driver education courses for the School District Career and Technical Education students.
🏆 250### (Gilmore-Richardson): Recognizing April 29th through May 2nd 2025 as National Apprenticeship Week in the City of Philadelphia.
🏆 250### (Jones): Honoring and commending the Philadelphia City Council team participating in the 2025 Broad Street run on May 4, 2025.
🏆 250### (Jones): Honoring and recognizing Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia for their work in supporting victims of violence and championing the courage of Iranian women who were shot during protests in their home country through the eyes, through the Eyes on Humanity fund.
🏆 250### (Landau): Declaring May 2025, as Affordable Housing month in the city of Philadelphia, and recognizing the need for stable, safe, accessible and affordable housing for all residents.
🏆 250### (Landau): Honoring, recognizing and congratulating the Reinvestment Fund, a mission driven community development financial institution committed to making communities work for all people on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.
🏆 250### (Landau): Recognizing May 5th through the 10th, 2025 as Philly Tech Week in the city of Philadelphia and celebrating the vibrant environment tech ecosystem in Philadelphia.
⚖️ 250### (Young): Authorizing the Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold hearings to investigate the Administration's progress on the establishment of the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority. (Young)
🏆 250### (Young): Recognizing and designating May 1st, 2025 as International Worker Day to honor and celebrate the manifold achievements of workers and historical and continuing struggle of labor movements for justice and fair working conditions.
🏆 250### (Brooks): Recognizing May 2025 as Hepatitis Awareness Month in Philadelphia, in support of the joint efforts of Hep B United Philadelphia and Hep C Allies in Philadelphia aimed at promoting testing for all Philadelphians and raising the profile of viral Hepatitis in its connection to liver cancer as urgent health priorities.
🏆 250### (O’Rourke): Honoring the students of Philly Bolt Academic Year Fellowship Program with their dedication to community lead change and leadership development.
🏆 250### (Driscoll): Recognizing the month of May 2025 as Building Safety Month in the city of Philadelphia.
🏆 250### (Johnson): Celebrating Chubby Checker, legendary singer, dancer and South Philadelphia native on the occasion of his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
🏆 250### (Bass): Recognizing Fiesta Schoolyards and their vision for continuing the learning and playing environment for future generations of Philadelphia school-aged children.
🏆 250### (Ahmad): Recognizing Kosuke and Tumomi Chujo of the Nihonbashi Philly for their extraordinary efforts to represent and preserve Philadelphia's culinary identity on the world stage.
🏆 250### (Ahmad): Proclaiming May 2025 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Philadelphia.
Bills:
🏗️ 250207 (Squilla): Amending the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Federal Street, 13th Street, Wharton Street, and Broad Street.
🏗️ 250242 (Johnson): Repealing in its entirety Bill No. 240972 (approved December 23, 2024), entitled “An Ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Zoning and Planning,” by revising certain provisions of section 14-906, entitled “Market Street East Sign Regulations.”
🏗️ 250243 (Johnson): Repealing in its entirety Bill No. 240971 (approved December 23, 2024), entitled “An Ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled Zoning and Planning, by amending certain definitions relating to signs; creating an “Arena Area” within the “/CTR, Center City Overlay District” overlay; and making related changes, including a master plan requirement and changes to accessory sign controls; all in connection with zoning rules for a proposed arena in Center City; and approving a master plan for the Arena Area.
🏗️ 250244 (Johnson): Repealing in their entirety the following Ordinances, all approved December 23, 2024: Bill No. 240966 (granting the necessary authorizations for the City to help facilitate development of a new arena for the Philadelphia 76ers); Bill No. 240967 (authorizing the execution of a Service Agreement between the City and PAID); Bill No. 240968 (authorizing striking Filbert Street from 10th Street to 11th Street from the City Plan; Bill No. 240969 (authorizing striking certain aerial portions of Tenth Street between Market Street and Filbert Street from the City Plan); Bill No. 240970 (authorizing the construction and maintenance of various right of way encroachments in the vicinity of the proposed arena); Bill No. 240963 (amending the existing Gallery at Market East Tax Increment Financing District in the area of the proposed arena); and Bill No. 240973 (approving the amendment of a neighborhood improvement district in the area of the proposed arena).
💸 250204 (Johnson): Amending Bill No. 240182 (approved June 14, 2024), entitled “An Ordinance to adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2025-2030 inclusive,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals to conform to amendments to the FY2025 Capital Budget Ordinance.
💸 250205 (Johnson): Amending Bill No. 240181 (approved June 14, 2024), entitled “An Ordinance To adopt a Fiscal 2025 Capital Budget,” by revising various appropriation amounts and totals.
💸 250206 (Johnson): Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Water Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Grants Revenue Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, the Aviation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and the Transportation Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Monday, May 5th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Register of Wills (10:00-12:30)
Public Health Group (1:30-4:00)
Department of Public Health
Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbilities
Tuesday, May 6th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Legal Group (10:00-12:30)
Law
District Attorney
Defender Association
Afternoon (1:30-4:00)
Sheriff
Wednesday, May 7th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
H.O.M.E. Initiative (10:00-12:30)
Mural Arts / Callbacks (1:30-4:00)
Thursday, May 8th
Committee on Streets and Services, 2:00 PM - the Committee will take testimony on twelve (12) bills related to parking regulations, encroachments and various other streets related matters.
Friday, May 9th
Committee on Education, 10:00 AM - the Committee will hold hearings to investigate the community engagement practices of higher education institutions in Philadelphia and the impact on adjacent neighborhoods and to investigate federal DEI program rollbacks and their effects on Philadelphia’s tax-exempt higher education institutions.
Tuesday, May 13th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Public Testimony (10:00-12:30)
Public Testimony (1:30-4:00)
Wednesday, May 14th (Committee of the Whole - Budget)
Public Testimony (10:00-12:30)
Public Testimony (1:30-4:00)