Council Advances Land Bank Disposals as Garden Advocates Urge Safeguards

Philadelphia City Council on Oct. 9 advanced several measures that affect the Philadelphia Land Bank and community gardens: a bill to require annual reporting by the Land Bank was introduced and multiple non‑privileged resolutions authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of specific properties were called up and adopted.

Councilmember Kathy Lazzara (introduced bill) presented an ordinance amending Title 16 to require the Philadelphia Land Bank to submit an annual report to City Council detailing land dispositions. The bill was introduced and referred to committee for further review.

Separately, council considered and adopted several resolutions authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of multiple addresses, including a package read and moved by majority leaders on behalf of district members. The clerk read resolution titles authorizing disposition of properties in the Fifth and Seventh Councilmatic Districts and other locations; the motions to adopt were carried by voice votes.

Public commenters and community groups urged caution and extra protections. Kate Perez, a public commenter, linked international humanitarian concerns to local land policy and argued for accessible community gardens and protection of green space. Elizabeth Waring, steward of Holly Street Neighbors Community Garden, described a decade‑long effort to gain security for her garden and specifically asked why acquisition into Neighborhood Garden Trust and water access were delayed. "We'd like to know. So in supporting farming ... we need the help with the water and just want the security of knowing that it will always be a garden and green space," Waring said.

Ben Miller, a chef and community gardener, described removing seven truckloads of trash and creating a productive community garden that remains vulnerable to land insecurity. Carol Simmons, executive director of the Black Farmers Cooperative, urged the city to convert vacant lots into food-producing land and called resolutions alone insufficient: "A resolution is just not a slogan proclaiming a month or a day. A resolution is a solution," she said.

At least one commenter, Jeremy Blatstein, criticized Land Bank members’ voting behavior and urged council to approve "turnkey" affordable homes faster. Public testimony also raised questions about the Land Bank's existing reporting and transparency; speakers said a public annual report is already produced but called for district-level follow-through to transfer lots to community stewards.

Council actions on Oct. 9 included formal introduction and referral of the annual-report bill and the adoption of multiple non‑privileged resolutions authorizing the disposition of specific addresses via the Land Bank. Council members and commenters repeatedly emphasized that the final step for community gardens is transfer of title or long-term protection once lots are in the Land Bank. Several council members said they will work with district offices and the Land Bank to ensure community transfers and to consider procedural changes requested by garden stewards.

The introduced ordinance requiring annual reporting will be considered in committee; the adopted disposition resolutions will proceed as adopted. Council did not adopt any ordinance changing Land Bank disposition rules on Oct. 9; advocates asked representatives to pursue amendments or administrative commitments to secure community gardens and ensure water access before lots change hands.