Zoning board nominee Ryan McAdams testifies at Committee of the Whole hearing; council lists multiple pending tax and budget bills

The City of Philadelphia Committee of the Whole held a public hearing on multiple bills and resolutions and heard testimony from Ryan McAdams, the nominee for the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Resolution 250539, which would confirm McAdams' appointment, was read into the record; no vote on the resolution is recorded in the transcript.

McAdams described his background in the construction trades and his interest in serving on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. "Ryan McAdams, I stand here before you today filled with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility as I am humbled to be considered for the appointment to the Philadelphia zoning board," he said. He told the committee he has worked in the construction industry since 1996 as a journeyman and later as a business agent and said he would "faithfully apply zoning law" if appointed.

Councilmember Gilmore Richardson offered brief support, thanking McAdams for his work with the city apprenticeship program and with the Steamfitters. "No questions, but just wanted to thank Ryan, for all of your help and support, with our apprenticeship program and our guidebook, in the city of Philadelphia and for all your work with the Steamfitters," Richardson said. Councilmember Jim Herrity also expressed personal support: "Again, just wanna echo my colleague. Thank you for all your service, my brother. We've known each other for many moons now, and, I know you're gonna make a good addition."

The committee clerk read a list of bills and ordinances into the record before and after the appointment hearing. Items read include Resolution 250539 (the McAdams appointment) and a series of fiscal and tax measures by bill number and short subject as read aloud in the hearing: Bill 250195 (amending Chapter 19-1500, wage and net profits tax), Bill 250196 (operating budget for fiscal year 2026), Bill 250197 (fiscal 2026 capital budget), Bill 250198 (capital program 2026—2031), Bill 250199 (amending Chapter 19-2600, business income and receipts tax), Bill 250200 (amending Chapter 12-1000, traffic code, park commuter fees), Bill 250201 (school tax authorization and real estate tax rate adjustments), Bill 250202 (amending Section 19-1806, realty use and occupancy tax exemptions), Bill 250210 (fees of Commissioner of Records to support a housing trust fund), Bill 250211 (amending Chapter 19-1400, realty transfer tax), Bill 250212 (amending Chapter 19-4400, development impact tax), and Resolution 250214 (approval of a revised five-year financial plan covering FY2026—2030 submitted to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority). The transcript records the titles as read; detailed provisions, fiscal impacts, or final votes on those bills are not specified in the transcript.

The hearing concluded with the chair asking whether there were additional witnesses; hearing none, the committee moved into a public meeting and recessed until 4 p.m., with no roll-call vote on the appointment recorded in the provided transcript.

Why it matters: The Zoning Board of Adjustment rules on variances and land-use appeals that affect development across the city. A confirmed member's background and perspective can influence decisions on property use, variances and appeals. The tax and budget measures read into the record, including the operating and capital budgets and proposed changes to multiple tax chapters of the Philadelphia Code, would, if acted on, affect city revenues and programs. The transcript provided does not record committee action or votes on those measures.