Streets committee advances package of encroachment, vending and noise-enforcement bills

Philadelphia City Council’s committee on Streets and Services on May 15, 2025, voted to report a package of bills to the full council with a favorable recommendation, advancing measures that would add parking restrictions, create a limited vendor overnight exemption, authorize several sidewalk encroachments and establish a city automated vehicle noise-enforcement program.

The committee, chaired by Councilperson Jerry Young, heard testimony from city departments and private attorneys before adopting two amendments by voice vote and approving the package for first reading at the next council session.

The municipal agencies that testified said they do not oppose the measures as written. Noel Marconi, legislative affairs director for the Department of Streets, said of the parking regulation bill for the 1000 block of Ludlow Street, “Department of Streets is not opposed to these parking regulations, and signs can be posted within 60 days.” Sarah Adamo, legislative director for the Department of Licenses and Inspections, testified that, as amended, her department “has no objection to this bill” that would create an area exempting some vendors from the overnight-move requirement near Drexel University. Sarah Chiu, development director for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, repeatedly told the committee that the commission would consider the relevant bills on May 15 with staff recommendations for approval.

Among the items the committee moved forward:

- Parking restrictions: Bill 250382 would establish no-parking and tow-away regulations on the 1000 block of Ludlow Street between 10th and 11th streets; the Department of Streets said signs could be posted within 60 days.

- Street vacations and grading changes: Bill 250377 would strike portions of Brill and Salmon streets from the city plan to facilitate redevelopment of a parcel at 2701 Bridge Street; the Department of Streets said it had no objections and public-utility rights-of-way would be reserved.

- Vendor regulation: Bill 250325 would amend subsection 9-203 of the Philadelphia Code to create an area bounded by 30th, Cherry, 30th, and Market streets where vendors would be exempt from overnight-move requirements; the Department of Licenses and Inspections said it had no objection to enforcing the amendment if enacted.

- Encroachments for lighting, staircases, awnings, sidewalk cafes, planters and benches: Multiple bills (including 250381, 250327, 250370, 250368, 250369, 250374) would permit property owners to install and maintain pedestrian lights, staircases, awnings, sidewalk cafes and planters in specified locations if minimum clear sidewalks remain. For example, bill 250381 would allow three pedestrian lights in front of 416–38 Spring Garden Street and preserve a minimum 9-foot clear footway; bill 250327 would permit a basement staircase at 5313 Haverford Avenue while maintaining a 9-foot clear footway; bill 250370 would permit a staircase at 1855 Gladstone Street while preserving 7 feet 3 inches of unobstructed footway; bill 250368 would allow planters and benches at 2300 Market Street with a range of proposed encroachment distances and minimum clearances reported in testimony; bill 250369 would allow an awning and a sidewalk café at 2700 South Tenth Street with four tables and eight benches; and bill 250374 (as amended) would allow a seven-table, 20-seat sidewalk café at 115 East Girard Avenue while keeping at least 7 feet of clear sidewalk on one street and 9 feet on the other. In each case the Department of Streets testified it “is not opposed” provided the minimum clearances are maintained.

- Extension of compliance period for a prior ordinance: Bill 250367 proposes to extend by two years the period for compliance with terms of former ordinance 180560 relating to vacating Montour Street to permit commercial redevelopment; the Planning Commission and Department of Streets recommended approval.

- Automated vehicle noise enforcement: Bill 250273 would add Section 12-1138 to the Philadelphia Code to authorize an automated vehicle noise-enforcement system. Corrine O’Connor, deputy executive director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, said the cameras would be set to a decibel threshold and, if triggered, the data would be reviewed by the authority or Philadelphia Police Department before notices are issued to registered vehicle owners. She said calibration would follow the same practice used for red-light and speed cameras, with vendor certification and daily operational checks and annual certification.

The committee adopted amendments to two bills by voice vote. Council member Vazgula moved and a member seconded adoption of an amendment to bill 250374; the chair announced, “Aye… Ayes have it. Bill number 250374 has been adopted.” Council member Buscayla moved and a member seconded an amendment to bill 250325; the chair announced, “Aye… Ayes have it. Bill number 250325 has been adopted.”

After testimony and the two amendment votes, the committee voted by voice to report the package of bills—250382, 250377, 250367, 250381, 250327, 250370, 250368, 250369, 250374 (as amended), 250325 (as amended), and 250273—with a favorable recommendation and to suspend the council rules to permit first reading at the next council session. The chair announced the motion carried by voice vote, “Ayes have it.”

Testimony in support or explanation generally came from city departmental witnesses; the meeting included one private witness. Attorney Steve Masters of the firm Just Laws spoke on behalf of property owner Juanice Shante regarding bill 250327, describing efforts to legalize an unfinished basement conversion and asking the committee to support the encroachment that would allow the work to be completed. He said the property had contracted an architect in 2021 whose death left permits unfiled; he added, “we have a new architect. Everything is being done according to code… and we urge the committee to support it.”

Next steps: The bills will be reported to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation and placed on the calendar for first reading at the next session, per the committee’s vote.