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Council reconsiders vote on nonconformities bill; measure placed on second-reading calendar
Summary
After a motion by Councilmember Jeffrey J. Young, City Council adopted a resolution to recall bill 240427-AA (amending nonconformities rules) for reconsideration; the bill will be placed on the second-reading and final-passage calendar at the next session.
Philadelphia City Council voted on April 3 to recall and reconsider bill 240427-AA, an amendment to the Philadelphia Code concerning nonconforming uses, after a motion from Councilmember Jeffrey J. Young. Council then placed the bill on the second-reading and final-passage calendar for the next council session.
The council first adopted a resolution recalling the bill at special business after suspending the rules to permit immediate consideration. The mayor returned the bill to council as requested by the resolution. Councilmember Jeffrey J. Young moved that the council reconsider the prior vote on bill 240427-AA; a majority agreed and the motion carried. The bill will appear on the second reading and final passage calendar at the next session.
Why it matters: The measure would amend Section 14-305 of the Philadelphia Code, which governs how changes to nonconforming uses are evaluated; the council’s decision to reconsider signals continued debate about zoning rules that affect property owners and developers.
What the council did
A special-business suspension of the rules was adopted to allow immediate consideration of a resolution asking the mayor to return bill 240427-AA. After the mayor’s communication was read into the record, Councilmember Jeffrey J. Young moved to reconsider the vote by which bill 240427-AA had passed. The motion to reconsider carried by majority voice vote. Council held that the bill is to be placed on the second-reading and final-passage calendar for the next session.
What was not decided
Reconsideration does not change the bill’s language. It means the council will reexamine and take a new vote at the next scheduled reading. No final passage occurred at this meeting.
Clarifying details
- Bill reference: bill 240427-AA, described in the resolution title as amending Section 14-305 of the Philadelphia Code (nonconformities). The clerk read the mayor’s letter returning the bill for reconsideration. - Motion and procedural steps: Rules were suspended to allow special-business consideration; a resolution requesting the mayor return the bill was adopted; the mayor’s letter was read; the council then reconsidered the prior passage and placed the bill on the second-reading and final-passage calendar for the next session.
Ending
Councilmembers said the motion was procedural and limited to reconsideration; the substance of the bill will be debated on its next reading. Members did not vote on final passage at this session.
