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Committee moves multiple sidewalk-cafe and streetery bills to Council after testimony
Summary
The Streets and Services Committee heard testimony from Department of Streets and Planning staff on several encroachment bills authorizing sidewalk cafes and a streetery across Philadelphia neighborhoods, adopted an amendment to bill 250839, and voted to report the group of bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Philadelphia City Council’s Committee on Streets and Services on Tuesday considered a slate of encroachment bills authorizing sidewalk cafes and a streetery at multiple addresses across the city and moved those bills to the full Council with a favorable recommendation.
Noelle Marconi of the Department of Streets testified on multiple bills and repeatedly stated the Department is not opposed provided each proposal complies with applicable city rules and maintains required clear sidewalk widths. "Department of Streets is not opposed to these proposed encroachments as they will maintain 6 feet of clear, unobstructed footway," Marconi said of one proposal.
Sarah Chiu of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission told the committee the Planning Commission reviewed several items and recommended approval for bills including 250846 (5901 Wayne Ave), 250809 (113–117 Washington Ave), 250842 (400 E. Girard Ave), 250914 (5021–23 Baltimore Ave), and 250920 (2535–37 S. 13th St). Chiu emphasized that the proposals meet the city's complete-streets policy and specified the minimum clear sidewalk dimension each location must retain.
The committee adopted a circulated amendment to bill 250839 (the streetery at 3467 Richmond Street), after which Council member Bass moved that a package of bills — 250606, 250809, 250839 (as amended), 250840, 250842, 250846, 250914, and 250920 — be reported from committee with a favorable recommendation and that rules be suspended to permit first reading at the next Council session. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Committee members asked technical questions during testimony, including a request for staff to confirm the street fee amount associated with streetery approvals (Marconi said the sidewalk-cafe fee is $200 and she would follow up on the street fee). The committee signaled no objections to the planning findings described by staff.
The reported bills will be scheduled for first reading at the next City Council session subject to the Council calendar and rule suspension.
