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From YouTube: Committee on Licenses and Inspections 4-19-2018
Description
The Committee on Licenses and Inspections of the Council of the City of Philadelphia held a Public Hearing on Thursday, April 19, 2018 to hear testimony on the following items:
160151 An Ordinance amending The Philadelphia Code by adding a new provision authorizing the City of Philadelphia to issue municipal identification cards to City residents, establishing standards, confidentiality provisions, and other related items regarding the cards; all under certain terms and conditions.
180174 An Ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by adopting the 2015 edition of the "International Residential Code" as published by the International Code Council, with previously adopted amendments thereto, as adopted through the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, all under certain terms and conditions.
180175 An Ordinance amending Subcode "A" (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code (The Building, Construction and Occupancy Code), by revising and clarifying certain provisions; making corrections for compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act; and making technical changes; all under certain terms and conditions.
180176 An Ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by adopting the 2018 edition of the "International Codes" as published by the International Code Council, with previously adopted amendments thereto, as authorized by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Act, to amend the following Philadelphia subcodes: Building Code, Existing Building Code, Energy Conservation Code, Fuel Gas Code, Mechanical Code, and Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities; all under certain terms and conditions.
Committee on Licenses and Inspections
Chair: Councilwoman Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez (7th District)
Vice Chair: Councilman Allan Domb
A
A
Thank
you,
I
am
going
to
have
the
administration
come
forward
first
and
then
I
have
scheduled
Amy,
Cornelius,
Julian,
Boggs,
David,
Muscatello,
James
Weber
and
then
written
testimony
for
the
record
from
the
Green
Building
United,
Bennett,
Levin
and
onion
flats.
So
we
will
start
with
our
commissioner.
C
All
right,
thank
you
good
afternoon
chairwoman,
quinones
sanchez
and
members
of
the
committee
on
license
and
inspections.
My
name
is
Michael
Fink
and
I
serve
as
the
chief
code
official
for
the
department
of
license
and
inspections
I'm
here
to
provide
testimony
on
bills.
Number
one,
eight
zero
one,
seven,
four
one:
eight
zero
one:
seven
five
and
one
eight
zero
one,
seven
six,
which
will
amend
title
four
of
the
foot
off
iya
code
entitled
the
building
construction
and
occupancy
code.
C
We
will
find
before
you
some
technical
amendments
made
by
the
law
department
related
to
the
direction
for
the
the
publisher
to
put
these
items
into
the
Philadelphia
Code
city
of
Philadelphia
is
authorized
by
state
law
to
enforce
the
Pennsylvania
Uniform
construction
code,
which
is
commonly
known
as
the
UCC
for
the
construction
and
alteration
of
buildings
in
Philadelphia,
the
UCC
utilizes,
the
various
international
codes
as
its
technical
basis,
the
UCC
has
been
stalled
in
its
adoption
of
any
current
edition
of
these
technical
international
codes.
For
nearly
ten
years.
C
Recent
state
legislation
has
revised
the
code
adoption
process,
but
it
shows
signs
of
continued
negative
impacts
on
the
foot
on
the
city
of
Philadelphia
in
the
future.
The
three
bills
before
this
committee
improved
the
city's
position
related
to
construction
codes
and
send
a
message
to
the
Pennsylvania
General
Assembly.
That
Philadelphia's
regulation
of
construction
codes
should
be
considered
an
exception
under
the
state
law.
The
technical
codes
would
serve
as
the
basis
for
our
construction
codes
are
developed
at
a
national
level
through
a
government
consensus
process
over
a
three-year
period.
C
New
additions
are
published
every
three
years
in
Pennsylvania.
These
codes
are
reviewed
and
approved
for
adoption
statewide
by
a
review
and
Advisory
Council.
The
UCC
has
been
utilized
in
the
2009
edition
of
the
International
Code
since
January
of
2010
efforts
to
update
the
2012
and
2015
technical
coded
Asians
have
failed
due
to
a
requirement
for
this
Advisory
Council
to
reach
a
two-thirds
majority
vote,
which
was
added
by
the
Pennsylvania
General
Assembly
in
2010.
C
The
General
Assembly
itself
has
made
technical
amendments
to
the
International
codes
which
perpetuate
confusion
in
the
construction
industry.
Additionally,
the
UCC
requires
automatic
adoption
of
the
most
current
accessibility
code
provisions.
This
results
in
a
situation
where
the
this
Department
of
laces
and
inspections
must
enforce
provisions
from
three
different
codes
in
one
project.
The
failure
to
adopt
a
current
set
of
codes
for
construction
has
resulted
in
a
reduced
rating
of
the
city's
Building
Code
effectiveness
by
Insurance
Services
office,
also
known
as
ISO.
C
It
has
slowed
construction
development
approvals
and
increase
the
number
of
appeals
to
our
Appeals
Board
on
October
25th
2017,
the
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
act.
37
made
significant
changes
to
the
state's
adoption
process
for
the
International
codes.
The
most
significant
change
for
Philadelphia,
provided
a
one-time
exception
for
the
city
to
adopt
a
2018
international
codes
for
non-residential
construction.
C
The
impact
of
each
of
the
bills
before
you
today
is
as
follows.
Bill
number
one:
eight
zero
one:
seven
four,
as
amended
by
the
law
department,
serves
as
a
placeholder
for
residential
construction
code
being
formulated
by
the
UCC
review
and
Advisory
Council
to
be
effective.
October
1st
2018
Philadelphia
is
not
authorized
to
deviate
from
the
rest
of
Pennsylvania.
With
this
code,
the
language
appears
new
in
the
bill,
because
it
is
reformatted
with
a
more
simplistic
presentation
that
is
used
in
other
large
cities
across
the
country.
C
There
are
no
new
provisions
other
than
those
approved
at
the
national
level.
City
Council
will
be
presented
with
a
new
bill
regarding
the
residential
code,
once
the
Advisory
Council
publishes
its
additional
changes
sometime
after
May
1st
bill
number
one.
Eight
zero
175
makes
several
technical
amendments
to
the
Administrative
Code,
many
of
which
are
based
upon
the
UCC,
which
is
undergoing
numerous
amendments
of
its
administrative
provision,
since
its
adoption
in
2004
that
were
never
added
to
the
Philadelphia
Code.
C
The
bill
also
includes
amendments
which
support
a
paperless
permit
and
license
application
process
in
preparation
for
the
department's
implementation
of
its
Eclipse
software
bill
number
one:
eight
zero
one,
seven
six,
which
I
believe
is
the
most
important
bill
before
you
today,
is
allows
for
Philadelphia
to
adopt
the
2018
international
codes
for
non-residential
construction
as
authorized
by
act.
36
adoption
of
the
2018
international
codes
provides
the
following
construction
standards,
which
use
state
of
the
art,
technology,
materials,
research,
construction
practices
and
risk
mitigation.
C
The
latest
energy
efficiency
provisions,
which
represent
cost
savings
over
the
life
of
the
building,
a
single
set
of
construction
codes
without
state
modifications
that
streamlines
to
our
regulatory
review
process.
Consistency,
beginning
in
January
2019
with
the
states
required
accessibility
provisions,
an
access
to
current
training
and
certification
programs
for
staff.
C
Most
importantly,
adoption
of
the
2018
international
codes
allows
Philadelphia
to
prove
to
the
Pennsylvania
General
Assembly
that
our
construction
differs
from
anything
else
in
Pennsylvania
and
warrants
an
ongoing
exception
from
the
UCC
and
its
modifications
at
the
state
level
like
Bill
one,
eight
zero
one,
seven
four,
this
bill
includes
all
of
the
existing
state
and
local
amendments
to
the
international
code.
The
language
appears
new
in
this
bill
because
it
was
drafted
to
be
consistent
with
the
2018
codes
in
its
numbering
system
and
has
been
reported
reformatted
in
a
more
simplistic
preservation.
C
There
are
no
new
provisions
other
than
those
approved
at
the
national
level.
It
is
extremely
important
that
we
act
quickly
to
adopt
these
new
codes
and
form
the
construction
and
development
communities
projects
currently
being
designed.
We'll
only
have
until
April
4
1st
2019
to
obtain
permits
under
the
old
2009
code.
This
was
another
change
made
at
the
state
level
that
negatively
impacts
the
large
development
projects
that
happened
in
Philadelphia.
C
On
a
personal
note,
I
would
like
to
thank
City
Council
for
its
support
in
in
getting
the
General
Assembly
to
agree
to
the
amendment
that
was
put
in
act
36
that
allowed
us
to
take
this
step
forward
today,
so
I.
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
provide
the
department's
testimony
and
I'm
happy
to
answer
any
questions
at
this
time.
C
A
D
You,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you
for
your
testimony
and
you
know.
First,
it
has
been
a
process
that
we
would
be
waiting
for
for
nine
years
here
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia.
It
was
accosted
and
over
hostile
repeal
of
legislation
in
Harrisburg
with
bad
intent
and
political
motivations.
That
now
is
you
know.
Finally,
you
know
with
a
lot
of
support
with
this
body
and
think
you
have
started
the
conversation
on
how
do
we
as
a
city
of
first
class,
who
does
a
lot
of
construction?
Who
does
a
lot
of
property
maintenance
able
to
enforce?
D
You
know
some
of
the
newer
newer
codes,
and
you
know
the
process
was
who's
turned
around
backwards
and
it
really
kind
of
stalled.
I.
Think
development,
were
you
know
throughout
that?
Not
just
the
city,
but
at
the
Commonwealth
at
the
level
it
deserves.
So
we
started
this
process
at
the
end
of
2016,
as
you
said,
and,
and
all
members
of
a
council
agreed
passing.
D
Thank
thank
the
Lord
all
right,
but
we
could
only
enforce
legally
2009.
So
there's
no
predictability,
there's
no
standards
that
I
think
that
everybody
advertises
on
when
it
comes
to
energy
efficiencies
and
the
energy
codes
in
this
city
of
Philadelphia.
So
you
have
developers
owners,
everybody
advertising.
You
know
the
the
things
that
we
try
to
promote
as
a
sustainable
city.
All
right,
we
don't
have
the
enforcement
power
because
we
weren't
allowed
all
right
because
of
a
a
ruthless,
successful
change
of
repealed
legislation
in
Harrisburg.
D
So
with
that
being
said,
you
know
today
is
just
a
culmination
of
that
process
and
will
allow
us
to
adopt
a
nine
year
old
code,
state-of-the-art
code
that
promotes
sustainability,
energy
efficiency
and
modern
materials
for
fire
protection,
and
as
we
move
forward
with
this
code
as
introduced,
you
know
with
the
amendment
here
in
the
future
specific
requirements
that
will
we
will
follow
the
state
process
for
amending
the
code.
So
it's
basically
a
one-time
shot
until
the
state
legislature
authorizes
us
again
to
enact
codes
on
ourselves.
D
So
I
want
to
thank
Ella
and
I
want
to
thank
you
personally
for
for
the
last
several
months
and
really
trying
to
make
sure
that
things
are
consistent
or
you
know
in
place
when
it
comes
to
the
future
of
developing
the
city
of
Philadelphia.
And
of
course
you
know
the
madam
chair
of
this
committee,
who
is
well-informed,
informing
all
the
members
of
this
body.
So
thank
you
and
look
forward
to
conversation
here
today
and
seeing
this
thing
passed.
Thank.
C
You
counsel,
as
you
as
you
know,
that
again,
we
appreciate
that
the
support
that
you've
given
us.
As
you
know,
we
we
we
attempted
to
get
ourselves
extracted
completely
out
of
the
UCC,
but
the
the
General
Assembly
limited
our
exception
to
this
one-time
exception.
We
are
hoping,
through
this
effort
and
a
successful
implementation
that
we
can
prove
to
the
rest
of
the
Commonwealth
that
we
can
function
under
a
different
set
of
codes
and
control
our
own
destiny
when
it
comes
to
the
technical
codes
under
the
UCC.
A
Thank
you,
Thank
You,
mr.
Fink,
and
again
we
Commissioner
Fink,
we
councilman
Keenan
in
his
representation
introduced
this
bill.
We
held
a
briefing
among
city
council.
This
is
a
lot
of
technical
code
stuff
and
we
understand
that
it
impacts
a
little
bit
of
the
process
for
staff
training,
particularly
as
we
cross
train
what
will
happen
over
the
next
few
weeks
once
this
happens
in
terms
of
us
preparing
not
only
ourselves
internally
but
externally,
with
the
partners
around
notification.
A
C
C
All
of
the
over
a
hundred
and
fifty
people
have
already
been
trained
in
the
primary
code,
which
is
the
International
Building
Code,
and
we
have
other
classes
in
the
other
editions
of
the
code
scheduled.
We
are
working
with
our
partners
to
expand
the
attention
to
the
design
professional
community,
the
contractor
community
boma
bi,
a
and
B
in
exploring
other
training
opportunities
and
other
public
education
opportunities
that
will
advance
this
movement
further
so
that
we're
fully
prepared
beginning
on
October
1st
at
the
the
the
time.
C
Sensitivity
of
this
is
that
the
state
will
move
to
adopt
the
2015
codes
on
October
1st
of
2008
een.
So
if
we
are
not
in
place
by
that
time,
we
will
be
operating
under
the
2015
code
as
amended
at
the
state
level,
which
provides
great
confusion.
So
we
need
to
that's
why
we
need
to
have
this
in
place
and
notify
designers
and
contractors
that
this
is
coming
so
that
they
can
design
their
projects
appropriately
in
preparation
for
that
drop-dead
date
of
April,
1st
of
2019
in.
A
C
The
review
and
Advisory
Council
right
now
is
discussing
modifications
at
the
state
level
to
the
2015
residential
code.
Councilman
Hina
is
directly
aware
of
that.
Based
upon
his
service
on
the
review
and
advisory
council,
I
have
seen
a
number
of
amendments
that
they
are
considering
I.
The
final
vote
from
that
review
and
advisory
council
won't
be
made
until
at
least
May
1st.
Then
it
needs
to
go
through
a
process
through
Labor
and
Industry
and
the
at
the
state
level
in
developing
regulations
that
will
be
published
sometime
before
October
1st
of
2018.
A
C
Over
the
past
few
years
we
have
worked
with
the
GBC,
a
the
development
workshop,
the
BIA
AIA
Green,
Building
United
and
many
others
who
are
interested
in
changing
codes.
We
are
actually
the
envy
of
the
much
of
the
rest
of
Pennsylvania,
because
we
have
the
ability
to
move
this
quickly,
so
everyone
has
been
informed.
C
They
all
know
that
we
have
a
one-time
opportunity
to
make
this
change,
that
we
cannot
make
other
changes
related
to
the
International
codes,
because
that's
a
different
process
that
the
state
code,
when
it
amended
through
act,
36
the
ability
for
Philadelphia
to
take
this
one-time
exception.
It
eliminated
some
of
the
steps
in
the
typical
municipal
code
change
process
that
required
under
the
Uniform
construction
code.
So
we
do
not
need
to
get
Pennsylvania,
Labor
and
Industry
approval
for
these
changes
we
do
not
need
to.
C
We
are
not
subject
to
an
appeal
at
the
state
level
for
these,
for
these
changes
that
these
are
national
changes
that
people
in
each
of
those
organizations
that
I've
mentioned
have
already
recognized
that
they
will,
in
some
cases,
increase
costs
and,
in
some
cases,
decrease
costs.
But
in
the
long
run,
will
put
the
city
in
a
better
place.
E
E
Modernizing
the
commercial
building
codes
in
is
a
key
strategy
to
ensure
that
the
city
meets
its
aspirational
goal
of
reducing
carbon
emissions
by
80
percent
by
the
year
2050.
The
PA
DEP
states
that
the
adoption
of
modern
building
codes
provides
the
single
most
cost
effective
and
expeditious
means
of
achieving
rate
reductions
in
energy
related
greenhouse
gases,
emissions
in
the
building
sector.
But
it's
not
just
a
question
of
mitigating
the
effects
of
climate
change.
E
All
Philadelphians
should
have
right
to
the
best-built
environment
possible
that
is
durable,
resilient
and
carries
the
lowest
operating
and
maintenance
costs.
Up-To-Date
codes
also
provide
opportunities
for
increasing
skill
sets
through
training,
an
opportunity
for
job
growth
in
new
construction
and
renovations.
The
Pennsylvania
State
Legislature
has
granted
Philadelphian
unprecedented
opportunity
to
adopt
the
2018
international
codes
for
commercial
and
multi-family
buildings
for
both
new
construction
and
major
renovations.
This
update
would
strengthen
Philadelphia's
leadership
position
in
the
state
and
in
a
competitive
stance.
Visa
via
neighboring
states
I
urge
the
committee
to
recommend
that
City
Council
passed
bill.
E
A
A
F
You
good
afternoon,
chairperson
queena
Sanchez
members
of
the
committee.
My
name
is
Julian
Boggs
I'm,
the
policy
director
for
the
Keystone
energy
efficiency
alliance
or
Kea.
Thank
you
very
much
for
the
opportunity
to
speak
today.
Kea
is
a
Pennsylvania
based
trade
association
representing
the
energy
efficiency
industry.
Our
membership
consists
of
a
large
swath
of
companies
and
associations,
a
number
of
whom,
based
here
in
the
Philadelphia
Delfy
area,
engaged
in
the
energy
efficiency
industry.
They
include
engineering
firms,
architects,
energy
service
providers,
equipment
manufacturers,
large
energy
users,
among
others.
F
Energy
efficiency
technologies
can
be
leveraged
at
any
point
during
the
stage
of
a
building's
lifecycle
and
our
member
companies
are
more
than
ready
to
allow
that
to
happen.
However,
the
design
and
construction
phase
of
the
project
or
a
major
innovation
is
the
most
cost
effective
by
far,
and
these
savings
are
locked
in
for
decades,
the
inverse
of
looking.
That
is
that,
if
we
fail
to
adopt
the
most
energy-efficient
codes,
those
savings
are
lost
for
decades,
as
buildings
will
continue
to
waste
energy
over
the
course
of
their
lifecycle.
F
The
Department
of
Energy
estimates
that
a
commercial
building
constructed
in
2002
the
2018
codes
consequence
consumed
nearly
30
percent
less
energy
than
those
constructed
under
the
current
2009
codes.
This
bill
gives
Philadelphia
a
incredible
opportunity
to
lead
the
state
in
commercial
building
and
Kia
urges
the
council
to
seize
this
opportunity
by
adopting
bill
1801
7-6
before
we
go
recesses
for
the
summer.
Thank
you
very
much
for
the
opportunity
to
testify
as
well
happy
to
answer
any
questions.
G
A
A
G
You
Councilwoman,
my
name
is
David
Muscatello,
a
resident
of
Philadelphia
I'm,
a
volunteer
with
the
ready
for
100%
renewable
energy
campaign
of
the
Sierra
Club,
and
also
with
the
southeastern
Pennsylvania
group
of
the
Sierra
Club
and
I'd
like
to
thank
to
the
council
members
on
the
committee
of
license
and
inspection
for
the
opportunity
to
testify
today,
I'm
here
to
express
my
support
for
bill.
One
zero
one,
seven
six
to
adopt
the
2018
commercial
codes
in
Philadelphia.
G
The
primary
reason
to
update
our
codes,
of
course,
is
so
important
that
what
we
build
today
will
be
around
for
decades.
If
not
a
century.
I
don't
know
how
much
of
today's
building
will
be
around
for
a
century,
but
I
live
in
one
hundred
and
twelve
year
old
row
house,
so
it
happens
since
buildings
consume
60%
of
the
energy
used
citywide
and
the
EPA
April
reports
that
30%
of
that
energy
is
wasted.
Achieving
significant
energy
savings
and
reducing
greenhouse
gas
emissions
must
address
building
efficiency.
G
Delaying
the
adoption
of
the
2018
codes
to
2022
would
lock
in
energy
waste,
for
whatever
is
built
in
that
interim
for
decades
to
come.
Aside
from
minor
updates
such
as
switching
out
incandescent
bulbs
for
compact
fluorescent
or
LEDs
retrofitting
buildings
for
increased
energy
efficiency
is
generally
significantly
more
expensive
than
incorporating
efficiency
in
the
original
construction.
In
the
case
of
heating,
it
may
be
virtually
impossible
to
substitute
a
more
efficient
heating
cooling
system
in
a
large
commercial
building
that
relies
on
say,
natural
gas,
for
example.
G
Indeed,
the
Pennsylvania
Department
Environmental
Protection
has
found
that
adoption
of
modern
codes
provides
a
single,
most
cost
effective
and
expeditious
means
of
achieving
reductions
in
energy
related
greenhouse
gas
emissions
in
the
building
sector.
Thus,
continuing
to
construct
less
efficient
buildings
in
the
near
term
essentially
locks
in
that
efficiency
for
decades
to
come.
It
will
not
only
make
it
impossible
to
achieve
long
term
energy
use
reduction
goals.
G
It
may
make
Philadelphia
less
competitive
in
the
future
relative
to
other
localities
that
have
embraced
efficient
cut
construction
codes
or
earlier
than
we
do,
such
as
New,
Jersey
and
I
would
also
like
to
express
my
support
for
bills.
One
eight
zero
one,
seven
four
and
one
eight
zero
one,
seven
five,
which
moved
to
adopt
the
residential
code
provisions
and
Administrative
Code
respectively.
A
H
My
name
is
Larry
Williams
I'm,
executive,
director
of
the
steel
framing
Industry
Association.
My
members
include
such
small
companies
as
US
steel
and
our
Sorrell
middle
and
number
of
other
companies
that
have
to
produce
materials
and
construct
buildings,
in
number
of
which
are
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia.
I
wanted
to
speak
to
Bill
number
one,
eight
zero
one,
seven,
six,
the!
If
you
open
the
the
the
cover
of
the
building
codes,
it
will
say
that
the
purpose
of
the
codes
is
to
protect.
H
What
are
the
purposes
is
to
protect
public
safety,
and
we
think
that
the
the
adoption
of
one
eight
zero
one
seven
six-
is
really
a
very
good
step
fork.
You
know
modern
building
codes
do
by
and
large
represent
improvements
to
technology
and
systems
and
methods.
However,
one
of
the
unintended
consequences
that
we
see
of
that's
been
introduced
in
the
building
codes
are
the
result
of
changes
that
were
adopted
in
the
2006-2007
building
codes,
which
dramatically
increased
the
size
and
area
of
buildings
allowed
to
be
built
with
the
combustible
framing
products.
H
We've
seen
the
results
of
that
in
places
across
the
river,
in
New
Jersey
and
in
a
number
of
cities
around
the
the
country.
So
we
think
that
the
the
adoption
of
these
provisions
is
a
good
step
forward,
but
it's,
but
it's
only
a
first
step
and
we
look
forward
to
working
with
the
city
and
others
to
addressing
other
provisions
that
we
think
could
improve.
The
safety
of
the
buildings
for
the
residents
of
Philadelphia.
I
I
I
I
have
been
made
privy
to
a
letter
that
Commissioner
Perry
wrote
to
council
president
Clark,
indicating
that
our
measures
would
be
discussed
as
early
as
the
spring
in
terms
of
another
update
that
the
city
is
considering.
I
would
make
one
clarification
to
that
letter.
This
is
not
about
high-rise
construction.
This
is
about
mid
rise.
Construction,
high-rise
construction
is
already
non
combustible
and
therefore
we
advocate
for
the
same
systems
of
construction
and
mid-rise
other
than
that.
I
We
applaud
the
city
for
the
adoption
of
one
eight
zero
one,
seven
six
after
all,
my
official
title
is
vice
president
of
state
local
government
affairs
for
the
National
ready-mix
concrete
association.
We
make
all
the
concrete
in
the
world
and
we
applaud
your
update.
We
applaud
your
foresight
and
we
look
forward
to
partnering
with
you
and
working
with
you
on
a
further
update
in
the
spring.
I
A
After
that,
I
have
a
Lindsay
wallowski
Katie
Barta
loader,
so
they
should
be
standing
by
and
then
Alan
a
person
and
Helen
Lewis
I
had
a
James
Webber
as
that
person.
Here,
okay,
I'm,
sorry,
I
apologize!
You
want
to
come
next
cuz.
You
were
on
our
original
list
and
this
young
man.
You
want
to
get
started.
The.
J
A
J
Maybe
I'll
start
and
he
can
follow.
My
name
is
Tim
McDonald.
Thank
you
for
allowing
us
to
speak.
I
would
like
to
provide
my
support
for
Bill
one
eight
zero
one,
seven
six
to
adopt
the
2018
commercial
codes
in
Philadelphia,
I'm,
a
developer
architect
and
builder
in
Philadelphia,
and
our
company
onion
flats
has
been
developing
sustainable
buildings
in
the
city
since
1997
and
demonstrated
that
it's
possible
for
others
to
do
so.
J
Affordably
some
of
the
awards
we've
won
in
that
time
or
the
2016
dvg
BC
groundbreaker
award
the
2014
sustainable
business
of
the
Year
award
and
the
2009
Philadelphia
sustainability
award.
We
have
been
pushing
for
code
reform
for
over
a
decade
at
the
municipal
state
and
federal
levels,
because
we
know
that
buildings
are
responsible
for
almost
50
percent
of
all
greenhouse
gas
emissions
and
that
if
we
are
to
seriously
address
the
commitments
that
Philadelphia
along
with
400
other
cities,
has
made
to
the
Paris
climate
agreement
goals,
we
must
begin
by
adopting
the
2018
Commercial
Code.
J
Now
onion
flats
is
walking
the
walk
on
these
commitments.
Through
our
work
in
October
of
2017,
we
completed
the
largest
Passivhaus
certified
net
zero
energy
multifamily
project
in
Philadelphia
called
the
battery.
It
is
a
25
unit
apartment
building
in
Northern
Liberties
uses
eighty
percent
less
energy
than
current
code
buildings
and
was
built
cost-effectively.
This
project
demonstrates
that
hyper
Mormons
buildings,
as
those
promoted
in
the
2018
commercial
code
are
not
something
affordable
in
the
future,
but
in
present
everyday
development.
J
Similarly,
our
thin
flats
project
built
directly
across
the
street
from
the
battery
was
also
built.
Affordably
and
in
2009
became
the
first
LEED
Platinum
duplexes
in
the
country
and
was
awarded
the
2010
global
award
of
excellence
by
the
Urban
Land
Institute,
which
identifies
only
five
projects
from
around
the
world
that
exemplify
workable,
livable
and
sustainable
models
of
future
development.
For
over
ten
years,
we've
been
demonstrating
that
high
performance
does
not
have
to
come
at
a
high
cost.
J
In
2012,
we
demonstrated
this
most
clearly
by
co-developing
the
Belfield
townhouses
project
in
the
Logan
section
of
Philadelphia,
an
affordable
housing
community
for
formerly
homeless
families
and
a
common
sense
model
of
truly
affordable
and
sustainable
housing.
It
became
the
first
passive
L
certified
net
zero
energy
capable
project
in
Pennsylvania
and
a
recipient
of
the
city
papers,
2012,
big
vision,
award
for
sustainability
and
design.
J
After
developing
this
project
within
the
same
budget
that
other
affordable
housing
developers
have,
we
were
motivated
to
promote
a
policy
initiative
with
the
Pennsylvania
Housing
Finance
Agency,
which
to
date,
has
funded
over
900
units
of
passive
as
net
zero
energy
capable,
affordable
housing
units
in
Pennsylvania.
The
2018
Commercial
Code
will
make
projects
like
this
commonplace
and
to
continue
to
promote
Philadelphia
as
the
greenest
city
in
the
country.
Thank
you.
K
Just
spring
of
2014,
along
with
a
group
of
approximately
25
stake
owners
composed
of
affordable
housing
developers,
representatives
from
the
sustainability,
housing
and
authority
and
mayor's
offices
of
Philadelphia
and
Pittsburgh,
as
well
as
passive
house,
architects,
designers
and
builders,
we
gathered
to
meet
Harrisburg
Pennsylvania
to
propose
to
Pete
pH
FA
that
they
initiate
a
project
which
would
have
all
affordable
housing
in
Pennsylvania
to
be
designed
and
constructed
to
a
net
zero
energy
capable
standard
by
2030.
The
tool
proposed
to
achieve
this
was
Passivhaus.
K
Ph
fa
welcomed
the
challenge
and
within
four
months
with
the
project
in
motion
by
introducing
language
into
their
2015
qualified
allocation
plan,
which
incentivizes
developers
interested
in
9%,
low-income
housing,
tax
credit
funding
to
design
construct
their
product
projects,
but
to
meet
the
rigorous
Passivhaus
standard.
To
do
this,
they
created
a
new
category
worth
10
points
for
passive
house
certification.
The
lytec
application
is
a
point
based
system
and
extremely
competitive,
because
pH
fa
funds
only
25%
of
all
projects
applications
each
year,
based
primarily
on
highest
point
scores.
The
interest
from
developers
was
enormous.
K
85
multifamily
project
applications
were
received
in
the
2015
round
of
funding.
32
of
those
projects
applied
as
passive
house
projects.
The
construction
cost
premium
calculated
between
passive
house
projects
and
non
passive
house
projects
across
the
state
of
Pennsylvania
was
2.5
percent
of
the
39
projects,
work
that
were
awarded
funding,
seven
are
passive
house
projects
and
all
completed
in
July
2016
pH
FA
awarded
Passivhaus
projects,
500
units
and
the
cost.
K
The
differential,
because
between
the
Passivhaus
projects,
was
2%
less
on
average
to
the
non
pass
across
projects
these
over
900
new,
affordable,
affordable
housing
units
is
the
largest
concentration
of
passive
house
net
zero
energy,
capable
dwellings
in
the
country,
Pennsylvania
is
already
doing
it.
This
is
why
we
need
to
pass
the
2018
Commercial
Code.
B
That's
excellent
I
just
want
to
commend
you
on
an
excellent
testimony.
I
think
it's
great.
If
you
need
a
note
from
your
for
your
teacher,
because
you
should
get
some
extra
credit
here,
I'd
be
happy
to
sign
that
I
think
most
of
the
my
colleagues
here
would
as
well.
That
was
was
well
done
and
thank
you
for
coming
and
sharing
your
thoughts
on
this
most
important
piece
of
legislation.
Thank
you.
Thank
you
now,
I'm
sure.
M
A
Thank
you
thank
you
and
congratulations
to
onion
flats.
You
know,
we've
only
heard
great
things
and
hopefully
I'll
get
you
guys
to
build
on
my
side
of
the
district
at
some
point:
Thank
You,
Lindsay
wallowski
wait,
wait
James,
Webber!
First,
because
I
keep
skipping
him
James.
Would
you
come
up
here
please
before
from
Lutron
electronics
and
then
I'm
gonna
have
Lindsay
Valesky
and
Katie
Bartow
told
loader?
We
have
your
written
testimony
so
feel
free
to
summarize,
if
you
want.
N
N
Lutron
is
an
electronics
product
manufacturer,
headquartered
in
Coopersburg
pennsylvania
and
is
one
of
the
largest
employers
in
the
Lehigh
Valley
Lutron
has
an
office
just
blocks
from
here
in
Philadelphia,
Lutron
is
a
classic
American
success
story.
The
company
was
established
in
1961
after
Joel
Spira,
our
founder
invented
the
first
solid-state
dimmer,
which
saved
energy
instead
of
wasting
it.
We
now
offer
more
than
seventy
seventeen
thousand
energy-saving
products
sold
in
more
than
a
hundred
countries
around
the
world.
We
make
everything
from
dimmers
for
the
home
to
light
management
systems
for
entire
commercial
buildings.
N
In
the
United
States
alone,
Lutron
products
save
an
estimated
10
billion
kilowatts
of
electricity
or
approximately
1
billion
in
utility
costs
per
year.
The
company's
early
inventions,
including
the
first
solid-state
dimmer
invented
by
Joel
Spira
Lutron's
founder,
are
now
in
the
Smithsonian's
National
National
Museum
of
American
History
in
Washington,
DC
DC
Lutron,
believes
the
adoption
of
the
latest
latest
date.
Codes
is
critical
to
the
health
of
Pennsylvania's
manufacturing
sector,
in
particular
the
latest
building
energy
code.
Ie
CEC
2018
provides
new
technologies
to
help
Philadelphia
businesses
save
energy
and
money.
N
Adoption
of
the
up
to
date,
codes
affects
business,
affects
our
business,
the
economy
of
Philadelphia
and
the
welfare
of
philadelphians.
In
these
primary
ways,
costs
and
energy
savings.
The
initial
purchase
price
of
a
building
is
only
the
beginning,
as
only
the
beginning.
Owners
also
must
pay
for
operational
and
maintenance
costs
like
utility
bills
throughout
the
building's
lifespan.
A
building
constructed
today
will
last
70
years
or
more
so
designing
a
building
to
the
latest
energy
codes
provides
many
years
of
energy
savings
and
lower
operating
costs.
N
Lighting
controls,
like
those
made
by
Lutron
right
here
in
pennsylvania,
play
a
crucial
role
in
those
energy
savings.
Lighting
controls
can
drastically
reduce
the
energy
use
of
the
energy
use
of
a
building
by
eliminating
60%
or
more
of
wasted
lighting
of
energy,
while
enhancing
occupancy
comfort
and
productivity.
At
the
same
time,
they
provide
flexible
control
over
the
lighting
in
the
space
and
support
energy
savings
by
reducing
the
amount
of
power
or
amount
of
time.
The
lighting
system
is
in
use.
N
The
latest
ICC
building
energy
code
is
a
ECC
2018
recognizes
the
importance
of
lighting
controls
by
incorporating
many
cost-saving
cost
efficient,
mandatory
lighting
control
provisions.
What's
more
I
ECC
2018
has
been
shown
to
be
at
least
32
percent
more
efficient
than
current
energy
code
in
Pennsylvania,
IEC
c
2009
in
a
building
design
to
IECC
2018
is
6.8
percent,
more
energy
efficient
than
one
design
to
the
IECC
2015
code.
N
Additionally,
this
will
also
help
us
with
investment
and
jobs.
The
investment
decision
of
Pennsylvania
companies
for
research
and
development,
purchase
of
capital,
equipment
and
jobs
are
often
based
upon
nashit,
a
nationwide
adoption
of
the
latest
codes
when
those
codes
are
not
adopted
or
adoption
is
delayed.
Decisions
to
make
those
investments
and
hire
employees
are
negatively
impacted.
New
technology,
such
as
energy-saving
lighting
controls,
have
been
gaining
traction
over
the
past
few
years,
largely
due
to
demand
created
by
building
energy
codes.
N
Delays
in
adopting
the
latest
energy
codes
impedes
the
adoption
of
beneficial
new
technology
and
demand
and
the
demand
for
energy
saving
products.
This
negatively
impacts
our
business,
the
building
owner
and
tenants
who
could
financially
benefit
from
the
new
technology
and
the
overall
economy
of
Pennsylvania
and
the
city
of
Philadelphia.
We
urge
the
committee
to
approve
bill
one
eight
zero
one,
seven
six
to
allow
Philadelphia
to
lead
the
state
and
adopt
the
latest
building
energy
code
to
help
achieve
that.
N
A
M
You,
madam
chair,
thank
you
for
being
able
to
mention
something.
We
have
three
district
council
people
here
count
the
Chairman
chairwoman,
councilman
Sanchez,
councilman.
He
and
Councilman
squill,
oh
and
I
happened
to
look
at
Lutron
on
lawn
you're
in
Coopersburg
50
miles
from
here
and
I
see
rabbit
izing
for
like
90
jobs.
I
just
want
you
to
know
that
if
you
located
your
headquarters
in
one.
N
M
M
A
O
Good
afternoon
my
name
is
Lindsay
Lasky.
Thank
you.
So
much
for
the
committee
for
hearing
us
today
I'm
an
engineer
at
practical
energy
solutions,
we're
an
energy
consulting
firm
that
serves
the
Greater
Philadelphia
area,
where
I'm
here
to
speak
in
support
of
bill
1801
76
in
terms
of
the
energy
efficiency
that
it's
going
to
bring
for
Philadelphia.
So
for
our
clients,
we
work
with
commercial
institutional,
a
municipal
clients
all
over
the
city
and
one
of
the
most
ubiquitous
problems
that
we
see
is
a
low
consideration
for
how
buildings
are
operated
long
term.
O
Typically,
the
owners
will
keep
their
upfront
costs
low
and
not
include
energy
efficiency
strategies.
It
ends
up
hurting
them
in
the
long
run
because
their
utility
costs
are
often
higher.
So,
even
though
they're
trying
to
save
save
money
upfront,
they
typically
end
up
staying
paying
more
across
the
lifecycle
of
the
building.
O
So
we
see
the
adoption
of
the
2018
codes
as
a
really
stronger
bridge
between
how
buildings
are
designing,
instructed
and
how
they're
operating
long
term,
and
even
though
there
might
be
some
higher
upfront
costs
initially,
those
will
be
quickly
offset
by
lower
lower
operating
costs.
In
the
long
run
so
in
irrespective
of
the
economic
and
technical
benefits
from
this
bill,
there
are
a
lot
of
environmental
benefits
as
well.
I'm
personally
am
here
as
an
environmentalist
and
see
a
lot
of
really
great
impacts.
O
Long
term
we've
seen,
unfortunately,
some
of
the
consequences
of
some
of
these
decisions,
and
this
bill
is
a
really
great
tool
to
show
that
we've
learned
from
those
and
can
include
some
of
those
long-term
impacts
of
the
future.
So
I
personally
hope
that
I'm
not
impacted
by
those
and
I
live
a
long
elderly
late,
as
as,
as
far
as
the
people
I
care
about.
So
I
think
that
this
bill
is
a
really
great
way
to
do
that.
So
thank
you
very
much
for
your
time
today.
O
A
P
Sanchez
and
members
of
the
committee
on
licenses
and
inspections,
my
name
is
Katie
Bartolotta
and
I'm.
The
policy
and
program
manager
for
Green
Building
United
through
education,
advocacy
and
strategic
initiatives.
Green
Building
United
promotes
the
development
of
buildings
that
are
sustainable,
healthy
for
all
inhabitants,
resilient
and
cost-effective.
I.
Thank
you
all
for
the
opportunity
to
speak
in
support
of
bill.
One
eight
zero
one:
seven,
six
to
modernize,
Philadelphia's,
building
codes
and
I
promise
not
to
read
everything
on
the
pages
before
you
I'm
sure
you're
all
wondering
so.
P
This
issues
of
particular
interest
to
Green
Building
United
as
our
community
of
architects,
engineers,
policy
makers
and
advocates
developers,
contractors,
building
managers
and
more
are
instrumental
in
how
buildings
and
communities
are
designed,
built
and
operated
in
our
region,
and
while
the
topic
of
building
codes
is
considered,
dense
and
dry
to
most
the
impacts
and
benefits
of
updating
to
the
latest
code.
Addition
are
significant
and
exciting
for
all
Philadelphians.
P
So
by
raising
Philadelphia's
minimum
building
standards
to
the
latest
codes
edition,
we
can
expect
to
one
save
consumers
money
so
with
the
changes
to
the
building
design,
practices
and
materials
with
the
latest
code.
Modern
code
compliant
buildings
are
designed
to
be
over
30%,
more
efficient
and
also
cheaper
to
operate
than
those
in
compliance
with
our
current
minimum
building
standards.
So
for
residential
tenants,
the
energy
savings
translates
to
lower
utility
bills
for
those
living
in
newly
constructed
or
retrofitted
multifamily
buildings,
which
are
in
many
cases,
included
within
the
scope
of
this
bill.
P
So
this
opportunity
for
utility
cost
savings
is
especially
important
in
Philadelphia
where
low
income
households
are
among
the
most
burdened
by
the
amount
of
household
income
spent
on
energy
in
the
United
States
number
two,
we
can
expect
improve
safety
and
resiliency,
so
the
effects
of
climate
change
are
already
underway
and
Philadelphia,
and
we
must
adapt
as
this
as
a
city
to
those
projections
for
hotter
and
wetter
wetter
weather.
The
latest
building
codes
ensure
that
new
construction
is
SE
and
more
resilient
to
these
effects.
P
By
specifying
climate,
appropriate
building
materials
and
construction
practices
number
three,
we
can
expect
to
reduce
our
environmental
impact
in
a
cost-effective
manner.
I
know
you've
all
heard
folks
say
this
earlier,
but
over
60
percent
of
carbon
emissions
in
Philadelphia
originate
in
the
building
sector,
so
to
slow
the
pace
of
climate
change
and
to
meet
the
city's
goal
to
reduce
carbon
emissions
80
percent
by
2050.
There
is
no
better
way
in
terms
of
speed
or
cost-effectiveness
to
reach
that
goal
than
to
adopt
modern
building
codes.
P
Number
four:
we
can
lead
as
a
city
and
gain
independence
from
state
control.
The
adoption
of
the
2018
commercial
codes
would
position
Philadelphia's,
leader
and
modern
code.
Adoption
on
par
with
neighboring
states,
and
this
opportunity
also
ensures
stability
by
removing
the
city
from
the
volatile
state
level
code.
Adoption
process
at
least
one
time
and
puts
the
decision-making
back
into
the
hands
of
local
officials,
which
is
all
of
you,
so
Philadelphia
has
the
opportunity
to
lead,
while
also
benefiting
the
health,
safety
and
pocketbooks
of
its
residents
by
passing
bill.
P
One
eight
zero
one,
seven,
six
to
modernize
our
building
codes.
We
look
forward
to
this
bill
being
voted
out
of
committee
with
that
amendment,
along
with
its
companions
bills,
one
eight
zero
one,
seven
four
and
one
eight
zero.
One
seven
five
for
additional
information
or
to
speak
with
professionals
within
Green
Building
United's
community.
Please
do
not
hesitate
to
follow
up
with
me
thanks.
A
A
L
M
L
Chairwoman,
kanina
sanchez
and
members
of
the
licenses
and
inspections
committee.
Thank
you
very
much
for
the
time
on
the
opportunity
to
testify
before
you
today.
My
name
is
Alan
Abramson
I'm,
the
manager
for
energy,
efficient
energy
efficiency
programs
at
the
Philadelphia
Energy
Authority
I'm,
here
to
share
PA
strong
support
for
a
bill.
One
eight
zero
one,
seven
six,
which
will
allow
Philadelphia
to
accept
at
one
time
jump
ahead
to
the
2018
international
construction
code.
L
The
Energy
Authority
is
particularly
interested
in
the
positive
effects
that
the
code
change
will
have
on
energy
efficiency
in
Philadelphia's
booming
development
of
commercial
and
multi-family
buildings.
Our
mission
at
the
photo
TF
at
the
Philadelphia
Energy
Authority,
is
to
drive
energy
affordability
and
sustainability
for
our
city.
As
you
may
know,
in
20,
in
February
2016
with
the
leadership
of
council
president
Darrell
Clarke,
we
launched
the
Philadelphia
energy
campaign.
To
this
end.
L
The
campaign
is
a
ten
year
billion
dollar
investment
in
energy
efficiency
and
clean
energy
projects
in
city
buildings,
schools,
low
and
moderate
income,
housing
and
small
businesses
citywide.
The
campaign
will
create
10,000
jobs
and
help
build
our
city's
clean
energy
economy.
This
bill
is
a
critical
component
of
the
success
of
the
energy
campaign
and
of
meeting
mayor
Kenny's
climate
and
carbon
commitments.
L
That
is
because
68%
of
Philadelphia's
carbon
footprint
currently
comes
from
buildings
and
the
2018
codes
will
reduce
the
energy
used
in
these
and
new
construction
and
in
major
rehabs
by
more
than
30
percent
compared
to
today's
building
codes.
That
means
that
a
family
living
in
an
apartment
building
that
is
built
according
to
the
new
code
new
code
requirements,
will
spend
30%
less
on
their
utility
bills.
I
want
to
be
sure
to
stress
how
significant
the
cost
reduction
is
here,
Philadelphia,
where
our
lowest
earning
families,
those
earning
less
than
30
percent
of
area.
L
Median
income
are
spending
upwards
of
23%
of
their
salary
on
their
utility
bill,
that's
more
than
any
other
income
bracket.
In
fact,
Philadelphia
has
one
of
the
country's
highest
energy
burdens,
families
facing
high
utility
bills.
Unlimited
incomes
are
living
in
a
state
of
energy
and
security
where
they
are
forced
to
choose
between
keeping
their
homes
adequately
heated
in
the
winter
and
cooled
in
the
summer,
or
paying
for
basic
necessities
like
food,
rent
and
medicine.
This
is
not
an
isolated
problem.
L
The
2018
codes
take
advantage
of
construction,
materials
and
techniques
that
have
been
used
have
been
in
use
for
years
and
have
been
well
vetted
by
the
by
the
construction
industry.
In
fact,
the
Pennsylvania
Housing
Finance
Agency
has
been
pushing
developers
to
build
to
these
or
higher
standards
for
years
in
order
to
be
eligible
for
their
financing.
As
you
heard
from
the
brilliant
testimony
earlier,
new
subsidized,
affordable
housing
is
already
held
at
a
higher
energy
standard
than
regular
developers.
Adopting
the
sorry
god
opting.
L
Many
parameters,
including
for
new
buildings
that
put
solar
on
the
roof,
Philadelphia's
solar
market,
expanded
by
46%
in
2017,
making
now
an
important
time
to
ensure
that
we
have
the
strongest
safety
standards
that
recognize
the
latest
technology.
As
the
city
of
the
first
class
Philadelphia
has
the
opportunity
to
lead
the
state
and
the
region
with
modern
building
codes,
support
energy-efficient
new
housing
and
commercial
buildings
and
ensure
long-term
affordability
for
the
newest
wave
of
develop
of
development
in
our
city.
Thank
you
for
your
time.
Today,.
Q
Good
afternoon
my
name
is
Helen
Levin's
I'm,
the
government
affairs
manager
for
the
penndel
Jersey
chapter
of
the
National
Electrical
Contractors
Association,
also
known
as
Nika.
Thank
you
for
having
me
here
today,
I'm
here,
to
testify
in
support
of
the
2018
international
codes,
bypassing
bill
1-800
176
before
summer
recess.
Just
by
way
of
background,
the
penndel
Jersey
chapter
of
Nika
represents
nearly
a
hundred
and
fifty
local
electrical
contractors
that
employ
close
to
10,000
people
each
year.
Q
Q
Philadelphia
right
now
has
the
unique
opportunity
to
adopt
safe
and
efficient,
up-to-date
building
codes
that
are
in
the
best
interest
of
everyone
living
and
working
in
Philadelphia.
As
someone
who
represents
nikka
on
the
state
and
city
level,
I've
experienced
in
Harrisburg
and
I
would
I
think
that,
failing
to
take
advantage
of
this
one-time
opportunity
would
be
missing
and
missing
a
great
opportunity
with
our
sperg
to
work
on
behalf
of
Philadelphia
citizens
and
harm
our
ability
to
negotiate
future
exemptions
from
state
legislative
requirements.
Q
A
Your
testimony,
anybody
from
the
panel
have
any
questions
seeing
none
anyone
else
here
to
testify
on
this
bill.
Seeing
none
the
committee
on
licenses
and
inspection
will
now
move
to
its
public
meeting,
as
mentioned
earlier
and
I
believe
I
need
a
motion
for
date,
certain
for
bill,
one
six,
zero
one:
five
one
to
be
moved
to
June
11th
at
1:00
p.m.
M
A
All
those
in
favor
aye,
any
abstentions,
seeing
none
bill
one
six,
zero
one,
five
one
will
be
held
heard
on
June
11th
at
1:00
p.m.
thank
you.
The
chair
now
recognizes
vice
chair
for
an
amendment
on
bill,
one
eight
zero
one,
seven
four
and
an
amendment
on
one
on
bill,
one:
eight,
zero
one:
seven
six!
The
amendment
has
been
circulated.
Councilman
Dom,
thank.
A
A
And
any
opposition,
seeing
none
the
bills
as
read,
will
be
moved
out
of
this
committee
with
a
favorable
recommendation
and
further
move
the
rules
council
be
suspended
to
permit
first
reading
at
our
next
public
session.
Thank
you
all.
This
concludes
our
hearing.
Thank
you
all
the
folks
who
come
in
and
have
to
testify.