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From YouTube: Committee on Licenses and Inspections 6-2-2022
Description
The Committee on Licenses and Inspections of the Council of the City of Philadelphia held a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 to hear testimony on the following items:
220115
An Ordinance amending Chapter 9-2500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Fire Suppression System Workers,” to modify licensing requirements applicable to Fire Suppression System Workers.
A
A
C
A
A
B
B
An
ordinance
amending
title
iv
of
the
philadelphia
code
entitled
the
philadelphia
building
construction
and
occupancy
code
to
revise
and
add
provisions
relating
to
investigations
concerning
property,
adjacent
to
or
adjoining
certain
construction
activities
and
the
provision
of
notice
to
owners
and
residents
of
such
properties.
All
under
certain
terms
and
conditions.
A
Thank
you,
mr
mcmanaval,
and
again
happy
birthday
today
and
thank
you
for
working
so
hard
on
your
birthday.
We
appreciate
it
before
we
begin
our
hearing
and
testimony
the
witnesses
we
have
for
today.
Everyone
who
has
been
invited
to
the
meeting
to
testify
should
be
aware
that
the
public
hearing
is
being
recorded
because
the
hearing
is
public
participants
and
viewers
have
no
reasonable
expectation
of
privacy.
A
By
continuing
to
be
in
the
meeting,
you
are
consenting
to
being
recorded
additionally
prior
to
recognizing
members
for
the
questions
or
comments
they
have
for
witnesses.
I
will
note
for
the
record
at
this
time
we
will
be
using
the
chat
feature
available
on
microsoft
teams
to
allow
members
to
signify
that
they
wish
to
be
recognized
in
order
to
comply
with
the
sunshine
act.
The
chat
feature
must
only
be
used
for
this
purpose.
E
Yes
good
morning,
mr
chair
and
thank
you
so
much
happy
birthday
sean.
Thank
you
for
all
your
work
on
behalf
of
the
committee,
so
I
am
talking
a
little
bit
about
bill
number.
Two,
two:
zero.
Four
one:
five.
You
know
we
circulated
a
memo
to
members
of
the
committee
that
bill
number
two:
two
zero,
four
one.
Five
is
a
compliment
to
the
hydration
station's
legislation
bill
two:
two:
zero:
two
two
one
that
was
recently
reported
out
of
this
committee
with
a
favorable
favorable
recommendation
on
may
19th.
E
The
current
bill
220415
does
something
that
I
don't
think
we
do,
nearly
enough
of
which
is
to
clean
up
regulations
and
relieve
entities,
private
and
public
of
well.
Let
me
clarify
that
charter,
schools
and
public
schools
of
of
response
of
some
of
the
responsibilities
of
testing
that
were
required
under
previous
legislation.
E
So,
specifically,
this
companion
bill
removes
a
water
testing
requirement
for
water
fountains
once
that
educational
facility,
which
is
a
public
school
or
charter
school,
complies
with
the
new
proposed
standards
and
installs.
The
modern
water
found
fountains
that
are
equipped
with
the
advanced
filtration
systems
that
were
specified
in
the
previous
build.
Two.
Two
zero
two
two
one,
so
these
advanced
filters
have
demonstrated
consistently
that
they
are
effective
in
reducing
lead
levels
to
barely
detectable
less
than
one
part
per
billion,
and
we
believe
that
annual
city
inspections
on
the
filters
will
ensure
that
they
are
working
properly.
E
So
there's
no
need
for
schools,
school
districts
and
school
systems
then
to
have
to
pay
for
additional
testing
every
five
years.
So
again,
this
legislation
will
ease
compliance
for
schools
and
is
supported
by
the
district
and
water
safety
advocates,
alongside
as
a
compliment
to
the
earlier
build
220-221
that
would
modernize
all
water
fountains.
Unfortunately,
for
the
committee,
our
single
testifier
was
not
able
to
testify
today,
so
that
is
emma
horace
marta,
who
is
an
advocate
for
pemberg,
so
she
will
be
submitting
written
testimony
in
support,
as
has
the
school
district
of
philadelphia.
A
Thank
you
councilmember,
and
it's
a
credit
to
you
and
the
work
you
have
done,
because
you
know
how
sometimes
controversial
some
of
these.
This
legislation
is
so
to
have
no
testifiers.
That
means
that
all
the
work
behind
the
scenes
was
done
and
that
we
really
appreciate
that
and
we
do
have
for
the
record,
the
school
district's,
testimony
and
support
of
the
legislation
and
bill
number
two:
two:
zero.
Four
five:
is
there
anyone
else
to
testify
on
that
bill
or
do
we
have
any
other
questions.
A
E
A
A
E
A
Yes
and
we
apologize,
our
commerce
and
hearing
went
a
little
over.
We
tried
to
get
this
says
first
and
have
her
testify
and,
unfortunately
it
didn't
work
out.
So
thank
you
and
we'll.
We
will
note
that
for
the
record
and
that
her
testimony,
mr
mcgronical,
can
you
please
call
the
next
panel
for
bill
number
220384.
F
I
am
here
to
provide
testimony
on
bill
number
220
384,
which,
if
enacted,
will
amend
entitle
for
the
philadelphia
code
entitled
the
philadelphia
building
construction
and
occupancy
code
to
amend
provisions
relating
to
allowable
time,
extensions
on
a
construction
permit
all
under
certain
terms
and
conditions
currently
work
that
is
authorized
by
the
majority
of
permits
issued
by
l.
I
must
commence
within
six
months
of
the
issuance
of
the
permit
if
the
work
does
not
begin
within
six
months.
The
permit
holder
may
request
one
six-month
extension.
F
F
A
Thank
you,
council
member,
I
mean
thank
you,
sarah,
for
your
testimony.
Is
there
any
members
of
council
that
has
any
questions?
I
just
have
one
quick
question:
do
you
believe
that
additional
staffing
at
l
and
I
will
allow
the
department
to
be
able
to
better
address
the
needs
of
these
permits
in
a
timely
manner,
or
do
you
think,
because
of
the
issues
with
covet
and
other
things,
it's
just
really
something
that
we're
not
able
to
do.
A
A
F
F
Which,
if
enacted,
will
amend
title
iv
of
the
philadelphia
code
entitled
the
philadelphia
building,
construction
and
occupancy
code
to
revise
and
add
provisions
related
to
investigations
concerning
property
property
adjacent
to
or
joining
certain
construction
activities
and
the
provision
of
notice
to
owners
and
residents
of
such
properties.
All
under
certain
terms
and
conditions.
F
F
Next,
it
will
expand
the
requirement
for
notification
to
adjacent
property
owners.
It
will
also
require
receipt
of
notice
of
adjacent
property
owners
with
the
permit
application
and,
lastly,
it
will
permit
temporary
protection
of
structures
from
the
weather
for
a
maximum
of
60
days.
The
department
has
no
objection
to
this
bill
and
has
worked
with
the
bill's
sponsor
on
the
proposed
amendment.
We
are
prepared
to
enforce
the
bill's
provision,
should
it
become
law.
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
provide
the
department's
testimony.
I
am
happy
to
answer
questions
at
this
time.
A
Sarah
thank
you
so
much
for
your
testimony,
and
I
do
want
to
also
thank
ellen.
I,
who
has
been
working
with
us,
and
also
this
has
been
in
the
process
for
a
while,
knowing
that
we
needed
a
state
review
and
now
that
that
state
review
was
completed.
We're
allowed
to
have
this
hearing
so
also
want
to
thank
cls
and
also
our
stakeholders,
especially
venice
whitaker
from
council.
President
clark's
office
has
also
been
very
engaged
in
this
process
and
has
really
stewarded
this
legislation.
A
A
This
will
be
a
start
coordinating
with
rep
howenstein's
legislation
in
the
state.
It's
really
important
to
be
able
to
have
residents
know
what
is
available
to
them,
what
their
rights
are
and
then
what
is
expected
from
developers
who
are
causing
damage
to
these
adjoining
properties.
So
again,
this
is
just
a
start
and
we're
hoping
to
build
off
this,
but
hopefully
once
this
passes
out
of
committee
and
goes
to
a
full
council
and
becomes
law,
we
can
continue
to
work
on
enhancing
this
legislation
to
make
it
even
stronger.
A
A
Hearing
none
thank
you
so
much
we'd
like
to
introduce
and
thank
representative
joe
honstein
for
for
being
here
today
and
also
for
his
legislation
that
he
has
introduced
in
the
state
to
also
deal
with
a
lot
of
these
concerns,
we're
having
across
our
city
and
really
across
the
country.
So
the
first
person
to
testify
we'll
have
state
rep
joe
howenstein
joe
just
stay
your
name
for
the
record
and
then
proceed
with
your
testimony.
G
Thank
you,
chair
squilla.
I
am
joe
hoenstein,
the
state
representative
for
house
district
177,
which
has
my
neighborhood,
where
I'm
from
frankfurt,
along
with
parts
of
taconi,
wisnoming,
breitbart,
port,
richmond
fishtown,
and
I
am
very
pleased
to
see
this
bill
coming
forward
right
now
from
councilmember
squilla
and
to
have
it
be
considered
and
moved
here
in
philly.
G
They
rely
on
each
other
in
a
in
a
physical
sense,
just
the
same
way
that
the
neighbors
who
live
in
them
rely
on
each
other
in
the
neighborhood
and
so
making
sure
that
a
bill
is
put
into
place
or
a
policy
is
put
in
place
to
give
these
adjacent
neighbors
the
rights
and
and
information
about
what
they
can
do
to
to
keep
the
physical
space
of
their
home,
safe
and
secure
is
is
key.
So
I
really
appreciate
you
bringing
this
forward.
I
want
to
make
one
other
point
as
well.
G
This
is
about
responsible
development,
and
I've
actually
had
some
folks
who
are
engaged
as
what
I
would
call
good
developers,
good
builders
who
are
paying
attention
to
the
impact
that
they
have
on
their
neighborhoods
and
those
folks
are
in
support
of
this
type
of
legislation.
Just
as
much
as
the
the
people
who
live
in
the
house.
G
So
this
type
of
legislation
that's
going
to
help
neighbors
to
be
accountable
to
each
other,
help
protect
the
the
physical
structures
of
that
that
make
up
our
neighborhoods
is
is
something
that
I
think
is
is
overdue
and
I'm
glad
to
see
it
and
I'm
hoping
when
time
comes
for
us
to
push
this
along
with
some
of
the
other
improvements
that
we've
got
to
to
make
at
the
state
level
that
I'll
have.
Some
of
you
guys
be
able
to
come
up
to
harrisburg
and
testify
on
that
package
of
bills
that
I
have
so
once
again.
A
Thank
you
joe.
Thank
you
so
much
for
your
testimony
and
partnership.
On
this
I
mean
it's
important
to
have
the
ability
to
work
with
the
state
that
allows
the
city
to
also
do
their
own
regulations,
and
you
know,
without
your
initial
legislation,
you
know
we
wouldn't
be
able
to
move
forward
on
a
lot
of
these
things.
So
we
appreciate
your
continued
work
to
help
and
support
the
community,
and
I
think
that
you
know,
as
we
all
work
together
again,
knowing
that
this
is
still
a
work
in
progress.
A
This
will
be
a
living
breathing
document
that
we
could
continue
to
change,
but
we
know
we
need
to
start
somewhere
and
we
need
to
do
it
as
soon
as
possible
so
that
we
can
continue
to
advocate
for
our
residents,
who
are
being
negatively
impacted
by
some
of
the
construction,
that's
happening.
So.
Thank
you
so
much
for
your
testimony
and
thank
you
for
what
you're
doing.
B
I
I
H
I
H
I
I
I
I
I
I
H
H
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
A
H
A
A
But
you
could
see
why
it's
so
important
to
have
this
legislation
at
least
start
this
legislation
to
get
what
is
needed
to
help
residents
that
are
being
negatively
impacted
by
this
construction,
and
you
could
hear
from
her
what
she
had
said.
You
know
some
of
these
developers
who
take
it
like
it
that
you're
being
a
nuisance
to
them
when
you
own
your
property
and
they're
damaging
your
property.
So
we
appreciate
it
because
what
her
testimony
did
is
actually
give
us
more
of
a
reason
to
continue
to
work
on
this
legislation
and
pass
this
out.
I
A
D
The
city's
redevelopment
plans,
my
name
and
well-being,
are
irrelevant,
but
for
the
public
and
for
the
record,
my
name
is
michael,
gonzalo,
moran
and
I'm
not
doing
too
well,
I'm
supporting
bill
number
22008
and
this
bill
will
not
serve
my
family.
Our
home
is
a
lost
call.
As
you
can
see,
it
is
structurally
compromised.
Damage
has
been
done.
I'm
supporting
this
bill
because
a
small
step
in
the
right
direction
and
no
other
family
should
have
to
experience
it.
D
Philadelphia's
redevelopment
plan
prioritizes
developers
over
its
own
tax,
paying
residents
since
the
90s.
They
have
created
tax
abatement
programs
for
developers.
It
wasn't
until
20
years
later
that
they
considered
their
constituents
with
the
homestead
act,
20
plus
years
of
advantages
for
developers
and
20
plus
years
of
gentrification
and
higher
taxes
for
residents.
D
The
damage
to
my
home
is
a
direct
result
of
philadelphia's
current
redevelopment
plan,
and
that
plan
is
broken.
Is
that
or
is
it
actually
working
as
intended
to
gentrify?
When
developers
are
more
encouraged
than
residents
to
invest
in
communities
they
don't
live
in?
They
don't
consider
what
they
destroy
and
subtract
from
the
community
to
them.
A
mistake
is
just
part
of
the
workday
and
the
cost
of
doing
business,
while
the
current
residents
are
impacted
indefinitely.
D
In
2018,
a
shady
contractor
was
given
city
approved
permits
to
damage
our
home
to
disturb
our
teeth.
Philadelphia
has
an
office
to
assist
with
this,
but
where
do
I
go
as
a
resident
for
help?
Four
plus
years,
I've
been
asking
for
I've
been
asking
philadelphia
politicians
for
help
to
no
avail.
For
early
this
year,
city
department
responded
and
it
was
illinois
where
they
informed
us
that
our
home
has
been
structurally
compromised
and
we
have
to
repair
it
or
be
fined.
D
In
the
meantime,
I've
seen
over
50
new
structures
go
up
within
a
half
mile
radius
of
my
home
as
my
home
crumbles.
I
have
no
hope
that
this
bill
will
help
me
and
my
family.
I
hope
my
home
will
collapse
before
the
city
decides
to
do
anything,
but
I'm
here
for
those
who
have
yet
to
be
impacted,
the
struggle
that
people
are
experiencing
with
structurally
compromised
homes,
the
stuff
of
nightmares.
I
grew
up
in
a
so-called
tough
and
poor
neighborhood.
The
neighborhood
was
so
economically
challenged
that
they
referred
to
it
as
a
bad
man.
D
D
A
Even
when
we
heard
from
miss
mendes,
we
need
to
be
able
to
help
people
in
the
meantime
until
we
get
legislation
like
this
through
and
make
sure
we
tighten
it
up
enough
to
put
those
protections
in
place
and
your
testimony
really
hits
to
the
point
of
you
know
what
we
as
elected
officials
should
be
doing
and
who
are
we
representing?
So
I
appreciate
your
testimony
and
then
thank
you
for
your
courage
to
testify,
and
you
know,
hopefully,
your
challenges
could
be
worked
out,
but
also
help
prevent
this
from
happening
to
other
people
in
the
future.
J
J
J
Like
myself,
we
expect
to
continue
to
grow
to
include
neighborhoods
across
all
of
the
city's
districts
due
to
the
widespread
impact
of
construction
damage
on
adjacent
neighbors
in
philadelphia,
as
you've
already
heard,
and
we'll
probably
continue
to
hear
through
many
of
the
testimonies
today,
residents
across
the
city
have
been
harmed
at
an
alarming
rate
by
unsafe
adjacent
construction
work.
When
a
resident's
home
is
damaged
by
a
developer.
J
The
city
considers
it
to
be
a
civil
issue,
meaning
that
the
resident
must
win
a
legal
suit
in
order
to
receive
any
kind
of
compensation
for
the
impact
of
the
damage
most
homeowners.
Insurance
plans
do
not
cover
damages
of
this
kind
developers
are
not
currently
required
to
cover
adjacent
properties
under
their
insurance.
J
J
In
my
work,
I've
met
with
numerous
residents
of
all
backgrounds
who
have
experienced
similar
patterns
of
disregard
by
negligent
developers
and
contractors.
By
the
time
I
end
up
working
with
the
resident
they
are
already
in
crisis
and
have
typically
already
tried
to
contact
the
developer
next
door.
With
no
response
in
these
kinds
of
cases,
a
careless
developer
will
only
respond
once
a
lawyer
has
become
involved.
Bill
number
22008
would
make
it
mandatory
for
the
developer
to
establish
reliable
communication
with
the
resident
before
beginning
their
work,
as
more
diligent
developers
are
already
due.
J
J
This
cycle
has
been
on
repeat
across
the
city
and
is
actively
displacing
residents
harming
established
communities
and
neighborhoods.
This
is
an
issue
that
must
be
addressed
on
multiple
fronts.
Residents
are
already
experiencing
harm,
they
need
help,
but
there
are
also
countless
future
damages
that
can
be
prevented.
J
The
city
also
recently
announced
significant
property
tax
increases
and
the
homeowners
paying
those
taxes
deserve
concrete
support
in
preserving
the
generational
wealth
that
they
hold
in
their
homes.
It's
a
civil
issue
is
not
a
sufficient
response
from
a
government
that
relies
on
our
tax
contributions.
J
A
Michelle
thank
you
for
your
testimony
and
I
I
just
want
to
add,
because
of
your
advocacy
and
all
the
groups,
advocacy
is
actually
how
this
legislation
was
able
to
progress
where
it
is
and
knowing
that
we
still
have
more
work
to
do.
You
know,
with
the
help
of
venice
and
and
other
folks,
it
really
was
brought
to
us
from
this
advocacy
from
the
residents
in
the
community.
A
So,
even
though
that
you
know,
we
don't
think
it's
perfect
at
this
point,
we
know
it's
a
launching
pad
and
we
know
that
it's
a
a
way
to
start
getting
some
much
needed
support
for
our
residents
in
and
around
our
communities,
and
so
we
appreciate
it.
We
want
you
to
continue
what
you're
doing
and
and
your
groups,
you
know,
keep
up
the
good
work
and
that
I
think,
together,
we'll
be
able
to
you
know,
help
protect
a
lot
of
the
people
who
who
need
these
support
systems.
So
thank
you
so
much.
A
K
I
have
lived
in
this
neighborhood
and
I
own
this
building
since
1986
back
then
I
had
problems
buying
it
because
they
said
this
neighborhood
was
a
moral
hazard,
so
I
scraped
the
money
together,
purchased
it
and
basically
fixed
it
up
with
loans
and
other
things.
The
point
is:
is
that
late
december
2019,
the
archdiocese
of
philadelphia
sold
st
charles
roman
catholic
senior
citizen
center
to
a
white
gentrification
developer.
K
K
during
the
demolition
in
early
2020.
The
first
thing
that
happened
was
a
25
foot
like
10
ton.
Stone
from
the
saint
straws
center
was
dropped
against
my
south
wall.
The
fire
department
was
called
the
philadelphia
police
showed
up
ellen.
I
showed
up,
and
basically
I
was
told
that
I
should
turn
this
into
my
insurance
company.
If
I
have
it
and
the
police
would
document
this,
nothing
else
was
done.
K
K
K
I
have
about
15
philadelphia,
police
reports,
every
one
of
them
states
that
my
9-1-1
call
was
founded
and
the
property
damage
was
done.
I
reached
out
to
elena
many
times.
I
wrote
letters
to
the
then
illinois.
Commissioner,
mr
david
perry,
I
wrote
a
letter
to
the
police
commissioner
regarding
the
the
conduct
of
the
philadelphia
police
department,
17th
district,
who
refused
to
do
anything
about
this
man.
I
wrote
letters
to
the
district
attorney
all
to
have
nothing
at
all
done.
K
Finally,
july
of
2021,
I
had
to
go
into
court
and
I
didn't
have
the
money,
but
I
went
into
court
found
an
attorney
and
I
got
a
temporary
restraining
order
against
this
developer.
To
stop
him
from
digging
under
my
building,
I
had
a
fear
that
my
building
would
tip
and
fall
just
the
way
the
salvation
army
did
back
in
2013.
K
to
make
a
long
story
short.
The
building
continued
elle
and
I,
when
they
came,
would
meet
with
the
developer.
They
would
not
meet
with
me.
I
called
again
to
alert
illinois
supervisors
about
this
and
they
basically
ignored
my
please
of
help
fast
forward
to
where
we
are
now.
I
I
wound
up
going
into
court
december
of
2020
before
judge
to
once
again
stop
this
developer
from
attaching
his
building
to
my
roof
and
the
side
of
my
building
on
the
adjoining
building.
K
Without
my
permission,
without
contacting
me
and
without
my
consent,
this
man
went
anyway
and
connected
a
cricket
to
my
roof.
The
cricket
is
a
structure
that
bridges
the
gap
between
two
adjoining
buildings.
I
know
if
you
you,
gentlemen
and
ladies
know
that
the
point
is
that
judge
ruled
against
him
in
court
december
of
2020.
K
K
The
district
attorney
had
me
charged
with
third
degree
criminal
mischief
of
my
own
building.
I
was
on
my
roof
when
I
removed
this
illegal
structure.
Needless
to
say,
I've
been
in
the
city
for
over
65
years.
I
am
a
health
professional.
I've
never
been
arrested
in
my
life
for
anything,
not
even
a
misdemeanor
february,
2nd
2021,
the
district
attorney's
office
had
detective
brian
mccarthy
at
south
detectives
arrest
me.
They
told
me
to
come
in
and
turn
myself
in
or
they're
coming
after
me.
So
I
did
I
came
and
I
had
to
submit.
K
K
K
K
Finally,
my
expungement
came
through
december
5th
2021
and,
as
we
speak,
this
developer
went
into
my
back
patio
broke
in
broke
through
the
gate
set
up
scaffolding
to
finish
the
back
part
of
his
project.
It
ran
from
1935
to
1945
christian.
He
wrecked
my
central
air
conditioner
compressor.
I
spent
over
eight
hundred
dollars
just
to
get
it
working
again.
There
are
no
windows
in
this
building
on
the
first
floor
and
I
I
cannot
operate
out
of
this
building.
K
K
Other
neighbors
came
out
of
their
houses
called
911,
the
philadelphia
police
came.
They
caught
this
developer
inside
my
patio,
through
the
gate
about
15
feet
inside
my
my
property
and
the
philadelphia
police
from
the
17th
district
refused
to
arrest
him.
They
refused
to
to
card
the
workers
at
least
get
their
names,
their
identities
to
see
if
they
were
wanted.
They
refused.
I
videoed
this.
I
have
proof
I
have
cameras
on
my
building
and
I
videoed
it
and
lastly,
the
same
developer
dropped
a
15
foot,
steel
I-beam,
approximately
10
tons.
K
It
fell
on
the
back
of
my
patio,
narrowly
missed.
One
of
the
ladies
live
on
the
second
floor
and
it
basically
demolished
my
shed.
I
keep
my
snow
blower
and
other
tools
that
I
need
in
there
elle
and
I
reluctantly
did
put
a
violation
against
this
developer,
but
the
next
day
the
supervisor
removed
the
violation
and
what
did
l,
I
do
for
jerome
wack.
They
left
the
violation
against
me
as
we
speak.
That
violation
for
my
shed
being
wrecked
remains
against
me.
K
K
Should
not
be,
I
am
in
great
support
of
bill
triple
two
zero,
zero,
eight
and
there's
very
little
can
be
done
for
me
now
the
damage
has
been
done
and
he's
about
wrecked
my
life
and
my
business,
but
maybe
elle,
and
I
and
the
distinguished
council
people
in
this
city
will
stop
this
once
and
for
all,
and
last
last
last
I
have
requested,
since
I
read
an
article,
the
30th
of
may,
which
was
monday
the
philadelphia
enquirer.
Mr
bennett
read
wrote
an
article
about
the
shortages
of
l.
K
K
I
ask
you
to
consider,
since
this
city
does
not
have
sufficient
illinois
inspectors
to
monitor
projects,
why
are
they
still
issuing
permits
to
build
them?
There
should
be
a
moratorium
issued
today
against
any
structure
being
built
in
the
city
of
philadelphia
until
l.
I
is
up
to
speed
to
properly
monitor
these
developers
is
doing
this
kind
of
damage.
K
K
Bless
you
and
I
hope
that
finally
city
council
and
license
inspection
will
go
back
to
the
way
it
should
be.
That
is
giving
support
to
the
long-time
residents
of
philadelphia
and
not
white
gentrifying
developers,
because
this
is
what
this
is
all
about.
It's
about
money,
it's
the
systematic
pushing
of
poor
people
and
black
people
out
of
their
homes.
K
This
is
not
new
york
city.
This
is
the
city
of
philadelphia.
It's
neighborhoods!
It's
people,
it's
families.
These
people
came
here
only
to
reap
the
benefits
of
all
the
years
that
long-time
residents
like
myself
have
lived
here,
went
to
school
here
raised
their
families
bought
cars,
refrigerators
and
homes,
they're
reaping
the
benefit,
and
we
are
being
severely
damaged,
we're
being
wrecked.
K
So
that's
my
request
today
and
everything
I've
spoken
about.
I
can
produce
the
letters
I
can
produce
over
12
philadelphia,
police
reports,
a
structural
engineer.
I
have
the
reports
from
illinois
where
violations
were
placed
against
me
and
this
developer
and,
of
course,
they
removed
the
violation
from
the
developer
and
left
it
against
me.
My
violations
are
in
place
today.
His
has
been
removed
by
supervisors,
any
questions
any
documentation
required.
I
have
at
my
disposal
and
you'll,
get
it
within
the
next
20
minutes.
A
Jerome,
I
would
like
to
say
that
you
know
we
appreciated
your
testimony,
but
it
just
goes
to
show
you
the
lack
of
effort.
The
city
has
put
into
protections
for
our
residents
and,
as
you
can
see,
the
advocacy
is
coming
from
people
who
have
suffered
through
this
and
and
your
advocacy
and
and
your
suffering
will
hopefully
help
us
deal
with
this
in
the
future.
A
But
there's
no
excuse
of
why
this
is
allowed
to
continue
and
why
we
put
the
onus
on
the
property
owner
to
resolve
these
issues
on
their
own,
when
the
damage
is
being
done
by
a
developer,
who
is
receiving
permits
from
the
city
of
philadelphia
and
that's
why
it's
also
important
for
us
to
partner
with
cls
and
others
to
at
least
provide
support
for
these
individuals.
Who
cannot
do
this
on
their
own
and
we
shouldn't
expect
them
to
do
this
on
their
own.
A
So
I
mean
it's
very
disheartening
of
what's
happening
and
we've
heard
time
and
time
again,
but
we
do
appreciate
your
testimony
because
it
does
give
us
the
purpose
of
moving
forward
with
this
legislation.
And
I
want
to
thank
you
for
your
testimony
and
and
and
denise
did
forward
me
some
information
on
your
specific
case,
so
I
do
have
that.
So
just
thank
you
for
being
there.
A
C
C
As
a
committee
knows,
community
legal
services
is
a
non-profit
legal
aid
office
that
provides
free
legal
representation
to
low-income
philadelphians.
We
represent
clients
with
a
variety
of
civil
legal
matters,
including
homeownership
issues.
Philadelphia
prides
itself
for
being
a
city
of
homeowners
with
52
percent
of
philadelphia
households
owning
their
homes.
C
Since
the
summer
of
2019,
cls
has
experienced
a
significant
increase
in
clients
seeking
assistance,
because
construction
in
their
tight
neighborhoods
was
damaging
their
own
homes.
This
mirrors
what
our
community
partners
in
rapidly
gentrifying
neighborhoods,
have
communicated
to
us.
Too
often,
this
demolition
and
construction
is
done
carelessly
and
by
less
than
reputable
contractors.
C
All
the
while
neighboring
homeowners
are
largely
left
out
of
the
process
until
something
goes
wrong.
Foundations
have
been
undermined,
party
walls
were
damaged,
partially
collapsed
and
left
exposed
to
water
intrusion
contractors
trespassed
on
the
next-door
property
without
permission,
damaging
roofs,
porches
and
backyards
in
the
process.
C
C
Innocent
long-time
homeowners
have
experienced
months
of
harassment
and
are
too
often
being
forced
out
of
their
homes,
because
many
long-time
homeowners
do
not
have
homeowners
insurance
or
have
insurance
policies
that
preclude
claims
for
damage
caused
by
negligent
adjacent
construction.
The
only
recourse
is
to
hire
an
attorney
in
sue
for
damages.
C
However,
this
option
is
largely
out
of
reach,
after
decades
of
disinvestment
in
some
communities,
construction
in
residential
neighborhoods
may
create
needed,
housing
and
other
amenities.
However,
the
development
must
be
done
carefully
and
conscientiously
to
limit
harm
to
existing
neighbors
and
neighborhoods.
C
Working
with
our
clients.
Cls
has
found
that
due
diligence
and
basic
communication
in
advance
encourages
the
safest
outcomes
bill.
22008
will
require
builders
to
conduct
a
pre-construction
survey
of
adjacent
property
that
may
be
impacted
by
construction
or
demolition
and
document
the
existing
conditions
of
the
adjacent
properties.
C
C
A
C
I
mean
right
right
now.
The
the
biggest
concern
is
is
the
work
we've
been
doing,
we're
not
funded
for
at
the
moment.
We've
just
found
the
need
and
we're
doing
our
best
to
meet
the
need,
with
the
already
limited
time
that
we
have.
So
we,
if
we
had
targeted
funding
for
this,
that
would
that
would
exponentially
change.
What
we're
able
to
do
at
this
stage.
A
And
it's
a
damage
all
the
way
around,
and
you
know
to
us
as
a
city
to
put
it
off
and
say
you
know
what
this
is.
A
civil
matter,
you
know,
go
hire
an
attorney
and
do
it
on
your
own
is
is
just
not
feasible.
So
we
appreciate
your
support.
What
you
have
given
to
us
without
the
resources
necessary
to
do
that,
but
we
as
a
city
also
need
to
step
up
and
help
you
help
the
people
who
are
in
need.
So
thank
you
for
your
testimony
and
thank
you
for
what
you're
doing
much
appreciated.
C
L
L
My
name
is
stated:
is
ida
castro
and
I'm
a
resident
a
current
resident
of
district
1..
I
live
pretty
close
by
also
to
norris
square,
and
I
came
to
this
neighborhood
because
of
its
diversity.
I
did
not
hope
to
change
anything
as
a
latina.
I
was
hoping
to
come
back
and
join
a
community
that
I've
known
for
many
many
years.
L
The
city
continues
to
issue
breathtaking
numbers
of
construction
permits
with
requirements
easily
met
by
individuals
with
limited
or
no
construction
experience,
as
well
as
individuals
who
have
repeated
claims
or
complaints
against
them.
Pew
research
noted
that
in
2021
alone,
over
26
000
permits
were
issued
over
five
times.
The
amount
issued
in
2020
this
factor
alone
increases
the
possibility
of
harming
innocent
homeowners.
L
Otherwise,
we
are
just
creating
another
huge
group
of
families
that
may
be
affected
and
not
benefit
right
from
this
important
bill.
Only
too
often
as
you've
heard,
demolitions
or
excavations
result
in
irreparable
or
costly
harm
to
neighbors
who
can
ill
afford
the
precious
few
attorneys
that
could
help
them
with
their
expertise.
L
L
L
L
Currently,
l,
I
offers
no
protections
to
victims
of
adjacent
construction
laws.
Indeed,
as
you
heard
often
times
when
the
damage
occurs,
citizens
mistakenly
call
illini
seeking
help
only
to
find
themselves
fined
or
ejected
from
their
own
homes
by
l,
and
I,
if
they
are
lucky
builders,
may
receive
a
fine
one.
They
can
easily
pay
as
cost
of
doing
business
the
victim
our
neighbor,
is
left
without
the
loss
of
their
home
a
home.
They
worked
a
lifetime
to
pay
now
without
time
left
to
recuperate.
L
They
face
starting
over
again
without
a
legacy
for
their
children.
Homes
provide
working
people
the
opportunity
to
build
some
wealth.
Failure
to
protect
this
well-earned
right
affects
generations.
Our
neighbors
deserve
better.
Please
add
the
rights
and
necessary
resources
to
enforce
these
protections
to
this,
otherwise
very
helpful
build.
I
am
hopeful
that
the
suggestions
made
provide
a
useful
pathway
to
provide
the
quality
of
life
all
of
our
cities,
city
residents
and
property
owners
to
serve.
A
That
will
be
re
required
to
abide
by
this
legislation
once
passed,
and
it's
important
that's
why
we
wanted
to
try
to
get
this
passed
out
before
the
summer
recess
and
and
that's
why
we
will
continue
to
work
on
some
of
your
ideas
and
others
that
were
presented
to
us,
as
as
we
move
forward
and
possible
future
changes
to
the
bill.
But
thank
you.
We
understand
the
concerns,
but
again
it's
people
like
you
and
your
ideas
that
that
are
enable
us
to
move
forward
with
legislation
like
this.
M
M
A
M
M
Oh
okay,
during
my
experience
with
demolition
and
construction,
we
really
need
to
have
this
bill
because
I
didn't
know
the
things
that
people
that
the
developers
couldn't
do
to
you
or
my
rights
or
what
they
could
do
to
you
and
the
developers
they
come
at.
You
like
they're,
rich,
you're,
poor,
you
don't
matter
and
that's
how
they
make
you
feel
and
they
disrespect
you
and
they
disrespect
your
property.
M
So
I'm
just
here
to
support
the
bill,
22008,
hoping
that
it
will
help
others
be
prepared
for
things
like
this
and
that
the
city
will
have
our
back
and
stop
that
and
people
that
come
in.
We
live
here
all
our
life.
We
pay
our
taxes,
we
love
philadelphia
and
they
let
people
come
in
and
mistreat
us,
and
I
really
think
that
this
bill
will
help
a
lot
of
people
to
be
more
informed
and
more
aware
of
their
rights
because,
like
I
said
developers
tend
to
oh,
they
have
they
throw
in
your
face.
A
Thank
you
and
thank
you
for
your
testimony.
It's
important
to
hear
from
the
residents
and-
and
I
know
we
could
have
had
a
hundred
more
people
come
in
and
testify
today
on
the
challenges
that
they
had
through
from
this
issue
and
problem.
That's
going
on
in
the
city,
so
much
appreciate
your
testimony,
robert
or
tina
gilmore.
J
Yeah
I
just
wanted
to
put
on
the
record
a
comment
in
a
support
of
additional
resources
for
community
legal
services.
For
your
question
to
drew
earlier
in
the
testimony,
I
have
worked
with
community
legal
services
on
cases
and
just
to
reiterate,
they
are
taking
on
these
kinds
of
cases
and
stretching
themselves
beyond
the
resources
that
they've
been
given
out
of
the
goodness
of
their
heart.
J
A
N
N
N
J
N
N
The
bia
understands
elena's
intention
to
compel
builders
to
make
all
best
efforts
to
gain
confirmation
of
the
project
notification
from
adjacent
neighbors
as
the
bill
is
currently
written.
If
an
adjacent
neighbor
refuses
to
sign
confirmation
or
is
otherwise
unresponsive,
the
building
permit
would
not
be
issued
sooner
than
60
days
from
the
date
of
application.
N
While
this
time
frame
does
allow
for
l,
I
to
provide
additional
notification
of
the
project.
Bia
believes
that
this
waiting
period
is
unnecessarily
long,
if
proof
can
be
presented,
showing
that
attempts
to
communicate
with
adjacent
neighbors
in
good
faith
were
made
in
advance
of
the
application
date
and
with
final
notification.
N
So
we
would
encourage
efforts
to
aid
builders
in
properly
completing
construction,
with
adequate
waterproofing
and
other
protections
that
may
require
access
to
an
adjacent
property.
These
builders
need
to
be
able
to
perform
their
project
safely
and
successfully.
So
we
urge
the
city
to
consider
additional
common
sense
measures
that
would
assist
in
circumstances
where
the
neighbor
refuses
to
allowed
access
for
code
required,
waterproofing
or
other
elements
that
would
ultimately
protect
both
buildings.
N
A
Mary,
thank
you
for
your
testimony
and
I
I
think
what
we
found
out
during
this
process,
too,
is
if
the
the
information
and
contact
is
before
development.
There's
a
lot
more
willingness
for
people
to
work
with
developers
and
people
doing
work
on
their
house,
not
after
the
fact
that
damage
is
already
done,
and
we
we.
We
created
this
animosity
between
the
the
homeowner
and
the
developer.
So
I
think
what
this
bill
is
actually
looking
to
do
is
hopefully
prevent
and
create
that
dialogue
ahead
of
time.
A
And
yes
again,
it's
not
going
to
be
perfect
and
yes
again,
there
will
be
some
challenges
along
the
way.
But
again,
this
is
a
starting
point,
because
that
proactive
dialogue
helps
people
feel
comfortable
who
they're
dealing
with
and
knowing
that
that
those
poor
people
would
also
need
to
be
held
accountable
for
challenges
or
because
you
could
even
have
a
good
developer
who's
doing
a
great
job
and
have
an
accident
happen
and
the
intent
was
not
to
do
something
wrong.
But
there
still
has
to
be
some
accountability
by
that
developer.
A
So
we
would
continue
to
work
with
you
and
appreciate
your
input
and
services,
and
knowing
that
you
know,
the
main
purpose
is
to
protect
not
only
your
development
but
protect
the
development
that
that's
going
on
next
door
and
the
residents
that
are
being
impacted
by
that.
So
thank
you
for
your
testimony.
Thank
you.
A
Seeing
none
hearing,
no
further
questions
from
members
or
last
panel.
There
will
be
no
other
panels
to
testify,
we'll
take
a
brief
break
to
connect
any
of
those
people
who
wish
to
give
public
testimony
for
the
bills
before
the
committee
today.
Mr
mcmonical,
will
you
please
call
the
first
public
contact
or
maybe
council
support?
Do
we
have
any
other
people
who
are
willing
to
put
public
comment
on
the
record.
A
J
A
Thank
you,
michelle
and
and
agreed,
and
we're
hoping
this
legislation
will
hopefully
have
the
good
developers
work
with
us
and
have
the
developers
who
don't
have
good
intentions
have
to
work
with
us
and
and
that's
the
goal.
So
we
do
have
one
public
comment.
I
believe
I
think
you
are
connected
now.
You
just
want
to
state
your
name
for
the
record
and
then
you
can
proceed
with
your
testimony.
O
O
My
wife
and
I
are
senior
citizens
and
we
we've
known
that
this
type
of
pro
these
projects
were
going
to
take
place
a
couple
of
years
ago,
and
it
gave
us
great
anxiety,
because
if
we
had
been
watching
how
some
of
these
houses
have
been
collapsing
throughout
the
city
due
to,
I
guess
unqualified
contractors
or
contractors
doing
things
that
they
had
no
business
doing.
But
before
I
go
any
further.
O
O
That
the
city
is
analyzing
and
hopefully
will
be
signed
into
law
because,
as
some
of
the
previous
guests
have
stated,
a
lot
of
the
people,
the
the
developers
who
come
in
the
city
are
flush
with
cash
and
wealth
and
they
treat
people
the
homeowners
who
may
have
been
here.
My
as
a
matter
of
fact,
our
family
have
been
here
for
over
60
years
in
this
house,
and
the
house
itself
is
was
built
in
1916.,
so
it's
very
fragile.
We
were
also
very
fortunate.
O
We
were
able
to
get
an
insurance
policy
through
these
through
the
developer
for
the
duration
of
the
project,
and
so
that
worked
out
well
for
us
and
took
a
lot
of
anxiety
from
my
wife
and
myself
now,
the
second.
This
project
is
being
built,
the
30
apartment,
complex,
is
being
built
directly
behind
our
home
and
we'll
be
adjoining
our
property
up
against
it
in
the
in
the
back
backyard.
O
This
gentleman,
this
developer,
is
a
nasty,
very
nasty
person
and
he
has
been
he's
knocked
holes
in
the
side
of
our
wall
without
you
know
saying,
for
various
reasons-
and
I
had
confrontations
with
this
man-
and
it
just
has
been
a
nightmare.
So
while
they
were
laying
the
foundation
for
this
30
apartment
complex,
our
kitchen
collapsed.
O
Now
we
were
able
to
from
this
gentleman
as
well
able
to
get
a
and
a
sure
an
insur
insurance
policy
up
actually
was
over
last
month.
So
when
that
happened,
and
by
the
grace
of
the
the
contractor
that
laid
the
foundation,
he
assured
me
that
they
would
rebuild
our
kitchen
immediately
and
they
and
they
did
so.
O
However,
two
two
zero
zero
zero
eight
is
definitely
necessary
because
the
citizens
of
philadelphia
need
to
be
protected.
We
have
people
that
come
in
from
all
different
countries
of
the
world.
The
gentleman
who's
building
this
30
apartment
complex
is
from
russia,
and
he
talked
to
my
wife
and
I
very
disrespectfully
and
talked
to
us
like
we.
We
had
no
res.
We
got
no
respect
from
this
person,
so
this
two
two
zero
zero,
eight
zero,
zero,
zero.
Eight
is
definitely
necessary
and
it's
nothing
worse
than
the
p.
O
You
know
you've
lived
here,
all
your
life,
your
senior
citizens.
Now
we
paid
taxes
all
our
life.
We
would
think
that
the
city
would
have
our
backs
and
and
protect
us,
because
we've
seen
too
many
houses
collapse
where
people
a
lot
of
people
were
low
income
and
weren't
able
to
have
homeowners
insurance
and
were
left
homeless.
O
So
I
wanted
to
thank
the
city
council,
all
of
you
for
taking
this
taking
this
up
and
and
hopefully
it
will
pass.
We
appreciate
every
effort
that
you're
giving
and,
if
there's
anything
else,
that
my
wife
and
I
can
do
in
the
future
in
reference
to
testifying
or
anything
else
for
that
matter,
we'll
be
happy
to
do
so.
So
thank
you
again.
God
bless
you
and
thanks.
A
E
Okay,
great,
my
name
is
debbie
king
and
I
live
in
northern
liberties,
but
20
years
ago
I
didn't
live
in
northern
liberty's,
but
my
then
boyfriend
had
a
building
and
when
a
developer
bought
the
property.
Next
to
him,
he
wrote
a
letter
welcoming
him
to
the
community
and
informing
him
that
there
was
a
situation
between
our
building
and
and
the
next
one
that
he
had
to
understand
when
he
was
going
to
demolish
the
property
next
to
us.
E
So
he
came
back
back
to
us
and
said,
of
course
he
would
do
everything
to
protect
our
property,
and
then
he
befriended
my
husband.
He
brought
his
bankers
through.
We
were
really
looking
forward
to
working
with
him
and
then,
when
he
began
to
demolish
it,
he
met
with
the
contractor
and
they
discussed
how
they
were
going
to
do
the
demolition
and
then
memorial
day
weekend
2002.
E
They
began
demolishing
it
with
no
permits
and
not
in
the
method
that
would
protect
our
property
and
it
caused
severe
damage.
So
we
went
on
for
five
years
trying
to
get
it
fixed.
They
had
a
stop
work
order
issued
and
then
they
came
back
and
tried
to
do
it
again
in
violation
of
the
stop
work
order.
It
was
the
nightmare
that
you
can't
imagine.
E
E
A
Okay-
and
you
know,
a
lot
of
people
were
in
your
same
position
and
same
place
and
and
knowing
that
we,
as
a
city
weren't
weren't
there
to
protect
them
is,
is
is
difficult
so,
hopefully,
with
your
continued
advocacy
and
advocacy
of
others,
that
we
will
pass
this
legislation
and
enable
it
to
help
others
in
the
future.
So
thank
you.
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
D
E
A
E
A
D
H
A
Note
the
council
member
gilmore
richardson,
is
seconded.
It
has
been
moved
and
properly.
Second,
the
bill
number
two:
two:
zero:
zero
zero
eight,
as
amended
reported
from
this
committee
with
a
favorable
recommendation
and
further
move,
the
rules
of
council
be
suspended
as
to
permit
this
bill
at
the
next
session
of
council.
All
those
in
favor
of
the
motion
will
signify
by
saying
aye.
I
A
D
A
Note
for
the
record,
the
bill
has
been
seconded
by
council
member
gilmore
richardson.
It
has
been
moved
and
properly
seconded
the
bill.
Number
220384
be
approved.
All
those
in
favor
of
the
motion
will
signify
by
saying
aye
aye
those
opposed
eyes
have
it,
and
the
motion
carries
bill.
Number
220384
be
reported
from
this
committee
with
a
favorable
recommendation
and
further
move
that
the
rules
accounts
will
be
suspended.
I
submit
the
first
reading
of
this
bill
at
the
next
session
of
council.
D
A
A
Chair
notes
for
the
record
that
councilmember
oh
seconds
of
motion
that
has
been
moved
and
properly.
Second,
at
the
bill
number
two
two
zero
four
one,
five
be
approved.
All
those
in
favor
of
the
motion
will
signify
by
saying
aye
aye
aye,
those
opposed
the
eyes
have
it,
and
the
motion
carries
build
number
220-415
be
reported
from
this
committee
with
a
favorable
recommendation
and
further
move
the
rules
accounts
will
be
suspended,
submit
the
first
reading
of
this
bill
at
the
next
session
of
council.