Authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings examining parking requirements, on street parking programs, and all other such issues related to parking in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The zoning code changes of 2012 were intended to modernize the City’s code however, the increased density coupled with lower parking requirements have caused major parking issues throughout the neighborhoods of the City; and

WHEREAS, It is a misnomer that the new residents as a result of increased density do not own cars. These residents do own cars and as a consequence of lower parking requirements, residents in multifamily buildings with little or no off-street parking, park on nearby streets causing parking spillover; and

WHEREAS, A thorough analysis is needed to determine the impact the code changes have had on neighborhood parking and to determine the appropriate ratio of dwelling units to parking spots; and

WHEREAS, Car sharing was introduced to the Philadelphia in 2002 and started with a non-profit organization promoting the goals of reducing the number of cars on the road, the use of gas-saving automobiles, reducing pollution, and saving its members money; and

WHEREAS, Car sharing companies like Hertz, Enterprise, ZipCar and Car2Go have

bought out the non-profit companies that were originally endorsed by cities to introduce the car-share concept and still receive a substantial discounted rate for on street parking; and

WHEREAS, Peer cities such as Washington D.C. receive fair market value for on-street car-share parking spaces used by now major national for-profit ventures; and

WHEREAS, The Residential Parking for People with Disabilities (RPPD) program is designed to provide a dedicated space where only those who possess a disabled license plate or placard are allowed to park; and

WHEREAS, This program is a necessity for the disabled community, allowing safe access to parking close to one’s home. However, a review of this program should occur to determine the validity of spots allotted to see if such spots are still needed by the resident; and

WHEREAS, In 2007 the City enacted legislation that allowed for the installation of electric vehicle charges in the public right-of-way and created reserved on-street parking spaces for the exclusive use of electric vehicles parking; and

WHEREAS, At a recent hearing regarding electric vehicle legislation, concerns were raised by citizens that these reserved spots created private parking spaces for individuals; and

WHEREAS, These programs, and others like them, must be critically analyzed to ensure that they are operating in the most efficient manner for the benefit of all residents and the City of Philadelphia as a whole; and

WHEREAS, Illegally parked vehicles in the neighborhoods are also of concern for many residents, specifically cars that are damaged and abandoned as well as those stored on street by mechanic and auto-body shops; and

WHEREAS, These illegally parked vehicles take away valuable parking spaces from residents and contribute to the blight of the neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, Enhanced enforcement of these illegally parked vehicles is necessary to improve the quality of life in these neighborhoods; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, By the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we hereby authorize the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings examining parking requirements, on street parking programs, and all other such issues related to parking in the City of Philadelphia.

End