Title
Authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings on the dangers and damage caused by the deterioration of retaining walls, driveways and alleys and the complications involved in coordinating necessary repairs by abutting property owners; and, to determine the scope of these dangerous conditions throughout the City and the cost to repair them; and further authorizing the Committee to formulate a program to correct these hazardous and dangerous conditions in neighborhoods through the City.
Body
WHEREAS, As the City was developed it was necessary for certain support structures, such as retaining walls, driveways and alleys to be installed so as to permit construction of needed buildings and residences, and to allow for easy ingress and egress; and
WHEREAS, Without the construction of these retaining walls, driveways and alleys it would have been uneconomical and in some cases impossible to erect any buildings or develop certain areas of the City; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, many retaining walls, driveways and alleys have become so deteriorated and defective that they now constitute a dangerous and hazardous condition and pose an imminent threat to the health, safety and welfare of the general public; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to state law, the City may declare a public nuisance and compel the property owners to correct the dangerous condition; and if no corrective action is taken, the City may abate the nuisance itself and assess the owners for the cost of repairs; and
WHEREAS, Most Philadelphia homeowners or property owners are willing and able to pay a reasonable share of the cost for these necessary repairs and renovations; and
WHEREAS, Many of the areas involved, however, are low and moderate income neighborhoods with residents who are financially unable to make the required repairs; and, in many instances some of the properties abutting the retaining wall, driveway or alley are abandoned and no responsible owner can...
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