City of Philadelphia - File #: 050420

• File #: 050420
• Version: 1
• Type: Bill
• Status: ENACTED
• File created: 5/12/2005
• In control: Committee on Streets and Services
• Final action: 6/16/2005
• Title: Amending Chapter 9-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Commercial Activities on Streets," by amending Section 9-211, entitled "Boxes for the Distribution of Printed Material," which created a trial period granting the City of Philadelphia regulatory authority over the maintenance, specifications and placement of newspaper boxes on the public sidewalk, under certain terms and conditions.
• Sponsors: Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember DiCicco, Council President Verna, Councilmember Clarke, Councilmember Clarke
• Code sections: 9-200 - Commercial Activities on Streets, 9-211 - Boxes for the Distribution of Printed Material

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
7/8/2005	1	MAYOR	SIGNED
7/8/2005	1	MAYOR	SIGNED
6/16/2005	1	CITY COUNCIL	READ
6/16/2005	1	CITY COUNCIL	READ
6/16/2005	1	CITY COUNCIL	PASSED	Pass	16:1
6/16/2005	1	CITY COUNCIL	PASSED	Pass	16:1
6/9/2005	1	CITY COUNCIL	ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR
6/9/2005	1	CITY COUNCIL	ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR
6/9/2005	1	CITY COUNCIL	SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL	Pass
6/9/2005	1	CITY COUNCIL	SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL	Pass
6/9/2005	1	CITY COUNCIL	ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK`S SECOND READING CALENDAR
6/9/2005	1	CITY COUNCIL	ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK`S SECOND READING CALENDAR
6/7/2005	0	Committee on Streets and Services	HEARING NOTICES SENT
6/7/2005	1	Committee on Streets and Services	REPORTED FAVORABLY, RULE SUSPENSION REQUESTED
6/7/2005	1	Committee on Streets and Services	REPORTED FAVORABLY, RULE SUSPENSION REQUESTED
6/7/2005	0	Committee on Streets and Services	AMENDED
6/7/2005	0	Committee on Streets and Services	HEARING HELD
5/12/2005	0	CITY COUNCIL	Referred
5/12/2005	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass

Title
Amending Chapter 9-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Commercial Activities on Streets," by amending Section 9-211, entitled "Boxes for the Distribution of Printed Material," which created a trial period granting the City of Philadelphia regulatory authority over the maintenance, specifications and placement of newspaper boxes on the public sidewalk, under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. The City of Philadelphia is known as the "cradle of liberty" and one of the most precious liberties is the First Amendment to the Constitution's protection of "freedom of speech or of the press." These freedoms are enhanced by the availability of differing opinions through diverse media. The constitutionally guaranteed freedom to distribute information and opinions, however, should not infringe upon the public's freedom of movement or public safety.

SECTION 2. Given the proliferation of boxes for the distribution of newspapers throughout the City, it became necessary for City Council to take actions to maintain street-worthiness and public safety in a manner that would not overly burden the publishers of these publications.

SECTION 3. The success of Section 9-211 warrants keeping the program on beyond the initial two-year trial, as well as expanding the area in which it is enforced, including to areas of the Old City district of Philadelphia.

SECTION 4. Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended as follows:

TITLE 9. REGULATION OF BUSINESSES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS.

* * *

CHAPTER 9-200. COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES ON STREETS.

* * *

§ 9-211. Boxes for the Distribution of News and Printed Material.


(1) Program Area. The provisions of this Section shall only apply to the public sidewalks within the area bounded by and including the south side [of Spruce street, the east side of Sixth street, the north side of Vine street and the west side of Twenty-first...