City of Philadelphia - File #: 110002-A

• File #: 110002-A
• Version: 2
• Type: Bill
• Status: ENACTED
• File created: 1/27/2011
• In control: Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
• Final action: 4/14/2011
• Title: Amending Chapter 15-100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parks," by prohibiting the transfer or conversion of outdoor public park and recreation land in the City to other uses or to third parties unless certain procedures and requirements are met.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember O'Neill
• Indexes: PARKS
• Code sections: 15-100 - Parks (Reserved)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
4/27/2011	2	MAYOR	SIGNED
4/14/2011	2	CITY COUNCIL	READ
4/14/2011	2	CITY COUNCIL	PASSED	Pass	17:0
4/7/2011	1	CITY COUNCIL	READ
4/7/2011	2	CITY COUNCIL	AMENDED
4/7/2011	2	CITY COUNCIL	ORDERED PLACED ON FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR FOR NEXT MEETING.
3/10/2011	0	CITY COUNCIL	ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR
3/10/2011	1	CITY COUNCIL	SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL	Pass
3/9/2011	0	Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs	HEARING NOTICES SENT
3/9/2011	0	Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs	HEARING HELD
3/9/2011	0	Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs	AMENDED
3/9/2011	1	Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs	REPORTED FAVORABLY, RULE SUSPENSION REQUESTED
1/27/2011	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced and Referred	Pass

Title
Amending Chapter 15-100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parks," by prohibiting the transfer or conversion of outdoor public park and recreation land in the City to other uses or to third parties unless certain procedures and requirements are met.
Body
WHEREAS, William Penn planned for Philadelphia to be a "green country towne" and provided for public parks in his original plan for the City; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with William Penn's vision, as the City expanded, City officials reserved or acquired land for public parks and recreation; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is now graced with magnificent outdoor park and recreation spaces comprising approximately 13% of the total land in the City; and
WHEREAS, The City's outdoor park and recreation spaces contribute to the environmental health of the City and the region and provide important and necessary places of respite and recreation for the City's citizens; and
WHEREAS, The City's park and recreation spaces enhance the value of neighborhoods throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, It is vital to the public interest to preserve and protect the City's public park and recreation spaces and ensure that future developments in the City do not result in any net loss of public park and recreation land; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the tests that may apply under Pennsylvania law regarding permissible changes in use of park and recreation land, it is important to establish standards and procedures regarding the transfer of outdoor public park and recreation land in the City of Philadelphia to protect the interests of the citizens of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Section 5-601(a) of The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter requiring the Commission on Parks and Recreation to adopt standards and guidelines for the conveyance of park and recreation land, the Commission has passed a resolution recommending adoption of this Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, The importance of park and recreation land to the City is under...