News / Events

On April 2, more than 15 people testified at the City Council Committee on Finance's public hearing on Bill No. 090167. Sponsored by Councilmembers Jones, Reynold Brown, and Green, the bill would link approval of the City's ten year tax abatement to the level of LEED certification a development or improvement receives (i.e. 100% abatement for Platinum certification; 70% for Gold; 30% for Silver; and 10% for basic certification).

James White, PACDC's Policy Coordinator, and Kira Strong, Vice President for Community and Economic Development for the Peoples Emergency Center CDC, testified that while CDCs are supportive of sustainable development and are working to incorporate green practices into their developments, the bill as written would negatively impact development efforts. PACDC submitted proposed amendment language drafted by Regional Housing Legal Services staff to address our concerns. A number of others, including Andy Altman, the Building Industry Association, and Pennsylvania Environmental Council, expressed concern about modifying the City's ten-year tax abatement to achieve this goal. As a result of these efforts, no action was taken on the bill and it was held at the call of the Committee Chair, Councilwoman Tasco. Councilman Jones indicated that he plans to convene key stakeholders to move toward a solution.