A controversial city bill that would limit which residents can appeal land zoning decisions has been delayed yet again.
Voting on Bill 629 was postponed for a fourth time at Thursday's City Council meeting, further angering the many community groups who came down to City Hall to protest the legislation.
The bill, which is sponsored by Councilman Frank DiCicco and Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, is an amendment to the City Zoning Code that would limit the right to appeal land-use decisions to those living in areas adjacent to the property in question.
Currently, anyone in Philadelphia can appeal a land-use decision. The bill would restrict the right to appeal exclusively to those who own properties directly next to the property in question.
Opponents to the measure -- commonly called the "billboard bill" -- say that companies will be allowed to place unwanted and unsightly billboards near residential areas. Residents would not have the same right to protest the billboards as they do now.
"It's just simply a bad bill," said Mark Hanlon, one protester from Mount Airy. "It's amazing how hard we have to fight just for something we should have anyway."
Hanlon's wife Leslie added, "We have a piece of land that we're trying to protect, but it's only the abutting property that can make a decision."
And, she said, the abutting property can make an independent decision on whether or not to appeal "even though we have almost 600 people" who want to protect that piece of land.
Protesters were particularly looking forward to Thursday's City Council meeting because, according to the council's charter, a bill must be voted upon if it comes up for a fourth time.
But when DiCicco announced that he would not be holding any vote on the bill once again, the protesters -- who were carrying signs that said "Four strikes and you're out" -- booed and boisterously yelled "You're out" to DiCicco.
Loopholes exist, though, that allow Council members to postpone voting on a bill beyond its fourth Council appearance.
"The rules of City Council say that [a bill must be voted on the fourth time it comes up]," said John Hawkins, an aide for Councilman-at-large James Kenney. "But it's also true that city lawyers have ruled that that is not binding, unless someone calls it up for question, or refers it back to Council."
But protesters feel the delay is just a tactic to try their determination.
"That is, in itself, a slimy political move," said Pam Ladds, another protester from Mount Airy. "DiCicco thinks he can wear us out."
She said the protesters have been down to City Hall at least seven or eight times so far.
"It's sad when people have to be scared of politicians' retaliation," she added. "He should be scared of our retaliation since we're the ones that vote."
Hanlon said that 78 community groups oppose the legislation, and that doesn't include the many groups who haven't made their opposition public "out of fear of retaliation."
"And that's groups, not just individuals," he added.
DiCicco's spokesman David Fritz said the groups are opposed to the bill because they do not really understand it.
"We don't feel some people have taken enough time to really understand the issue," Fitz said. "They've labeled it the `billboard bill' and it's not."
"We still are talking to community groups... to get the message out there that this is not going to take rights away from people," he added. "It's not going to limit the voice of those outside the districts, it just brings more power to those in an areas contiguous to the proposed zoning areas."
Fitz said DiCicco still plans to run the bill, but felt Thursday was not the appropriate time.
"He looks for the best opportunity," Fitz said. "You may be able to compromise on something, or add amendments. He wants to talk with other council members, make sure the support is still there."
Those close to the issue are divided on whether or not DiCicco actually has enough backing.
"I think we have the support, absolutely," Fitz said. Hawkins agreed, adding that Kenney plans to vote for the bill.
But Tim Kearney, an aide to Councilman David Cohen, disagreed. "If you have the votes, you pass the bill," he said, noting that DiCicco's stall tactics indicate he does not have the votes.
He also said that Republican Councilman-at-large W. Thacher Longstreth, who voted for the bill before it went to Council, has since changed his vote.
