Broad Street Brief: Commonwealth Court alongside DA Krasner on impeachment; Former City Council Member Hires Campaign Manager | Cozen O’Connor

Commonwealth Court sided with Philadelphia DA Krasner on impeachment; Next steps remain unclear

Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania concluded last Friday that none of the seven articles of impeachment filed by State House Republicans against Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner constitute “misconduct in office.” DA Krasner has stood firm since the House approved the articles in November that his actions and policy decisions do not constitute impenetrable offenses and that he considers the proceedings to be a partisan witch hunt, going as far as call directly to the Commonwealth Court to have the articles declared “without legal basis”. It is not immediately clear whether the Senate impeachment trial – which is currently scheduled for January 18 – will proceed as planned in light of the recent court filing.

DA Krasner announces the formation of a new carjacking unit

2022 was a record year for carjackings, which were up about 53% from the previous year, according to data from the Philadelphia Police Department. In order to combat this, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has announcement the formation of the Carjacking Enforcement Unit, which will work with existing law enforcement groups throughout the city to investigate and prosecute carjacking cases. One of the main goals of the unit, as described by DA Krasner, is to create efficiency by providing a cohesive legal team rather than having different attorneys handling different phases of the prosecution. The unit is made possible by a $1.5 million budget increase to the District Attorney’s Office.

2023 Mayoral Race Watch: Former Fetterman campaign student joins former city council member’s team; Four mayoral candidates present plans to fight gentrification

Just months after successfully spearheading Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman’s campaign for the US Senate, Brendan McPhillips has already chosen his next adventure. The accomplished Democratic consultant be used for as campaign manager for former councilwoman Helen Gym’s mayoral race. Although McPhillips acknowledged that there are key differences between running a campaign for US Congress and running for mayor of a city – as well as between a primary competing with eight fellow Democrats and a general campaign against a Republican – he is a firm believer in working to elect candidates with a good message. .

In other news about the mayoral race, four candidates – including former council members Cherelle Parker, Helen Gym and Maria Quiñones Sánchez, and former Comptroller Rebecca Rhynhart – recently responded to a question posed by Billy Penn: As mayor, what would you do to fight against gentrification? Responses ranged from strengthening existing grant and loan programs, creating new tax incentives for developers to create new affordable housing, expanding mandatory inclusive zoning, and continuing to work with partners such as as the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and the Philadelphia Land Bank.

New regulations for Airbnbs and other short-term rental units go into effect in Philadelphia

Regulations for operating Airbnbs and other short-term rental properties — namely zoning permit requirements — have been in place since 2015, but have rarely, if ever, been enforced by the City. However, as the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2023, a new law originally passed by the city council in 2021 came into force this will allow for tighter oversight, which worries some short-term rental property owners who didn’t even know they had broken the law. The new law requires a “limited accommodation operator” license for those who live in the short-term rental properties they rent out, which also requires them to obtain various security and code certifications. Short-term rentals of properties where the host does not live have never been legal unless the owner has obtained a hotel license.

What new development projects, groups to watch in 2023

The streets and skylines of Philadelphia have undergone many changes over the years. As the city continues to emerge from the economic throes of the pandemic, many new development projects are waiting to roar to life this year. These projects include everything from new parks and museums, two new Parkway Corporation towers – one to serve as Chubb’s new headquarters and the other to increase the number of city apartments – in the downtown area, the construction of new turnkey housing for municipal workers and the highly anticipated 76ers Place, to name a few.

In other exciting real estate development news, Philly RiSE, an initiative created by a collective of black and brown developers called Black Squirrel, has just completed its first cohort of its 14-week training program. Its goal is to diversify the real estate development sector in Philadelphia, creating more inclusive projects that benefit traditionally underserved residents and have a significant impact.

Opinion: Philadelphia has tougher campaign finance laws; The Philadelphia Ethics Board intends to enforce them

Philadelphia Ethics Council Chairman Michael H. Reed and Executive Director J. Shane Creamer Jr. had a clear message for all candidates at all levels in Philadelphia this year: The council is fully prepared to impose the city’s campaign finance rules. This includes the strict $12,600 limit on the amount an organization can give in campaign contributions, as well as ensuring that political action committees (PACs) remain truly independent.

City to crack down on popular ‘streets’ operating without permits

As the cliché goes, necessity is the mother of invention. So when the global COVID-19 pandemic threatened to close many popular indoor restaurants in Downtown and beyond — perhaps for good — business owners got creative and poured in. in the streets and sidewalks. In recent years, these “streeteries” have become increasingly extravagant parts of the Philadelphia dining scene, with many incorporating chic decor and even elements of temperature control. However, many of these cafes -parking lots are permanently closed, as the city has declared its intention to repress in the streets. All restaurants that operate street shops must be fully licensed by January 9. So far, only 22 companies have applied and none have been approved.