community gardens stormwater discount program
TRANSCRIPT
Community Gardens
Stormwater Discount
ProgramPhiladelphia Water Department
PHS Headquarters
February 22, 2017
Overview
Stormwater Billing in Philadelphia
Background: Community Gardens Stormwater Discount Program
Application: Form G
After Applying
Resources
Parcel-Based Stormwater Billing
How Stormwater Is Billed in Philadelphia
Based on Property Characteristics
Introduced in 2010
GIS-based system
Monthly Fee recovers $150M annual operating budget
Previously fee was based on size of meter
Community Gardens Stormwater
Discount Program
NEW!
City Council Ordinance drafted & signed, Summer 2016
Water Rate Board Decision Issued, Fall 2016
Allows Community Gardens up to 100% discount on Stormwater charge
Must apply for discount (Form G)
What constitutes a Community Garden?
Primary Land Use
Grow crops (food or non-food)
Regularly-planted crop beds
Other related uses (tool sheds, compost bins, etc)
Organizational Requirement
Organized Group: Community/Non-Profit Organization or Group of Individuals
Associated for purpose of operating garden for public benefit
Right to Use Parcel
80% Effectively Pervious
Gardening Activities
Conducted primarily by members of organization/group
Well-Maintained
Application: Form G
Community Garden Discount Application Form
One form per garden
Applications now accepted
Applications available:
Tonight: Hard Copies
Online 24/7, PWD Website: www.phila.gov/water/wu/stormwater
Let’s take a tour! ---------------->
Application: Form G
Section I: Community Garden Information
Garden Information
Application: Form G
Section I: Community Garden Information (cont)
Applicant Information
Application: Form G
Section II. Registered Parcels
Parcels and Gardens
A Garden may be composed of:
One Parcel
Multiple Parcels
Part of a larger parcel
It depends on Land Records!
Visit phillystormwater.org to check out your particular garden
Some Examples…
Parcels and Gardens One Parcel
Parcels and Gardens Multiple Parcels
Parcels and Gardens Part of a larger parcel
Parcels and Gardens
TO RECAP:
A Garden may be composed of:
One Parcel
Multiple Parcels
Part of a larger parcel
It depends on Land Records!
Visit phillystormwater.org to check out your particular garden
One garden per application!
Application: Form G
Section III. Required Documentation
1. Organizational Requirement
2. Right to use land as Community Garden
Form G-1
3. Photograph of Garden
4. Map of Garden
Application: Form G
Section IV. Acknowledgements
Application: Form G Section V. Application Certification and Right-of-Entry
What Next?
PWD will review application
Decision will be Issued
Disposition Letter Will be Sent
Fact Sheet
APPROVAL GRANTED!!
Fine Print: Effective Period
Two Phases
Based on application date:
Grace Period (Soft Launch): January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017
Discount Effective Date will be rolled back to January 1, 2017
Post-Grace Period: January 1, 2018 and beyond
Discount Effective Date will be date of receipt of completed application
Good for 4 years from Application Effective Date
Provided garden continues to meet all qualifying criteria
APPROVAL GRANTED!!
Fine Print: Expiration Date & Renewals
Application will expire 4 years from Application Effective Date
Can be renewed up to 6 months prior to Application Expiration Date
Notifications
Renewal Application
STILL NEED TO PAY FOR WATER SERVICE!
What if my Community Garden is not
receiving a bill?
Could be for a number of reasons:
Bad mailing address
Owner of lot is City
Owner of lot is absentee owner
Contact us!
Apply for discount!
Resources
PWD Parcel Viewer: www.phillystormwater.org
PWD Website: www.phila.gov/water/wu/stormwater
Form G
Form G-1
Credits and Appeals Manual
Stormwater Appeals Team
Phone: 215 685 6244
Email: [email protected]
PWD Regulations: Section 203.0
City Council Ordinance: City Code Section §19-1603