As Philadelphia seeks to shift the basis of its property tax system, Catherine Lucey and Jan Ransom report on legislation to be introduced by two City Councilmen that could provide property tax relief to long-time residents of gentrifying areas.
A plan to shift Philadelphia to a property tax system based on market values, known as the Actual Value Initiative (AVI), could have devastating effects on long-time residents of areas of the city that are now booming. According to Lucey and Ransom, legislation that will be introduced next week by Councilmen Jim Kenney and Mark Squilla seeks to protect those most at risk of the effects of gentrification.
"Under Kenney and Squilla's proposal, owner-occupiers who have been in their homes for a decade or more could be forgiven part of their tax bill. Their legislation caps taxation at three times the market value assigned the house when you bought it. So if you bought a house 20 years ago that the city said was worth $40,000, under AVI you could be taxed at a valuation of no more than $120,000, even if your house is now valued at $400,000. The tax forgiveness would last until you sold the house or the title changed hands."
"Kenney said about 30,000 residents could qualify for relief, in neighborhoods that include Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Queen Village and Graduate Hospital."
FULL STORY: Some in gentrified Philadelphia neighborhoods could get tax relief

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie