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! ---------------->
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
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
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