Dear ,

The Chestnut Hill Conservancy is pleased to share that Bill No. 251030 was held at the Philadelphia City Council's June 3rd Rules Committee hearing, with no vote taken on the bill.

This development follows several months of advocacy and stakeholder engagement, including the Conservancy's testimony before the Philadelphia City Planning Commission in December 2025, an April 2026 letter submitted by a consortium of Upper Northwest community organizations requesting that the bill be tabled, and drafting a May 2026 letter signed by 19 community organizations from the Lower and Upper Northwest (listed below) requesting additional stakeholder engagement before any further action on the legislation.

In anticipation of the hearing, David Gest, Esq., Executive Director of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy, was among numerous community members and preservation advocates throughout Northwest Philadelphia and beyond who were prepared to testify in opposition to the bill. 

While the bill’s tabling provides additional time for discussion, Bill No. 251030 has not been withdrawn. The Conservancy will continue to monitor the legislation, participate in stakeholder discussions, and advocate for policies that support thoughtful preservation, community engagement, and the protection of Philadelphia's historic resources.

This effort has been strengthened by the involvement of numerous individuals and well over two dozen organizations from across Philadelphia, including M.M. O'Neill, a member of the Conservancy's Preservation Committee and long-time supporter of the Conservancy and historic preservation; Oscar Beisert of The Keeping Society of Philadelphia; Suzanne Ponsen of West Central Germantown Neighbors; Georgie Gould of the Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society; and many others representing neighborhood organizations, preservation groups, civic associations, and community stakeholders from across Philadelphia.

Additional updates will be shared as they become available.

For more information or to connect with our advocacy team, please email Info@CHConservancy.Org or reach our Executive Director, David Gest Esq., directly at David@CHConservancy.Org. 

Thank you for staying engaged.

May 19 Letter Signatories Include:

• • • Central Roxborough Civic Association
    • Chestnut Hill Community Association
    • Chestnut Hill Conservancy
    • Chew and Belfield Neighbors Club
    • Dearnley Park Civic Association
    • East Mt. Airy Neighbors
    • Manayunk Neighborhood Council
    • Penn Knox Neighborhood Association
    • Residents of Shawmont Valley
    • Ridge Park Civic Association
    • Roxborough Development Corporation
    • Roxborough Manayunk Wissahickon Historical Society
    • SoLo / Germantown Civic Association
    • The Keeping Society of Philadelphia
    • Upper Roxborough Civic Association
    • West Central Germantown Neighbors
    • West Mt. Airy Neighbors / Historic Preservation Initiative
    • Wingohocking & Wister Neighbors
    • Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association

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