October 19, 2006 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Online Editor Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or ©2006 Chestnut Hill Local Winner of One |
City Council considers code overhaul Zoning reform could be on the horizon for Philadelphia if legislation introduced by City Councilmen Frank DiCicco (D, 1) and Jim Kenney (D, at-large) makes its way through City Council. The councilmen have co-sponsored a package of comprehensive zoning and city planning reforms, among them the establishment of a committee to make recommendations for updating Philadelphia’s outdated zoning code. City Council could be holding public hearings on their proposals as early as December, according to Brian Abernathy, a spokesperson for DiCicco. The city’s current zoning code, under the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, was drawn up in the 1950s and “applies to construction technology and development that is about 50 years old,” Kenney said. John Haak, co-chair of the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee, agrees that Philadelphia’s code is outdated. “Compared to other cities, Philadelphia is overdue for a major review and update of its zoning code,” he said. The Zoning Board of Adjustment, which oversees zoning code enforcement by the Department of Licenses and Inspections, has four scheduled sets of hearings a week, which are largely concerned with zoning variances necessary to adjust the current zoning code for new development and uses. DiCicco and Kenney’s proposed changes to the Charter include: • The creation of a Zoning Code Commission that will analyze and recommend changes to the city’s zoning code. • Specifying qualifications for the six appointed members of the City Planning Commission. The change recommends that the appointed members include an architect, an urban planner, a traffic engineer, an attorney experienced in land use issues and two representatives of Philadelphia community groups. • Specifying the same qualifications for the five appointed members of the ZBA, but including only one representative of a Philadelphia community group. Kenney said the proposed legislation does not imply that the current ZBA members and planning commissioners are not qualified. “I think it would be better for setting up the land development policies and the follow up if there were those professionals to help,” he explained. Currently, ZBA and Planning Commission members are appointed by the mayor without specific, written qualifications. Kenney also proposed that the Planning Commission’s review period — currently 45 days — be extended up to an additional 45 days. DiCicco proposed that public notices be posted on properties affected by proposed zoning changes. Contact staff writer Kristin Pazulski at 215-248-8819 or Kristin@chestnuthilllocal.com. |
