Final X-Change focuses on parking
ZCC Special Public Session
ZCC Director Eva Gladstein described new parking requirements in the draft zoning code that were developed with input from the Streets Department and professional experts. The new code establishes parking maximums in an effort to bring down the overall amount of parking provided and encourage transit use, walking, and cycling. New design standards will ensure parking lots are adequately landscaped and screened and curb cuts across sidewalks are limited.
The current zoning code sets parking minimums, which may reduce competition for available on-street parking but can increase traffic congestion, pollution, and energy consumption. New zoning generally lowers the minimum number of spaces required and sets a maximum calculated as a percentage of the minimum or as a ratio based on gross floor area. Other smart parking strategies proposed in the draft code encourage the use of shared parking, auto-share vehicles, and bicycles. A few stakeholders expressed concern that proposed parking caps may be too restrictive and may even discourage development in certain cases. “Big industrial users with 1,000 to 1,200 employees should not have to go to the ZBA or get a special exception,” said Craig Schelter of the Development Workshop. “It will become a disincentive for businesses looking at Philadelphia.”
ZCC member Greg Pastore wanted more clarity on how parking nonconformities are addressed in the new code. The language currently proposed would allow the nonconforming amounts and/or locations of spaces to remain, even if a new use is proposed. The parking would need to be improved only if a new principle structure is built or the existing floor area is significantly altered or expanded. Mr. Pastore wants to be sure that is the intent of the Commission and asked whether the issue could be revisited by the Work Plan Committee.
Eva Gladstein reminded the group that new sign controls will be proposed next fall and are not part of the draft code. Existing regulations are being carried over as is while an internal working group on signs gathers input from community and industry stakeholders.
The next ZCC meeting will be May 11 at 8:00 AM, when the Commission will vote to send the draft code – the Preliminary Report – to City Council. A new version of the code will be posted Wednesday, May 4, and any comments submitted after that draft is released will be documented for review by the ZCC and City Council.
Read about all seven Stakeholder X-Changes by clicking on the links below.
Zoning Watch 2011 Archives
ZCC
- 12/15/2011 City Council gives Philadelphia a new zoning code (Current)
- 12/07/2011 Committee sends zoning code bills to Council for final vote (Current)
- 11/17/2011 Bill to replace current zoning code is introduced into Council (Current)
- 11/15/2011 PCPC recommends approval of zoning bill 110766 with conditions (Current)
- 11/09/2011 ZCC votes unanimously to send Final Report to City Council (Current)
- 10/26/2011 ZCC reviews code recommendations from Council; homes in on final issues (Current)
- 10/20/2011 Zoning reform gets one step closer as City Council passes resolution of code recommendations (Current)
- 10/12/2011 ZCC discusses Council recommendations to date; awaits formal resolution of requested changes (Current)
- 09/27/2011 Council closes hearings on draft zoning code; on track for vote in 2011 (Current)
- 09/21/2011 Zoning forum addresses how to resolve final issues and prepare the code for adoption this year (Current)
- 09/14/2011 Hearing on draft code draws crowd (Current)
- 09/08/2011 Councilmembers Share Concerns with ZCC at Briefing (CurrentCurrent)
- 07/19/2011 Next Great City Coalition Launches E-Petition to Pass Updated Zoning Code (Current)
- 07/15/2011 Fact sheets highlight why zoning reform is so important (Current)
- 07/08/2011 ZCC offers property research service (Current)
- 06/15/2011 City Council commences hearings on zoning code (Current)
- 06/08/2011 ZCC waits for Committee hearings to begin; work continues on sign controls and tools to aid public understanding (CurrentCurrent)
- 05/11/2011 ZCC VOTES YES! Draft code moves to City Council, but threat remains (CurrentCurrent)
- 05/09/2011 10 MORE YEARS TO ZONING REFORM? (Current)
- 05/03/2011 Final X-Change focuses on parking (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 04/27/2011 Stakeholders weigh in on development standards and how to encourage good design (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 04/19/2011 Stakeholders discuss new dimensional standards (CurrentCurrent)
- 04/13/2011 Vote to send draft code to City Council May 11 (Current)
- 04/05/2011 Stakeholders focus on new use categories (CurrentCurrent)
- 03/23/2011 ZCC “Stakeholder X-Changes” underway (CurrentCurrent)
- 03/17/2011 At-large Council candidates support new zoning code (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 03/16/2011 ZCC “Stakeholder X-Change” draws crowd (CurrentCurrent)
- 03/02/2011 ZCC delays sending zoning code to City Council for 10 weeks (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 02/28/2011 ZCC explains how decisions about the new code were made (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 02/22/2011 Vote scheduled for March 2 (current)
- 02/18/2011 Special meeting lets ZCC explain how decisions about the new code were made (current)
- 02/15/2011 ZCC adds two public meetings to schedule (CurrentCurrent)
- 02/09/2011 ZCC delays vote on new zoning code; some question whether code is ready for City Council (Current)
- 02/03/2011 City Council voices concerns about new zoning code (Current)
- 02/03/2011 Updated “Referral Draft” is released (Current)
- 01/26/2011 February 9 vote on draft zoning code questioned as revisions continue to be made (current)
- 01/26/2011 Building Industry Association comments on December 2010 draft zoning code (current)
- 01/26/2011 February 9 vote on draft zoning code questioned as revisions continue to be made (CurrentCurrent)
- 01/26/2011 Building Industry Association comments on December 2010 draft zoning code (CurrentCurrent)
ZBA
General Zoning
- 03/02/2011 Zoning Basics (CurrentCurrent)
Zoning Maps
- 03/02/2011 Philadelphia Zoning Maps (CurrentCurrent)