Hearing on draft code draws crowd
Committee of the Whole Council
About 40 community and business leaders registered to testify today when the Committee of the Whole Council reconvened hearings on the proposed new zoning code. Council chambers were full as representatives from civic groups, for-profit and non-profit development corporations, the design industry, and other organizations and individuals provided more than six hours of testimony. Most said they want to see a new zoning code adopted by City Council this session, but made detailed recommendations on how the draft code could be further changed and improved before final action is taken. Councilmembers raised their own concerns, asking questions about how the code deals with existing overlay districts, student housing, nightclubs, registered community organizations, and more.
The hearing began with testimony by the administration that generated nearly two hours of discussion. Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Alan Greenberger, Executive Director of the Zoning Code Commission Eva Gladstein, and Senior Consultant Don Elliott of Clarion Associates focused on aspects of the proposed zoning code that have engendered questions from City Council. The panel provided clarification on a range of issues, including where certain uses are prohibited or permitted by special exception, whether the new code provides the same level of protections as current overlay districts, how much remapping is likely to be required as a result of the code, and limitations on the number and spacing of uses in any given area.
Additional panels testified about the benefits of the new code for economic development, neighborhood growth, sustainability, and quality of life. Others addressed the code’s clarity and ease of use. Although many speakers requested further discussion on a number of issues and recommended specific changes, there seemed to be consensus that resolution could be achieved and a commitment to see the zoning reform effort through in 2011.
Shortly after 5 PM, City Council President Anna Verna announced that the Committee of the Whole will stand in recess until September 27 at 10 AM.
Also See
- 04/17/2012 City prepares for implementation of new zoning code
- 03/12/2012 Provide comments on draft documents by March 30
- 02/03/2012 Take the ZCC Signage Survey
- 12/15/2011 City Council gives Philadelphia a new zoning code
- 12/07/2011 Committee sends zoning code bills to Council for final vote
- 11/17/2011 Bill to replace current zoning code is introduced into Council
- 11/15/2011 PCPC recommends approval of zoning bill 110766 with conditions
- 11/09/2011 ZCC votes unanimously to send Final Report to City Council
- 10/26/2011 ZCC reviews code recommendations from Council; homes in on final issues
- 10/20/2011 Zoning reform gets one step closer as City Council passes resolution of code recommendations
- 10/12/2011 ZCC discusses Council recommendations to date; awaits formal resolution of requested changes
- 09/27/2011 Council closes hearings on draft zoning code; on track for vote in 2011
- 09/21/2011 Zoning forum addresses how to resolve final issues and prepare the code for adoption this year
- 09/14/2011 Hearing on draft code draws crowd
- 09/08/2011 Councilmembers Share Concerns with ZCC at Briefing
- 07/19/2011 Next Great City Coalition Launches E-Petition to Pass Updated Zoning Code
- 07/15/2011 Fact sheets highlight why zoning reform is so important
- 07/08/2011 ZCC offers property research service
- 06/15/2011 City Council commences hearings on zoning code
- 06/08/2011 ZCC waits for Committee hearings to begin; work continues on sign controls and tools to aid public understanding
- 05/11/2011 ZCC VOTES YES! Draft code moves to City Council, but threat remains
- 05/09/2011 10 MORE YEARS TO ZONING REFORM?
- 05/03/2011 Final X-Change focuses on parking
- 04/27/2011 Stakeholders weigh in on development standards and how to encourage good design
- 04/19/2011 Stakeholders discuss new dimensional standards
- 04/13/2011 Vote to send draft code to City Council May 11
- 04/05/2011 Stakeholders focus on new use categories
- 03/23/2011 ZCC “Stakeholder X-Changes” underway
- 03/17/2011 At-large Council candidates support new zoning code
- 03/16/2011 ZCC “Stakeholder X-Change” draws crowd
- 03/02/2011 ZCC delays sending zoning code to City Council for 10 weeks
- 02/28/2011 ZCC explains how decisions about the new code were made
- 02/22/2011 Vote scheduled for March 2
- 02/18/2011 Special meeting lets ZCC explain how decisions about the new code were made
- 02/15/2011 ZCC adds two public meetings to schedule
- 02/09/2011 ZCC delays vote on new zoning code; some question whether code is ready for City Council
- 02/03/2011 City Council voices concerns about new zoning code
- 02/03/2011 Updated “Referral Draft” is released
- 01/26/2011 February 9 vote on draft zoning code questioned as revisions continue to be made
- 01/26/2011 Building Industry Association comments on December 2010 draft zoning code
- 01/26/2011 February 9 vote on draft zoning code questioned as revisions continue to be made
- 01/26/2011 Building Industry Association comments on December 2010 draft zoning code
- 12/21/2010 Deadline for comments on draft code extended to January 21
- 12/15/2010 Zoning code discussion focuses on timing and process; vote could be delayed
- 12/15/2010 ZCC still debating form and design controls; bonuses for green building stay as is
- 12/13/2010 ZCC adjusts Civic Design Review timeline
- 12/12/2010 New draft consolidated code released
- 12/02/2010 ZCC addresses comments from BIA and others: Civic Design Review is modified and a two-stage permit process is introduced
- 12/02/2010 Track code updates at Zoning Matters
- 12/01/2010 Vote on draft zoning code moved to January 2011
- 11/11/2010 Draft zoning code on fast track to City Council
- 11/11/2010 Get the latest code updates at Zoning Matters
- 11/11/2010 Civic engagement process sets new standard
- 11/11/2010 Councilman O’Neill cautions ZCC about new code
- 11/09/2010 Final open house culminates an open process
- 10/27/2010 Final comments on draft zoning code due November 12
- 10/27/2010 Final open house November 9 – time to weigh in on draft zoning code
- 10/27/2010 ZCC responds to input
- 10/06/2010 ZCC refines zoning code in preparation for December 8 vote
- 10/04/2010 Comment period on draft zoning code extended to November 12
- 09/22/2010 New “open house” format offers residents another chance to comment on draft code
- 09/22/2010 Zoning Commission briefs City Council on draft zoning code
- 09/20/2010 Open houses on draft zoning code start September 22
- 09/17/2010 Councilman O’Neill wants draft zoning code passed into law
- 01/13/2010 Consultants ask for feedback on draft procedures; recommend more decision-making authority for L&I and PCPC