New “open house” format offers residents another chance to comment on draft code
ZCC Public Outreach
Over the next few weeks, the ZCC is hosting an open house in each councilmanic district to provide another opportunity for public review and comment on the draft consolidated code. Attendees are self-guided through a presentation of boards that highlight proposed key changes between the old and the new codes. The boards are organized into four themes: enhancing city and neighborhoods, preserving and enriching the environment, improving connections, and engaging the public. Representatives from Portfolio Associates, the Planning Commission, and the ZCC are available to answer questions, discuss issues, and gather feedback.
The first of ten open houses was held at Holy Family University on September 22. The meeting drew individuals who have tracked Philadelphia’s zoning reform project from start to finish, as well as some newcomers. Marion Brown of the Neighborhood Interfaith Movement, for example, has been following the zoning code project from the beginning, in order to encourage zoning regulations that support better child care. As the NIM Early Learning Alliance Coordinator, Ms. Brown provides resources on child care regulations, including zoning. She came to comment on specific sections of the draft code. Brown reacted positively to new definitions related to day care, but doesn’t like that the code rules such facilities out in certain locations, rather than allowing for the possibility of special permission. In general, she thought the open house was a well done presentation, but was not sure that it met her idea of public input.
The ZCC and Portfolio Associates said they thought long and hard about the format. They wanted to engage the public in a new way, since this series of meetings is about presenting the results of prior public participation. The ZCC and its consultants have completed the major work of restructuring and rewriting the code based on that feedback. The next two months before a final draft is submitted to City Council are about getting the details right. In addition to the presentation boards, full drafts of the code are available to review at the open house and attendees are encouraged to comment on the impacts of specific changes. Comments on the draft code will be accepted until October 12.
The next open house is scheduled for 6 PM Monday, September 27, at Roxborough Memorial Hospital. Click here for a complete list of times and locations. Vist a virtual open house at http://www.zoningcodeopenhouse.com/.
Zoning Watch 2010 Archives
ZCC
- 12/21/2010 Deadline for comments on draft code extended to January 21 (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 12/15/2010 Zoning code discussion focuses on timing and process; vote could be delayed (Current)
- 12/15/2010 ZCC still debating form and design controls; bonuses for green building stay as is (CurrentCurrent)
- 12/13/2010 ZCC adjusts Civic Design Review timeline (CurrentCurrent)
- 12/12/2010 New draft consolidated code released (CurrentCurrent)
- 12/02/2010 ZCC addresses comments from BIA and others: Civic Design Review is modified and a two-stage permit process is introduced (CurrentCurrent)
- 12/02/2010 Track code updates at Zoning Matters (CurrentCurrent)
- 12/01/2010 Vote on draft zoning code moved to January 2011 (CurrentCurrent)
- 11/11/2010 Draft zoning code on fast track to City Council (Current)
- 11/11/2010 Get the latest code updates at Zoning Matters (Current)
- 11/11/2010 Civic engagement process sets new standard (Current)
- 11/11/2010 Councilman O’Neill cautions ZCC about new code (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 11/09/2010 Final open house culminates an open process (CurrentCurrent)
- 10/27/2010 Final comments on draft zoning code due November 12 (CurrentCurrent)
- 10/27/2010 Final open house November 9 – time to weigh in on draft zoning code (CurrentCurrent)
- 10/27/2010 ZCC responds to input (CurrentCurrent)
- 10/06/2010 ZCC refines zoning code in preparation for December 8 vote (CurrentCurrent)
- 10/04/2010 Comment period on draft zoning code extended to November 12 (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 09/22/2010 New “open house” format offers residents another chance to comment on draft code (CurrentCurrent)
- 09/22/2010 Zoning Commission briefs City Council on draft zoning code (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 09/20/2010 Open houses on draft zoning code start September 22 (CurrentCurrent)
- 09/17/2010 Councilman O’Neill wants draft zoning code passed into law (CurrentCurrent)
- 09/08/2010 Full draft code is released; comments due by October 12. (CurrentCurrent)
- 09/07/2010 City Planning Commission briefed on proposed zoning code (CurrentCurrent)
- 08/17/2010 Zoning Code Commissioner resigns (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 08/11/2010 ZCC plans ambitious fall schedule for approving new code (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 08/11/2010 Final change memo on draft code is released (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 08/11/2010 Proposed development standards are mostly well-received (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 07/27/2010 Public weighs in on module 3 of draft code (CurrentCurrent)
- 07/26/2010 Take survey on draft code
(
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) - 07/14/2010 Mayor asks ZCC to “be bold” as third and final module of the draft code is released (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 07/10/2010 Community meetings for module 3 of the draft zoning code scheduled; new survey online (CurrentCurrent)
- 06/09/2010 Changes to modules 1 and 2 of the draft zoning code continue; module 3 to be released July 14 (CurrentCurrent)
- 06/09/2010 PIDC to release report on the future of industrial lands in Philadelphia (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 05/12/2010 Council approves one-year extension, but draft zoning code is expected this fall (CurrentCurrent)
- 04/28/2010 Public reaction to Module 2 – Zoning Districts and Uses (CurrentCurrent)
- 04/14/2010 Public involvement guidelines re development proposed; Civic Design Review introduced (CurrentCurrent)
- 04/14/2010 New zoning districts and uses proposed (CurrentCurrent)
- 04/14/2010 Public meetings scheduled for Module 2 (CurrentCurrent)
- 03/19/2010 Forum looks at ongoing efforts to make zoning and building codes green (CurrentCurrent)
- 03/10/2010 Public reaction to draft chapters 1 and 2 more positive than negative; ZCC members focus on details (CurrentCurrent)
- 03/10/2010 ZCC responds favorably to principles for involving the public in project review (CurrentCurrent)
- 03/04/2010 Public reacts to key changes in the draft zoning code (CurrentCurrent)
- 02/19/2010 Report on public input released (CurrentCurrent)
- 02/17/2010 Draft procedures for the new zoning code aim to fix how things get done in Philadelphia (CurrentCurrent)
- 02/17/2010 PCPC adopts policy for accepting community-based plans as official guidance documents (CurrentCurrent)
- 01/28/2010 Developers, community groups hash out public’s role in project review; opportunity to comment on draft procedures next month (CurrentCurrent)
- 01/24/2010 Neighborhood leadership wants to level the playing field for the public in development review (CurrentCurrent)
- 01/23/2010 Community groups form network to appeal to ZZC (CurrentCurrent)
- 01/20/2010 Development community workshop explores how and when the public should have a say in project review (CurrentCurrent)
- 01/13/2010 Consultants ask for feedback on draft procedures; recommend more decision-making authority for L&I and PCPC (Current)
- 01/13/2010 Consultants ask for feedback on draft procedures; recommend more decision-making authority for L&I and PCPC (Current)
- 01/13/2010 ZCC sub-committee tackles non-conforming uses and structures (CurrentCurrent)
ZBA
- 01/12/2010 New appointments at the Zoning Board of Adjustment (CurrentCurrent)