PCPC Approves Riverfront Vision Plan; Action Delayed on Overlay District and Remapping
PCPC Meeting
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission voted to accept the Central Delaware Riverfront Vision Plan as the working guideline for development and public policy planning for 1,146 acres of land along a seven-mile stretch of waterfront. No action was taken on Bill 090170, which creates a waterfront overlay district and establishes use, setback, and waterfront access provisions, or Bill 090169, which rezones parcels in the Old City/Northern Liberties/Fishtown section of the riverfront. A hearing on bills 090170 and 090169 in the Committee on Rules is scheduled June 3.
The Civic Vision for the Central Delaware is a framework for development focusing on movement, open space, and land development. It strives to increase public access to the riverfront and promote design excellence, in response to the values and goals of more than 4,000 Philadelphians who participated in the planning process. The vision plan may be reviewed at http://www.planphilly.com/book/export/html/2162.
Testimony on accepting the vision plan as a guide for development was mostly in support, although a few speakers raised concern about the impact of the plan on waterfront landowners. Property-owners are particularly concerned about the plan’s recommendation for a 100-foot building setback from the river’s bank. The setback and round-the-clock access requirements are issues that are currently being debated in relation to the overlay district regulations proposed with Bill 090170. Frank DiCicco attended the PCPC meeting to support the vision plan, hear testimony, and ask the commission to delay action on the bills while he works with all stakeholders to refine the provisions, which are being described as “do no harm” measures. The interim zoning would be in effect until a detailed master plan of the central Delaware can be prepared. The William Penn Foundation has provided funding for the master plan and an RFP for consultant work on the effort will be released within two weeks, with an expectation that the plan be completed by the fall of 2010.
Commission Director Alan Greenberger emphasized that the document is a vision for the future and that its acceptance is needed to get the process started and establish a firmer set of values for directing the master plan. The commission then voted unanimously to accept the vision document and plans to take action on Bills 090170 and 190169 in May. The bills are scheduled for a hearing in the Committee on Rules on Wednesday, June 3, at 10:00 AM, Room 400, City Hall, and are expected to go before City Council soon after.