The When We Fix It Coalition

In 2004, the Building Industry Association released the report “If We Fix It, They Will Come”. A variety of citywide organizations endorsed the report and formed a coalition to reform the development review system. Today the When We Fix It Coalition (or FixItPhilly), led by the Building Industry Association (BIA) Government Affairs Committee, gathers each month to implement their extensive agenda to reform the city’s outdated zoning and cumbersome development review system. To see this report that has made extraordinary changes to the city’s development review and zoning process, click here. The report called upon Mayor Street and his administration to update the zoning and development review process so that they were fair and consistent, so that they protect neighborhoods while welcoming new investment, people and jobs.

There were so many outdated practices and slow processes that it was not unusual for a homeowner to go to L&I for a simple permit to complete renovation work on their home and have to wait hours.

In a more complex example, the Federal government had mandated that the city regulate stormwater for the first time because rainwater and snow melt were overwhelming the city’s combined sewer system and sending untreated waste into the river. Yet the initial city regulatory policy gave the Planning Commission primary authority to regulate stormwater management under the Zoning Code, L&I the authority to inspect the systems based on the Plumbing Code and the Water Department with the authority to ensure the actual stormwater structures worked properly based on their regulations. Having to meet three different standards was unfair and inconsistent and thanks to the work of the Coalition and the city, the Water Department has the sole authority to review stormwater management although L&I continues to inspect these systems.

Current Agenda

BIA Philadelphia and FixItPhilly are tackling a very ambitious agenda in 2011, involving projects in four distinct areas:

Vacant Land. The Vacant Land Project will produce a report that sets out both short-term and systemic fixes for Philadelphia’s vacant land acquisition and disposition policies.
Stormwater. The Stormwater Project will push for innovative policies to ensure that the Philadelphia Water Department’s reduction of the stormwater management threshold from 15,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet will not deter infill development.
Zoning Reform. The Zoning Reform Project continues a four year effort to adopt a clear, fair and modern zoning code in Philadelphia. This work will focus on educating the public and City Council about the benefits of a new code.
Development Review. The Development Review Project will continue the work started in 2004 to improve and streamline the Philadelphia’s development review process.

Coalition Members

Building Industry Association of Philadelphia: This founding member of the Coalition was formed in 1937 as a professional association for the real estate development field. http://www.biaofphiladelphia.com/

The Reinvestment Fund: TRF, The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), a certified CDFI based in Philadelphia, is a national leader in the financing of neighborhood revitalization. http://www.trfund.com/

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania: an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to promoting land use policies and actions that will enable Pennsylvania to strengthen its diverse urban, suburban, and rural communities and reduce sprawl. http://www.10000friends.org

American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia Chapter: AIA Philadelphia organizes architects in the region for the purpose of advancing their influence in shaping the built environment, and their ability to effectively practice architecture in an ever-changing society and competitive marketplace. http://www.aiaphiladelphia.org/

Central Philadelphia Development Corporation: PDC, a membership organization of downtown business leaders, that shares the mission of the Center City District has been a key force in the development of Center City for nearly half a century. Its focus is to strengthen the competitiveness of Center City as the region’s central location for business and entrepreneurship. http://www.centercityphila.org

Design Advocacy Group: DAG is an alliance of individuals who provide an independent and informed public voice for design quality in the architecture and physical planning of the Philadelphia region. http://www.designadvocacy.org/

Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania: HAP is focused on providing housing opportunities to low income individuals and families throughout the state of Pennsylvania. http://www.housingalliancepa.org

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation Philadelphia: LISC contributes to the proliferation, expansion, and strengthening of community development corporations (CDCs) in Philadelphia neighborhoods. http://www.lisc.org/philadelphia

Pennsylvania Environmental Council: PEC is a statewide organization whose goal is to protect and restore the natural and built environments through innovation, collaboration, education and advocacy. http://www.pecpa.org

Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations: PACDC provides advocacy, policy development and technical assistance for community development corporations and other organizations in their efforts to rebuild communities and revitalize neighborhoods. http://www.pacdc.org

Urban Land Institute, Philadelphia District Council: ULI is a membership organization dedicated to providing leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. http://philadelphia.uli.org/