Zoning Code Commission weighs in on best practices
07/08/2009 |
ZCC Regular Session
The ZCC reacted to the best practices report, which summarizes successful zoning options from other cities in key areas of concern: approval procedures, sustainability, downtown zoning, form controls, parking, modular zoning, and web-based codes. The report was designed to help the ZCC evaluate alternatives for Philadelphia. Members reiterated to consultants that the overarching goal of any changes to the code is to make zoning in Philadelphia more efficient. Commission members generally agreed with the proposed strategy identified in the report for each topic, although modular zoning was removed from consideration for its complexity. The ZCC also wants consultants to:
- Remove ambiguity in the regulations
- Consider incentives with caution
- Provide regulations that enhance accessibility to open space, community gardens, and urban agriculture.
- Relate sustainable practices to issues residents care about – traffic congestion, parking, etc.
- Consider reducing parking requirements to support the extensive and valuable public transit system in place.
- Evaluate the impacts of curb cut restrictions for on and off-street parking.
- Think about tax incentives to buy cars that may increase parking needs.
- Discourage large surface parking lots.
- Protect neighborhood character with form controls and contextual zoning measures.
- Address the opportunities corners present.
- Consider reutilizing the system developed for the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative that identified areas as stable, transitional, or distressed, in order to establish criteria for zoning.
- Work hard on developing the objective criteria; effective regulations will reduce the need for variances.
- Spend the most time and effort on reforming review and approval procedures – a fair and more efficient zoning system is the primary aim of the ZCC.
- Develop a structure for the new code that is compatible with web-based zoning.
Public observers reminded consultants that the bulk of variance requests are not for downtown development and to think about opportunities for form controls and contextual zoning in other areas of the city. They also asked if zoning could help make urban agriculture, community gardening, and green space more permanent. And they want the ZCC to address illegal building, look for opportunities to obviate corruption, and create a system with accountability.
Based on this input, the consultants will develop specific recommendations for the new zoning code, which will be presented to the ZCC at its September meeting. The final product is due August 2010.
Click here to view a PowerPoint presentation that summarizes key issues and solutions.
Zoning Watch 2009 Archives
ZCC
- 12/09/2009 Module 1 of the draft zoning code due December 31, but developers and community groups discuss their biggest concerns in January (CurrentCurrent)
- 12/09/2009 ZCC releases results from opinion survey on draft recommendations (CurrentCurrent)
- 12/01/2009 Q&A (Current)
- 12/01/2009 Q&A (Current)
- 11/18/2009 Zoning Code Commission adopts modified recommendations for new code; the role of public input remains a question (CurrentCurrent)
- 10/31/2009 Neighbors fear new streamlined zoning will cut them out of the process (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/30/2009 Survey Results: Zoning should incentivize shared parking and bike parking for new businesses (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/29/2009 New zoning should protect neighborhoods but changes must be enforced (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/29/2009 Survey Results: ZCC needs to improve regulations for parking in new residential construction (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/28/2009 Survey Results: Time for the Zoning Code Commission to improve parking in neighborhoods (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/27/2009 Survey Results: Parking near workplace creates congestion (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/26/2009 Survey Results: Parking problems hit home (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/22/2009 Neighbors want a lot of say about what is built in their community (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/20/2009 ZCC and PCPC propose strategy to coordinate efforts (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/14/2009 ZCC debates zoning recommendations for public input (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/08/2009 Upcoming Zoning Code Hearing Times and Locations (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/07/2009 Community leaders tell ZCC they want power over their own destiny (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 10/07/2009 ZCC Hiring Program Coordinator (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 09/23/2009 Public hearing on draft zoning recommendations October 7 (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 09/09/2009 ZCC to make tough decisions on zoning recommendations (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 09/09/2009 Next steps for the new code (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 07/08/2009 Zoning Code Commission weighs in on best practices (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 06/10/2009 Can best practices from other cities meet Philadelphia’s needs? (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 06/10/2009 What is the future of industrial lands in Philadelphia? (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 06/10/2009 Zoning Code Commission selects Phase II Consultant Team (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 05/13/2009 Message on Zoning in Philadelphia: Simplify (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 05/13/2009 Phase I Next Steps: Best Practices Report and Discussion (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 04/27/2009 Phase II RFP Now Posted (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 04/17/2009 Submit Comments to the ZCC: Full Code Assessment and Executive Summary Available for Review (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 04/08/2009 ZCC Reacts to Code Assessment (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 04/08/2009 Phase II RFP Soon to be Released (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 03/24/2009 What Do Philadelphians Want Most from the Zoning Code Commission? (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 03/13/2009 What Do the Experts Say About Philadelphia’s Existing Zoning Code? (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 03/13/2009 Zoning Experts Recommend Fixes to the ZCC (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 03/12/2009 Tell the ZCC What You Think: Interim Assessment of Existing Code Available for Review (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 03/12/2009 Phase I Civic Engagement Process Ends with Input from the 2nd District: Give the Public More Say, Strengthen Existing Neighborhoods, and Fix the Process (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 03/04/2009 Redevelopment and Public Say are Key Issues in the 4th and 9th Districts (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 02/24/2009 100 Participants in the 3rd District Call for a Fair and Efficient Zoning Process (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 02/19/2009 Top Priorities for the 5th District: Protect Neighborhoods, Encourage Redevelopment and Improve Process (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 02/11/2009 Experts and Public Agree on Zoning Priorities (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 02/11/2009 ZCC Grapples With Big Zoning Issues: Variances and Civic Input (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 02/05/2009 Neighborhoods, Process, and Design of New Buildings are Priorities for the 1st District (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 02/03/2009 6th District: Improve Zoning Process and Protect Existing Neighborhoods (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 01/26/2009 8th Councilmanic District Speaks Out on Zoning (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 01/14/2009 Code Evaluation Update (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 01/14/2009 ZCC Forms Civic Engagement Committee, Creates Vice-Chair Positions (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 01/14/2009 ZCC Director in Place (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 01/14/2009 Community Outreach Begins – 5 of 10 Meetings Scheduled (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
ZBA
- 10/20/2009 BIA supports ZBA quorum bill and asks for more reforms (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 09/18/2009 Efforts underway to reduce delays at ZBA and speed up review (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 01/14/2009 Consent Calendar Proposed for ZBA (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
General Zoning
- 11/25/2009 Regulating digital signage – attend seminar December 4 (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 09/08/2009 Zoning Reform Nightmares (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 09/08/2009 FixItPhilly Parking Survey (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 06/18/2009 Council passes bill to create riverfront overlay district (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 06/04/2009 Rules Committee Supports Waterfront Zoning (CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 05/20/2009 Will developers be welcome in Fairmount Park? (CurrentCurrentCurrent)
- 05/20/2009 Waterfront Zoning Approved by Planning Commission; Public Hearing June 3 (CurrentCurrentCurrent)