Vote 'yes' on zoning reform

February 2, 2007

THEY CALL it Billy Penn's Curse, claiming that our pro sports teams have been hexed because we created special zoning that allows office buildings to rise taller than our founder's hat on City Hall.

We can start to fix this problem now by urging City Council to enact an amendment to the City Charter revising the zoning code, to be followed this spring by a public referendum on the issue. Council votes on Feb. 8, so the time to act is now.

Philadelphia's 600-page zoning code hasn't been updated since the 1950s. Like Chicago, Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods. Like Chicago, Philadelphia experienced a big population loss. (Chicago is down nearly 800,000 residents since the 1950s. Philadelphia has lost about 600,000 residents).

And both cities were once industrial giants that are now enjoying a residential renaissance. So, a modest proposal: Fix the zoning code and put Philadelphia in the lead when it comes to providing predictable, sensible rules for development and neighborhood preservation.

Design professionals and environmental organizations, neighborhood civic associations and the Chamber of Commerce, nonprofit CDCs and for-profit developers all agree on the need to modernize and strengthen the zoning code.

The Feb. 8 vote in Council is the first step to real reform. Council will vote on a proposed charter change to establish a Zoning Code Commission to revise the zoning code. Philadelphians will then have the chance to green-light zoning reform in the May primary by voting "yes" for the commission.

The 29-member commission would tackle a variety of tough issues ranging from reducing parking woes and traffic congestion to the proper location for high-rise towers. These proposed changes, once ratified by Council, will offer a sensible blueprint for development and neighborhood preservation.

So urge Council to vote for zoning reform on Feb. 8!

Rick Sauer, Executive Director

Phila. Association of Community

Development Corporations

William Reddish, President

Building Industry Assn.

Thus zoning becomes a key driver of the city's corrupting "pay-to-play" culture. Meanwhile, in bargaining endlessly with developers, civic groups spend energy and money that could be far more usefully devoted to other efforts. Many top-notch builders, disliking all the sordid games, shy away from the city.

The end result is a bunch of piecemeal developments - some OK, some terrible - that don't fit any master plan for how a great, historic, beautiful city should grow and evolve.