The Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission www.zoningmatters.org | www.facebook.com/phillyzcc

The Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission

The Role of the Community in the Draft New Zoning Code

1. The new zoning code is fair and requires everyone to play by the same rules.

Fairness and predictability are keys to good zoning. The new Code tells every developer or homeowner

making an improvement to his or her property exactly what is allowed and what is prohibited. Having

clear rules—developed ahead of time with community input—is a far more effective way of ensuring

good development than efforts to stop or change development after it has been approved.

2. The new zoning code is better organized and will be easier to navigate.

The new zoning code has easy-to-use tables that show you the permitted uses, dimensional

requirements, and parking standards for each zoning district. Unlike the current zoning code, all of the

definitions are contained in one reference chapter. Code users will know exactly where to look for the

information they need.

3. The new zoning code requires and formalizes community engagement.

Today, it is up to neighborhood associations to gain notice about and weigh in on proposed new

development. The new code establishes a citywide system for recognizing community organizations,

providing notice of significant projects, and convening neighborhood forums with developers to review

those projects.

Registered Community Organization (RCO) Notice

The new Code requires that a developer notify RCOs and meet with them within a set

timeframe when a development requires Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) approval, or even

when it does not require a ZBA approval but is of a significant size. The current rights of

residents, whether or not they are a member of a community organization, will be retained or

expanded.

Interested organizations can register annually with the Planning Commission and provide

the name of a contact person and information on their boundaries. RCOs will receive

early notice of applications for certain kinds of projects within their boundaries and must

agree to convene meetings with applicants. The Zoning Administrative Manual, a “how-

to” companion to the zoning code, will recommend methods of notice to community

groups and guidelines for community groups and developers to document the meeting.

Civic Design Review

The new Zoning Code establishes a Civic Design Review Committee to weigh in on the design

of projects of a significant size that can dramatically change the look and feel of a neighborhood

The Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission www.zoningmatters.org | www.facebook.com/phillyzcc

for better or worse. The Civic Design Review Committee will allow for organized public

discussion about the design and public impact of significant projects. The Committee members,

who will have expertise in planning, design, development, and experience reviewing projects

from a civic association point of view, will provide advisory recommendations for design changes

that will enhance the project. A neighborhood representative will serve on the Committee.

4. The new Zoning Code clarifies and increases the required notice

provisions for ZBA hearings.

The Code extends the notice period for Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) hearings from 12 to

21 days to provide residents more time to review applications. Sign notices must include such

information as the applicant’s contact information, the scope of the proposed project, and the

time and place of any required meetings or public hearings. Applicants must repost sign notices if

a public hearing is rescheduled or continued to a date that is more than seven days from the

original hearing.

5. The new Zoning Code provides clearer rules for Zoning Board of Adjustment

(ZBA) hearings.

The rules ensure that anyone interested in a case will be able to appear at the ZBA, and that the ZBA

must state its reasons for decisions in writing. The Code also clarifies the limited situations in which the

ZBA should grant variances.

Use variances granted only in cases of an “unnecessary hardship” because the property cannot be

developed in strict conformity with the code due to unique physical circumstances (such as shape or

topography); and because a variance from dimensional standards will not enable a viable economic use

of the property.

Dimensional variances granted only if denial of the requested variance would result in an

“unnecessary hardship” (taking into account the economic detriment and financial burden caused by

building in strict conformity with the code); and if the variance is the minimum variance necessary to

provide relief.

6. Form and design standards in the new Zoning Code will support better quality

design in our neighborhoods.

They will discourage blank walls and will screen utility equipment, loading docks, trash loading facilities,

and rooftop mounted equipment from view from adjacent public streets. Landscaping and trees will be

more prevalent. There will be better connections to open space and pedestrian and bicycle access

routes.