Friday, August 8, 2014

CCRA News Letter



WHAT'S NEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Zoning Trends: Rules of Law or Legislators
CCRA NEWS
CCRA Merchant Member Discount Program
Promote your business or your favorite charity
CCRA EVENTS
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND EVENTS:
Volunteers Needed at PHS
The Golden Life Senior Fair
Walking Tour of Fitler Neighborhood
Rittenhouse Sq. Walks for Seniors
OPCC's After School Program Returns

  
       
OUR SPONSORS
   
  
  
   


Di Bruno Bros logo

 


Penn Med Ritt logo 




If you would like to donate to CCRA, click below.

https://www.paypal.com/cgibin/webscr?first_name=Julie&last_name=&undefined_quantity=1&business=centercity@centercityresidents.org&image_url=http://www.centercityresidents.org/images/masthead.jpg&return=&cancel_return=&item_name=Donate to CCRA&amount=0&shipping=0&currency_code=USD&item_number=&cmd=_xclick&bn=ctct_Ecom_EmailMarketing_PPS


http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001oMXesk9suuQSxVDJ8EfOEu0MS1KNaMbNoIqqzrgR7KSLkwxumgQhHpQII1tZko5d1mXw7QCTUstL2a3_vSVHj4W6RPHA8t_rDT2bKYErS_A6rMuN1RcmGCK7ZvcYBaMQO0VcnG6fCJrbUtcF8GEBXCm1zwbeLWay7iaGkhuN2HRhGMlJIz5lOlxlOMTwOGqY2Am9iTWD7gQ=&c=iuEUEsuEw0ET4A0MRJEc4jxT1VS5f0y3rGjGsna5CqnqzXP7PWSaqA==&ch=bQeH_szzGBpWcB6CpWMW6Kt6fd5PLbapGpoIuo7F4b1oguqtwWldTQ==


WHAT'S NEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
ZONING TRENDS: RULE OF LAW OR LEGISLATORS?
Recent proposals for large projects in Center City raise a troubling procedural question, should large developments be ruled by law or by legislators? Less dramatically put, should new developments be regulated through the City's recently revamped Zoning Code, enacted in 2012, or should development proposals be green-lighted by Council ordinance approving buildings which fail to conform to the Code's provisions?

A developer advocating a building which does not conform to the Code has a choice - the legal track or the legislative track. The legal option is really more like an Olympic track set up with hurdles, three to be exact - review by Licenses and Inspections, then a mandated appearance before the local registered community organizations (in our neighborhood, that's CCRA), and finally an appearance before the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Not only does the legal road present hurdles, it is a toll road: payment is tendered in time (all these steps means delay) and lawyers fees. By contrast, the legislative road typically presents only one hurdle - the area's District Councilperson. More often than not, when a Councilperson pitches a project in their district, the other 16 Council members defer. No offense intended but it's a human response - you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.  

From the developer's perspective, the legal route involves all those nit picking height, density, and parking requirements and hearings where knowledgeable people on the Zoning Board of Adjustment ask pointed questions. Who needs that when you can get the law changed by City Council, the same wonderful folks who passed the legislation which called for the planning standards and those pesky hearings in the first place?

So far, in our neighborhood, the legislative work arounds have been benign. Developers seeking an ordinance have presented to the Association's zoning committee in much the same fashion as if they had been pursuing a Zoning Code variance, although, without the ZBA to back up community requests, the disclosures are more likely to be sub-par. Even so,  there is no guaranty that all legislative work arounds will be handled so responsibly. And the work around approach raises issues of equity. Joe and Judy Townhomeowner who want to build a back yard addition not in conformity with the existing zoning are far less likely to have an entrée into Council chambers than Harry Hotelier who has plans for a high rise Hilton.

All 17 members of City Council are up for election this year. It might be wise for our neighborhood to inquire of each candidate their position on this zoning by Code v. zoning by Council issue.  
CCRA NEWS
CCRA MERCHANT MEMBERS DISCOUNT PROGRAM
Support our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a discount (described here) to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card (Di Bruno Bros. has its own CCRA card) and personal identification.

PhotoLounge 1909 Chestnut Street (267-322-6651)
Rim's Dry Cleaners & Tailors,2203 South St. (215-546-1889)
Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St. (215-735-6311)
Rittenhouse Pet Supply, 135 S. 20th St (215-569-2555)
Computer Troubleshooters ,108 S. 20th St. (215-825-2101)
Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St. and the Market at the Comcast Center (215-665-9220) 
Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098)
Eye Candy Vision, 218 S. 20th St (215-568-3937)
Hello World, 257 S. 20th St (215-545-5207)
Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Sq St. (267-687-1769)

Uber - Limo service Uber provides a 10% discount for CCRA Members using code CCRA14.
Philly Foodworks - Use the code "CCRA" when signing up for home delivery and receive a $20 discount on delivery charges.
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS OR FAVORITE CHARITY WITH A HOUSE TOUR BOOKLET AD
CCRA's Oct 19th 2014 House Tour includes a Tour Booklet describing Tour houses distributed to each of the 600-750 Tour-goers. Please consider placing an ad in the Booklet to promote your business, a favorite charity, or simply to congratulate the Tour or CCRA. Rates are $250 for a full page; $150 for half page; $80 for qtr. page. The proceeds support CCRA activities that preserve, enhance, and celebrate urban living. Click here for an ad form or contact the CCRA office at centercity@centercityresidents.org or 215-546-6719.
 CCRA EVENTS
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND EVENTS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT THE PHS POP-UP GARDEN UNTIL 10/3, 1438 SOUTH STREET 
Help the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society while enjoying summer in the Pop Up Garden.
PHS needs volunteers to work from 11am to 2pm in the Pop UP Garden. Your duties will be to welcome visitors and provide information about PHS and the City Harvest Program. PHS will provide all the information you need. If you would like to help PHS, please contact Jessica Wong, PHS Volunteer Coordinator at: jwong@pennhort.org
THE GOLDEN LIFE SENIOR FAIR, TUES, 8/12, 1PM - 4 PM, LEON SULLIVAN CTR, 1415 N. BROAD ST
Part of the L.I.F.E.(Life Improvement Festival & Expo) Series, Come join a celebration of Philadelphia's Seniors. There will be senior service providers, city services kiosks, activities, music, food, and much more.
FITLER NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR, SUN 8/24, 2PM, 23RD & PINE ST
The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia will be offering their 1 1/2 to 2 hours "Littlest Streets Fitler Square" tour. $10 Adults; $8 Students; children 10 and under accompanied by adult are free; $5 Preservation Alliance Members (Please show your member card). Meet at center of Fitler Square and pay cash or check to Preservation Alliance. Limited to the first 25 people to arrive.
RITTENHOUSE SQ. WED. WALKS FOR SENIORS
Friends in the City, Friends Life Care and Feet First Philly, jointly invite seniors to walk around Rittenhouse Square every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Meet Pam at the Goat. Walk at any speed that is comfortable for you. 
OPCC'S AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM RETURNS BEGINNING MON, 9/8, 3PM - 6PM, 401 LOMBARD ST
The Old Pine Community Center is back for another year of enriching the lives of children through, educational, and fun activities including homework-help and a specialized literacy program. They will also be highlighting healthy living through various physical activities paired with an emphasis on healthy & adventurous nutrition.The program for children of elementary school age is open every day while school is in session. Interested? Contact Jeanne Johnson at 215.627.2493 or center@oldpine.org.

No comments:

Post a Comment