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OUR
SPONSORS
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CCRA,
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WHAT'S NEW IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD
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LITTLE
PETE'S AND THE LADY OR THE TIGER
Our
August column headlined "Zoning Trends: Rule of Law or Legislators" discussed
what was then a merely academic question: Whether large developments not
conforming to Code requirements should be processed by law via the Zoning Code
through the Zoning Board of Adjustment or whether such non Code compliant
projects should be ruled by legislators and greenlighted by City Council
ordinances.
In October, the CCRA Board
resolved that projects not in compliance with existing zoning should seek
relief through the Zoning Board of Adjustment rather than through Council
ordinances,
except in "Extraordinary
Circumstances", a term very
narrowly defined in the policy provisions
(click here to view document). At
the same time, a task force was appointed to attempt to expedite comprehensive
remapping of the zoning in our neighborhood to bring it up to date. (Remapping
of the entire City is contemplated by the new Zoning code that went into effect
in August of 2012.)
This Code v. Council question is academic no longer . At issue is a
proposed 12 story 300 unit Hudson Hotel on
the southeast corner of 17th
& Chancellor (betw. Locust & Walnut). Click here to view picture. The parcel presently contains Little Pete's restaurant
and an adjacent nails salon and beauty parlor on 17th and, on Chancellor, a
parking garage. Councilman Kenyatta
Johnson has introduced legislation converting the zoning classification from
CMX-4 to CMX -5. CMX -4 permits a 500% FAR (floor area ratio) - meaning that
a building taking up the entire footprint of the property could only be 5
stories tall. CMX -5 has a 1200% FAR which accommodates the planned structure
EXCEPT the project would still not conform to CMX-5's off street vehicle
loading requirements. Not to worry. The
proposed ordinance also eliminates those
loading requirements. It is good to be king.
The
issue presented is very Lady or Tiger. Behind Door One is the Lady - a modern
midrise with a rooftop restaurant, underground parking,
and ground floor retail with a main entrance
on Chancellor Street, thereby enhancing what
is now an uninviting and threadbare thoroughfare. Behind Door Two is the
Tiger - the danger of embracing ad hoc site-specific legislative
zoning.
The
Association expects to convene a public meeting regarding the
proposal in early December. Stay
tuned.
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PINNING
2015 MAYORAL CANDIDATES DOWN ON BIKING, WALKING, PARKING ISSUES: COMMENT
DEADLINE 11/21
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia held a
"listening session" this past Monday to discuss their "Better Mobility 2015"
draft report, a series of recommendations the Coalition and other groups intend
to give to the 2015 Philadelphia mayoral candidates. Before the meeting, BCGP
released its draft report online. About 20 people came to the meeting and shared their
thoughts, including the following suggestions:
- More Bike Parking: It was noted
that there are certain sections of the City where there simply aren't enough
bike racks.
- New Infrastructure: Things like
protected bike lanes (lanes physically separated from the street) and
bicycle-only streets were high on the minds of many in attendance. Studies have
found that when protected bike lanes are implemented, they improve the safety of
not just cyclists, but drivers and pedestrians, as well.
- A Vision Zero Policy: The
Bicycle Coalition and its partners have a goal of zero traffic deaths in
Philadelphia. While zero is the goal, the Coalition believes the benchmark of
cutting the number of deaths in half by 2020 is achievable.
- Sunday Parking: Some cyclists
believe churchgoer-parking in the Spruce and Pine bike lanes on Sundays sets a
bad precedent.
You
can read a report of the meeting here. The
Coalition is taking additional comments on the draft report through November 21.
Email them at bike@bicyclecoalition.org or
tweet them at @bcgp using the hashtag
#BetterMobility2015.
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Interfaith
Thanksgiving Gathering & Reception Tues, 11/25, First Presby Church, 201 S.,
21st, 7PM
Congregation Leyv
Ha-Ir, First Unitarian Universalist, First Presbyterian Church, Lutheran Church
of the Holy Communion, Peace Islands Institute, Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel,
and Trinity Memorial Episcopal invite you to their Interfaith Thanksgiving
Service and reception afterwards sponsored by
CCRA.
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SACRED SPACES HOUSE TOUR,
SUN, 12/14, 1-4PM
Thirteen participating congregations in the
neighborhood will open their doors to visitors to create a Sacred Spaces Open House tour. Representatives will answer questions about each
building's architecture and history and provide information about communal
activities. Refreshments, music and tours are offered at many locations. This
free, self-guided tour, sponsored by CCRA, will include a tour map, as well as
historical/architectural descriptions of each facility. For more information,
click here.
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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.
Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St. and the Market at the Comcast Center
(215-665-9220)
Uber - Limo service Uber
provides $20 off a
first ride, Good for new users only. Members use
code CCRA14.
Philly Foodworks - Use the
code "CCRA" when signing up for home delivery and receive a $20 discount on
delivery charges.
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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND
EVENTS
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WINTER
COLLECTIONS DRIVE ENDS SAT, 11/15, FIRST PRESBY CHURCH, 201 S. 21ST
ST.
Tens
of thousands of kids in the Philadelphia region face the cold winter months
without the essentials they need to stay warm and safe. Help Cradles to Crayons
provide these children with warm winter essentials listed below:
* Children's
coats (sizes newborn-14/16)
* Winter
boots (sizes infant/child 0-14/16)
* Children's
warm, winter clothing (sizes newborn - 14/16)
* Hats,
gloves, mittens and scarves
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ART OBJECT BAZAAR AT THE
COSMOPOLITAN CLUB, 1616 LATIMER ST, FRI 12/5 AND SAT, 12/6
The Cosmopolitan Club will be open members and
non-members on Friday, December 5, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday,
December 6, from noon to 4:00 p.m. For more information click here or
call 215-735-1057.
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CHRISTMAS VILLAGE RETURNS
TO LOVE PARK, FROM THUR, 11/27, TO SUN, 12/28. CCRA DISCOUNT
Christmas Village in Philadelphia is returning for the 7th straight year bringing the holiday atmosphere of a
traditional German Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkt) to Love Park on JFK Blvd.
between 15th & 16th streets.
As a special gift to CCRA members,
show your valid membership
card and receive discounts on your favorite items! Choose from a German bratwurst or schnitzel served on a
warm roll (Brötchen); both feature a hearty complimentary side of delicious
German sauerkraut. For more information visit the official website: www.philachristmas.com.
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OPERA
PERFORMANCE AT AVA TONIGHT, 11/14, & SAT 11/15; 1920 SPRUCE,
7:30PM
The Academy of Vocal Arts' is holding their first-ever
fully staged production of Rossini's L'italiana in Algeri.
This two-act
opera will be performed in the original Italian with English supertitles.
Ticket Prices: $60 Adults / $50 Seniors / $25 30 & Under / $10 Students.
Premium Tickets and Group Rates Available. For more information, click
here.
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Creative Solutions presents "Rock to the
Future," Fri., 11/21 6:30-9:30 PM, Morgan Lewis, 1701 Market
St
As the City of
Philadelphia faces an ongoing financial crisis that creates overcrowded schools,
a lack of school counselors to help with the college application process, and
removal of extracurricular programs, our local community has stepped up to
create a support system and programs that our youth so desperately need.
Creative
Solutions will feature a presentation and panel discussion of the ongoing work
of local nonprofits that ensure youth have the same opportunities as those in
wealthier school districts. Learn how you can get involved, network, and to meet
other professionals and nonprofit philanthropists. In addition, Creative
Solutions will feature live music and other performances, a collaborate canvas
to give words of encouragement to our youth, and light refreshments. This event
is free. Click here to register.
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CONCERT
SERIES AT THE ACAD. OF VOCAL ARTS, MON, 12/1, 7:30PM, 1920 SPRUCE
ST.
Trio Montage - Nancy Bean, violin and Pellegrina viola;
Lloyd Smith, cello; and Anne Sullivan, harp, performing in the second of six
concerts held at the AVA. Ticket prices are $17. To purchase tickets, call
215-438-4027 OR 215-978-0969. Click here for more information and for a list of
upcoming concerts.
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TEEN PROGRAM SERIES AT THE
INST. BRANCH LIBRARY, 1905 LOCUST ST, NOW THRU 12/15
Calling
all teens! The Philadelphia City Institute Branch Library will hold a series of
teen programs this fall and early winter. For a list of events, click here.
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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER -
NOVEMBER 13, 2014
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