Rumor Mill: Zoning Board gets notice

[portia]

Originally Posted by raider.adam

And don't forget ... no authority.

That's right. All the commission can do is submit a draft of the proposed zoning code to City Council. It's then up to Council to decide whether to pass the proposed code into law as presented, revise the draft with revisions of its own, or reject the draft it in its entirety.

Even assuming the draft is enacted as presented, there's nothing to prevent Council from continuing its current practice of regulary revising the Code in reaction to projects or proposals it likes or dislikes. Which would mean that any comprehensive plan reflected in the new code would never have a chance to become reality.

I wish I were more optimistic about this whole endeavor. I know and respect many of the people on the commission and would very much like to see all of their efforts result iin some meaningful change.

[raider.adam]

Originally Posted by portia

That's right. All the commission can do is submit a draft of the proposed zoning code to City Council. It's then up to Council to decide whether to pass the proposed code into law as presented, revise the draft with revisions of its own, or reject the draft it in its entirety.

Even assuming the draft is enacted as presented, there's nothing to prevent Council from continuing its current practice of regulary revising the Code in reaction to projects or proposals it likes or dislikes. Which would mean that any comprehensive plan reflected in the new code would never have a chance to become reality.

I wish I were more optimistic about this whole endeavor. I know and respect many of the people on the commission and would very much like to see all of their efforts result iin some meaningful change.

The reason I am pessimistic is because the people that really control zoning, City Council, has not changed.

The majority of the people on the Commission have been pushing for changes for years so there is nothing really different except they are now formally requesting these changes.

If the voters want zoning change they need to start by gutting half of City Council.

[Bulworth67]

Originally Posted by portia

Tangible changes resulting from the Zoning Board appointments should be seen starting January 22nd -- the day of the new board's first hearing.

As for the Zoning Commission appointments, changes will take ... well.... a lot longer. The one year proposed period for rewriting the zoning code was never realistic. Add to that the fact that the commission has no budget and no dedicated staff and you can safely assume that any tangible changes are still at least a few years away.

The funding actually came through-a DiCicco bill was passed and sign by the mayor-$500,000. Not exactly sure where it is going...
Yes, it's going to take years-but I think it will be worth it.
And yes, the Commission is at the mercy of City Council, but the climate is right now, and the press has embraced it, so any failure to enact reform will reflect badly on them.
Oh yeah-and there's that new mayor who has also embraced zoning reform...
Don't fret Adam-it's going to happen. It will take a lot of time and effort though. One of the obstacles, David Auspitz-is already gone.

[raider.adam]

Originally Posted by Bulworth67

The funding actually came through-a DiCicco bill was passed and sign by the mayor-$500,000. Not exactly sure where it is going...
Yes, it's going to take years-but I think it will be worth it.
And yes, the Commission is at the mercy of City Council, but the climate is right now, and the press has embraced it, so any failure to enact reform will reflect badly on them.
Oh yeah-and there's that new mayor who has also embraced zoning reform...
Don't fret Adam-it's going to happen. It will take a lot of time and effort though. One of the obstacles, David Auspitz-is already gone.

Climate is right? Didn't we just pass a bad Inclusionary Housing bill and almost passed a horrendous Regulated Uses bill last month?

Revised zoning also means nothing if councilpersons can over ride it at their whim.

[Bulworth67]

Originally Posted by raider.adam

Climate is right? Didn't we just pass a bad Inclusionary Housing bill and almost passed a horrendous Regulated Uses bill last month?

Revised zoning also means nothing if councilpersons can over ride it at their whim.

No argument there. But Nutter has embraced zoning reform, and he has the bully pulpit for eight years.
We will have to rein City Council in somehow. Your and others efforts will be crucial. Did you testify or lobby against both bills? If you did-kudos. I lobbied against the regulated uses bill, which died.
The inclusionary bill passed, but did you know that efforts are underway right now to address this with the BIA and the Zoning Code Commission?
Those of us involved in this field welcome public input into these issues. It helps the press to get a better understanding of them. The press embraced the inclusionary housing bill, which was a piece of garbage, and the building industry failed in the PR war about the bill. But don't worry, companion legislation is needed, and there is a new opportunity to be heard, and an effort is underway to address this poor legislation.
If your interested, look for my posts on youngphillypolitics.com addressing the illegalities of the bill. I invite you to post there.

[Bulworth67]

Originally Posted by portia

That's right. All the commission can do is submit a draft of the proposed zoning code to City Council. It's then up to Council to decide whether to pass the proposed code into law as presented, revise the draft with revisions of its own, or reject the draft it in its entirety.

Even assuming the draft is enacted as presented, there's nothing to prevent Council from continuing its current practice of regulary revising the Code in reaction to projects or proposals it likes or dislikes. Which would mean that any comprehensive plan reflected in the new code would never have a chance to become reality.

I wish I were more optimistic about this whole endeavor. I know and respect many of the people on the commission and would very much like to see all of their efforts result iin some meaningful change.

Don't fret portia. City Council can't easily ignore the recommendations of the Zoning Code Commission. Reform will happen, it's just a matter of time.
But your and others efforts will be critical to making sure Council takes this seriously, and doesn't walk away from its responsibility.

[raider.adam]

Originally Posted by Bulworth67

No argument there. But Nutter has embraced zoning reform, and he has the bully pulpit for eight years.
We will have to rein City Council in somehow. Your and others efforts will be crucial. Did you testify or lobby against both bills? If you did-kudos. I lobbied against the regulated uses bill, which died.
The inclusionary bill passed, but did you know that efforts are underway right now to address this with the BIA and the Zoning Code Commission?
Those of us involved in this field welcome public input into these issues. It helps the press to get a better understanding of them. The press embraced the inclusionary housing bill, which was a piece of garbage, and the building industry failed in the PR war about the bill. But don't worry, companion legislation is needed, and there is a new opportunity to be heard, and an effort is underway to address this poor legislation.
If your interested, look for my posts on youngphillypolitics.com addressing the illegalities of the bill. I invite you to post there.

Yes, I campaigned vigorously against the Regulated Uses bill. Directly contacted gop councilmembers, chambers of commerce, zoning board commission and started a letter writing campaign.

As for YPP, sorry, can't. Banned.

[portia]

Originally Posted by Bulworth67

Don't fret portia. City Council can't easily ignore the recommendations of the Zoning Code Commission. Reform will happen, it's just a matter of time.
But your and others efforts will be critical to making sure Council takes this seriously, and doesn't walk away from its responsibility.

Hope you're right, Bullworth.
For some reason, I suspect your efforts will be particularly valuable.