WEEKLYPRESS.COM · UCREVIEW.COM · AUGUST 10 · 2011 Correction: The UC Review apolo-


gizes for writing the wrong name for the Baltimore Pet Shoppe and also forget to mention the website for the Baltimore Pet Shoppe, in last week’s story on Balti- more Ave. It is www.balti- morepetshoppe.com


Letter:


Good morning Ms. Cardel- lino:


apologize for the in- convenience you have experienced due to the fact that the Penn’s Landing post office did not open at it’s scheduled time. I have brought your concerns to the attention of Mr. Girard Carrozza, the manager of the Southwark Station. The Penn’s Landing post office falls under his operational jurisdiction. I have request- ed he take the necessary action to ensure the office opens at it’s scheduled time as required. I appreciate your tak- ing the time to share your concerns and to bring this matter to our attention. I have also shared your con- cerns with the Postmaster, Mr. Kinney, as it is his goal to provide the best possible service to the customers in the City of Philadelphia. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any further concerns or re- quire further assistance. Thank you. Jane Maull Kirk


I


Customer Relations Coor- dinator


Philadelphia Post Office 3000 Chestnut Street Philadelphia PA 19104-9998 215-895-8610; fax 215-895- 8629


Philadelphians launch cam- paign for mod- ern zoning laws Next Great City Coalition Launches E- Petition to Pass Updated Zon-


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ing Code The Next Great City (NGC) coalition has launched a web-based petition campaign to make a final push for reforming Philadelphia’s ar- chaic zoning code. Citizens can sign the petition online at the Next Great City website or use their smart phones to take a picture of the special QR code embedded in this press release. The picture of the QR code will take them directly to the electronic peti- tion. (Note: Smart phones must be equipped with QR application software.) This petition is the next step in a four-year process that began when NGC identi- fied modern zoning policies as one of the top ways to build a positive future for Philadelphia. In 2007, Next Great City led the efforts to win the approval of 80 per- cent of Philadelphia voters to establish the Zoning Code Commission, charged with rewriting the code. Since then, the NGC city-wide coalition has supported a new code that is smart, sen- sible and fair. City Council is scheduled to discuss and take a final vote on the new code proposals in September. “Council can take action now to reshape our city for the next 50 years. We need modern zoning rules and regulations to help make Philadelphia the Next Great American City,” said Bryan Collins, Philadelphia outreach coordinator for Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture), which manages the Next Great City Initiative. “Thousands of citi- zens voted for this change, and community groups from throughout the city support it. Signing the petition is one way we can show Council this broad support for the new zoning code.”


“For four years, dozens of neighborhood and commu-


nity groups, urban planners and development experts, have actively helped to shape the new code that is simpler, reflects modern urban re- alities and just makes more sense,” continued Collins. “The commission held public meetings, studied other cities and rewrote the code with the goal of promoting job creation while respecting and preserving neighborhoods. With City Council poised to take a final vote on the com- mission’s proposals in Sep- tember, Philadelphians can seize this historic window of opportunity by signing the petition and showing their support.


“The need for a new code


is crucial,” said Collins. “The current one is so out-of-date that it defines a milliner’s (hat maker’s) shop, but fails to mention small technology firms, outpatient clinics, a farmer’s market or an art studio. It doesn’t contain provisions for protecting parkland or for bike paths and bike parking space. The 50-year-old code is silent on sustainability or the mobility challenges of our expanding elderly population. It’s more than time for a change.” The new code seeks to im-


prove life for Philadelphians by focusing on: Neighborhoods: It encour- ages good development that respects and preserves the character of the city’s neigh- borhoods and the people in them. It makes common sense rules that are applied consistently and fairly. Resi- dents across the city have had an opportunity to com- ment and influence the de- velopment of the new code; neighbors retain the right to appear before the Zoning Commission on projects in their communities and now they are guaranteed repre- sentation on a new Civic Design Review Committee for major projects. implemen- tation and fairness: Under the new code, every devel- oper or homeowner building an addition knows exactly what is allowed and what is prohibited. Currently, 50 dif- ferent zoning overlays and five decades of amendments make it virtually impossible for residents, developers, or business owners to under- stand where they can locate and how they can use their existing properties. The new proposals streamline the code: 50 overlays have been replaced by 10. The new code eliminates 200 pages of repetitive and confusing jargon. It clarifies allowable land uses and makes the rules more sensible, consis- tent, and easy to understand.


Fairness and predictability are keys to good zoning. Business and job creation: The new code will help cre- ate jobs and support the growth of small businesses. Aspiring entrepreneurs will benefit from provisions that permit them to oper- ate home-based businesses where appropriate. The code also makes it easier for de- velopers of all sizes to know what and where to build, encouraging important proj- ects and the jobs they bring.


The Elderly: With the highest proportion of older persons in any of the nation’s largest cities, Philadelphia should plan for a city that accommodates their unique needs. Supporting an active and engaged lifestyle for our senior citizens, the new code encourages development around easily-accessible public transportation hubs, and requires 10 percent of the units in large, new residential subdivisions be built to ac- commodate older adults with limited mobility. Sustainability: The new


code reflects the importance of sustainability in modern urban areas. Location and landscaping decisions must address the need for green- ing and protection of local air quality and water resources. The code also helps promote public transit, encourages bike parking and accommo- dates the growing demand for ride shares. The code encourages the use of clean energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines in good designs. Parks and urban gardens are included in the proposal as routine elements in the fabric of an eco-friendly urban life. The Next Great City is circu- lating an action alert to thou- sands of community groups and individuals, urging them to sign the petition. The e- Petition will be delivered to City Council prior to the scheduled vote in the fall. The Next Great City coali- tion is made up of diverse groups all working towards a common goal: making Philadelphia the Next Great City. The coalition includes more than 100 labor groups, civic associations, faith or- ganizations and community development groups. The Next Great City initiative is dedicated to creating a posi- tive future for Philadelphia by advocating for common sense, cost-effective policies that enhance environmental quality, strengthen neighbor- hoods and increase economic competitiveness. For more information, visit www.next- greatcity.com.


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