Remember that zoning bill passed in June 2014? It's up for debate again now, and could be called up for a vote October 1. You know, the one introduced by the Building Industry Association, which was meant to allow greater height and density for some Center City properties (both commercial and residential).
Introduced by Councilman Mark Squilla, it creates a "Commercial District Control Area" within the existing Center City zoning area, affecting land bounded by South Street, Spring Garden Street and the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.
What's at stake? Those opposed don't want more bigger and denser. The bill, if passed, would have allowed a proposal to go through which was recently rejected: replacing a vacant lot with a four-story residential building with retail space on the ground floor. The proposal and subsequent denial are still a touchy point.
See where you stand, and learn more of the particulars at PlanPhilly.
· Long in the works, Center City zoning changes to be called for a vote [Plan Philly]