Proposed Delaware River waterfront zoning bill to be delayed

After the developer requested that it be held, a proposed zoning bill that would have allowed taller buildings to be constructed on the Delaware River waterfront will be delayed.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Councilman Mark Squilla planned to shelve the bill after developer K4 Associates announced that it was requesting that the bill be held.

K4 Associates has big plans to build the Liberty on the Square development on long-vacant parcels along the Delaware River in Pennsport. The multi-phase project would cover 18 acres—almost all of the land between Washington Avenue and Reed Street—and will bring 10 residential high-rises, 100 townhouses, and one 22-story hotel to the site.

Earlier this year, Councilman Squilla proposed the bill that would amend the current Central Delaware Overlay zoning district to allow for construction of taller buildings in the area. It would have benefited the Liberty on the Square development, but the bill was met with protests from those who argued that it undermined the current Central Delaware waterfront master plan.

The Inquirer reported that the developers said they plan to work with the neighborhood residents over the summer on the zoning bill and project’s plans.

K4 Associates have also applied for $44 million in RACP state grants for the project.

You can read the proposed bill in full here.

• Councilman to delay consideration of Philly waterfront-zoning bill [Inquirer]
• Bill 170471 [Official]
• 12 major Delaware River waterfront projects in the works [Curbed Philly]