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March 9, 2006
TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PHILADELPHIA:
I am returning to the Council without my signature Bill No. 051028-AA establishing Commercial Entertainment Districts (CEDs) and urge the prompt passage of the attached bill which excludes the 4th District carve-out.
The City of Philadelphia must play a role in the casino development process, although we recognize the selection of casino operators and the casino locations is the perogative of the Commonwealth's Gaming Control Board. Because of the unique hhistoric blend of residential, commercial and industrial uses in neighborhoods, the proposed gaming facilities will be in immediate proximity to residential neighborhoods. As a consequence, zoning decisions - decisions regarding building setback, parking, building height, and ancillary uses are both complicated and critical to the viability of surrounding communities. These are decisions that need to be made locally; they cannote be addressed properly from Harrisburg.
With the exception of the 4th District carve-out, this bill is an effective piece of legislation. It establishes a responsible and fair land use scheme that properly balances the interests of our citizens with impending casino development. Developed by the Administration's Gaming Task Force in collaboration with Councilman DiCicco, it puts in place a variety of protections, such as a public comment period, expert review process, and an opportunity for the City Planning Commission and City Council to fully consider casino development plans. The legislation representes the thoughtful result of a broad-based community effort to understand and respond effectively to the arrival of gaming.
Sadly, the provision removing the reasonable time constraint on Council's consideration of a proposed gaming development in the 4th Council District jeopardizes the likelihood that this bill will survive preemption by the General Assembly. It also take...
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