Title
Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by adding a new Chapter providing for the creation of Neighborhood Residential Preservation and Revitalization Overlay Districts; providing for the adoption of design guidelines for properties within such Districts; and requiring special permits to alter the exterior of a building within such a District or to construct a building within such a District so as to ensure compliance with the design guidelines; all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
TITLE 14. ZONING AND PLANNING
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CHAPTER 14-1200. RESIDENTIAL PRESERVATION AND REVITALIZATION DISTRICTS
ยง14-1201. Findings and purpose.
(1) Philadelphia is comprised of very distinctive neighborhoods that were settled at different times during the historical development of the City.
(2) These various neighborhoods developed their own distinctive housing patterns which are reflective of the time period during which these neighborhoods were nurtured during the growth of the City.
(3) Many of these residential neighborhoods are easily recognizable by their distinctive exterior facades which include porches and steps, masonry, stoops, cornices and trim, doors and window and other architectural stylings which over the years created a neighborhood environment and streetscape that brought neighbors together.
(4) Over the years these distinctive neighborhoods with their distinctive aesthetic environments have been subjected to economic and social forces which threaten the very fabric of each one.
(5) The people of Philadelphia have a right to protect the distinctive aesthetic environment of their neighborhood and to preserve the unique contributions of Philadelphia's neighborhoods to the entire City of Philadelphia.
(6) The people of Philadelphia have a right...
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