Title
Enacting a new Section 14-310 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Predatory Superstores," and amending Section 14-102 entitled "Definitions," Section 14-1802 entitled "Criteria for Granting Zoning Variances" and Section 14-1704 entitled "Enforcement," to prohibit the development and construction of Predatory Superstores, and the reconstruction, modification or alteration of existing structures to become Predatory Superstores; and further to prohibit zoning variances which would endanger the economic health and vitality of the surrounding community; providing penalties for non-compliance and granting remedies to aggrieved persons; all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
WHEREAS, Large individual retail stores and shopping facilities, in excess of 90,000 square feet, present unique challenges for and demands upon local government and its various agencies and services; and
WHEREAS, Large individual retail stores and shopping facilities, in excess of 90,000 square feet, require a significantly higher commitment of police, fire, and public safety resources in comparison to smaller neighborhood stores; and
WHEREAS, Large retail stores and shopping facilities, in excess of 90,000 square feet, have a demonstrable and identifiable negative and anti-competitive impact on many business enterprises and establishments operating or attempting to operate in the same market area; and
WHEREAS, Large retail stores and shopping facilities, in excess of 90,000 square feet, establish undesirable conditions which foster potential traffic congestion and pollution that tend to strain local streets and highways and contaminate air and water supplies; and
WHEREAS, Large retail stores and shopping facilities, in excess of 90,000 square feet, must be measurably capable of generating significant municipal revenue from mercantile taxes, property taxes and other public funding sources to offset the added costs and burdens of their existence upon local gover...
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