Title
Amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," and Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by adding special provisions regulating advertising signs in designated Commercial Advertising Districts; designating Market Street between 7th Street and 13th Street as a Commercial Advertising District; and making conforming amendments to other provisions of The Philadelphia Code regulating advertising signs; and amending Chapter 19-3400, entitled "Excise Tax on Outdoor Advertising Transactions," by imposing a tax on these signs, all under certain terms and conditions.
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THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Legislative Findings. The Council finds that:
(a) Other cities have found that, when properly regulated, very large format signs serve materially useful purposes in areas having a high volume of pedestrians and a concentration of hospitality, entertainment or retail uses.
(b) The scale and creative displays of large format signs accentuate the vibrancy of these areas, heighten the public's sense of these areas as venues of hospitality, entertainment and retail activities and serve as gateways, thereby attracting more entertainment, patrons, shoppers and tourists.
(c) Large format signs have become part of the ambiance the public has come to identify with areas having high density hospitality, entertainment and retail uses in many global cities.
(d) Properties that are poorly maintained, underperforming or outmoded (whether in terms of general deterioration, technology or modern commercial feasibility), in areas with a high density of hospitality, entertainment and retail uses, inhibit the full commercial potential of such areas and detract from the positive experience of patrons, shoppers and tourists.
(e) Large format signs generate revenue that can be directed to support the reuse or rehabilitation ...
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