Title
Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by providing that no variance shall be granted to permit the multi-family use of a property located in certain defined Single Family Preservation Districts, under certain terms and conditions.
Body
WHEREAS, The Zoning Code establishes strict criteria that must be met before the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) is permitted to grant a variance to allow development forbidden by the Zoning Code; and
WHEREAS, Even though the ZBA does not have the discretion to ignore these strict criteria, it nevertheless continues to grant variances at disturbingly high rates; and
WHEREAS, In particular, the ZBA is granting a steady stream of variances allowing the conversion of single-family properties into multi-family properties, even in neighborhoods reserved by the Zoning Code for single-family homes; and
WHEREAS, This disturbing trend contributes to the rapid gentrification of the affected neighborhoods, thereby jeopardizing the ability of long-term residents to remain in their homes; and
WHEREAS, A February, 2019, request for data concerning zoning variances has gone unanswered despite the fact that the ZBA is required to state in writing its reasons for granting or denying every variance request; and
WHEREAS, Every time the ZBA grants a variance, the Zoning Code is undercut, and the character of a neighborhood is permanently changed; and
WHEREAS, Council now wishes to address these concerns directly by limiting the circumstances under which the ZBA may grant certain variances; and
WHEREAS, The multi-family use of a property, as defined in the Zoning Code, is the use of a lot as a residence for three or more families with each family occupying a single dwelling unit; now, therefore
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended...
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