Zoning Code Reform

The Next Great City coalition has launched a web-based petition campaign to make a final push for reforming Philadelphia's archaic zoning code.  Citizens can sign the petition online at the Next Great City website.  The petition is the next step in a four- year process that began when NGC identified modern zoning policies as one of the top ways to build a positive future for Philadelphia.  In 2007, Next Great City led the efforts which helped to win the approval of 80 percent of Philadelphia voters to establish the Zoning Code Commission, charged with rewriting the code.  Since then, the NGC city-wide coalition has supported a new code that is smart, sensible and fair. City Council is scheduled to discuss and take a final vote on the new code proposals in September.

"Council can take action now to reshape our city for the next 50 years.  We need modern zoning rules and regulations to help make Philadelphia the Next Great American City," said Bryan Collins, Philadelphia outreach coordinator for Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, which manages the Next Great City Initiative.  "Thousands of citizens voted for this change, and community groups from throughout the city support it.  Signing the petition is one way we can show Council this broad support for the new zoning code."

The new code seeks to improve life for Philadelphians by focusing on: Neighborhoods, Simplification and Fairness, Business and job creation, The Elderly, and Sustainability.  the e-Petition will be delivered to City Council prior to the scheduled vote in the fall.  Read more on this at PlanPhilly.com