►
From YouTube: Committee on Law and Government 12-6-2021
Description
The Committee on Law and Government of the Council of the City of Philadelphia held a Public Hearing on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 1:00 PM to hear testimony on the following items:
210669 An Ordinance providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to revise the composition of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, by increasing the number of appointees, providing for confirmation by Council of appointees, and specifying qualifications that appointees must possess; and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
210692 Resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to revise the composition of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, by increasing the number of appointees, providing for confirmation by Council of appointees, and specifying qualifications that appointees must possess; and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
C
Thank
you
good
afternoon.
Everyone
before
we
begin
the
public
hearing,
I
will
make
the
following
announcement.
Due
to
the
continuing
threat
to
public
health
from
covet
19
and
the
delta
variant
city,
council
committees
are
currently
meeting
remotely.
We
are
using
microsoft
teams
to
make
these
remote
hearings
possible
instructions
for
how
the
public
may
view
and
offer
public
testimony
at
public
hearings
of
council
committees
are
included
in
the
public
hearing,
notices
that
are
published
in
the
daily
news,
the
inquirer
legal
intelligence
here
prior
to
the
hearings
and
can
also
be
found
on
phl
counsel
dot
com.
C
I
now
note
that
the
hour
has
come
rachel.
Will
you
please
call
the
role
to
take
attendance
members
that
are
in
attendance?
Will
you
please
indicate
that
you
are
present
when
your
name
is
called
also,
please
say
a
few
brief
words
when
responding
so
that
your
image
will
be
displayed
on
the
screen
when
you
speak.
C
C
Is
that
it
rachel?
Yes,
that
is
it
okay!
Thank
you.
A
quorum
of
the
committee
is
present
in
the
public
hearing
is
now
called
to
order.
This
is
the
public
hearing
of
the
committee
on
law
and
government
on
bill
number
two,
one:
zero.
Six,
six,
nine
and
resolution
number
two
one:
zero,
six,
nine
two
rachel
will
you
please
read
the
title
of
the
bill
and
resolution.
A
Two
one:
zero
six,
six,
nine,
an
ordinance
providing
for
the
submission
to
the
qualified
electors
of
the
city
of
philadelphia
of
the
proposal
set
forth
in
a
resolution
approved
by
council,
proposing
an
amendment
to
the
philadelphia
home
rule
charter
to
revise
the
composition
of
the
zoning
board
of
adjustment
by
increasing
the
number
of
appointees.
Providing
for
confirmation
by
council
of
appointees
and
specifying
qualifications.
That
appointees
must
possess
and
authorizing
the
appropriate
officers
to
publish
notice
and
to
make
arrangements
for
the
special
election
and
210692.
A
A
resolution
proposing
an
amendment
to
the
philadelphia
home
rule
charter.
To
revise
the
composition
of
the
zoning
board
of
adjustment.
By
increasing
the
number
of
appointees.
Providing
for
the
confirmation
by
council
of
appointees
and
specifying
qualifications.
That
appointees
must
possess
and
providing
for.
The
submission
of
the
amendment
to
the
electors
of
philadelphia.
C
Before
we
begin
to
hear
testimony
from
witnesses
we
have,
for
today,
everyone
who
has
been
invited
to
the
meeting
to
testify
should
be
aware
that
this
public
hearing
is
being
recorded,
because
the
hearing
is
public
participants
and
viewers
have
no
reasonable
expectation
of
privacy.
By
continuing
to
be
in
the
meeting,
you
are
consenting
to
being
recorded
additionally
prior
to
recognizing
members
for
the
questions
or
comments
they
have
for
witnesses.
C
I
will
note
for
the
record
at
this
time
that
we
will
use
the
chat
feature
available
in
microsoft
teams
to
allow
members
to
signify
that
they
wish
to
be
recognized
in
order
to
comply
with
the
sunshine
act.
The
chat
feature
must
only
be
used
for
this
purpose.
A
number
four
we
call
our
next
or
the
first
panel
to
testify.
I
want
to
ask
our
council
president
well
right
now,
council
member
daryl
clark,
the
sponsor
of
the
bill
and
resolution
if
he
like
to
make
any
opening
comments.
G
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
just
plain
daryl
would
suffice.
First
of
all,
I
want
to
thank
you.
Thank
you
so
much
for
giving
me
an
opportunity
to
testify
briefly
at
this
particular
committee
hearing
on
long
government
and
the
proposed
charter
change
initiative
on
the
zoning
board
real
quick.
I
know
we've
sent
the
number
of
memos
to
the
members
relating
to
this
proposal
going
back
to
early
summer.
Essentially,
this
is
as
a
result
of
an
evolving
zoning
change
for
those
members
that
have
been
here.
For
some
time.
G
Therefore,
you
experienced
more
variants
that
we
traditionally
have,
but
throughout
that
process
some
of
the
challenges
have
been
the
relationship
between
the
zoning
board,
which
is
a
function
of
the
government
and
the
local
communities,
the
communities
that,
frankly,
the
zoning
board
should
be
an
advocate
for
in
terms
of
the
development
of
their
neighborhoods
with
the
unprecedented
level
of
development
that
has
happened
more
and
more
frequently.
There
have
been
challenges
as
it
relates
to
the
function
and
the
operation
of
the
zoning
board.
G
Therefore,
it
caused
us
to
have
significant
conversations,
as
a
number
of
you
members
have
with
members
of
throughout
the
neighborhoods,
both
development
community
members,
all
the
folks,
and
it
was
understood
that
there
probably
need
to
be
some
changes,
one
as
it
relates
to
the
composition
of
the
zoning
board,
and
I
hate
to
use
this
term,
but
their
credentials,
because
credentials
are
relative
to
what
persons
think
is
is
should
be
sufficient
for
a
particular
issue,
but
a
more
defined
role.
Three
that
the
level
of
respect
that
should
be
due.
G
I
want
to
thank
the
members
of
this
committee,
but,
more
importantly,
I
want
to
thank
the
number
of
individuals
that
have
participated
in
this
process
from
communities
across
the
city
of
philadelphia.
They
you
hear
testimony
from
a
number
of
those
organizations
who
do
this
for
free,
I
mean
because
they
love
their
communities.
G
Currently,
the
confirmation
process
is
in
place
for
those
from
the
city
solicitor
on
down
to
a
neighborhood
special
service
district,
because
we
thought
it
was
important
that
the
appointment
of
these
individuals
be
done
in
a
transparent
way.
It'd
be
done
in
a
public
hearing,
it'd
be
done
in
a
way
that
could
ensure
that
people
have
their
will
the
ability
to
not
only
question
but
the
ability
to
put
their
input
into
that
process.
So
we
based
on
that
conversation
with
all
these
various
groups
and
members
of
the
committee.
G
We
think
this
is
a
fair
and
equitable
proposed
zoning
board
change
reform
as
we
like
to
use
the
term,
and
we
look
forward
to
talking
with
the
members
today
and
and
getting
the
support
of
this
this
august
body
to
ensure
that
we
put
people
at
a
level
that
they
should
feel
comfortable
about
something
as
significant
as
the
zoning
board.
That
dictates
the
development
of
their
communities
across
the
city
of
philadelphia.
G
C
A
Yes,
I
will,
and
there
just
for
those
viewing.
There
are
three
testifiers
on
this
panel
and
there's
only
one
panel.
If
you
are
watching-
and
you
are
waiting
to
be
called
by
council's
tech
support,
they
should
be
calling
you
in
a
few
minutes.
Once
we
get
on
to
the
second
testifier.
I've
had
a
couple,
people
email
me
saying
they
haven't
been
called
yet
so
just
listen
out
for
a
phone
call
shortly.
C
H
Sure
thank
you
good
afternoon,
councilmember
parker
and
members
of
the
law
and
government
committee.
I
am
anne
fedulin,
director
of
planning
and
development,
I'm
here
to
testify
on
bill
number
210,
669
and
resolution
number
210692,
which
were
introduced
into
city
council
on
september
17
2021
by
council
member
parker
on
behalf
of
council
president
clark.
This
legislation
excuse
me
this
legislative
package
provides
her
about
question.
H
That,
if
approved,
would
revise
the
composition
of
the
zoning
board
of
adjustment
in
the
following
ways:
one
it
would
increase
the
size
of
the
board
from
five
to
seven
members,
all
of
whom
would
continue
to
be
appointed
by
the
mayor.
Two
would
provide
for
city
council
of
philadelphia
confirmation
of
these
appointments
and
three
required
that
the
zba
include
members
who
possess
specified
areas
of
expertise
and
members
who
are
recognized
leaders
from
community
organizations.
H
While
the
administration
supports
the
intent
of
this
charter
change
to
address
issues
with
the
zba,
we
are
concerned
that
the
charter
change
will
significantly
delay
the
zba's
work
and
ultimately
impede
development.
We
are
already
operating
under
challenging
circumstances
with
ever-growing
lists
of
increasingly
complicated
cases.
This
additional
step
will
pose
another
impediment
to
obtaining
a
quorum
as
it
will
require
the
zba
to
meet
the
new
quorum
requirement
of
four
sitting
board
members
upon
the
charter
change,
taking
effect
so
just
to
clarify.
H
Although
the
charter
change
would
require
up
to
seven
members,
it
does
allow
for
us
to
keep
the
existing
five
members.
However,
the
quorum
requirement
would
change,
which
would
mean
that
we
would
have
to
have
four
of
those
five
present
and,
frankly,
right
now
we
are
having
difficulty
sometimes
getting
three
of
the
five
to
be
present.
H
The
charter
change
requires
members
with
various
professional
backgrounds
to
include
an
urban
planner,
an
architect,
an
attorney
with
zoning
experience
and
an
expert
in
real
estate.
Many
of
these
professionals
may
not
be
willing
to
serve
on
the
zba
as
conflict
of
interest.
Rules
will
significantly
significantly
hamper
their
professional
opportunities.
H
We
agree
that
the
zba
is
a
critical
component
of
the
city's
zoning
code,
and
that
is
essential
to
ensure
that
the
zba
execute
its
authority
in
as
professional
a
manner
as
possible.
As
always,
we
are
open
to
working
with
council
to
develop
proposed
changes
to
the
zba
that
will
address
the
concerns
that
this
charter
change
aims
to
target.
H
C
I
Sure
my
name
is
drew
murray.
I
am
the
chairman
of
the
philadelphia
crosstown
coalition.
The
philadelphia
crosstalk
coalition,
as
the
name
suggests,
is
a
coalition
of
36
rcos
from
all
around
the
city,
and
we
have
met
a
few
times
regarding
this
bill
to
decide
whether
or
not
we
can
take
a
position,
a
bill.
That
is
so
many
aspects
such
as
this
one.
You
know
so
many
levels
increasing
the
number
the
credentials
et
cetera.
I
It's
really
hard
for
the
philadelphia
crosstown
coalition
to
take
a
hard
position,
because
since
we
are
members
who
are
rcos
in
order
for
them
to
vote
in
order
for
many
to
vote,
they
have
to
go
back
to
their
rco
and
ask
for
what
position
they
should
take
in
a
boat.
So
because
this
has
so
many
aspects,
it
was
very
difficult.
But
what
we
decided
to
do
is
we
did
vote
and
we
voted
unanimously
to
support
reforming
the
zoning,
the
intent,
I
should
say
of
reforming
the
zoning
board
of
adjustments
and
we
carved
out.
I
You
know
a
few
aspects
of
the
bill,
they're
aspects
of
the
bill
that
our
members
liked
and
their
aspects
that
there
was
some
concern
about.
So
what
we
decided
to
do
was
we
voted
to
detail
and
testimony
today
which
parts
of
the
bill
that
we,
for
the
most
part
were
in
favor
of
and
those
aspects
are
number
one.
We
are
in
favor
of
increasing
the
board
from
five
to
seven
I
was
asked
to
remind,
as
they
have
done,
has.
I
That
there's
going
to
need
to
be
a
revision
to
the
quorum
aspect,
whether
it's
revised
to
majority
or
revised
du4,
we're
also
generally
in
support
of
the
credentials
that
that
were
listed
and
specifically
number
one,
the
urban
planner
and
number
two
architect.
So
those
were
the
two
areas
that
we
really
liked
the
credentials
for.
We
would
ask
that
the
architect
be
revised
to
architect
or
engineer,
because
we
believe
an
engineer
could
also
have
the
credentials
to
serve
on
the
zoning
board
of
adjustment.
I
C
K
I'd
like
to
say
hello
to
my
cousin,
curtis
jones
and
my
good
friend,
derek
green,
and
thank
you
all
for
the
opportunity
to
testify
in
front
of
this
committee
to
support
bill
number
210669,
which
seeks
to
revise
the
composition
of
the
zoning
board
of
adjustment.
As
stated
in
the
proposed
legislation,
I'm
a
board
member
of
sasana
and
the
sas
nakoni,
the
zoning
committee
chair
and
also
the
delegate
from
to
the
crosstown
coalition.
K
I'd
like
to
I
know,
andrew
doolin,
said
that
an
architect
may
have
to
recuse
himself,
but
I'd
like
to
remind
her
if
she
she
probably
already
knows
that
tom
holliman
who's
a
sitting
committee
member,
is
an
architect
he's
always
there.
I
don't
think
he
really
has
to
recuse
himself,
he's
probably
retired,
so
he
doesn't
have
to
you
know
to
to
recuse
himself
for
for
many
projects.
K
Well,
we
like
the
practice
of
allowing
the
representative
from
southern,
testifies
eba
hearings
and
when
sosner
feels
the
need
to
do
so
or
support
or
not
support
a
project
needing
a
variance.
We
have
been
cut
off
from
doing
so
over
the
course
of
this
year.
To
our
dismay,
and
although
we
are
volunteers
performing
a
civic
duty
per
this
products,
philadelphia
zoning
code,
we
take
and
we
hear
about
four
to
five
projects
a
month.
You
know
we've
been
praised
by
our
district
councilman
johnson
for
the
work
that
we
do.
C
D
Madam
chair,
I
had
to
call
in
between
the
hearing
I
blacked
out
my
screen
to
see
if
that
was
really
him,
and
it
really
was
I'm
so
proud
of
my
cousin
on
my
mother's
side,
who
has
been
in
the
field
of
art
architecture
for
so
very
long
and
has
done
so
many
good.
I
I
claim
him
on
full
disclosure.
He
is
my
cousin.
A
lot
of
people
say
we're
cousins
but
play
cousin,
but
he
is
actually
my
cousin.
D
C
G
G
I
asked
that
question
because
you
said
that
there
could
potentially
be
difficulty
in
getting
people
who
are
willing
to
participate
and
by
saying
that
it
makes
me
wonder
how
do
you
give
people
that
opportunity
to
participate?
I
know
a
lot
of
people
would
love
to
be
on
boards
and
commissions.
We
have
people
across
the
city
so
to
suggest.
H
H
This
is
a
board
that
has
probably
become
one
of
the
most
important
boards
in
the
city,
and
I
think
we
agree
with
you
on
that,
and
I
think
we
also
agree
that
it
would
be
very
beneficial
to
have
the
the
types
of
folks
and
professional
with
professional
backgrounds
that
that
are
mentioned
in
this.
In
this
legislation
and
as
mr
spencer
alluded
to,
we
have
a
wonderful
zba
board
member
who's,
an
architect
in
in
tom,
holland,
who's
retired,
so
that's
convenient,
so
he
doesn't
necessarily
have
to
recuse
himself.
H
You
know
going
through
the
laundry
list
that
getting
each
one
of
those
and
and
being
able
to
find
that
sort
of
you
know
golden
ticket
like
tom
hammond,
who
that,
where
they're,
also
retired
from
their
profession,
so
they
wouldn't
have
any
conflicts,
may
be
a
little
more
difficult.
And
then
I
also
think
you
know.
Quite
frankly,
these
this
board
is
not
re
volunteer,
but
it's
like
sort
of
one
step
removed
from
that.
H
In
that
the
the
compensation
based
on
how
much
time
it
needs
to
be
dedicated,
particularly
as
we
see
more
and
more
development
happening
in
the
city,
and
it
takes
you
know
potentially
two
days
out
of
every
five
days
in
a
work
week.
If
not
that's
why
I
think
it
may
be
a
little
bit
difficult
to
attract.
H
You
know
qualified
professionals
to
come
to
the
board,
because
if
they
are
still
active,
it
means
up
giving
a
chunk
of
their
time
that
they
would
normally
dedicate
to
their
day
job
for
not
much
competition,
and
it
may
be
harder
for
us
to
find
retired
professionals
who
do
have
this
type
of
time.
Commitment
available.
So.
G
H
Yeah,
I
think,
rather
than
be
so
prescriptive,
and
let
me
see
if
I
pull
up
by,
because
I
know
that
the
administration
did
proffer
amendments,
that
that
the
backgrounds
of
the
members
should
reflect
expertise.
Rather
than
saying
there
must
be
a
planner
and
architect
to
zoning
off.
So
just
softening
that
language
a
little
bit.
G
G
G
We
are
proposing
that
members
from
the
community
that
actually
have
participation
on
the
board.
I
guarantee
you,
if
passed,
the
most
significant
problem
we
would
have
is
to
figure
out
who
to
select
from
the
community.
So
you
will
not
have
a
dearth
of
individuals
that
are
willing
to
participate
in
the
zoning
board.
So
maybe,
if
you
open
it
up,
you
would
increase
the
the
expression
eventually
on
that.
So,
okay
and
this
other
issue
about
conflict
of
interest.
G
You
know
that's
been
one
of
the.
Let's
be
candid:
that's
been
one
of
the
criticisms
of
some
of
the
past
zoning
boards
conflict
of
interest.
So
wherever
that's
the
case,
that's
probably
something
should
be.
Referencing
should
be
potentially
eliminated
every
now,
and
then
you
get
a
conflict
of
interest,
but
it's
clear
that
that
is
one
of
the
significant
criticisms
that
we've
heard
from
community
groups
across
the
city
of
philadelphia.
G
C
C
C
Thank
you
all,
so
very
much
for
your
your
your
patience
there
being
no
one
else
to
with
questions
for
this
panel.
We
are
now
going
to
move
into
the
public.
Testimony
portion
of
the
hearing
with
individuals
who
called
my
office
to
sign
up
to
testify
will
be
dialed
into
the
hearing.
We
will
take
a
brief
five-minute
recess
to
give
our
technology
professionals
some
time
to
connect
the
individuals
who
signed
up.
So
thank
you.
M
M
C
C
N
N
N
Our
combined
experiences
led
us
to
understand
that
the
vba
had
reached
a
level
of
arrogance
and
indifference
toward
long-term
residents
and
rcos
that
was
becoming
blatantly
abusive.
The
chair,
jovially
partnered,
with
developers
developers
attorneys
to
silence
rebut
rebuke
and
ridicule
community
members
and
organizations
there
to
protest
appeals
developers
attorneys
were
allowed
to
control
the
screens,
the
speakers
and
the
discourse
and
the
zba
has,
as
you
know,
rubber
stamp
92
of
all
appeals
and
handed
out
a
theatrical
and
trivial
set
of
denials
easily
overturned
in
the
court
of
common.
N
Please
we
were
shocked
as
a
group
in
reviewing
the
process
by
which
these
vba
members
were
selected,
as
well
as
their
credentials,
not
only
the
conflicts
of
interest
that
are
blatant,
but
also
merely
the
lack
of
qualifications
for
making
these
exceedingly
impactful
decisions
on
our
communities.
In
our
city,
some
30
000
black
residents
have
been
compelled
to
exit
philadelphia
in
the
last
10
years.
We
have
growing
homelessness
and
unaffordability.
N
Our
neighborhoods
are
packed
with
ugly
shoddy
development
and
altogether
we
feel
as
if,
as
some
have
said,
we're
being
invaded
this
land
grab
readily
facilitated
by
a
feckless.
Cba
has
to
be
stopped
before
the
damage
is
irreparable.
The
zba
willfully
has
ignored
the
only
legal
grounds
for
granting
appeals,
which
is
demonstrating
unnecessary
hardship,
and
we
believe
that
must
be
in
part
because
they're
simply
not
qualified
to
make
those
sophisticated
assessments.
N
We
need
to
bring
the
zba
into
the
into
the
21st
century-
staffing,
not
just
architects
and
zoning
attorneys,
but
also
some
people
equipped
to
assess.
What
we
now
understand
are
the
widespread
socioeconomic,
racial
health,
environmental
and
infrastructural
impacts
of
development.
It's
not
enough
to
declare.
We
need
density
or,
or
a
building,
looks
nice
or
it's
near
a
transit.
Stop.
We
need
to
be
thinking
about
as
a
vba.
N
What
the
larger
impact
of
development
is
on
our
communities.
If
we
can't
staff
the
zba
properly,
then
we
must
rethink
its
function
and
existence
altogether.
Finally,
we
need
to
mention
the
elephant
in
the
room,
which
is
our
lack
of
an
updated,
comprehensive
city
plan
that
is
at
the
heart
of
this.
Zba
would
not
have
as
much
to
work
have
as
much
I'm
sorry
labor
and
decisions
to
make.
If
we
had
a
decent
and
well-informed
city
plan,
the
vba
won't
won't
valid.
N
C
C
J
Name
is
michael
ross,
I'm
president
of
southwest
philadelphia,
district
services
and
a
member
of
the
citywide
rco
coalition
of
philadelphia,
and
as
far
as
I
want
to
thank
city
council
and
president
clark
for
introducing
the
bill,
210
669
and
the
resolution
210692
calling
for
charter
change
to
reform
the
zoning
board
of
administration
of
adjustment.
You
know
the
zoning
board.
I've
had
experiences
where
they've
actually
shut
me
down
and
I'm
a
registered
rco
would
not
allow
me
to
talk,
allow
developers
to
control
the
meeting
and
it
just
needs
to
be
changed.
J
There
needs
to
be
a
whole
reform
and
a
letter
written
by
my
city,
citywide
rco
coalition.
We
are
in
agreement
with
the
proposed
seven
members
joining
boards
of
adjustment,
but
everything
that
you
guys
have
proposed.
We
are
in
agreement
with
that.
I
compliment
valerie.
She
said
everything
and-
and
I
agree
with
every
thing
she
said
it
says
right
now-
it's
not
happening
like
it.
O
J
C
C
P
P
And
by
doing
this
we
need
to
bring
it
back
on
track
and
what
they
say
about
being
on
time.
Is
that
all
things
get
understand,
and
we
have
a
time
now
to
regroup
that
we
can
be
more
powerful
in
working
with
the
community
to
get
what
they
want
in
their
neighborhood.
So
I
hope
that
we
all
understand
that
it's
important
that
we
every
now
and
then
have
to
vamp
certain
issues
so
that
we
can
stay
on
track
of
our
goal
and
I
like
to
say
when
the
rcos
was
organized.
P
They
were
to
work
with
the
community.
But
when
you
go
to
the
dba
I
hate
to
say
it,
but
it's
the
truth.
It
seems
like
you're
being
pushed
aside
and
I
think
it's
time
for
new
faces.
It's
no
for
people
to
be
refocused.
You
realize
why
they're
there
they
are
there
to
support
the
community
and
keep
us
on
track.
Not
to
humiliate
us
not
to
push
us
aside.
Make
us
feel
like
we're
not
needed
and
we're
not
wanting.
So
I'm
saying
this
because
I
love
all
the
jobs
that
you
guys
have.
P
No,
I
don't
think
you'll
ever
have
a
problem
or
anyone
to
get
on
this
committee.
The
one
lady
said,
and
I
I
was
re-edified
that
there
are
so
many
people
educated
in
the
city
of
philadelphia
I'll
be
glad
to
apply
for
these
positions.
If
we
get
the
word
out,
that's
the
most
important
thing
is
getting
the
word
out
to
the
grassroots
people
that
these
positions
are
open
and
what
the
qualifications
are.
P
So,
let's
push
that
aside,
think
they
may
not
find
qualified
people
you're
gonna
be
overwhelmed
with
qualified
people,
and
many
of
them
got
two
degrees.
I
know
when
I
was
going
to
college.
I
was
happy
to
get
one
degree,
but
if
these
young
people
is
blessed
to
get
two
and
three
degrees,
so
I
say
this
in
conclusion:
god
bless
all
of
you
and
I
love
this
bill
and
I
love
the
resolution
and
I
thank
you
each
and
every
one
of
you.
God
bless
you
and
be
encouraged
to
hold
on
and
keep
looking
up.
C
E
Thank
you.
My
name
is
david
feldman.
I
serve
as
executive
director
of
the
development
workshop.
Thank
you,
chair
parker,
council
president
clark
or
just
plain
daryl,
if
you
prefer,
and
members
of
the
council's
committee
on
law
and
government.
Thank
you
for
hearing
our
testimony
today.
The
development
workshop
is
a
group
of
construction
companies,
law
firms,
developers,
architecture
and
engineering
firms,
real
estate
professionals,
economists
working
to
grow
the
population,
create
jobs,
strengthen
the
tax
base
and
promote
diversity
and
inclusion
within
our
industry.
E
E
Our
first
concern
is
around
increasing
the
size
from
five
to
seven,
and
issues
with
quorum
consists
with
and
fedulin's
comments
are
ready,
so
I'll
skip
our
comments.
Secondly,
the
workshop
has
concerns
about
the
language
used
to
describe
the
areas
of
expertise
and
sensitivity
to
community
concerns
of
future
vba
members.
E
In
particular,
the
workshop
suggests
that
the
language
protection
of
the
character
of
philadelphia's
neighborhoods
be
removed
from
the
legislation.
That's
in
its
entirety,
while
clearly
not
intended.
Similar
language
has
been
used
to
justify
preservation
of
segregated
neighborhoods.
The
workshop
believes
the
council's
legislative
goals
can
be
accomplished
without
this
language.
E
Thirdly,
the
workshop
recognizes
that
council's
confirmation
of
mayoral
appointments
is
not
unique
and
is
currently
required
in
other
instances,
including
school
board
appointments.
However,
the
city
is
organized
as
a
strong
mayor
government
and
the
workshop
cautions
against
legislation
that
would
diminish
the
mayor's
authority,
responsibility
and
accountability
under
the
charter.
Finally,
and
perhaps
most
importantly,
the
workshop
recognizes
council's
concerns
around
the
increasing
volume
of
variances
sought
by
the
vba.
E
E
Feedback
they
develop
recommended
remapping
to
match
current
building
needs
with
community
vision
with
the
new
code.
However,
less
than
half
of
these
changes
have
been
enacted
by
the
respective
district
council
members
through
legislation.
If
these
changes
were
enacted,
there
would
be
fewer
variance
requests
submitted
to
the
zba.
E
C
C
Q
Q
These
rcos
are
notorious
anti-density,
height
and
affordability,
and
it's
directly
counterproductive
to
the
city
in
terms
of
affordability
and
the
climate
change
priorities
of
the
city
is
laid
out
in
charter.
The
truth
is
that
there
are
so
many
areas
and
parcels
that
are
under
zoned,
which
is
leading
to
the
developers
requesting
to
go
higher
to
go,
have
higher
density,
and
that
is
why
the
zba's
decisions
are
becoming
more
prevalent
because,
like
the
previous
person
said,
you
didn't
remap
the
city.
According
to
the
plan
that
was
recommended.
Q
The
best
way
to
raise
your
fight
for
affordability
is
increasing
height
and
density
along
along
with
an
affordability
requirement,
especially
along
transit
corridors.
People
are
going
to
want
to
move
to
my
area,
the
one
nine
one,
two,
two
one,
nine
one,
three
three
and
one
nine
one,
two
five
and
you're
not
going
to
stop
that
and
building
buildings
that
are
20
feet,
high,
I'm
exaggerating
but
building
short
buildings
along
important
corridors
like
north
american
girard
and
front
street,
is
only
going
to
increase
prices
from
the
increased
competition
of
people
moving
to
this
area.
Q
So
again,
I
would
hope
that
the
people
of
philadelphia
see
through
this
absolute
farce
and
vote
this
down
come
the
special
election,
but
I
hope
that
the
members
of
council
who
are
behind
this
you
know
are
happy
with
themselves
for
taking
power
away
from
the
mayor
and
and
and
in
a
sense
you're.
The
only
thing
you're
wanting
to
do
is
is
take
power
to
reduce
density
into
your
own
hands
and
that's
exactly
the
opposite
of
what
we
need
to
do
for
the
future
of
this
city
have
a
great
day.
C
C
L
Thank
you.
My
name
is
christopher
mahia
smith
and
I've
served
on
the
zoning
committee
for
my
local
rco
for
over
five
years.
This
testimony
is
not
on
behalf
of
that
organization.
Rather
it's
my
own.
Over
the
last
five
years,
I've
collaborated
with
my
neighbors
through
multiple
proposed
developments,
and
I've
observed
insistence
that
developers
adhere
to
the
zoning
process.
L
I'm
using
quotes
here,
because
this
zoning
process
is
not
actually
founded
in
the
zoning
law,
but
rather
is
a
set
of
norms
to
which
developers
should
abide
according
to
some
all
developers.
All
developments
must
go
through
the
zoning
process
where,
in
the
face
of
an
unworkable
or
nonsensical,
underlying
zoning
designation,
a
developer
meets
with
community
representatives
in
the
district
council
person
to
propose
a
project
upon
reaching
an
agreement.
The
developer
appeals
to
the
zda,
and
only
because
of
these
local
approvals,
the
developer
can
get
their
permits.
L
This
is
how
business
has
been
done
in
this
city
for
a
long
time,
and
I
can
understand
frustrations
that
sometimes
zoning
variances
are
granted
without
both
rcl
and
council
person
support.
However,
the
fundamental
issue
driving
these
frustrations
is
not
the
structure
of
the
zda.
It
is
that
this
zoning
process
no
longer
functions
now
that
our
city
is
growing
with
intense
housing
demand
when
our
city
experienced
both
under
investment
and
lower
housing
demand,
it
made
financial
sense
for
a
developer
to
navigate
the
zoning
process.
L
However,
now
that
financial
benefits
of
development
outweigh
the
political
cost
of
not
obtaining
local
support-
and
this
is
where
the
zoning
process
breaks,
because
the
legal
case
behind
seeking
zoning
variance
is
actually
strengthened
by
the
very
nature
of
the
underlying
nonsensical
zoning.
So
as
they
say,
what
got
us
here
won't
keep
us
here.
We
need
to
change
how
things
are
done
in
this
city
regarding
development,
but
I
do
not
believe
that
we
need
to
radically
restructure
the
zoning
board
of
adjustments.
L
The
zba
should
be
staffed
by
professional
and
ethical
members,
who
can
competently
evaluate
the
technical
requirements
of
chapter
14
for
hardship.
These
requirements
do
not
necessitate
a
charter
change.
What
we
need
to
do
as
the
cities
to
make
gba
hearings
a
rare
occurrence,
while
more
than
85
percent
of
the
zoning
permits
obtained
in
this
city
do
not
involve
the
zba.
This
administrative
panel
still
hears
between
50
to
100
cases
per
month.
So
how
do
we
reduce
the
caseload
of
the
zba?
L
The
answer
is
actually
quite
simple:
eliminate
the
nonsensical
zoning
designations
that
serve
as
pretext
for
the
zoning
process.
The
well-intentioned
purpose
of
this
process
is
to
ensure
community
control
over
neighborhood
development
remapping.
Our
neighborhoods
will
achieve
the
same
outcome,
but
with
greater
strength.
The
community's
voice
will
be
enshrined
in
the
law
by
embedding
community
voices
into
the
law.
A
far
greater
number
of
people
can
have
their
say
in
shaping
development.
L
Sensical
remapping
will
unify
community
sentiment
and
will
ensure
that
a
community
is
not
shaped
solely
by
the
loudest
voices
who
have
the
privilege
of
being
able
to
attend
rco
meetings,
replacing
what
is
known
as
the
zoning
process
with
proper
remappings
will
also
avoid
many
of
the
bad
development
outcomes
and
can
ensure
neighborhood
assets
are
preserved.
It
is
an
undisputable
fact
that
if
in
2015,
the
saint
laurence's
church
had
been
zoned
to
allow
for
multiple
families
to
live
on
the
site
that
community
icon
would
have
stood
for
countless
more
decades.
F
L
Yes,
I
have
one
last
bird
sure
can
so
this
church
now
slated
for
demolition
as
a
testament
to
how
the
zoning
process
can
backfire
and
cause
the
very
outcomes
community
leaders
seek
to
avoid.
So,
yes,
we
do
need
to
change
how
things
are
done
as
our
city
changes,
but
that
changed
is
not
to
be
within
the
zba.
L
The
change
that
is
needed
is
to
engage
in
thoughtful
community
driven
zoning
remappings
that
will
accommodate
the
continued
growth
that
our
city
of
over
1.6
million
philadelphians
is
experiencing.
We
should
do
remappings
to
enshrine
the
community's
voice
in
the
law,
so
our
neighbors
don't
need
to
petition
an
obscure
administrative
panel
in
order
to
be
heard.
With
all
this
in
mind,
and
specifically
with
the
recent
changes
to
the
leadership
of
the
zba,
I
believe
the
proposed
charter
change
is
unnecessary
and
should
not
be
approved.
L
C
D
Hello,
everyone,
my
name,
is
odessa
tate
and
I
represent
all
in
the
family,
cdc
of
strawberry
mansion.
I
am
in
favor
of
bill.
21069
diversity
is
the
conduit
for
change
to
reduce
manipulation
and
better
manage
one-sided
or
vague
value
sets
amongst
groups.
The
people
are
deserving
of
versatility
and
adequate
representation
to
make
informed
and
well-rounded
decisions.
D
Adequate
representation
can
assist
with
the
evidence
flow
that
lake
of
diversity
can
make
a
contribution
to
corrective
measures
to
obtain
real
problem.
Solvers
can
effectively
analyze
loopholes
and
group
negligence
by
impactfully,
determining
the
goals
or
obligations,
failures
and
lack
of
adherence
to
decipher
principles
and
code
of
conduct,
as
well
as
determine
cause
and
effect
further.
D
Linking
the
pros
and
cons
of
an
outcome
outline
and
specificity
and
qualifications
appointees
must
possess,
including
having
demonstrated
sensitivity
to
community
concerns
regarding
development
and
the
protection
of
the
cameras
of
philadelphia's
neighborhood
is
an
innocuous
change
that
can
help
revamp
a
float
system.
We
do
not
need
manufactured
boards
deciding
what
is
best
for
the
people.
We
need
a
combination
of
diversity,
empathy
and
expertise.
C
C
B
B
B
C
O
Good
afternoon,
madam
chairperson
and
committee
members,
my
name
is
chris
bordelon
by
way
of
background,
I'm
an
attorney
from
northeast
philadelphia
and
I've
served
on
the
board
of
an
all-volunteer
registered
community
organization,
the
summertime
civic
association
for
about
seven
years.
Now,
today,
I'm
testifying
only
in
my
personal
capacity,
the
defects
that
people
have
identified
in
the
zba
center
on
a
lack
of
transparency
and
a
lack
of
accountability
to
the
public.
O
O
Zba's
decisions
are
binding
on
participants
and
their
neighbors,
but
unlike
judicial
offices
in
our
state
vba
office
holders
change
without
any
public
input.
The
zba
ignores
representations
of
community
members
and
groups.
Although
the
zba
is
supposed
to
apply
zoning
law,
its
decisions
sometimes
seem
to
reflect
only
the
commands
of
the
administration
and
district
council
members
exercising
extra
legal
prerogative
power
for
developers
or
investors.
O
If
those
are
the
zba's
problems,
these
so-called
reform
bills
unfortunately
do
not
address
adding
more
members
or
requiring
that
they
come
from
some
occupational
background
won't
make
the
zba's
operations
more
transparent
or
make
the
zba
more
accountable
to
the
public.
The
zba
is
too
powerful
a
decision
maker
to
have
its
composition,
controlled
only
by
the
mayor
or
the
mayor
and
a
majority
of
council
to
compel
the
zba
to
practice
transparency
and
to
make
it
accountable
to
the
public.
O
C
C
R
Okay,
thank
you.
My
name
is
susan
nam
and
I'm
here
with
the
citywide
rco
coalition
of
philadelphia
as
well,
and
I'm
also
a
member
of
east
mountain
area.
Neighbors
rco
shout
out
to
our
council
person
cindy
bass
as
our
city
is
in
a
constant
ebb
and
flow
of
change,
as
is
the
natural
evolution
to
any
prospering
city
or
town,
the
updating
of
policies
and
legislation,
and
the
language
in
which
we
use
to
create
them
should
be
just
as
natural.
R
R
We
also
must
note
that
it
is
just
one
out
of
several
moving
parts
that
directly
shape
our
city's
landscape
and
housing,
one
variant
at
a
time,
but
it
is
a
start.
Many
of
us
supporting
the
referendum
come
with
no
regard
for
monetary
profit.
In
fact,
the
opposite.
We
come
with
our
own
receipts
of
volunteer
time.
Money
and
energy
poured
endlessly
into
our
neighborhoods
that
could
never
be
measured
into
profit
gain
loss
percentages.
This
is
the
kind
of
currency
that
brings
necessary
balance
to
the
dollars
and
cents.
R
No
one
will
argue
that
profit
is
the
crux
of
our
capital
economy,
but
what
we
are
saying
is
that
our
communities
will
not
be
dictated
by
it.
This
referendum
is
in
alignment
towards
more
transparent
and
equitable
laws.
We
look
forward
to
continuing
to
collaborate
with
our
lawmakers
developers
and
other
organizations
alike
as
an
equal
voice,
as
we
create
new
histories
and
precedents
for
the
city
of
philadelphia.
C
C
C
Hearing
none.
I
want
to
thank
all
of
the
panels
and
witnesses
for
their
participation.
Today
we
value
your
opinions.
I
now
invite
all
panels
and
witnesses
to
please
disconnect
from
the
meeting
before
we
go
into
our
public
meeting.
We
will
now
pause
the
proceedings
briefly,
as
multiple
participants
leave
the
hearing.
C
This
concludes
the
public
hearing
of
the
committee.
We
will
now
go
into
a
public
meeting
to
consider
the
action
to
be
taken
on
the
bill
and
resolution
before
this
committee.
Today
we
will
now
reconvene
the
public
meeting
and
call
the
role
we
will
now
convene
the
public
meeting
rachel.
Would
you
please
call
the
role
to
take
attendance
members
that
are
in
attendance?
Will
please
indicate
that
you
are
present
when
your
name
is
called
also,
please
say
a
few
brief
words
when
responding
so
that
your
image
will
be
displayed
on
the
screen.
When
you
speak.
A
C
F
C
G
C
Okay,
just
for
the
record
of
the
cheer
notes
for
the
record
that
councilmember
jones
seconds
the
motion,
it
has
been
moved
and
properly
seconded
that
bill
number
210669
be
reported
from
this
committee
with
the
favorable
recommendation
and
further
move
that
the
rules
of
council
be
suspended
to
permit
first
reading
of
this
bill
at
the
next
session
of
council.
All
those
in
favor
of
the
motion
will
signify
by
saying
I
I,
those
opposed
the
eyes
have
it
and
the
motion
carries.
F
C
Second,
the
chair
knows
for
the
record
that
council
member
jones
seconds
the
motion.
It
has
been
moved
and
properly
seconded
that
the
amendment
to
resolution
number
210692
be
approved.
All
those
in
favor
of
the
motion
will
signify
by
saying
aye
aye
those
opposed
the
eyes
have
it.
The
motion
carries
and
the
amendment
to
resolution
number
two
one:
zero.
Six
nine
two
has
been
approved.
The
chair
recognizes
vice
chair
councilmember
greene
for
emotional
resolution
number
two,
one:
zero,
six,
nine
two
as
amended.
F
E
C
C
All
those
in
favor
of
the
motion
will
signify
by
saying
aye
aye
those
opposed
the
eyes
have
it,
and
the
motion
carries
if,
if
any
bills
or
resolutions
were
not
considered
at
the
public
meeting
at
this
time,
we're
going
to
conclude
the
business
before
the
committee
on
law
and
government
today
want
to.
Thank
you
all
so
very
much
for
your
attendance
I
receive.
C
I
do
want
to
state
for
the
record
that
I
did
receive
some
some
text
messages
from
some
folks
who
had
some
concerns,
and
there
is
always
an
opportunity
to
have
a
conversation
about
your
concerns,
and
I
I
just
strongly
encourage
you
to
reach
out
to
the
sponsor
of
the
bill.
Who
is
our
president?
The
city
council
of
philadelphia
never
say
that
we
are
never
interested
in
hearing
any
recommendations,
questions
or
concerns
you
may
have
so.
Thank
you
all
so
very
much
for
being
here
today.
Thank
you,
mr
president.