Bill 080742

..Title Amending Chapter 14-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Commercial Entertainment District," by adding provisions relating to proposed projects in the Center City area and relating to public art, by providing for revised effective dates, and by making technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions. ..Body THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Chapter 14-400 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows: CHAPTER 14-400. COMMERCIAL ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. * * * § 14-406. Area Regulations. In the area bounded by Sixth Street, Broad Street, Chestnut Street and Arch Street, the Area Regulation provisions of §14-305(4), the Floor Area Regulation provisions of §14-305(8), §14-305(9), and §14-305(10), and the Retail Space provisions of §14-305(12) shall apply as if the underlying area was designated as 'C-5' Commercial. In all other areas, the following provisions apply: * * * § 14-407. Height Regulations. In the area bounded by Sixth Street, Broad Street, Chestnut Street and Arch Street, the provisions of §14-305(7) shall apply as if the underlying area was designated as 'C-5' Commercial. In all other areas, the following provisions apply: * * * § 14-408. Off-Street Parking. In the area bounded by Sixth Street, Broad Street, Chestnut Street and Arch Street, the provisions of §14-305(13) shall apply as if the underlying area was designated as 'C-5' Commercial, except that any such C-5 Commercial parking requirements in this area may be met by providing parking spaces in a lot or structure within one thousand (1000) feet of the boundary of an area designated as a Commercial Entertainment District. In all other areas, the following provisions apply: * * * § 14-410. Signs. (1) For uses specified in § 14-405(1)(a) through (j), signs shall be permitted in accordance with the following limitations and conditions: * * * (e) Signs that are freestanding structures on the ground shall not exceed 40 feet in height, measured from the average level of ground of the lot to the top of said structure, except in the area bounded by Sixth Street, Broad Street, Chestnut Street and Arch Street in which case signs that are freestanding structures shall not be permitted; * * * (2) Accessory signs permitted with Art Commission Approval. In addition to the permitted signs as set forth above, the following signs may also be permitted, provided that the Art Commission has approved such signs: (a) Except in the area bounded by Sixth Street, Broad Street, Chestnut Street and Arch Street, [O]one free-standing accessory sign, not exceeding forty (40) feet in height above the average street level on which it fronts, with no more than two sign faces of one thousand two hundred (1200) square feet each may be erected for each street frontage of the district, provided that more than one sign may be erected along a single street frontage so long as the total number of signs does not exceed the number of signs permitted in the district; (b) No more than two roof signs or signs on top of a marquee, each with no more than two sign faces of no more than three hundred (300) square feet for each sign face. Such signs shall be building identification and logo signs only. Within 2000 feet of the Delaware River, the top of each such sign shall not extend more than twenty (20) feet above the roof level upon which it sits; (c) In addition to the signs allowed above, except in the area bounded by Sixth Street, Broad Street, Chestnut Street and Arch Street, [O]one additional freestanding sign for each 80,000 square feet of District Area shall be permitted under the following conditions: * * * § 14-411. Design Review Submission Requirements. * * * (5) Public Art. A public art requirement is being imposed as a mechanism to expand and enrich the public environment and to create buildings and public spaces that are designed and executed with diverse and high quality materials, activities, and furnishings. It is intended to allow for the broadest definition of public art and encourage imaginative interpretation of media. In order to comply with this subsection, all of the following conditions must be met: * * * (g) Public Art shall not be required under this section for interior alterations in existing structures if said alterations apply directly to retail or restaurant uses not accessory to a licensed gaming facility. * * * _____________________________ Explanation: [Brackets] indicate matter deleted. Italics indicate new matter added. ..End