Communication 130892

November 20, 2013 The Honorable Michael A Nutter Mayor, City of Philadelphia City Hall, Room 215 Philadelphia, PA 19107 RE: Bill No. 130725- An Ordinance amending Chapter 14 of The Philadelphia Code entitled, "Zoning and Planning" by clarifying the criteria for granting a variance, under certain terms and conditions. Dear Mayor Nutter: Pursuant to Section 4-604 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, the City Planning Commission has reviewed Bill No. 130725 introduced by Councilmember O'Neill on October 10, 2013. Bill No. 130725 amends the Zoning Code by adding language to "Section 14-303 Common Procedures and Requirements" by adding the phrase "whether use or dimensional" with regard to the general criteria for granting a variance. It attempts to clarify that the concept of /east variance, meaning that a variance should represent the minimum action necessary to afford zoning relief, is to be applied to both use variances, as well as dimensional variances. At its meeting of November 19, 2013, the City Planning Commission recommended approval for Bill No.130725 Sincerely, Gary J. Jastrzab Executive Director