COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON RULES - - - Room 400, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA Wednesday, February 7, 2007, 10:45 a.m. - - - Bill 060901 - Change zoning designation of areas of land within Brewerytown neighborhood. Bill 060902 - Adding "Industrial Transformation District" to Zoning Code. Bill 060928 - Participation of Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority to participate in certain improvements and expansion projects. Bill 060962 - Amend Zoning Maps by changing zoning designation of areas located within area bounded by N. Broad St., Fairmount Ave., N. 13th, Wallace St., Ridge Ave. Bill 060963 - Revise parking regs and increase permitted floor area of lots designated C-4 in area bounded by N. Broad St., Fairmount Ave., N. 13th, Wallace St., Ridge Ave. Bill 060964 - Revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 58... Bill 060965 - Amend Institutional Development District Master Plan of Temple University... COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Anna C. Verna, Chair Jack Kelly Jannie Blackwell James F. Kenney Blondell Reynolds-Brown Donna Reed-Miller Darrell L. Clarke Brian J. O'Neill William K. Greenlee Daniel J. Savage - - - V A R A L L O Incorporated Litigation Support Specialists 1835 Market Street, Suite 600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215.561.2220 215.567.2670 2 2/7/07 - RULES COMMITTEE MEETING WITNESS Bill No. 060928 Thomas A. Kline, Interim President........ Hospitals and Higher Ed. Facilities Authority 5 Vince Jannetti, Acting Director of Finance 6 7 Bill No.s 060962, 63, 64 8 William Kramer, Senior Zoning Planner..... 13 Philadelphia City Planning Commission Frank Morelli, Survey Bureau Manager...... 17 Streets Department Darwin Beauvais, Esquire ................. 21 Klehr Harrison et al. Carl Primavera, Esquire................... 21 Carl Poplar, Architect, DPK&A............. 23 Ian Cope, Cope Linder, Architect.......... 25 John Gallery, Preservation Alliance....... 44 Margie Pierson, Executive Director........ 48 West Poplar Neighborhood Advisory Committee Norman Green, Chairman.................... 49 West Popular Neighborhood Advisory Committee Saleem Ali, Poplar CDC.................... 51 Bill No. 060965 William Kramer, Senior Zoning Planner..... 61 Philadelphia City Planning Commission 3 2/7/07 - RULES COMMITTEE MEETING WITNESS Bill No.s 060902, 903 J. Woodcock, Exec. Dir., Planning Comm. 65 Kevin Hanna, Secretary of Housing......... 76 Paul Lonie, Projects Director, Westrum.... 86 Azim Muhammad, Brewerytown CDC............ 96 Marc Brookman, Smart Growth Alliance...... 98 B. Reddish, Phila. Bldg. Industry Assoc. 103 Joe Green, Aisha Murphy, Business Owners 113 Juanita Haddad, Girard Coalition......... 115 Anthony Patterson, TelConnect Systems.... 117 Al Austin, AABRA......................... 118 Al Byrne Brown, Business Owner........... 153 Brewerytown Residents Walter Mehl.............................. 164 Mike Liggera............................. 170 Tracy Gordon, Concerned Citizens for the Preservation of Southwest Philadelphia... 171 Martez Cooper, Brewerytown CDC........... 181 Marina Brown............................. 186 Lynn Kujath.............................. 202 David Estes.............................. 214 Teruko Tomaki............................ 216 Linda Bracy.............................. 228 John Westrum, CEO, Westrum Development... 218 * * * 4 2/7/07 - RULES - 060928
Good morning, everyone. I apologize for the delay. This is a public hearing of the Committee on Rules. I would ask Mr. McPherson to please read the title of Bill No. 8 060928. MR. McPHERSON: An ordinance 10 declaring that it is desirable for the health, safety, and welfare of the people in the area served by The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, and The Children's Seashore House of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Inc. for the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia to participate with such institutions in certain improvement and expansion projects to such institutions' facilities, primarily their campus located at 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
To 5 2/7/07 - RULES - 060928 testify on this bill, please approach the witness table. (Witness comes forward.)
Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Madam Chairwoman and committee members, my name is Thomas A. Kline. I serve as Interim President of the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia. I wish to make a brief introductory statement in support of the proposed bill before you today for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia submitted an application to the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia seeking the Authority's assistance in the financing. The application was accepted for consideration by the Authority. A 6 2/7/07 - RULES - 060928 public Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) hearing on behalf of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was held on January 31, 2007 in the authority boardroom with the Authority and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia represented at the hearing. Today we have the privilege together of assisting the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the many people associated with this remarkable organization. I would like to express appreciation to each member of the committee and council on behalf of the board of the Authority for the scheduling of this hearing. May we respectfully request a suspension of the rules. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Kline. Mr. Kline, what does this transaction do, and why is it needed? 7 2/7/07 - RULES - 060928
With me, I have a number of members of the working group that can possibly help with that question. To my immediate right is Austin J. McGreal, Esquire, Authority General Counsel. To my immediate left is Edward Bleacher, Assistant Controller of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. And to his left is Kevin B. Scott, Esquire, Fox Rothschild, LLP.
Good morning. I am Ed Bleacher, Assistant Controller of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The action in question today is to issue bonds for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. These bonds 8 2/7/07 - RULES - 060928 will be used in support of our construction efforts and the expansion of our services at the Children's Hospital site at 34th and Civic Center Boulevard used for, again, services for the community there and local and regional areas that we support.
Good morning, Council President Verna, members of the Committee on Rules. I'm Vince Jannetti, Acting Director of Finance for the City. I'm here to testify on behalf of Bill 17 No. 060928. The bill authorizes the Hospitals and Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia, on behalf of Children's Hospital, to issue revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $225 million. These bonds will provide the hospital with funds for capital 9 2/7/07 - RULES - 060928 improvements that will support the continued the patient care, research, and educational operations of the hospital that benefit the Philadelphia region and the community as a whole. The Administration supports this work and this bill. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you very much. Are there any questions from members of the committee?
Thank you very much. This morning, I came into this ice-cold chamber to -- people act like it's just normal. I feel like -- but I told Aaron Feinstone there's somebody in here who knows it's freezing, and -- 10 2/7/07 - RULES - 060928 But to support this project, obviously, we've met many times, and we all know the wonderful job that CHOP does in this country and beyond. And certainly, we've met with them on this important project, and we wanted to come as Councilperson of the area to give our support.
Do we have anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Gentlemen thank you very much. PANEL: Thank you.
Do we have anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
11 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 Seeing no one, I would ask Mr. McPherson to please read the title of Bill No. 4 060963. Bill No. 060963, an ordinance 6 amending Chapter 14-1402 of the Philadelphia Code entitled "Parking in Residential Districts," and by amending Chapter 14-305 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "C-4 Commercial and C-5 Commercial Districts," all to revise parking regulations and to increase the permitted floor area of lots designated C-4 in the area bounded by North Broad Street, Fairmount Avenue, North 13th Street, Wallace Street, and Ridge Avenue. (Witnesses come forward.)
If we can have the other two bills that are related be also read into the record in order to ensure -- because it's all related to 12 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 the Divine Lorraine project.
63, right? Mr. McPherson, would you please read the title of Bill No. 060962. MR. McPHERSON: Bill No. 8 060962, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designation of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by North Broad Street, Fairmount Avenue, North 13th Street, Wallace Street and, Ridge Avenue.
64. MR. McPHERSON: An ordinance 20 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 58 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Mellon Street from Ridge Avenue to 13th Street, and by reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way 13 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 for drainage and water main purposes by striking from the City Plan and vacating a portion of Park Avenue and abandoning a certain right-of-way for drainage and water main purposes, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good morning, Madam President and members of the Rules Committee. My name is William Kramer, and I'm the Senior Zoning Planner in the Development Planning Division of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I am here today to testify on Bill No. 17 060962, 060963, and 060964, all of which were introduced into Council by Councilmember Clarke on December 14th of 2006. Bill No. 060962 rezones land bounded by North Broad Street, Fairmount Avenue, North 13th Street, Wallace Street, and Ridge Avenue from partly C-4 commercial, partly C-2 commercial, and 14 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 partly R-10 residential to a zoning designation of partly C-4 commercial and partly C-2 commercial. The purpose of the zoning change is to allow of the vacant Divine Lorraine Hotel, an adjacent parcel of land with a mixed -- and an adjacent parcel of land with a mixed-use development. This proposal includes the development of approximately 845 residential units and 780 parking spaces along with several commercial uses occupying the ground floor. The parking for this area will be managed and be available for use by both the residents and commercial tenants. Bill No. 060963 proposes three amendments to two different sections of the Zoning Code, all in an effort to facilitate the development of the vacant Divine Lorraine Hotel site. The first amendment is to 15 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 Section 14-14022 of the Code. This section would be amended to include this block in the areas of the City where the parking requirement is seven spaces per ten families. The second section to be amended is 140305, the C-4 and C-5 commercial sections, which would be amended in two ways. First, this block would be added to the areas it would allow for an accessory parking garage as a matter of right, removing the requirement of obtaining a special use permit from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. And, secondly, the block would have the allowable gross floor area raised to allow for a gross floor area of 600 percent of the area of the lot. The last bill, Bill 060964, is an ordinance to revise the lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 58 by striking and vacating Mellon Street from Ridge Avenue to 13th Street and by 16 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 placing a right-of-way for drainage and water main purposes by striking and vacating a portion of Park Avenue. At the Planning Commission meeting of January 17, 2007, the Commission reviewed Bill 060962 and 060963 and recommended they both approved. The Commission believes these to be an appropriate development for this site and not only recognizes the presence of mass-transit facilities but also respects the existing historically certified Divine Lorraine Hotel. The Commission also requests that the development plans be reviewed, as provided for under existing provisions of the Code at Sections 14-30513(a) and 14-30513(b). The Commission, at the time of its meeting, there were technical amendments required for Bill No. 060964. However, the Planning Commission would recommend approval for that bill as it is consistent with the policies adopted 17 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 under the prior two bills. Thank you.
Good morning. Good morning, Madam President and members of the committee. My name is Frank Morelli, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill 14 No. 060964. This is not an administrative ordinance but an ordinance requested by Darwin Beauvais, Esquire, Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers, LLP, 260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102. The purpose of this ordinance 22 is to strike and abandon an 18-foot-wide and 19-foot-wide right-of-way for drainage purposes and water main purposes from Broad Street and Ridge 18 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 Avenue to 13th Street, strike and vacate Mellon Street from Ridge Avenue to 13th Street, strike and vacate Park Avenue from Wallace to Mellon Street, reserve and place a 30-foot right-of-way for drainage purposes and water main purposes within a portion of former Park Avenue being stricken under the authority of this ordinance, place a certain 30-foot-wide right-of-way for drainage purpose and water main purposes from 13th Street to the head of the right-of-way cited above. These changes are requested to facilitate the development of the Divine Lorraine site. This ordinance, as amended, is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Thank you. Mr. Morelli, your testimony is that the Streets Department supports this bill, as amended. What amendments 19 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 are you referring to?
The bill, as originally introduced, was to strike a portion of Park Avenue. The bill has now been amended to strike all of Park Avenue. The Streets Department was not in favor of striking a portion of it because it would have created a narrow dead-end street with a narrow turnaround -- with no area for a turnaround, so we propose to strike the whole street.
All right. Mr. Morelli, you also state that the party and interest must pay for the cost of advertising of the public hearing by the Board of Surveyors for the change authorized by this ordinance. Typically, can you tell us what the cost is? 20 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64
For a City Plan change, it's required by law that it's placed in three newspapers on two separate occasions prior to the Board of Surveyors' hearing, and now, the advertising fee is approximately $2,000.
Thank you. Are there any questions from members of the committee? (No questions.)
I think Mr. Clarke's light is on. Councilman Clarke, do you want to be recognized?
Madam President, on the amendment, you have some numbers that have been transposed, and we just want to make sure that everybody has the correct number on the amendment. On the amendment I have, it has it as 694, and it should be 964; is that correct? 21 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64
Are there any other questions or comments from members of the committee? (No further questions.)
Do we have anyone else to testify on this bill? (Witnesses come forward.)
Darwin Beauvais from Klehr Harrison. Hi. I feel like I'm home.
I have Carl Primavera. We are both representing the development team for the Divine Lorraine Hotel. 22 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 At this time --
Thank you. Good morning. Carl Primavera. What I would like to do, with the committee's permission, is to have Carl Poplar and Ian Cope, who are respectively the preservation consultant and architect, and just briefly go through, using the easels, some of the exhibit boards. We will also pass up to the members of the committee an 8-and-a-half-by-11 brochure so that you will be able to see it at your desks. So with your approval, I would like to do that.
Carl Poplar is with DKP Consulting -- DPK, I'm sorry. They're renowned. As a matter of fact, 23 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 as Carl will tell you, he was the consultant for the renovation of this beautiful chamber, so he's very familiar with these surroundings. Ian Cope lives in the neighborhood. He's with Cope Linder, and we have what we believe to be the finest design and consulting team, which is only fitting with what is perhaps the jewel of North Broad Street, the Divine Lorraine. We also have John Gallery from the Preservation Alliance, who's been a huge help and influence in the preservation effort, as well as members of the community, all of whom you will hear from briefly. Carl, can you just walk us through the concept of preserving the Divine Lorraine and how we're going to adapt it for reuse on North Broad Street.
Good morning, Madam President. 24 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 At the heart of this project is the renovation of the Divine Lorraine Hotel. It's a gem on Broad Street. It serves as a beacon on North Broad Street. It's on the National Register of Historic Places and is City-certified. It has sat vacant for the last ten years. There have been numerous attempts to redevelop it as a sole property, which have been unsuccessful because of the condition of the building and just the economics involved. This project with development to the east allows funds from that project to help this project and makes this project possible. The goal is to convert the Divine Lorraine into 140 approximately condominium units on the upper floors, and the ground story will be redeveloped as a restaurant and lounge, once again bringing life back to Broad Street in this area. 25 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 And I'd like to turn it over to Ian Cope.
And the restaurant, as well as some of the other amenities will be open to the public, so it's a great way to not only reactivate it in terms of condominium usage but also for the public, and we think it's going to be a destination place for people who want to have a great dining experience on North Broad Street.
Thank you, Madam Chairman and members of the committee. I'd like to briefly step lively and go through the plans. As Carl suggested, this is the Divine Lorraine here along North Broad Street. The area that we're talking about is bounded by Fairmount Avenue, 13th Street here, Wallace Street and, of course, Ridge Avenue here (indicating). The Divine Lorraine sits here (indicating). It is currently a C-4-zoned parcel. 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 The rest of these lands here (indicating) are currently vacant lots. They are fenced but vacant lots with no 5 buildings on the them. The proposal is to append a large residential development here with a connection to the Divine Lorraine -- we think a tasteful connection -- with approximately 450 units in addition to the 140 to 150 units that will go in the Divine Lorraine itself. And this area here (indicating), which is in the darker red, which I hope you can see on your booklets, is for the second phase of the development, which will add approximately 250, 256 units and parking for that. This is the street-level plan, and I think it's important to note that all of the area in green and all of the areas in this pink or red color represent retail functions or restaurants, so we're trying to align 27 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 the streets, reinvigorate the streets with retail- and pedestrian-oriented and pedestrian-friendly activities. Proposed here on the 13th Street face is a food store, an additional retail along 13th Street as the project develops into the second phase. Very important, along Ridge Avenue here (indicating), we're creating a plaza with a cafe, a restaurant in the ground floor of the Divine Lorraine, which obviously has its frontage on Broad Street, so we're creating a kind of large plaza here. I should have mentioned that the units are divided roughly in half between condominium units and rental units. The whole project is, by definition, reasonably affordable units. There's a separate entrance for the condominium portion and a separate entrance for the retail portion. The whole notion is that all of 28 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 this is pretty lively along the street area, the streetscape. We have the loading and central loading dock area here (indicating), along Fairmount Avenue, next to the Salvation Army Center here. This just gives you an idea of the layout of the typical units. We've arrayed the buildings, stepped them up and down, to be as friendly as we can to the streets. We have a large open space or plaza elevated here (indicating) for use of the residents. And you'll notice that we've kept adequate distance or repose from the Divine Lorraine building. This is the jewel and the cornerstone of our project. We want to give it adequate distance. Here, you will see some of the massing of the project. This is the view from Ridge Avenue. You will see the plaza area here, with its retail. There's also a large health club in 29 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 there, which is, again, open to the public. It serves as an amenity to both the larger community as well as the Divine Lorraine itself. You can see the massing here (indicating). The height of our proposed building is less than the height of the current Divine Lorraine structure, again, to give it its proper repose. You can see again see the plaza view here (indicating). Again, we're putting a lot of emphasis on the whole streetscape environment, trying to engage the community in the project with uses that they can use, that our residents can use as well. You can see here the Divine Lorraine. This is actually looking sort of up north on Broad Street. You can see the plaza area here (indicating), with a lot of activity and light all around there and a streetscape program to continue around. 30 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 Another view of that same plaza here (indicating). And in good weather, that would be a pretty engaging space.
The building is decidedly contemporary. It is based on a European model, a residential model, that we think is a very important new product to Philadelphia. You can see this is the view of the food store area. The parking -- I should have said there are three stories of parking in the building below the residential to support both the development and the retail component. We are very excited about this project. I live in the neighborhood. I think it's a tremendous asset. While I don't think we can take credit for the renaissance of Broad Street -- that's already been started and well underway. This is the opportunity -- yes, Councilman (addressing Councilman Clarke). This is 31 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 an opportunity to fill in some missing teeth and put polish on a very important building and really engage the whole area. So with that, I'd like to turn it over to Carl.
With regard to some of the technical aspects of the zoning, again, we wanted to have the site zoned one classification, so we took the classification from the Divine Lorraine, and then the technical changes were envisioned to accommodate a few things. One is, we believe, even though North Philadelphia, it's on a transit stop with the Broad Street line and it's within walking distance of Center City, so we felt that the parking ratios should be consistent with Center City. Second of all, we need the garage. And given the retail that we're having and the given the fact that the Divine Lorraine has no parking -- and we 32 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 can't obviously alter this historic building, so we need the garage. So the concept was to provide technical amendments for this project so that we would be able to have it developed with all of the support that it needs, which would be the parking support, which would be the ability to have a dense, modern development that would basically fit in with, again, the historically important Divine Lorraine building. And then on the Streets Department aspect, the Streets Department has been working with us because there are some rights-of-ways and paper streets that we need to resolve, and I think, through these latest changes and Mr. Morelli's testimony, we're in good shape there. So that's our presentation on the plan. Again, with the committee's approval, I'd like to have John galley 33 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 from the Preservation Alliance, who is here today, to talk very briefly about the preservation aspects of this project.
Just a moment, please. The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. Mr. Primavera and, I guess, Ian, before we go to Mr. Gallery's presentation, on the site plan, can you tell me where the supermarket will be located.
(Inaudible, off mic). ... in this area 13th Street here (indicating), which is very wide, and Broad Street. Access to the parking would be from Ridge Avenue to keep a lot of the traffic (inaudible). 34 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64
So the open space that you show here is actually elevated?
All right. And the supermarket, because -- and I ask you this because this was a key portion of the original presentation to the community, and I think it's one of the things that kind of got you over the hump in terms of support.
All right. And I think I indicated earlier -- and I might as well say it here on the record that if that's not a component, then my level of support will diminish dramatically. That is in the first phase? 35 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64
Yes. And part of what we're able to do by creating this master plan, in addition to the people currently residing in the area, we're going to be adding more shoppers so that, hopefully, it provides not only onsite shopping support for the people moving into the Divine Lorraine, but also the support to the people who live nearby in the neighborhood who have requested that we have in addition to a grocery store supermarket other retail establishments. But, Ian, let's just go through this again in terms of the phasing. You talked about Phase 1 and Phase 2.
So I want to be very clear. Assuming that you get approval from this Council and you go to pull building permits, in those building permits, it will have requests for 36 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 build-out of this large retail space as a part of the first phase of the construction.
That's correct. And we also have Michael Tracy, who will be here -- he's the owner's representative and also, as you know, a resident in the area -- to confirm that. We're very -- we heard it loud and clear from both your office and the community that it really needs to be mixed use and it needs to offer shopping and other amenities to make it tie into what the community wants to see. And we're happy to do that.
Yeah. Phase is above my hand, or north of this line right here (indicating). Phase 2 is here (indicating). 37 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 We've allocated as much space as we can for a retail food tenant, a food store if you will. I mean, we're proposing 56,000 feet; obviously, all of that is subject to the business deal and the lease with the food store. But we have allocated as much as we can of the ground floor and elevated the building to the extent that it will accommodate a food store with extra high spaces and the like. And similarly along here (indicating), so that we've devoted as much space as we possibly can along the street edges for retail tenancy.
We think it will be a destination for people in the area to shop and do business and also enjoy the restaurants. So it offers something for both the people who will reside onsite in the new building, in the Divine Lorraine, but also a tremendous amount of support 38 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 for people who are living in the community already and would love to be able to shop and eat and just be a part of it.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kelly.
Right. Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Primavera, how close are you to Temple University?
Uh, I'll just take a guess and say about a mile. Do you think that sounds right, Ian?
Because I know Temple has always been complaining about the shortage of housing for their students and faculty, and I was just 39 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 wondering if that would be --
Yeah. That would be an opportunity for them to, you know, take advantage of your building. And I would just like to say at this time that I commend you for restoring that building because it's a beautiful building and it's a historic landmark on Broad Street, and I'm glad to see that that's --
We appreciate that, Councilman Kelly. One of the neat things about this location is that if you look at what's happening with Bart Blattstein's development that Councilman Clarke has been working with up there and then you look, obviously, at Center City, we think this connects the dots. We think that this will make that stretch from Temple to Center City even closer. And we have the transit right 40 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 at our doorstep, and we have the bus, we have walkability, bicycles. We're going to have Philly Ride Share. So we think that we're going to compress everything from Temple right into Center City, which is great for everyone. I think it's going to help the whole business corridor on North Broad Street, so we're excited to be a part of that.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to follow up on some of the comments that my colleague Councilman Kelly made. During the discussion in the community meeting, there was some concerns raised by some of the residents 41 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 that this would not be essentially a facility for Temple University students.
It's not going to be a dormitory. What we envision is this: With both the condo and the rental, we think we'll have graduate students, we think we will have people who are coming out of school who are first-time home buyers. We may have some parents from out of town who want to buy a unit and, you know, have their children occupy it. And then when they're done, they can sell it so that instead of paying rent on campus, you're actually buying a unit. There seems to be a lot of that going around. But it's not meant to be student housing. And quite frankly, because we 42 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 are selling condo units, which will be half of the project, we want to make sure that the people who are buying those units and renting feel comfortable that this isn't going to be dominated by younger people. We invite younger people, but it's not a dormitory. Especially graduate students, law students, medical students, dental students, they don't want to live in the dorms, and a lot of them need housing nearby, but also they may still be taking courses but, they're really looking more into Center City because they're working part-time, they're getting ready for their first big job. So this location gives them the ability to have a foot in Temple and a foot in Center City. So it really is neat. It's going to give us a large group of people to hopefully attract. And in this market, where we've seen some of the housing slow down a little bit, we think 43 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 that we're going to be able to be very attractive.
Okay. And I don't have anything against young people 'cause I used to be one, but I just want to make sure that your marketing approach is targeting the general population. If Temple faculty/graduate students happen to be interested, then it's available to them.
But the marketing strategy is a broad marketing strategy.
You're welcome. Any other questions members of the committee?
Good morning. 44 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64
Good morning. Thank you, Council President Verna and members of the committee, for allowing me to speak very briefly about this project. I don't think I have to say very much about the importance of the Divine Lorraine as a historical building, and I think those two photographs speak for themselves, some of the great architectural masterpieces of North Philadelphia designed by Willis Hale, who was one of the most inventive architects of the 19th century. One of the things that I think is important about this project is not simply that the exterior is going to be preserved, but that picture you see there of the first-floor lobby will also be preserved also. And preserving the interiors of these great historic buildings of the past is very important. But this is not also -- this is not just an architectural masterpiece, 45 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 and I do want to remind you of that. Buildings in Philadelphia are important historically because they connect with our history, not just because of their architecture. The Divine Lorraine was the first racially integrated hotel in this city. It's a very important part of the social history of Philadelphia. I've worked with the two previous owners of this project to try to see the building rehabilitated, and none of them could work out a financially feasible deal. I think the success here is combining the Divine Lorraine with development on these adjacent vacant parcels; that has been the key to making this whole project work. And it's for that reason here that I'm here today to support the zoning changes that are being requested. I think this will be an important contribution, not to just to 46 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 historic preservation but to development in North Philadelphia, and I hope you'll support these requests. I did want to make one personal note in relation to the comments that Councilman Clarke was just raising about the market for this project. I have two sons who are about 30 years old; one's a photographer and one's a film maker. They travel a lot. I asked them about this project because the concept of this project is apartments and condo units that are relatively small that you can lock your door and go away. And both of them, they're ready to buy. I think there is a big market out here for professionals who are working in Philadelphia but whose jobs take them to other places for which this will be a great location and a great concept. So I'm very enthusiastic about the whole project, and I'm especially 47 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 pleased with the quality of the preservation work that they are proposing for the hotel. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Any questions or comments from members of the committee? (No questions.)
Thank you. And, again, if there's any questions, we have Michael Tracy here, who's one of the owners. I don't know if Council President Verna would like to hear from him or --
Only his thanks in advance for consideration by the Rules Committee.
Thank you. 48 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64
Do we have anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Seeing no one else, I would ask Mr. McPherson --
Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Madam President my name is Margie Pierson, and I'm the Executive Director of the West Poplar Neighborhood Advisory Committee, and to my left here is Norman Green, Chairman of the West Popular Neighborhood Advisory Committee. And 49 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 further to my left is Saleem Ali, who's a resident of the area. Mr. Green will speak on behalf of the West Poplar Neighborhood Advisory Committee.
Good morning. Thank you. West Poplar Neighborhood Advisory Committee, which is a nonprofit organization that represents residents within the West Poplar area, have entered into a preliminary approval of the project known as Divine Lorraine. We are currently negotiating a benefits package, which we will call a contract, with the owner's rep for the purpose of including all of the concerns and comments that the residents have. Since October of 2006, we had a general meeting sponsored by Councilman Clarke. We created a subcommittee, which we asked all residents who were 50 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 interested in having input into this project would give us a list of concerns so that we could negotiate final contract negotiations with the owner's rep. We're in the process of doing that. Our preliminary memorandum of understanding we currently have allows us, through the 23rd of February, to enter into a formal contract with Mike Tracy and the owners of Divine Lorraine. And there are a number of items from the standpoint of construction jobs, again, the concerns that Councilman have already raised about parking also, a supermarket, and a number of items. So we are agreeing to support this project in the preliminary process until we reach the final benefits package. Thank you.
Thank you. Good morning. 51 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64
Good morning. My name is Saleem Ali. I'm from the Poplar Community Development Corporation, a neighbor community group in the area. Our concern at this point is that the units that are being developed at this point are one-bedroom units. We're also concerned about an environmental study on the land in regards to the adjacent land behind the construction; we have some concerns with that. We also are concerned that the position that Father Divine basically stood for in regards to the low-income and those who are displaced in terms of their having opportunities to participate in this project in terms of low-income people, we believe that there may be some concerns with that in the community about the development of these units. This is going to be 865 units that's going to be designed there. We 52 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 are concerned about lower-income people in the area. We're also concerned about the homeless people in the area. In particularly across the street from the site itself, there's a shelter there, there's a lot of homeless people there. We understand that possibly they may be displaced as a result of this. So we have concerns that we look at -- we are looking at for all of the residents in the area. So at this point, we still have some concerns and some questions about supporting this project. We would like really to see this particular session for approval on this project be postponed to a total completion with the West Poplar (indiscernible) is completed in terms of their arrangements and any other concerns that the community may have at this time that need to be addressed before this project moves forward. So our position at this time is 53 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 that we're not one hundred percent in support of the project until completion has been done in regards to all of the community's concerns.
Thank you, sir. Are there any questions or comments by members of the committee? The Chair recognizes Councilman Clarke.
Thank you, Madam President. I just would like to thank the community residents for being diligent in working on this issue. There are varying concerns, and I think it's important that all of those concerns be put on the table. I am supportive of the process and people being vocal because at the end of the day, it's their community. They've been there throughout their lives, and I think that anything going on in that community should pass muster 54 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 by the community. What I've committed to do to the community -- and I'll say it on the record. If we pass this bill out of committee today, the bill will be held on the calendar until the community benefits strategy agreement can be documented, signed, sealed, and delivered. And until that time, I will not be asking for a final vote on this bill. So I just want to thank you all for the work that you've been doing. Thank you.
I have one more thing I want to say, Madam President, if I'm allowed.
My question is: Once this bill is passed, if the community is in agreement with all of the support that they need to make this bill pass, will this bill be going to the zoning 55 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 ordinances after that, or will it go straight to L&I for permits to start construction? That's my question.
If this bill passes, will this bill go to zoning hearings prior to going to L&I for permits to start construction?
All right. This is what I believe the sequence to be. Have the public hearing. The bill will or will not at some point come out of committee. Comes out of committee. There's a first reading on Council and then there's a second reading where the bill will get a full vote. If the bill gets nine votes -- both bills get nine votes, it will go to the Mayor's office for his signature. If the Mayor signs it, the zoning 56 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 classification for that parcel will then be in place, and the developer will then be authorized to proceed only upon pulling building permits from the Department of Licenses and Inspections. During the course of that time, as I said earlier, there must be a documented agreement in addition to which, prior to the final vote, there will be a community meeting, which I will be a part of to make sure that all of those issues have been resolved on the community and the developer level. And I must say for the record, there are a couple of issues that I still have some concerns about that I will be mentioning after the community benefits agreements is documented, and I've indicated that to the developer. I thought it was more appropriate for the community to get a consensus first, and then I will be reviewing what's forwarded to us. And there will probably be a couple of 57 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 additional things that I will be asking for.
So am I to understand that the answer you just gave us is a yes or a no, Councilman?
No. The yes or no 10 question is: If this ordinance is approved by this body, will this approval take them straight to L&I for permits to start construction, or will it go from this room, body, to zoning hearings?
No. This is the hearing, this is the hearing. There are two ways of getting a parcel rezoned. Either you go to the Zoning Board, where you seek a variance, or you can get zoning changes in City Council. This is the City Council zoning change, so if this bill gets approved, it will not go to the Zoning Board. 58 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64
Okay. That was my question. So in other words, once this body approves that, they can go straight to L&I for permits to start construction.
Any other questions or comments from members of the committee? (No response.)
Seeing no one, do we have anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Oh, I'm sorry. Just a moment. Councilwoman Miller?
Yes. I 59 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 just have one quick question. You said the community is concerned about the one-bedroom apartments?
Yes. I mean, some people in the community, they have more than -- they have more than a -- they have multiple families.
These units are designed from a European concept that was marketed throughout the community. And in our particular neighborhood, the urban area, number one, it's not Europe; and number two, we do have multiple people in the family. So families would be looking at units that they could bring their families in as opposed to having one-bedroom units. 60 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 One-bedroom units is suggesting some European concept that's really -- some of the people in the community feel as though it doesn't fit into our neighborhood. That's why they were concerned -- some families are discerned with more than one room.
Okay, all right. Thank you. I just want to do clarify.
Then I will ask, are there any other questions or comments from members of the committee? (No response.)
Do we have anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, I would ask that 61 2/7/07 - RULES - BILLS 060962, 63, 64 Mr. McPherson please read the title of the next bill. MR. McPHERSON: Bill No. 5 060965, an ordinance to amend the Institutional Development District Master Plan of Temple University by allowing for the construction of a new building on Block B of the Institutional Development District at the northeast corner of 15th and Norris Streets for use as the Edward H. Rosen Center for Jewish Life.
Good morning, Madam President and members of the Rules Committee. My name is William Kramer. I am the Senior Zoning Planner in the Development Planning Division of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. I am here today to testify on Bill No. 060965, which was introduced by Councilmember Clarke on December 14th of 2006. 62 2/7//07 RULES - BILL 060965 This bill authorizes an amendment to the Institutional Development District Master Plan for Temple University. Pursuant to Section 6 14-1107 of the Philadelphia Code, no 7 proposed change in the plan shall be effective unless approved by Council ordinance. This bill would permit the construction of a new Edward H. Rosen Hillel Center for Jewish Life. The center will be a three-story with approximately 10,425 square feet and will allow for uses such as a cafe, study rooms, administrative offices, kitchen and dining areas, and a multipurpose room that can hold approximately 110 persons. The City Planning Commission at its meeting of September 19, 2006, approved these revisions and recommends that City Council endorse these changes. I would be happy to answer any questions of the committee. 63 2/7//07 RULES - BILL 060965
Thank you very much. Mr. Kramer, is this site presently occupied.
I believe it has a building that is intended to be demolished and replaced with a new Hillel Center.
No, ma'am. It's a current Hillel Center. They're taking it down and rebuilding it.
Do you have any idea what the development costs and what the source of funding will be?
They have not given us that information. 64 2/7//07 RULES - BILL 060965
Thank you. Any questions by members of the committee? (No questions.)
Do we have anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Seeing no one, I would ask Mr. McPherson to read the title of the next bill. MR. McPHERSON: Bill No. 15 060901, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Girard Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, 32nd Street, a railroad right-of-way, Oxford Street, and 30th Street. Bill No. 060902, an ordinance 23 amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Chapter 14-200, entitled 65 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 "Residential Districts," by adopting a new Section 14-217, entitled "Industrial Transformation District," under certain circumstances.
Madam Chairperson, I am going to defer to the Executive Director of the Planning Commission.
Fine. Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning. My name is Janice Woodcock. I'm the Executive Director of the Planning Commission. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on Bill No. 19 060901 and Bill No. 060902 introduced by Councilmember Clarke on November 30, 2006. First, I will talk about the master plan itself and then the Institutional Transformational District that enables the plan. 66 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 Bill No. 060901 rezones acres of land located in the area bounded by Girard Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, 32nd Street, a railroad right-of-way, Oxford Street, and 30th Street from the zoning designation of G-2, General Industrial, to a zoning designation of ITD, Industrial Transformation District. This bill rezones the parcel of land to allow for the development of 595 residential units, including 302 stacked townhouses, 120 condo units, and 62 residential units, which are to be constructed over retail commercial space. There are a proposed 111 rental units in mid-rise buildings, which will be up to six stories in height. 0. Parking will be provided as an 67 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 in-house garage for the stacked townhouses or a surface parking lot or underground structured parking for the condo, rental, and commercial units. Under the provision of the Industrial Transformation District zoning classification, a master plan narrative and an illustrative site plan determine the permitted uses on the site. If approved by the Philadelphia Planning Commission and the Philadelphia City Council, these documents together become the blueprint for the development of the property. There was a technical error in the legend of the maps that were attached to this bill, and we have corrected the copies, which I would like to submit as an amendment to Bill No. 21 060901. " Bill No. 25 060092 creates the section of the Zoning 68 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 Code entitled "ITD," Industrial Transformation District. This new zoning classification would apply to parcels two acres and greater, promoting the revitalization of neighborhoods, of large parcels of land, and underutilized areas of the city. It would permit a mix of housing times and uses in the district in an effort to maximize the preservation and adaptably reuse significant structures in the community. This approach is illustrated by the description I just read to you. This zoning classification would allow for mixed-use development to be approved by the City Council on the basis of a master plan of development. The classification would allow for the greater flexibility and for the design, layout, and density in the development than would be otherwise available in the existing Zoning Code. The Industrial Transformation 69 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 District classification requires submission of a master plan narrative and an illustrative site plan, which must include the maximum gross floor area, the gross floor area of any proposed commercial or non-residential use, the total of all proposed open space, the total number and location of all parking and loading spaces, a maximum building height, and the maximum size of any proposed signs. As written, the Planning Commission has several concerns. The rezoning to this designation will result, in many cases, in a significant increase in the value of the property. In the case of a change from an Industrial Transformation District from G-2, the value of the property increases by as much as five times. In exchange for granting this increased value, the Planning Commission understands the public benefit should be provided by the developer, and we would 70 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 like to submit an amendment which would provide for the developer to include the proposed public benefits offered as a part of the master plan and narrative to the City Council.
The public benefits may include affordable housing, creation of desirable commercial uses, public art, additional open space, a public park or public access to a national resource such as a waterway or a hiking trail. Additionally, the Planning Commission has concern regarding the preservation of industrial land in some parts of city. If approved, this zoning classification may be used throughout the city, and in our efforts to reuse vacant land, we need to reconsider the proper balance between residential uses and our ability to attract future industrial jobs. At present, there's a shortage of vacant, easily developed industrial sites, which are the very sites most 71 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 attracted to conversion to other uses. This means we could, if we fail to plan properly, limit our ability to attract new companies and provide high-paying jobs for city residents. In an effort to protect viable industrial land for development pressures, we propose to add a provision to the bill that, upon submission of master plan to City Council, the Planning Commission and the Commerce Department report to the Council regarding the viability of the proposed site for future industrial use. Other proposed amendments from the Planning Commission are offered to promote development that will be compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods. These include the following: A height limit of 65 feet with the exclusion or exemption from the height restriction for the reuse of existing structures. 72 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 Second, a review of the arrangement of open space to ensure the open space placement and access is compatible with the surrounding area. To that end, I submit the above amendment to the bill for your consideration. The Planning Commission, at its meeting of January 17, 2007, considered Bill No. 060901 and Bill No. 060902 and recommended that the bills be tabled in order to allow for further discussion and consideration of the above issues. The provisions included herein address many of the concerns voiced at the Planning Commission. I would be happy to answer any questions of the Council.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Miss Woodcock, just to be clear the concerns that you have raised -- 73 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 i.e, the Planning Commission's review -- are based primarily on the bill as it relates to a citywide implication, not necessarily this site specific?
Well, we did consider them separately, and the questions that come up about the particular site helped inform the discussion about the application of this citywide.
Okay. So the amendments that you will be offering, based on the discussion we've had, will address those, although they will not require -- 'cause we had some concerns about having the Planning Commission essentially usurp the power of the City Council of Philadelphia by requiring their approval before we do an 74 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 ordinance, but --
I understand, but let me finish the statement, please.
So the recommendations that the Planning Commission would traditionally have in its approval process will be incorporated per the amendment in the City Council ordinance essentially.
For the necessary criteria associated with the creation of this district.
Okay. Okay, I'm done. I'm fine. I just wanted to make sure. Thank you, Madam Chair.
You're welcome. 75 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 Are there any other questions from members of the committee? (No further questions.)
Thank you very much. I would ask Mr. McPherson to please call our first witness. MR. McPHERSON: Kevin Hanna. (Witness comes forward.)
Good morning, Mr. Hanna. Please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Council President and committee members. My name is Kevin Hanna. I serve as Secretary of Housing for the City of Philadelphia. I appreciate this opportunity to testify on Bills 060901 and 060902 on behalf of the Office of Housing and the Administration. The first bill, 060901, deals with application of a new zoning 76 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 classification, the Industrial Transformation District, to several former industrial properties in the Brewerytown neighborhood. With the assistance of the City through the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative Westrum Development Corporation has begun to develop this property from vacant and underutilized industrial land into a mixed-income, mixed-use development in the Brewerytown neighborhood. Redeveloping this land is a crucial aspect to the revitalization and growth of the Brewerytown neighborhood and North Philadelphia, as these vacant properties have sat vacant for years, blighting the adjacent residential neighborhood and depressing the property values of nearby homes nearby. The area to be included in this zoning classification is more than 16 acres of long-vacant and underutilized industrial space roughly bounded by the 77 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 existing Brewerytown neighborhood and Fairmount Park. Beginning in 2003, the Westrum Development Corporation began assembling large vacant lots to begin construction of a new master plan development through NTI, the Redevelopment Authority assisted in the assembly of this property with the acquisition of three warehouses along Master Street. The properties were excessively tax-delinquent, cited as dangerous buildings by L&I, and were eventually demolished. They were sold to Westrum at the fair market value for redevelopment purposes. Westrum's first phase of construction, which is nearing completion, consists of 144 market-rate townhomes on the former parking lot of the Acme warehouse. The future phases of development include the proposed construction of 130 new single-family and stacked townhomes, the creation of 78 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 216 new mid-rise condominium units, the conversion of the former Red Bell Brewery and Pyramid Warehouse into 115 units of housing, and a new 45,000 square-foot supermarket. The Brewerytown community is underserved with appropriate food shopping alternatives, and it has long desired a modern, full-sized supermarket in the area. Westrum has established itself as a good neighborhood to the surrounding community. They have supported the Brewerytown Homeownership Institute, the Brewerytown Community Festival, and the Brewerytown Community Technology Center. Additionally, the development company has committed funds which could serve to support the sale of some of the new units to low- and moderate-income families as well as provide subsidy for the development of the proposed supermarket. Westrum has also been very 79 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 successful in its efforts to hire minorities in the construction of its Brewerytown development. To date, the company's minority participation on its construction projects has hovered around 50 percent. On the public side, the City has taken several very important steps to help ensure that Brewerytown remains affordable to longtime residents and those of more modest means. For instance, the City supported the low-income housing tax credits, which were used to rehabilitate a portion of the long-vacant Acme warehouse and convert portions of it into 61 affordable luxury loft apartments. Fourteen properties along Westmore and North 28th Streets have been rehabilitated through the City's Home Start Program and remarketed as affordable for-sale units. Another ten are planned or underway under that same 80 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 program.
The City has invested $250,000 in a targeted basic systems repair program for Brewerytown, a program specifically aimed at preservation the homes of low- to moderate-income families through the provision of grants. The City and Westrum have also committed to finance the construction of new infill for-sale affordable housing throughout Brewerytown. This master plan development has also received the recognition of the Delaware Valley's Smart Growth Alliance for their use of smart growth principles and green technology. The plan mimics existing street grant. Parking is in the rear of houses, not the front, and employs pedestrian and mass transit-friendly designs. The Office of Housing supports redevelopment of and reinvestment in communities for families in all stages of life, for all income categories. In 81 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 Brewerytown, developers such as Westrum, Penrose, Mellon Green, and Genesis have proposed creating a community of mixed-income housing for new families, empty-nesters, and working people. I have long been in support of this project, and continue my support for them here today. Completing this development and the market-rate affordable housing and commercial spaces proposed in the master plan will remove blight from the neighborhood, create new housing, shopping and work opportunities, and raise values, increasing the wealth of the residents in the surrounding neighborhood. " As you heard from the director 82 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 of the Philadelphian Planning Commission, it is clear that The city, in order to facilitate large-scale development like the project proposed by Westrum and its partners in Brewerytown, should adopt a zoning classification that appropriately allows for mixed-use, mixed-income development on the appropriate large parcels of land. At the same time, the City cannot allow larger formerly-industrial parcels to be transformed into residential and commercial uses without consideration for the loss of sites for large industrial development and benefits to the surrounding community. The amendments proposed by the Planning Commission would allow for the appropriate reuse of former industrial and vacant land while ensuring that the surrounding communities enjoy the benefit of new development and have a voice on how that development unfolds. NTI was created to enable 83 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903 projects like the one presented in Brewerytown where the vacant land and properties have blighted a community and need to be transformed into something that brings residents to the communities and improves the lives of existing residents. We should have a Zoning Code that allows projects like this to move forward. These provisions should, however, ensure that everyone can fully benefit from this redevelopment. I support Bill No. 060902 with the amendments proposed by the Planning Commission and its adoption on the area proposed in Bill No. 060901. Certainly I will be available for questions at the end of testimonies if any members might have any.
Thank you. Are there any questions or comments from members of the committee? Thank you very much. 84 2/7/07 RULES - BILLS 060902, 903
You indicated that the City has supported a number of Home Start units that have already been renovated?
And it's my understanding that we have acquired an additional -- or are in the process of acquiring an additional between and 20 40 properties? 21