Council gives neighborhoods a say on building guidelines

As the following news article describes, the Philadelphia City Council recently passed a new Neighborhood Conservation District ordinance which would enable Philadelphia residents to protect distinctive features of the built environment in neighborhoods that otherwise might not be eligible for historic district protection. For more background on Philadelphia Neighborhood Conservation Districts and to access a copy of the ordinance click here.

Posted on Fri, Jun. 04, 2004
Council gives neighborhoods a say on building guidelines

Groups in Queen Village and other parts of the city sought the bill to protect their distinctive character.

By Linda K. Harris

Inquirer Staff Writer

City Council yesterday unanimously passed a conservation bill allowing community groups to work with the City Planning Commission to develop design guidelines for buildings in their neighborhoods.

The bill, introduced by Councilman Frank DiCicco, targets neighborhoods with notable character that do not qualify for historic-preservation status.

"The intent was to protect the integrity of many of our great neighborhoods," DiCicco said yesterday. "This will allow for community groups to take an active role in safeguarding their treasures."

The bill was sought by various neighborhoods, especially Queen Village, just south of Center City, where many old, distinguished homes are under threat from developers. The conservation district would protect the buildings when they are being remodeled or a new building is being erected.

John Andrew Gallery, executive director of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, hailed the bill and said neighborhoods from Queen Village to Roxborough and Frankford had expressed interest in it.

"Our hope is to promote the idea and to try to find a few neighborhoods that are interested, to show how it can be used as a strategy."

Gallery worked with DiCicco and others to get the bill passed.

David O'Donnell, president of the Queen Village Neighbors Association, said his group intended to apply for designation right away.

"We'll be able to set up some guidelines, like no purple stucco over brick and things of that nature," O'Donnell said.

Under the legislation, a neighborhood conservation district can be sought in two ways: through a community group application, or through a petition signed by 30 percent of property owners who live in the community. The Planning Commission would help come up with guidelines, and the proposal would be presented to Council. After 60 days, there would be a public hearing. A notice would be distributed from the clerk of Council to all homeowners in the proposed district. If 51 percent of the homeowners sent in a "no" vote, the proposal would not go forward. Absent the opposition, Council would then vote independently on the matter, and could defeat it as well.

Once the district is created, it would be enforced by the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

In a related matter, Council also unanimously passed a one-year moratorium on demolition of buildings in Queen Village.

Contact staff writer Linda K. Harris at 215-854-4417 or lharris@phillynews.com.