APA-PA Southeast Section Blog

Happy New Year from Future City!  Our 40 remaining schools are heading towards the finish line, completing their models and practicing their presentations.  All we need now are more volunteers to make the competition run as smoothly as it has in the past.  Please consider volunteering for the following positions:

 

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) and Zoning Code Commission (ZCC) will carry out an “in­tegrated planning and zoning process” over the next several years to envision a bright future for Philadelphia, plan for it strategically, and take action to ensure success. The process includes three interrelated components:

Philadelphia2035: The Comprehensive Plan

The Comp Plan consists of two tiers: a Long-range Citywide Plan and 19 Strategic District Plans. These coordi­nated efforts will yield a broad, long-term vision that is fully integrated with geographic-specific imple­mentation strategies for communities across the city.  This work officially begins in winter 2010, building upon the data-gathering and early public-outreach efforts of Imagine Philadelphia: Laying the Foundation.

 

Citizens Planning Institute

The Institute is intended to be the educational arm of the PCPC.  It will provide an accessible forum for the public to learn about general planning principles and how to help resolve specific planning and zoning is­sues as they arise. Importantly, the Institute will increase the capacity of citizens and civic organizations to participate in planning their com­munities and the city.  A spring 2010 launch is planned.

 

Zoning Code Rewriting and Remapping

The zoning-reform effort will result in a new code and the means for implement­ing it. Sections of the city will be remapped based on classifications established in the new code and the goals, principles, and recommendations of the Comp Plan.  The code rewriting process is in full swing and expected to be completed by end of 2010, with remapping—district by district—to take place over several years thereafter.

 

Philadelphia’s Zoning Code Reform Process

In 2007, the voters of Philadelphia created a Zoning Code Commission (ZCC) to reform and modernize Philadelphia’s outdated and complex zoning code.  The 31-member Commission - comprised of City officials, representatives of business, civic and labor organizations, as well as attorneys, planners, architects and developers - is supported by a Consultant Team led by Clarion Associates and Duncan Associates.

 

The project has three phases:

• Recommend.  Develop a roadmap for the new code.
• Rewrite.  Write a proposed new code and a plan for zoning remapping.  The ZCC will release the proposed new code in three modules.
• Remap.  Remap areas of the City, consistent with the new code. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission will carry out this phase..

 

The ZCC completed Phase 1 in November 2009. The timeline for the remaining phases is as follows:

• February 2010: ZCC solicits feedback on Administration and Procedures module.
• April 2010: ZCC solicits feedback on Districts and Uses module.
• July 2010:  ZCC solicits feedback on Development Standards module.
• Fall 2010:  ZCC presents revised zoning code to Philadelphia City Planning Commission and City Council.
• 2011: PCPC begins remapping.

 

For more information and key documents released by the ZCC, updates and general zoning information, please visit the PCPC and ZCC’s websites:  www.philaplanning.org and www.zoningmatters.org. 

The PA Chapter of APA is currently in the process of updating the Chapter Development Plan that guides the Chapter’s activities and initiatives. The current plan takes the organization through the end of 2010. The new plan will take affect in 2011.

As a part of this process the Chapter Board of Directors will meet in early 2010 for a chapter development plan retreat. The Chapter is seeking professional management consulting and meeting facilitation services for this retreat to update its five year strategic plan. Proposals are currently being sought and all PA Chapter members are encouraged to view the RFP and forward it to consultants in their networks. Proposals are due by January 4, 2010.

To view the Request for Proposal visit the PA Chapter’s website at www.planningpa.org.

 

The 2009 Design on the Delaware session has been approved for AICP CM credits.

1. Click here.
2. Click "Activity by date"
3. Click "List view"

Under October 28, it is the 12th item down.

The APA PA Chapter recently released the October/November 2009 Issue of their newsletter:
The Vantage Point

This edition of the newsletter contains a recap of the 2009 Conference held here in the Southeast in early October and organized by a number of hardworking Southeast Section leaders. To view The Vantage Point online visit: http://www.planningpa.org/services_newsletter.shtml. The December issue will have more information on the Conference, including an article on why King of Prussia was chosen as the conference location.

In this issue of The Vantage Point:
CM Tips: Important Updates
2009 Conference Recap
Port Authority’s Transit Development Plan
Lending Library Expansion: earn up to 18.75 CM credits
PMPEI at 18 Years Old

Léon Krier is one of the best-known—and most provocative—architects and urban theoreticians in the world, and a leading influence on today's generation of classical and traditional architects and planners. In The Architecture of Community, Mr. Krier shares his thinking on the making of sustainable, humane, and attractive villages, towns, and cities. The book includes drawings, diagrams, and photographs of his built works, which have not been widely seen until now.

 

Léon Krier: The Architecture of Community

• When: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 ~ 6:30 pm
• Where: Carpenters’ Hall, 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
• Cost: $20 General Admission / $10 ICA&CA Members / Students Free
• 1 AIA/CES (HSW) LU
• Advance Registration Requested: (215) 790-0300 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

With the advent of new technology in signage, many municipalities are behind in offering sign codes that address digital signage. From on-premise signs to large digital billboards, the impact of this technology will be immense. Presenters will focus on the legal ramifications of regulating this emerging technology, the health and safety aspects of increasing visual clutter and driver safety, as well as a presentation on the capabilities of the technology.

Presenters include Stacey Graham, staff attorney for SCRUB; Jerry Wachtel, president of the Veridian Group; and Alfred Borden, principal of the Lighting Practice. Sponsored by SCRUB.

Date: Friday, December 4, 2009
Time: 8:30AM Registration - 8:45AM - 12:00PM Program

Location: Philadelphia Bar Association, Aramark Building, 1101 Market Street, 11th Floor

Click here to register! Space is very limited!

Check out this article from Main Line Suburban Life, about a Chanticleer tour from the recent Annual Conference in King of Prussia:

"Planners from around the state visit Chanticleer and the Willows"

Wednesday  greetings from Future City Philadelphia.  The registration period is almost at an end and we have 36 schools signed up.   Here is the current list of schools that need mentors:

 

Carl Sandburg Middle School                                      Levitown, PA

Kutztown Area Middle School                                    Kutztown, PA

New Hope-Solebury Middle School                         New Hope, PA

Pequea Valley Intermediate School                         Kinzers, PA  (east of Lancaster)

Postlethwait Middle School                                         Camden, DE

St. Cecilia Elementary School                                      Philadelphia (Fox Chase)

Sts. Philip and James                                                      Exton, PA

Shawmont Elementary School                                   Philadelphia (Roxborough)

Springside School                                                             Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill)

 

On Oct. 7, new mentor and mentee matches met at the downtown offices of Wallace Roberts and Todd for the kickoff to our fall mentoring program, hosted by Penn's Department of City and Regional Planning. About 25 mentors and 35 students got a chance to meet each other for the first time, beginning a year of fruitful mentoring relationships.
Lots of pictures from the event are below. If you're a professional willing to be paired with a student for a mentoring relationship, there's still time to sign up! Click here to fill out the two-minute form (ignore the dates listed), and we'll periodically be matching students on the waiting list with new mentors. Thanks for your help!