Constituents claim councilwoman is making Philly zoning issue personal

A Philadelphia zoning dispute was aired out during a City Council committee hearing. 

Some Norris Square neighbors object to a change in zoning regulations that would limit multi-family dwellings in the area bounded by York, Front, Second and Berks streets.

Patricia DeCarlo of the Norris Square Civic Association says the change is retribution from Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez because of the redevelopment of a former church-school site into multi-family housing that is slated to be built across the street from the councilwoman’s home.

“For two years now she has made it personal,” DeCarlo said Wednesday. “First we were going to do the rectory, make it multi-family units and she didn’t want it because it was right across the street. Then when we changed it, she said now my neighbors are going to complain because you moved it to there.”

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Sanchez says she has no ax to grind.

“The facts bear out themselves that, in fact, I’m acting in the best interest of this community,” she said.

The bill was approved by council’s rules committee, but still needs a vote from the full council and approval by Mayor Michael Nutter.

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