MeLinda DeNofa

MELINDA DENOFA

Age:  33
Education:  B.S. in Marketing from Villanova University
Volunteer/Community Work:  Young Friends Board Member for Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC)
Professional:  President of Molly Construction Co., Inc.  A certified WBE in Philadelphia specializing in concrete construction and demolition work.
Personal: Single. Philadelphia Resident from 1973 to 1985. Currently lives in: Huntingdon Valley
Appointer:  Councilwoman Carol Ann Campbell
 
Q&A
Why is zoning reform important to you? Zoning reform is crucial to the economic viability and future development of the City of Philadelphia.  As markets change so do the needs and requirements of a community.  Current time constraints, ambiguity in our coding system, inexperience in the city employees involved in the process, and inability to make crucial time sensitive decisions for first time developments create stagnation, deter investors, and deter residents from purchasing land and/or renovating their existing property(ies).  Ultimately the loss of revenues greatly affects the financial strength and sustainability of our city government and it’s departments as well as delays growth and improvement of our landscape.   

Why are you a good choice for this commission? Although I have not lived in the City of Philadelphia for the past twenty-one years, I have worked in the city for over 11 years and have shaped both my business and personal life within Philadelphia.  The projects we work on, the restaurants that I frequent, the charity that I support, and the social clubs that I belong to all exist within Philadelphia.  Approximately 60 percent – 70 percent of our revenue is generated through projects within this City.  Consequently we are greatly impacted by the delays and even death of potential projects. 
I am also a partner in a small real estate development company that purchases land as well as existing structures within the city and I am very much aware of many of the difficulties that arise when trying to develop a property. 

What is the most pressing zoning issue Philadelphia faces? The most pressing issues that the zoning code faces are clarity and consistency of the entire coding system.  These codes have been updated on a need-by-need basis.  Many codes which are essentially the same contradict each other making application difficult and unclear. 

What should be done to address this issue? I believe that creating a zoning board (the ZCC) is a great starting point.  I believe that we as a group – employees, residents, decision makers, and business investors are dedicated to the study of the current code and to the recreation of a newer more efficient and effective coding system.