Design Advocacy Group position on zoning reform

“The Design Advocacy Group represents over 1200 members who wish to improve the design of our City.  DAG has consistently supported zoning reform over the past several years.  The combination of the new Zoning Code, Comprehensive Plan, and remapping of the City presents an historic opportunity to profoundly change the way by which Philadelphia is developed.
 
With the support of City Council, these efforts will allow our City to leave behind the reactive, parcel-by-parcel approach to development review.   Instead, we will be able to proactively shape the City’s growth based on sound planning principles that take into account the future of our neighborhoods, businesses, and public facilities.  This change cannot happen soon enough.
 
The Zoning Code proposal that has been forwarded to City Council represents a culmination of three and a half years of effort by the Zoning Code Commission, with participation of community groups, professional advocacy groups, and members of the public.  This process has been an unusually broad and inclusive one, involving hundreds of Philadelphians volunteering thousands of hours of their time in the belief that a new code is essential to our collective well being.  The results are a significant improvement over our current code.  It is now City Council’s turn to consider the issue.
 
It is imperative that Council provide the Zoning Code proposals the attention they deserve now.  DAG respectfully requests that Council move forward as expeditiously as possible with the careful review and eventual passage of our city’s new Zoning Code.”

JOANNE AITKEN FAIA
LEED ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL
KIERANTIMBERLAKE