A City Councilman in Philadelphia proposes changes to the zoning code to protect the city's urban fabric in traditional rowhouse neighborhoods. Changes to requirements for provision of off-street parking are intended to encourage development.
"The vast majority of Philadelphia's rowhouses predate current zoning, which forces builders to include garages in any row of more than four new connected residences. [City Councilman]DiCicco said the requirement detracted from traditional Philadelphia aesthetics and scared off developers."
A building boom in many of Philadelphia's historic rowhouse neighborhoods has led to an explosion in garage construction which degrades the pedestrian environment and requires curb cuts and the loss of on-street parking spots.
"Under [proposed] legislation, those who want to build garages with new houses on a block where more than 80 percent of residences do not have garages would need to obtain a zoning variance."
Thanks to Marisa Waxman
FULL STORY: A move to curb rowhouse garages
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