New Philadelphia Department of Planning and Development Proposed

"City Council President Darrell L. Clarke says he will lay out a proposal Thursday to radically restructure how the city manages planning, development and construction in Philadelphia," reports Chris Hepp. A few key organizing principles of what is, in effect, a consolidation plan, as described by Hepp:

• "His proposal calls for a City Charter amendment to create a cabinet-level Department of Planning and Development that would oversee and coordinate functions now handled by seven unrelated agencies, boards and commissions, including the Planning Commission, the Historical Commission, the Department of Licenses and Inspections, and the Housing Authority."
• "Under Clarke's proposal, a Department of Planning and Development would have three divisions: planning and zoning; licenses, inspections, and enforcement; and housing."

The proposal would require City Council approval and a voter referendum.