A Philadelphia councilmember has proposed a seemingly esoteric bill that would amend the city code to give individual councilmembers new power in the planning process.
Jon Geeting reports: "A new bill from 10th District Councilman Brian O’Neill could write councilmanic prerogative into the city’s routine planning procedures…by shifting power over property subdivisions that the city charter specifically reserves for the Planning Commission to the discretion of District Councilmembers."
As Geeting explains, "councilmanic prerogative" affords Philadelphia councilmembers "total authority over land use and development matters within their own districts." The Pew Research Center and PlanPhilly have even studied the effect of councilmanic prerogative, finding significant powers to decide issues of city-owned property, zoning, zoning variances, and even street design.
The O'Neill bill would create even more political space for councilmanic prerogative to operate in Philadelphia, especially as a response to the city's 2012 zoning reform process (which would, in theory, allow more development by-right and fewer opportunities for council involvement. The proposed bill would amend the section of the city code governing subdivisions and plats, "[marking] the first time councilmanic prerogative would be written into the city’s standard planning procedures."
FULL STORY: O'Neill bill would codify councilmanic prerogative in subdivision process
Development Streamlining Proposal Dies in San Francisco
The doomed effort was Mayor London Breed's third attempt to streamline development in the city.
Neighborhood Rezoning Proposal at Odds With Philadelphia's Comprehensive Plan
While planning departments around the country make news for removing exclusionary zoning and parking requirements, many neighborhoods still show a strong preference for parking minimums and development limits. Case in point: Germantown, Philadelphia.
FYI about GSI: The Recipe for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Success
New research highlights some of the ways planners can increase the social benefits and public acceptance of green stormwater infrastructure.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions