End
October 15, 2020 TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA: I write today to advise you that I am returning herewith to your Honorable Body as disapproved Bill No. 200094, passed by Council at its session on October 1, 2020 for the following reasons. This bill is a second attempt to revise certain provisions of the Center City Overlay District by creating a Society Hill Overlay. The prior version of this bill (Bill No. 190830) was not returned with my signature before the expiration of the last Council term. In large part, this legislation is the same as its previous iteration and therefore in accordance with prior action, I am returning this legislation as disapproved. Additionally, this measure was reviewed by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission staff and members, both in its current and previous forms. In both instances the consensus was a recommendation against approval due to their exclusionary natures and burdensome regulations. It is...
AI summary
This communication records Mayor James F. Kenney’s disapproval of Bill No. 200094, a proposal to revise the Center City Overlay District by creating a Society Hill Overlay. The proposal would add height, parking, and signage restrictions in Society Hill and exempt the neighborhood from some historic-preservation zoning measures; the communication says these changes could make development more expensive and affect housing affordability.