On Thursday Councilman Bobby Henon introduced legislation to tweak the
regulations governing the city’s Registered Community Organizations (RCOs).
A product of the 2012 zoning code, RCOs are
geographically-specific organizations that developers are required to contact
if a project in their purview requires a zoning variance, a special exception,
or a visit to Civic Design Review. The developer then must hold one meeting
with the RCO in question before they get a zoning hearing or design review.
The modicum of power granted to these designated groups
proved contentious from the very beginning, as different organizations
attempted to position themselves between developers and the city government. In
the political debates around RCOs, Henon generally errs on the side of more
oversight and stronger regulations for the community organizations.
This latest bill would institute three major changes.
First, it requires that political wards meet the same requirements as other
RCOs, which must have a defined geographic territory, hold regular and
well-advertised public meetings, have an elected leadership, and adopt a clear
statement of purpose about zoning and land use.
Go to PlanPhilly.com for
more details on Henon's bill.
Source: Philadelphia
Business Journal
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