First District Councilman Mark Squillato introduce legislation in time for council to vote on it before breaking for summer recess.  “I wanted stakeholders to see it first,” Squilla said.  City planners, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, the Central Delaware Advocacy Group and other advocates of the master plan say it’s vitally important for the overlay legislation to be adopted before council goes on recess.  The interim overlay was designed to protect the waterfront from development that doesn’t comport with the city’s waterfront vision until both the master plan and related zoning are in place, and expires on Aug. 22, when the city’s new zoning code goes into effect.  If there is no new overlay before the interim one sunsets, the waterfront would be unprotected until after City Council returns in the fall.

See:  http://planphilly.com/waterfront-zoning-legislation-wont-be-introduced-week-will-be-time-vote-summer-break

Central Delaware Overlay lacks adequate protection for the riverfront

CDAG is questioning the potential efficacy of the current draft overlay as time to introduce and pass legislation creating a zoning overlay for the Central Delaware Riverfront dwindles.  Matt Ruben, CDAG president, said the biggest issues with this iteration concern waterfront access, the future ability to extend the street grid, and the process through which the planning commission can grant exceptions to the 100-foot height limit contained in the overlay.  “The good news is, I think a lot of these (issues) can be addressed relatively simply, if there’s the will to change the language,” he said.

See:  http://planphilly.com/waterfront-advocacy-group-members-say-central-delaware-overlay-still-lacks-adequate-protection-river

Penn Street Trail – a section of the Central Delaware waterfront trail that will connect Spring Garden Street with SugarHouse Casino’s portion of the trail – is expected to open next spring.  Preliminary plans call for a 12-foot, two-directional bicycle portion, to be separated from vehicular traffic by rain gardens and other plantings.

The RBA Group, architects, engineers and planners with offices in Philadelphia and other cities,  is designing trail standards, outlining how the Delaware River Waterfront Trail should be built along its entire length. The Penn Street portion will bring those concepts to life, said DRWC President Tom Corcoran.  According to Corcoran,  “This will be the full monty of trails. It will be the Cadillac.”

See: http://planphilly.com/drwc-continues-work-waterfront-trail-and-green-space-development-areas-trail-will-connect

DATE:  Thursday, May 10 - 6-7:30PM

LOCATION:  Edward O’Malley Athetic Association, 144 Moore Street Map

Host: Pennsport Civic Association

Pier 9 is the base for the light-blue clad building adjacent to the Race Street Pier.  A $3.5 million stabilization of the 93-year-old structure is needed to reinforce the concrete deck and steel superstructure, and to restore the concrete head houses.  Items beyond repair include the roof, roof deck, monitor windows and side doors.  These will be removed leaving the shed structure’s beautiful steel trusses exposed.  Doing this work would convert the pier from a liability to an asset by using the building for potential private funding/investment, according to the study.

See:  http://planphilly.com/pier-9-study-says-it-will-cost-35-million-keep-structure-deteriorating-11-million-achieve-full-poten

Neighborhood-to-waterfront connector street projects moving forward

Three street improvement projects for  Race Street, Columbia Avenue and Spring Garden Street will better link Philadelphia neighborhoods with the Central Delaware Riverfront by improving pedestrian and bicycle access, lighting, landscaping and signage. The big Race Street news is that PennDOT and the city’s transportation and utilities department have agreed that a multi-purpose sidewalk/bikepath can cross right over the ramp. However, how the traversing will happen is yet to be determined.  

DRWC President Tom Corcoran said the impact of PennDOT’s decision to reach out to DRWC and other community organizations so that community plans could be incorporated into the overpass and other I-95 related work is huge.  “Our total investment is probably several hundred thousand in design, and maybe $250,000 in the art component. But the value of the PennDOT improvements, that they will pay for, using our design, is probably in the order of magnitude of a million and a half to $2 million,” he said.

See:  http://planphilly.com/neighborhood-waterfront-connector-street-projects-moving-forward

Three-story townhouse development proposed for Front Street in Old City

Developer David Perlman has plans to build a 38-unit townhouse development with a green roof, outdoor space for each unit, and a mix of surface-lot and garage parking at 412 N. Front Street in Old City.   Units will have views of the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge, he said.  The site is also near the long-proposed World Trade Center development.

The project needs special planning commission review regardless of any potential zoning issues, because the property is located within the Central Delaware Waterfront Overlay district, a special zoning district running from I-95 to the river, and from Allegheny to Oregon avenues. The overlay was designed to stop any projects that would prevent the city from realizing its goals for revitalizing the Central Delaware Waterfront.

In response to a question from Commissioner Patrick Eiding, team members said should the World Trade Center come to fruition, that extra life nearby would only help enliven the street and benefit their development.

Tuesday’s session was informational, but Perlman and his team intend to come back next month for a PCPC vote on Central Delaware Waterfront Plan of Development approval.

See:  http://planphilly.com/three-story-townhouse-development-planned-front-street-old-city

Overlay zoning controls were presented by the Planning Commission this week.  The Commission expects the draft will be inserted into the new zoning code scheduled to take effect August 22 this year.

The entire Central Delaware Waterfront will be subject to the overlay’s provisions on building height, and form and design. The minimum building height is 25 ft., and maximum is 100 ft.  The draft code provides for a “waiver” on building height limits that will allow the Commission to grant exceptions for buildings over 100 ft. without requiring a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The purpose of the overlay is “to connect the public and neighborhoods to the waterfront, promote sound economic development, support diverse, walkable neighborhoods, and preserve and renew historic and natural resources.”

See:  http://planphilly.com/planning-commission-introduces-draft-central-delaware-zoning-overlay

Planning Commission adopts Central Delaware Master Plan

 In an unanimous decision, the Philadelphia Planning Commission adopted the Master Plan for the Central Delaware Waterfront.  The Plan  seeks to reunite the city and the waterfront with linked parks and city streets.  “We’re thrilled,” said Matt Ruben, chairman of the Central Delaware Advocacy Group.  Adopted plans must be considered by any city governing body making a decision on the waterfront.

See:  http://planphilly.com/planning-commission-adopts-central-delaware-master-plan

Master Plan for the Central Delaware receives prestigious award from the American Institute of Architects

The Master Plan for the Central Delaware is a 2012 recipient of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Honor Award, the profession’s highest recognition of work that demonstrates excellence in architecture and urban design. Selected from over 700 total submissions, 27 recipients from around the world will be honored at the AIA 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition in Washington, D.C. on May 18.

The proposed Central Delaware Riverfront Overlay District is designed to connect the city’s residents and visitors with the riverfront and promote development of walkable mixed-use neighborhoods.  The extension of six “riverview streets” to the riverfront are required as well as active uses on most ground floor buildings facing Delaware Avenue, the river, and 11 riverview streets.

See:  http://planphilly.com/planners-present-draft-new-delaware-riverfront-zoning-aimed-meshing-future-development-citys-goals

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation is sharing a 2012 Institutional Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design.  According to Marilyn Jordan Taylor, dean of the Penn School of Design, receiving the award indicates that the completed master plan is a “21st Century Vision” that is realistic enough to be brought to life.

See http://planphilly.com/news/notebook/central-delaware-master-plan-wins-national-aia-urban-planning-award

Pier 9′s future and a parking lot’s past

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation is looking at possibilities for Pier 9 – the municipal space with a large building which is next to the Race Street Pier.  Options are an open-air porch with cafe-seating overlooking the neighboring pier and the Ben Franklin Bridge, and indoor space for small events or opened up for large gatherings.

DRWC’s board wants to know if and when it would be worth the cost, which is being researched.  A feasibility study will determine the cost to ready the space for event rentals, and is looking at the possibility of permanent tenants with more time and money.

See: http://planphilly.com/drwc-talks-about-pier-9s-future-and-parking-lots-past