Zoning Remapping Task Force
WHAT
Establish a WMAN Task Force to review the zoning classifications of properties in three neighborhood commercial areas to determine if revisions are appropriate to protect existing adjacent residential uses and community values and goals, while also encouraging future development.
- Carpenter Lane around the intersection with Greene Street
- W Mt Pleasant between Cresheim and Emlen
- At the intersection of Greene and Hortter Streets
WHY
There is no official threshold for beginning this undertaking, but this initiative is proposed for two reasons: 1) to respond to long-term and current concerns among many residents speaking out at RCO Zoning and CDR meetings who live in and adjacent to these four neighborhood commercial areas and in other areas; 2) to respond to an invitation from Councilperson Bass (October 1, 2024) to compile a list of properties (not single properties but groups of contiguous properties) whose zoning is of concern to our community, for investigation by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission for possible remapping.
HOW AND WHEN:
The Task Force would meet (in person and virtually as needed) starting in January. Two community meetings would be held in January and February. A final proposal would be voted at the March 2025 Board meeting and submitted to Councilperson Bass’ office before the end of March 2025. She would forward the proposal to City Planning for further deliberation and if agreement is reached, create an ordinance to be voted on in City Council hopefully before their session ends in June.
WHO
The Task Force consists of a diverse group of people as follows:
Bob Bembry, WMAN Zoning Committee
rbembry@bembrylaw.com
Adrienne Carpenter, WMAN Board; Chair, Historic Preservation Initiative
acarpent2@mac.com
Jason Cole, resident of West Mt Airy and architect at Ballinger Architecture
jae2029@gmail.com
Jarma Frisby, WMAN Zoning Committee and former WMAN President
jjayef@att.net
Paul Gill, WMAN Board, Co-chair WMAN Traffic Calming Committee
gillpritpals@gmail.com
Anuj Gupta, President, The Welcoming Center
anujgupta73@gmail.com
Steve Kendall, WMAN President; WMAN Zoning Committee
drstephenkendall@gmail.com
Maura Kennedy, WMAN Board, Traffic Calming Committee
kennedy.maura@gmail.com
Chloe Mohr, resident of West Mt Airy, WMAN Zoning Committee
cmaryamm@gmail.com
Ralph Pinkus, WMAN Board, Chair of the WMAN Zoning Committee
rspinkus@gmail.com
Greg Smith, resident of West Mt Airy; financial analyst at Commons & Commons LLP; professor of Real Estate Valuation at Jefferson University
dgregorysmith@gmail.com
Morrie Zimmerman, WMAN Zoning Committee, Historic Preservation Initiative, WMAN Board
mzimmerman@ozcollaborative.com
