RCO/Zoning Information
Notice Regarding SGCA RCO Meetings
In light of the current public health crisis and government recommendations for limiting the spread of COVID-19, the SGCA, as most RCOs in the City of Philadelphia, has cancelled all in-person RCO zoning meetings while City orders are in effect banning public meetings and requiring residents to stay at home.
In the alternative, we are posting project-related materials online and asking nearby residents who may be affected by the project to read and review the project materials and email the SGCA at sgcaphilly@gmail.com with their views, if any.
The respective project materials to be posted will generally include the plans and other materials submitted to L&I, the refusal, the RCO notice provided by the applicant, and materials submitted to the Historical Commission and other adjudicative bodies, if any.
Thank you,
SGCA Zoning Committee
In light of the current public health crisis and government recommendations for limiting the spread of COVID-19, the SGCA, as most RCOs in the City of Philadelphia, has cancelled all in-person RCO zoning meetings while City orders are in effect banning public meetings and requiring residents to stay at home.
In the alternative, we are posting project-related materials online and asking nearby residents who may be affected by the project to read and review the project materials and email the SGCA at sgcaphilly@gmail.com with their views, if any.
The respective project materials to be posted will generally include the plans and other materials submitted to L&I, the refusal, the RCO notice provided by the applicant, and materials submitted to the Historical Commission and other adjudicative bodies, if any.
Thank you,
SGCA Zoning Committee
2000 Spring Garden Street: Proposed New Construction/Zoning
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The owner proposes to demolish the existing 2 story structure at the SW corner of 20th and Spring Garden Streets (2000 Spring Garden St.) and construct a large 4-story property, extending 120 feet down 20th Street, some 46+ high at the front of the property (and significantly higher at the rear because of the southern downward slope of the land), plus a large roof deck and rood pent/pilot house adding additional height, basement living, 5 residential units, rear decks, side balconies, and parking.
The developer sought and received Historical Commission approval for the design of the new building over the strong objections of the SGCA and 20 nearby residents, including the next door neighbor who argued that the structure would dwarf and overwhelm her historic property at 2002 Spring Garden Street, and cut off all light and air to the rear of her building. A copy of an expert’s report, commissioned by the next door neighbor, showing the massing of the proposed structure compared to existing properties, is attached as a link, below, along with a detailed description of the project, the zoning plans, Historical Commission submissions, and other relevant materials. |
The developer sought zoning for the proposed structure and received a refusal based on height, parking, and the proximity of certain decks to 20th Street. A zoning hearing was scheduled for April 15 but was cancelled on account of the coronavirus. A new virtual hearing date of July 28, at 4:30 PM, via Zoom, has now been assigned - - the same day as some 30 other cases. The Zoning Board is apparently only requiring 14 days posting. Given the contested nature of the matter, it is possible that a new hearing date could be assigned to allow more time for the proceeding. If that occurs, we will notify residents. We will also advise residents how to participate in the proceeding.
The RCO meeting that was originally scheduled for March 19, 2020 was also cancelled on account of the coronavirus, and in-person RCO meetings are still not being held. Accordingly, given the number of proceedings in this matter to date, the extent of nearby residents involvement, and the information provided previously in SGCA newsletters, other communications, and now on this website, the Applicant requested (and the SGCA agreed) to ask nearby residents to review the materials and contact the SGCA (email sgcaphilly@gmail.com and/or call 215-802-0334) with their views and/or questions about the project, if they have not already done so, in lieu of an in-person RCO meeting. We have asked the Applicant some additional questions, sourced from the community’s feedback, not covered previously (e.g., re trash issues) but have not received a response.
The plans and written materials regarding the project can be reviewed and downloaded here.
The RCO meeting that was originally scheduled for March 19, 2020 was also cancelled on account of the coronavirus, and in-person RCO meetings are still not being held. Accordingly, given the number of proceedings in this matter to date, the extent of nearby residents involvement, and the information provided previously in SGCA newsletters, other communications, and now on this website, the Applicant requested (and the SGCA agreed) to ask nearby residents to review the materials and contact the SGCA (email sgcaphilly@gmail.com and/or call 215-802-0334) with their views and/or questions about the project, if they have not already done so, in lieu of an in-person RCO meeting. We have asked the Applicant some additional questions, sourced from the community’s feedback, not covered previously (e.g., re trash issues) but have not received a response.
The plans and written materials regarding the project can be reviewed and downloaded here.