Changes Coming to the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA)
On May 17, 2022 there was a question on the ballot about increasing the number of members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). Philadelphia residents overwhelming voted in favor of this change. Below is an explanation of the bill as detailed by Maggie Mancini in an article published on May 14, 2022 (before the May 17th election) in the PhillyVoice.
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Question 1: Should the city expand the number of appointees on the Zoning Board and make other changes?
How the question appears on the ballot:
Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to revise the composition of the Zoning Board of Adjustment by increasing the number of mayoral appointees from five to seven; by requiring Council confirmation of the mayor's appointments; and by specifying qualifications that appointees must possess, including a demonstrated sensitivity to community concerns regarding development and the protection of the character of Philadelphia's neighborhoods?
The Zoning Board of Adjustment is a mayor-appointed commission that oversees and makes decisions about development throughout the city. The City Commissioner's Office notes that the commission hears cases about zoning adjustments, sometimes making case-by-case decisions regarding specific proposed zoning changes.
Currently, the zoning board consists of five mayor-appointed members. The proposed measure would increase the number of members to seven and require they receive approval from City Council. In addition, the measure would shift the ideological composition of the board, requiring the member to meet certain qualifications.
The ballot question is based on a bill passed by City Council in January. In addition to expanding the zoning board, it potentially would mandate the qualifications and backgrounds that ZBA member possess. The question proposes two zoning board members be community leaders, along with board including an urban planner, architect, zoning attorney, expert in real estate finance and a person with experience in the construction industry. All board members would have to show demonstrated "sensitivity" to community concerns regarding development and preserving the character of Philly neighborhoods.
When the law passed in January, it was welcomed by community members, many of whom feel development decisions in their communities were made without the best interest of their quality of life in mind.
Though the law itself received major support from City Council, Mayor Jim Kenney opposes it, saying that he believes it will hamper development in the city.
If passed, the changes would be implemented in October.
