Philadelphia 2035 (York: quality of life, place to live, vs)

[kidphilly]

Improvements in the Philadelphia zoning code, IV: Rule changes | Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

[rotodome]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

Improvements in the Philadelphia zoning code, IV: Rule changes | Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

"The requirement that every new dwelling unit have a parking space is gone. The new code requires only three parking spaces per 10 dwellings. This change will eliminate the rows of door-and-garage-door street fronts found on many new construction townhouse projects."

Great!!
Now I wish they'd set a limit on those cookie-cutter square bay townhouses that all these developers seem to think is the only thing to do on a rowhouse infill site.

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by rotodome

"The requirement that every new dwelling unit have a parking space is gone. The new code requires only three parking spaces per 10 dwellings. This change will eliminate the rows of door-and-garage-door street fronts found on many new construction townhouse projects."

Great!!
Now I wish they'd set a limit on those cookie-cutter square bay townhouses that all these developers seem to think is the only thing to do on a rowhouse infill site.

Agree, the biggest benefit in this is just that reduction of parking. Would love to see the parking abolished in total in anywhere between girard and washington. I wonder when the first space is required, at dwelling 4? not sure

Also - what are some examples you see as good on the row house in fill, just curious

[rotodome]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

Agree, the biggest benefit in this is just that reduction of parking. Would love to see the parking abolished in total in anywhere between girard and washington. I wonder when the first space is required, at dwelling 4? not sure

Also - what are some examples you see as good on the row house in fill, just curious

I was mainly just kidding. And it's not so much that they're terrible, it's just that there's SO many of them. These guys are just working off of a standard plan. And I realize there's a tradition of "builder" buildings in Philly (and, well, everywhere), and there's nothing wrong with that. That's what most rowhouses are, after all. But these just look kind of chintzy, and they're everywhere, so they bug me.

[kidphilly]

Fair enough, was actually curious as I always like some new ideas


Some interesting tidbits to me

That Was Quick… Jose Garces Sells Letto Deli Space | NakedPhilly

GlobeSt.com - Cozen O’Connor Signs 200,000 SF Center City Lease - Daily News Article

And remember when Starr said he was done in Philly for while, seems that may be a short while
Is Stephen Starr Opening a BBQ Joint in Fishtown? - Rumormongering - Eater Philly

Also on a personal note Kudos to local suburban brewery Slyfox for having a beer named to Men's Health ten best beers in the world with their Pikeland Pils
Sly Fox Pikeland Pils Named 'Best In The World' - Beer Here! - Eater Philly

[drive carephilly]

Originally Posted by kidphilly

Agree, the biggest benefit in this is just that reduction of parking. Would love to see the parking abolished in total in anywhere between girard and washington. I wonder when the first space is required, at dwelling 4? not sure

Also - what are some examples you see as good on the row house in fill, just curious

They're actually already banned between Washington & Moore.


The logic for the lower ratio is that most people in the market are looking for a house, not a parking space and guaranteed parking is a good way to guarantee more cars. Curb cuts also take away on-street parking so, in a sense, a garage door on the front of your house privatizes public space.


** Just as bothersome as the garage doors are having all of the utility meters stuck to the front of the house. It's awful.

[UDResident]

Originally Posted by rotodome

"The requirement that every new dwelling unit have a parking space is gone. The new code requires only three parking spaces per 10 dwellings. This change will eliminate the rows of door-and-garage-door street fronts found on many new construction townhouse projects."

Great!!
Now I wish they'd set a limit on those cookie-cutter square bay townhouses that all these developers seem to think is the only thing to do on a rowhouse infill site.

Seconded. They look so suburban.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by rotodome

I was mainly just kidding. And it's not so much that they're terrible, it's just that there's SO many of them. These guys are just working off of a standard plan. And I realize there's a tradition of "builder" buildings in Philly (and, well, everywhere), and there's nothing wrong with that. That's what most rowhouses are, after all. But these just look kind of chintzy, and they're everywhere, so they bug me.

I think as more "monied" people move into up-and-coming neighborhoods, the quality of new rowhouse design will definitely increase. There are many proposals that have come out in the recent months on local development blogs that look a million times better than the few-year-old uninspired rowhouses that are too pervasive in some neighborhoods (the lower Graduate Hospital area is particularly guilty of this).

More and more neighborhood groups are also holding developers accountable to respecting the architectural heritage/vernacular of their surroundings, which is also critically important. With responsible neighborhood oversight (and I don't mean deliberately obstructionist) and these new zoning updates, I think Philly will find itself with tons more quality infill/redevelopment.

[RightonWalnut]

Originally Posted by Duderino

I think as more "monied" people move into up-and-coming neighborhoods, the quality of new rowhouse design will definitely increase. There are many proposals that have come out in the recent months on local development blogs that look a million times better than the few-year-old uninspired rowhouses that are too pervasive in some neighborhoods (the lower Graduate Hospital area is particularly guilty of this).

More and more neighborhood groups are also holding developers accountable to respecting the architectural heritage/vernacular of their surroundings, which is also critically important. With responsible neighborhood oversight (and I don't mean deliberately obstructionist) and these new zoning updates, I think Philly will find itself with tons more quality infill/redevelopment.

Have you seen some of the rowhome designs in Northern Liberties and Graduate Hospital? I think they are absolutely fantastic.

[RightonWalnut]

News on Cira Center South today.

It seems Brandywine, the developers of this project spoke in front of the Planning Commission last week and released informal plans to the complex. Brandywine also put on a presentation in front of employees at Cira Center in which they stated that the smaller tower could break ground as early as this fall where the taller tower would start construction after the smaller towers completion.

Brandywine will be returning to the Planning Commission in two parts, once for an information only session then once to release final plans and seek approval.

Cira Centre South Approaching? | NakedPhilly