Chronicle History

December 2015

XTOWN REPORT RE IMPROVING ZONING BOARD PERFOMANCE

On July 21, the Crosstown Zoning and Land Use Committee, chaired by Joe Schiavo, convened a group of stakeholders to discuss suggestions for improving Zoning Board of Adjustment procedures. The participants included attorneys and architects who engage in land use work, zoning committee members from the Crosstown civics, representatives from the City, the Building Industry Association and the Development Workshop. After a number of meetings the group crafted a five page report issued in partnership with the Building Industry Association, and the Development Workshop containing 11 recommendations. The report has been delivered to the Kenney transition team. Key points were:

QUALIFICATIONS OF ZBA MEMBERS: The Planning, Historic and Art Commissions specify the educational/professional qualifications necessary for service. Not so the Zoning Board where anyone may serve.

STREAMLINING ZBA HEARINGS: The report suggests procedures to reduce "downtime" for citizens, applicants and their attorneys/architects including: dividing each hearing day into time groupings with adequate buffer time between time slots to accommodate protracted matters, calling "no contest" cases first, and reinstituting review of applicant materials by ZBA staffers to ensure that all applicants have completed the necessary paperwork.

ANNUAL REVIEWS OF ZBA ACTIVITY: An annual review of refusals, variances and special exceptions would identify needed revisions to the Code.

CROSSTOWN TESTIMONY RE COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES

On November 16, Crosstown Chair, Steve Huntington, testified before the Rules Committee requesting that Committee members consider what steps might be taken to ensure that Registered Community Organizations can participate early on in the drafting of legislation. Three bills on the Rules Committee agenda that day were drafted with no input from any RCO:

Bill 150649 creating an overlay in which student rental housing would be restricted.
Bill 150475 incentivizing green roofs with density bonuese and
Bill 150766, a 39-page bill containing a host of Zoning Code amendments

The testimony acknowledged the hard work and expertise of Council and Planning Commission staffers but posited that bills would be improved if RCO input were obtained in the drafting process rather than after bills have been introduced into Council.

FRIENDS OF NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS "HOW TO" SITE OPENS

The Crosstown Coalition website now sports a sophisticated tool box for groups interested in initiating a Friends of Neighborhood Schools group. The suggestions are constructed from the experience of 35 Friends groups throughout the Crosstown neighborhoods. The information is accessible via a link at the top of the Crosstown home page which leads to a list of schools with ongoing friends groups, and resource pages describing how to create a Friends Group and how to conduct a realtor tour of area schools so that local agents are up to date on the local schools.

GIVING CIRCLE FOR N'HOOD SCHLS LAUNCHED

The Philadelphia Public School Giving Circle has opened a donation center at The Philadelphia Foundation which is accepting funds to support catchment area neighborhood primary schools by providing mini grants for discretionary expenses - school trips, uniforms, supplies. Giving Circle Charter members who donate at least $250 are entitled to participate in funding decisions. Coalition member Center City Residents Association raised $480 in contributions at its annual interfaith Thanksgiving gathering. Donations may be presented electronically or by mailing a check marked "Public School Giving Circle" to The Philadelphia Foundation, P.O. Box 826728, Philadelphia, Pa. 19182-6728

XTOWN PARKING SURVEY TEST MARKETED

The Crosstown Parking Committee chaired by Bill West test marketed its parking questionnaire via the Center City Residents' Association's 1100 address email list. The response was just short of overwhelming. 380 respondents to the 19 item questionnaire replied within 48 hours. 51% rated parking as very/extremely tight on weekdays. But in the evenings, both on weekdays and weekends, that figure exceeded 80%. The most important parking problem – “the length of time it takes to find a parking space”. 90% of those who do not own cars walk or use SEPTA regularly (including 53% who travel underground on the Market/Broad subway lines). 53% of non car owners report never renting a car while 30% do so only several times a year. When non car drivers do enter a car, it’s a taxi or Uber – 74% use taxis and 32% use UBER regularly. 18% of non car owners' bike. The Committee plans to review these responses, clean up some glitches in the survey platform, and send the questionnaire out to the other 19 Crosstown neighborhoods.

CROSSTOWN INQUIRY TO PENN DOT RE UED's

On November 18, the Crosstown Coalition wrote Leslie Richards, the state Secretary of Education, inquiring as to whether the Federal Highway Act legislation affects the provisions of City Council Bill 140906 which enables the erection of two UED's (Urban Experiential Displays - six story digital billboards) near the Convention Center, on North Broad, between Arch and Race and near Reading Terminal on North Twelfth between Arch and Filbert.

November 2015

XTOWN COSPONSORS SUPREME CRT. CANDIDATE FORUM

The Crosstown cosponsored a forum for Pennsylvania Supreme Court candidates held on October 17 at Community College. 250 people heard Judges Christine Donohue (Dem) Kevin Dougherty (Dem),Paul Panepinto (Indep.), Judith Olsen (Rep.) and David Wecht (Dem) who are seeking three open seats in the upcoming November 3 election. In view of Harrisburg's gridlock, the Court could address key Crosstown issues - a school funding formula providing our City's children their fair share of resources and broader questions such as the retention of the death penalty. Moreover the Supreme Court controls the tie vote for the committee that remaps legislative districts after the next Census. Thanks to lead organizer United Voices of Philadellphia and Board members Andy Toy, Logan Square, and Jeff Hornstein, Queen Village for their work on this successful forum.

XTOWN SUPORTS GIVING CIRCLE FOR N'HOOD SCHLS

The Crosstown Board voted to support the Philadelphia Public School Giving Circle, organized by Logan Square Crosstown Delegate Andy Toy with a major assist from Jeff Hornstein of Queen Village.The Circle will employ tax deductible donations to support neighborhood schools in disadvantaged communities. Contributions will be delivered to the Philadelphia Foundation and distributed by a Proposal Committee comprised of Giving Circle Charter members who donate at least $250. Each charter member will have an equal voice in funding decisions. This initiative, totally independent of school district bureaucracy, will react nimbly to needs as they arise. If Mrs. Rodriguez's 5th grade class is short on busfare for a trip to Bartram's Garden, the Giving Circle can step in quickly. The Crosstown will serve as a 501 c 3 conduit for distributions to school groups that have not qualified as charities. If you are interested in contributing funds contactatoysrus@comcast.net.

UEDs NOT LIKELY

On March 26th, City Council passed Bill 140906 enabling the erection of UED's (Urban Experiential Displays - six story digital billboards) ignoring both a Crosstown letter to Council and testimony from Crosstown representatives in Council. Two weeks later, Pennsylvania's Acting Secretary of Transportation Leslie Richards revoked the City's authority to regulate billboards along federal & primary aid highways.

The proposed UED's violate the size, spacing and lighting regulations contained in the Highway Beautification Act which regulates signage on roadways included in the Federal transportation system. Accordingly, despite the passage of Bill 140906 it appears as though the UED initiative has been thwarted because of the proximity of the sites to Federal highways. At its next Board meeting the Crosstown will discuss monitoring the Pennsylvania Department of Education's response to UED placements.

XTOWN CMTEE ADDRESSES BALCONY ROOF DECK BILL 150502

On October 13, Crosstown Zoning Committee chair Joe Schiavo and four committee members met with Planning Commission and Commerce Department staffers regarding Council Bill 150502 regulating pilot houses, roof decks and balconies other than those on public streets. The committee's comments are contained in a redline interlineation of the Bill and will be presented to the Crosstown board at its November meeting for endorsement.

XTOWN & THE MYSTERY RCO BILL

A June 1 Plan Philly article reported that Council President Clarke's office had prepared a draft ordinance in cooperation with the Planning Commission applying the City's Standards of Conduct and Ethics to Registered Community Organizations, (RCO's), standards which do not apply to Council members or their staffers. When the Crosstown investigated, the Council President's office denied authorship of the bill as did the Planning Commission. The Crosstown therefore wrote both the Council President and the Planning Commission requesting that the Crosstown be alerted should the bill be presented for passage in Council.

XTOWN PARKING INITIATIVE

A newly formed Crosstown Parking Committee has met three times and authored an 8 page questionnaire which will be circulated this month in an Alpha test to Crosstown Parking and Zoning Committee members in preparation for an eventual rollout to the 21 Crosstown neighborhoods. The questionnaire has three separate sections to be completed by car owners, non car owners, and local businesses.

CENTER CITY OVERLAY: KUMBAYA MOMENT

Bill 140519, the Center City Overlay, was introduced in June of 2014 at the request of the Building Industry Association. In the ensuing 18 months the Crosstown met with Council, the Planning Commission and the development industry more than ten times and the Bill was revised on numerous occasions. On October 15 the Bill passed with a whimper, not a bang, when 22 representatives appeared to testify in favor of the Bill and no opponents signed up to testify.

XTOWN CRITIQUE OF BALCONY/PILOT HOUSE/ROOF DECK BILL:

The Crosstown Zoning and Land Use Chair Joe Schiavo delivered comments on Bill 150502 which regulates balconies, pilot houses and roof decks to the Planning Commission at a September 30 Rules Committee hearing. Although the Crosstown comments were critical of the proposal and although the Crosstown comments were the only comments received, the bill was reported out of Committee.

SENATE PASSES ANTI SLAPP BILL 48-1

Senator Larry Farnese's Senate Bill 95 providing safeguards against SLAPP suits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) passed by a 48 to 1 bipartisan cross state vote on June 30 and now awaits passage in the State House. The bill incorporated virtually all of the revisions suggested by a three person Crosstown attorney taskforce comprised of Peter Gold, Steve Huntington and Tanner Rouse. Procedural and substantive protections for the defendants named in SLAPP suits facilitate the prompt dismissal of SLAPP claims with an award of attorneys fees, costs and damages. . Senator Farnese has recently written the House Judiciary Committee Chairs requesting that the legislation be reported out for a House floor vote.

SPRUCE HILL & CALLOW HILL JOIN CROSSTOWN

Two new communities have become dues paying members of the Crosstown bringing total membership to twenty one civic associations. Spruce Hill Community Association represents the neighborhood on the west edge of the University of Pennsylvania campus from 38th Street on the east to 46th on the West, and from Market on the north to Woodland/46th Street on the South. Callowhill Neighborhood Association's boundaries are the north side of Vine Street to the north side of Spring Garden and from the east side of Broad Street to the West side of 8th Street.

XTOWN MAYORAL QUESTIONNAIRE: ONLY KENNEY & KINDIJ REPLY

Democrat Jim Kenney answered the Crosstown Candidate's Questionnaire during last Spring's primary. In August, we requested other general election candidates, including Republican Melissa Murray Bailey, to respond. So far, only independent Boris Kindij has replied. To see the two sets of answers hit this link.

CROSSTOWN INPUT ON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BILL 140721

In September of 2014, Council President Clarke introduced a proposed charter change to create a cabinet level Director of Planning and Development and reorganize the city agencies responsible for these tasks. Working with the Development Workshop, the Crosstown organized a consortium to stage a February press conference and testify at the bill's Committee hearings. Participants included The Central Delaware Advocacy Group, the families of the victims of the Salvation Army building collapse, and the Design Advocacy Group who requested that the legislation be delayed and revised. In response, the Bill was kept in Committee and Council President Clarke undertook to issue a memorandum on the issues presented. When the memo did not issue, the Crosstown wrote two letters and an email requesting that the stakeholders be convened to discuss the legislation with Council staffers. Commencing in late April the Crosstown scheduled five consecutive weekly with the consortium members (joined by the Preservation Alliance) and Council staffers, Planning Commission personnel and administration employees. The result: a much improved bill which passed Council on June 11. Question 2 on the November 3 ballot will contain a referendum on the charter change.

XTOWN CMTEE SUGGESTIONS ON ZONING PROCEDURES

In June, the Crosstown's Zoning and Land Use Committee commenced discussions on how to improveZoning Board of Adjustmentprocedures by inviting a wide array of stakeholders to provide their thoughts. Participants included representatives from the building industry (the Builders Industry Association and the Development Workshop), as well as attorneys active in land use matters. The Crosstown board at its November meeting will determine whether to adopt the Committee's recommendations.

XTOWN CMTEE MEETS RE AVI REALTY ASSESSMENTS

More than two years ago, the Crosstown delivered to the Office of Property Assesment a 37 page analysis of the Actual Value Initiative citywide realty tax reassessment. The study found many shortcomings, including the the underassessment of large commercial buildings and of land on properties subject to the ten year tax abatements which land remains taxable even on abated parcels. OPA Chief Assessor, Michael Piper and seven key OPA staffers met with Government Initiative Committee Chair, Kevin Maurer, Jeff Braff, committee member from Center City Residents and Steve Huntington, Crosstown Chair, to discuss the report's findings. The OPA representatives said that many of the issues identified in the report should be remediated in revised assessments of the City's 470,000 residential properties. These new assessment figures will appear in notices to be mailed in April of next year for tax bills payable in 2017. The OPA committed to meet with the Coalition in March to discuss the new assessments.

October 2015

XTOWN COSPONSORS SUPREME CRT. CANDIDATE FORUM

XTOWN SUPORTS GIVING CIRCLE FOR N'HOOD SCHLS

UEDs NOT LIKELY

XTOWN CMTEE ADDRESSES BALCONY ROOF DECK BILL 150502

XTOWN & THE MYSTERY RCO BILL

XTOWN PARKING INITIATIVE

CENTER CITY OVERLAY: KUMBAYA MOMENT

XTOWN CRITIQUE OF BALCONY/PILOT HOUSE/ROOF DECK BILL:

SENATE PASSES ANTI SLAPP BILL 48-1

SPRUCE HILL & CALLOW HILL JOIN CROSSTOWN

XTOWN MAYORAL QUESTIONNAIRE: ONLY KENNEY & KINDIJ REPLY

CROSSTOWN INPUT ON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BILL 140721

XTOWN CMTEE SUGGESTIONS ON ZONING PROCEDURES

XTOWN CMTEE MEETS RE AVI REALTY ASSESSMENTS

July 2015

ANTI SLAPP BILL PASSES IN SENATE 48-1

Senator Larry Farnese's Senate Bill 95 providing safeguards against SLAPP suits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) passed by a 48 to 1 bipartisan cross state vote on June 30 and now awaits passage in the State House. The bill incorporated virtually all of the revisions suggested by a three person Crosstown attorney taskforce comprised of Peter Gold, Steve Huntington and Tanner Rouse. Procedural and substantive protections for the defendants named in SLAPP suits would enable the prompt dismissal of SLAPP claims and the provision of attorneys fees, costs and damages. Presently, the Bill is lodged in the House Judiciary Committee. Senator Farnese has recently written the Judiciary Committee Chairs requesting that the legislation be reported out for a vote on the House floor.

SPRUCE HILL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION JOINS THE CROSSTOWN

Spruce Hill Community Association has become the newest Crosstown member bringing our total to twenty members. SHCA represents the neighborhood just west of the University of Pennsylvania campus from 38th Street on the east to 46th on the West, and from Market on the north to Woodland/46th Street on the South.

CROSSTOWN INPUT ON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BILL 140721

In September of 2014, Council President Clarke introduced a proposed charter change to create a cabinet level Director of Planning and Development and reorganize the city agencies responsible for these tasks. Working with the Development Workshop, the Crosstown organized a consortium to stage a February press conference and testify at the bill's Committee hearings, The consortium included The Central Delaware Advocacy Group, the families of the victims of the Salvation Army building collapse, and the Design Advocacy Group, Each group requested that the legislation be delayed and revised. By way of response, the Bill was kept Committee and Council President Clarke undertook to issue a memorandum on the issues presented. When the memo did not issue, the Crosstown wrote two letters and an email requesting that stakeholder meetings be convened to discuss the legislation with Council staffers. Commencing in late April the consortium (joined by the Preservation Alliance) met for five consecutive weeks with Council staffers, Planning Commission personnel and administration employees. The result: a much improved bill which passed Council on June 11. The November ballot will contain a referendum on actualizing the charter change.

UEDs NOT LIKELY

The proposed UED's violate the size, spacing and lighting regulations contained in the Highway Beautification Act which regulates signage on roadways included in the Federal transportation system, such as Broad St, Market St, and Lancaster Avenue and Ridge Avenue. Accordingly, despite the passage of Bill 140906 it appears as though the UED initiative has been thwarted because of the proximity of the sites to Federal highways.

FOSTERING FRIENDS OF NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS

The Coalition's "Fostering Friends of Neighborhood Schools" subcommittee is building internal capacity among existing Friends groups and helping to identify opportunities to grow new groups through a mentor-protégé program. Nascent Friends groups have been regularly reaching out to the PCC's Education Committee seeking resources or guidance; new groups are swiftly connected with mentors in existing groups to guide them through the process of building a strong organization, cultivating community support, dealing with their principal, and navigating the District. Great energy has been bubbling up in both South and Northwest Philadelphia in recent months, and plans are in the very early stages to hold regional summits or workshops for groups in at least these two regions of the City. The Fostering Friends subcommittee is exploring the possibility of applying for philanthropic funding to expand organizing efforts proactively into new areas of the City.

If your Friends group needs some guidance or wishes to share an interesting initiative, reach out to Crosstown Education chair, Jeff Hornstein, at jeff.hornstein@gmail.com

BUILDING THE BRAND OF NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS

The "Building the Brand" Education subcommittee, tasked with disseminating a positive narrative about neighborhood public education is compiling campaign ideas to submit to several PR firms. The preliminary tag line for the campaign is "I am the future of public education in Philadelphia." Once the creative firms have provided cost estimates and message suggestions, the group hopes to obtains funding. If you are interested in participating contact Crosstown Education Chair, Jeff Hornstein atjeffhornstein@gmail.com

NEW PERMITTING FOR FEDERAL HIGHWAY BILLBOARDS

Companies must obtain a PENNDOT permit for every billboard located within 660 feet of roads desingnated as being within the Federal Highway system. PENNDOT has advised a Crosstown delegate that changes may not be made to any Philadelphia billboard structure until the legal status is determined and a state billboard permit issued. Permits are required increases in size, height, or for the reconstruction a billboard or conversion to a digital display. Community groups may want to monitor local billboard structures for any changes until the legal status is determined and a state permit issued. Dated photos of billboards recommended.

Contact Mary Tracy - tracy@scenic.org

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES COMMITTEE FORMED

A new committee, the Government Initiative Committee, was formed to push ideas that would improve city governance. Projects being considered are items addressed in the Crosstown candidate's questionnaire including the reassessment of land on properties subject to the 10 year real estate tax abatement, making the Inspector General a permanent position and creating a neutral commission to remap Council district boundaries. The Committee is next meeting on Tues August 4 at 5:30 pm. If you are interested in participating contact Brian Collins -pjbrian10@gmail.com

CROSSTOWN COMMENTS ON SIGN BILL PASSED AT LAST MINUTE

For three years, representatives of the Crosstown engaged in fruitful communications with the office of Councilperson Bobby Henon regarding the outdoor sign legislation, the last of which was a February 13 analysis of the most current version of the legislation, Bill 130656-A. We were therefore surprised to learn on April 16 that the bill was presented to Council that same day and to receive on June 10 amendments to the April 16 version. which were voted upon on June 18. The Coalition delivered detailed comments on June 17 to Councilperson Henon and Council but the bill passed the following day.

April 2015

ERRATA RE MARK SQUILLA RESPONSE ON DISTRICT REMAPPING

The April 22 Crosstown Chronicle incorrectly reported Councilman Squilla's "yes" response to the question of whether remapping should be conducted by an independent commission. That portion of the Chronicle article bearing the headline "18 Council Candidates Reply To Crosstown Questionnaire should have read:

Asked whether an independent commission should be charged with mapping Council's electoral districts instead of Council, 12 respondents, including Council incumbents Neilson and Squilla, favored a non partisan commission while three incumbents support the current system where Council draws the boundaries - Greenlee,Johnson, and O'Brien. Incumbent Reynolds Brown supports a commission to review the question and incumbent Oh is

not sure which system is better.

MAYORAL QUESTIONNAIRE: WILLIAMS REPLIES

Candidate Anthony Williams is the latest respondent to our Crosstown Questionnaire joining mayoral hopefuls Abraham, Diaz, Kenney, and Oliver. Click here to view the text of each response or visit the website at philacrosstown.org.Highlights of the responses:

THE TEN YEAR TAX ABATATEMENT:Abraham and Williams favor the ten year realty tax abatement program. Abraham answered "yes" to the question of whether the abatement program should continue as is and suggested that it be extended to neighborhoods "just beyond the reach of development" on a fifteen to twenty year basis. Williams reports he is a strong supporter of the program and suggests a comprehensive review/adjustment to encourage even greater commercial/residential development in areas that have not seen the development that has occurred elsewhere. Diaz and Oliver disagree. Diaz writes that the program's benefits have "overwhelmingly gone to Center City" where he characterizes the growth as largely self sustaining so that terminating the abatement will not significantly reduce Center City growth. He suggests that the program should be installed in "outlying commercial corridors that have not shared in recent growth." Oliver states "now that redevelopment has occurred, a reevaluation is appropriate" adding that development could occur "in certain neighborhoods even without receiving the benefit of a tax abatement". Kenney sidestepped the question, noting his past vote in favor of the abatement scheme but offering no opinion as to its continuation.

FREQUENCY OF REAL ESTATE TAX REASSESSMENTS:Oliver calls for 5 year reassessments. Kenney suggests reassessments every two to three years and Abraham takes a similar approach, stating that best practices call for yearly reassessments but that, due to budgetary constraints, three years would make sense. Diaz failed to answer the question presented - "how frequently should reassessments occur?" and instead observed that "abrupt, dramatic changes in tax levels are not fair" so that more frequent, less dramatic changes would better serve..." Williams replies "By law reassessments should occur annually to capture increases in property values, to fund schools and to limit sticker shock . . . "
SHIFT FROM WAGE/BUSINESS TO REALTY TAXES: For Abraham, the question of whether revenue sourcing should shift away from wage/business taxes to realty levies does not admit of a "yes or no" answer. She states that a case can be made for eliminating the net income tax, reducing the wage tax and increasing the gross receipts tax but observes that the best approach is to place all revenue sources "on the table." rather than focus on any particular revenue source. Diaz, Kenney, Oliver and Williams favor a shift from wage/business taxes to realty levies because wage earners and businesses can move more whereas improvements/land subject to the realty tax are less mobile. Diaz, Williams and Kenney refer favorably to the Job Growth Initiative propounded by Paul Levy of the Center City District and Jerry Sweeney of Brandywine Realty Trust which seeks to amend the realty tax uniformity clause of the Pa. constitution so that commercial/industrial property tax rates could be raised higher than residential rates with the overage devoted to lowering wage tax rates. Oliver notes that a shift from the wage tax puts more money in residents' pockets which helps the local economy and discourages workers and businesses from leaving the City.

SALE OF TAX LIENS: Kenney offers no reply as to the merits of tax lien sales to third parties. The other four candidates would consider such sales as a possibility. Abraham answers "yes" to the tax lien sale question adding that, as mayor, she would investigate all methods of increasing revenue. For Diaz, tax lien sales to third parties should be anoption on the table. He cautions that the experience of some cities which have sold liens en masse has not been positive. Oliver supports lien sales to third parties but only for out of state property owners. Kenney speaks favorably of the NYC model where each year liens are offered for sale.

COUNCIL'S PROCESSING OF THE PGW SALE: Williams did not answer the question of whether Council should have held hearings on the proposed PGW sale. The other four candidates agreed that Council should have conducted public hearings, even Kenney, who was a member of Council at that time, and who wrote that he could have called for a vote on the question but, instead, chose not to anger and embarrass his colleagues.

PENSIONS: DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS: The issue: Should Philadelphia institute a defined contribution pension plan for new hires so that their retirement benefits would be calibrated on the amount contributed over their City employment and rather than via the traditional defined benefit plan where the City promises to pay each retiring employee a set amount calculated by years of employment? Abraham favors a new defined contribution approach as does Oliver who adds that "a lot of voices should be heard" before such a plan is implemented. Diaz supports the Nutter administration's elective hybrid Plan 10 proposal, an option that few employees have selected. Plan 10 is a 401k type vehicle funded both by employees and the City. The employee's account balance at the time of retirement determines retirement income rather than a schedule promising a set sum based on years of service. Kenney supports a Plan 10 approach but promises revisions that would increase voluntary membership. Williams replies but does not answer the question.
STREAMLINING LAND BANK PROCEDURES: Asked whether to retain the Land Bank Ordinance requirement that Council approve all Land Bank sales, Abraham would delete Council approval as would Diaz who suggests that Council's representation could be assured by increased representation on the Land Bank oversight committee. Kenney and Oliver state that if the current processes cause unnecessary delays, they would support efforts to streamline the process. Williams supports the current system.
CREATING A PERMANENT INSPECTOR GENERAL: All five candidates would continue the Inspector General's office and, further, endorse a charter amendment to create a permanent inspector general in lieu of the current situation where the office exists at the whim of each mayor. Abraham urges that this innovation should be part of a complete City Charter overhaul and should not be done on a one off basis.
NON PARTISAN ELECTORAL REDISTRICTING: Under the present system, Council creates the boundaries of the ten Council districts once every decade after the publication of the Federal census. Abraham and Oliver unequivocally favor a non partisan panel to draw Council district boundaries. Williams notes that, as a state Senator, he cosponsored a bill to create a non partisan Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Bureau.and states he would "examine the same approach at a local level". Diaz also favors this approach but suggests that Council be provided an up or down vote on the Commission's proposals. Kenney is circumspect and calls for further study of this idea.

CROSSTOWN TO COUNCIL: DISCUSS SCHOOL FUNDING, TAX HIKE BEFORE ELECTION

At its April 6 meeting the Crosstown board voted unanimously to request that Council move the

budget discussions for the proposed 9% tax hike and school funding to a date before the election. Below is the text of an April 17 Crosstown letter to Council.

Dear Council President Clarke:

The Board of the Crosstown Coalition, in a unanimous vote, requested that a letter be sent to Council asking that hearings on the Mayor's

proposed 9.3% real estate tax increase and on

school funding be scheduled before the May 19th primary. Council's calendar lists May 21 as the date for hearings on "Revenue Tax Bills" and May 26 is set aside for discussion of "The School District".

Our members are concerned about the financial burden of this proposed increase which follows

17.3% of hikes levied over three consecutive years starting in 2010, but we are also concerned about how the schools funding issue will be addressed.

Indeed, schools and school funding have been identified by our members as the most pressing

topic on the Crosstown agenda. The tax increase and the school funding issues are intertwined

because the administration has proposed the 9.3% levy in order to close the school funding gap.

As the calendar presently stands, two of the most pressing civic issues, taxes and school funding,

will be discussed AFTER the election. The citizenry should hear the incumbents and their challengers address concerns of the day BEFORE going to the polls.

We await your response to our request.

cc: Council Members

March 2015

UED BILL PASSES 13 -3

Crosstown delegates voted 12 to 4 in favor of opposing Bill 140906 which authorizes placement of Urban Experiential Displays (UEDs - six story 3D digital ad displays) adjacent to the Convention Center and the Reading Terminal. Chair Steve Huntington delivered the Crosstown message to Council before the March 26 vote, but the bill passed with only three nay votes from Council people Goode, Johnson and Reynolds-Brown. Thanks to the Crosstowners who appeared at City Hall - Chuck Bode (West Powelton), Jeff Braff (CCRA), Lorna Katz and Mary Tracey (Society Hill) and Magali Larson (Woodland Terrace) and apologies to those who attended but were not spotted by this reporter.

SCHOOLS SUMMIT SUCCEEDS: 100 ATTEND FROM 45 GROUPS

The Coalition's March 14 Summit for Friends of Neighborhood Public Education drew over 100 people from 45 schools and civic associations to the headquarters of the American Friends Service Committee which graciously donated the venue.

The five hour gathering commenced with a large-group exercise which identified prominent issues. The group then broke into 4 workshops:

* "Forming and Building a Friends Group" re sharing information and best practices among veteran and

fledgling groups.

* "What Does Your Principal Need from the Community?" featured three inspirational principals - George

Nebinger's Anh Brown, J.S. Jenks' Mary Lynskey, and Chester Arthur's Kim Newma

* "Navigating the District," showcased. Vicki Ellis from the School District's Office of Strategic Partnerships who

reviewed resources available from the district.

* "Building a Citywide Voice for Public Education," PCCY's Donna Cooper and Dep. Mayor and Parks & Rec

Commissioner Mike Deberardinis discussed influencing the decision makers at City Hall, the School

Reform Commission, and in Harrisburg.

The formalities closed with a roundup session where all expressed enthusiasm about the energy and sense of momentum generated. The day ended with lunch (funded by the Crosstown) and networking.

As a post Summit follow up, a Crosstownemail asks attendees and registrants to join one or more of the following task forces so that we can turn this embryonic network into a community resource:

1. Fostering Friends of Neighborhood Schools Groups to help form and nurture new and existing Friends

Groups by using the network to enhance capacity, share information, and find leaders

2. Building a Citywide Political Voice for Neighborhood Schools to advance public ed-related issues at City Hall,

the SRC, and Harrisburg and ensure that neighborhood interests are heard.

3. Building the Brand by a public relations initiative trumpeting the opportunities provided by neighborhood public education.

Anyone interested in joining one (or more) of these groups should contact Education Committee Chair, Jeff Hornstein at jeff.hornstein@gmail.com who will announce initial committee meeting dates shortly.

This Summit succeeded thanks particularly to Chair Jeff Hornstein and also his hardworking committee: Barbara Capozzi, Christine Carlson. Donna Cooper, Jen Devor, Beth Dougherty, Shanee Garner, Steve Huntington, Eleanor Ingersoll, Julie Krug, Katie McGrath, Magali Larson, Ivy Olesh, Megan Rosenbach, Amara Rocker, Ben Schindler, Lauren Summers, Abby Thaker, Gail Tomassini, Ilene Wilder, and Lauren Wiley.

CROSSTOWN AND COUNCIL COMPROMISE ON ADMINISTRATION REORGANIZATION BILL 140721 AND RESOLUTION 140732

Crosstown opposition led to a compromise on a Darrell Clarke proposal to reorganize the City agencies responsible for land use. The initiative neither addressed the public safety issues identified in the Corbett Commission's Safety First And Foremost report analyzing the Salvation Army store collapse nor offered an explanation as to the rationale for suggested revisions to the current system of land use governance.

The legislation was held in committee after:

* Crosstown visits to the six members of

Council's Law and Government

Committee

* a City Hall press conference where Crosstowners spoke

* Crosstown testimony in committee

hearings.

The bill, which called for a May 19 ballot referendum, cannot be placed on the ballot earlier than next November and, per a Crosstown suggestion, Council's right to approve a Mayoral appointee proposed to the cabinet position was eliminated.

Council President Clarke promised a memorandum on the questions presented, a promise that has yet to be fulfilled despite a February 27 Crosstownfollow up letter requesting "an appropriate forum so that all stakeholders may . . . contribute toward a reorganization plan acceptable to everyone."

To maximize its efforts, the Crosstown initiated alliances with the Building Industry Association, The Development Workshop, representatives of the Corbett Commission, the Design Advocacy Group, the Committee of 70, the Central Delaware Advocacy Group, and families of the victims of the Building Committee collapse victims each of whom participated in the Press conference and offered testimony. A last ditch letter to the Council hearings was signed by two civic federations, the Coalition and the Central Delaware Advocacy Group, as well as the Development Workshop - organizations whose interests customarily align on opposite sides of the table.

The Coalition will continue to pursue its request that Council convene the many stakeholders so that a broad based consensus acceptable to all may be brokered.

MAYORAL QUESTIONNAIRES: WILLIAMS SILENT

Candidate Doug Oliver joined Lynne Abraham, Nelson Diaz, and Jim Kenney in responding to the Crosstown Questionnaire. No word yet from Anthony Williams. To see highlights of the responses. click here. For full text, click here.

February 2015

SCHOOLS CMTEE: 46 PEOPLE/22 SCHOOLS

The members of the Philadelphia Crosstown Coalition believe that strong neighborhood public schools are the foundation of strong communities. Every community in this City has resources that can and should be engaged in support of their neighborhood schools.

In communities across the City, multiple stakeholders are organizing and working with their principals and teachers to support quality neighborhood schools. It is time for these groups to come together and share experiences and best practices and learn from each other.

Please join us on SATURDAY MARCH 14 from 9AM-2PM at the FRIENDS CENTER, 15th and Cherry Streets in Center City for the First Annual Friends of Neighborhood Public Schools Summit.

Best way to RSVP is by clicking the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/friends-of-neighborhood-public-schools-summit-tickets-15423694

January 2015

Schools Committee -

Committee chairs, Jeff Hornstein and Barbara Capozzi, convened a Nov. 24 meeting at the offices of PCCY (Pub. Cits. For Children & Youth) to plan for a Summit of Friends of Neighborhood Schools. Thanks to Donna Cooper, PCCY Executive Director, for hosting and publicizing the event. Forty six representatives from twenty two schools met to plan for a “Friends of Neighborhood Schools Summit” to be held in February. The group identified four objectives for the nascent network of Friends Groups: skills building, growing the organization, lobbying/ politicking and partnering. Two subcommittees met this month to plan the details of the upcoming summit. For minutes of the meeting click here.

Also in the works is a public relations initiative touting the community enhancement benefits of neighborhood schools.

Anit- SLAPP Committee

A three person Crosstown taskforce has been working with Senator Larry Farnese to pass legislation in Harrisburg providing protection to our civic association members from “SLAPP” lawsuits (Strategic Lawsuits to Limit Public Participation). Over the summer, taskforce participants Peter Gold, Steve Huntington and Tanner Rouse prepared draft legislation. incorporating statutory provisions from other jurisdictions. The taskforce then met with the senator’s staff on October 29 to discuss the proposed language and to plan how to advance the legislation once the new session commences in January. The Crosstown board voted to expend up to $500 for outreach to anti SLAPP activists who reside outside of Philadelphia to build a statewide coalition in support of the legislation. The Senator’s office sent out a letter on December 18 to those who have expressed interest in this initiative to gauge their continued support. Once responses are received, the Crosstown will attempt to organize a statewide grassroots campaign of support for the legislation.

Zoning and Land Use Committee

CTR CITY OVERLAY BILL SHELVED – On November 21, 9 committee members met with Councilman Squilla and representatives from the Building Industry Association (BIA), the Planning Commission, and staffers from Councilpersons Clarke and Johnson to discuss an agenda prepared by the Crosstown re bill 140519’s proposals to revise the Center City Overlay. The meeting centered on two Crosstown documents - Committee Chair Joe Schiavo’s spreadsheet detailing the bill and the responses of the Planning Commission and of the Crosstown and a density analysis with graphics depicting the consequences of the bill’s provisions prepared by Sam Little. At the meeting’s conclusion all agreed that the bill should be pulled from Council docket. For minutes click here.

DIALOGUE W. DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY – Committee members have met with the Executive Directors of the Builders Industry Association and the Developers Workshop to discuss topics of mutual interest, see minutes, including:

ZBA predictability ZBA procedures

Creating new zoning categories Revising bonus tables

Proposed Planning & Development PCPC practices

Office

For minutes click here.

HEADWAY ON ZONING POSTING REVISIONS – There has been progress on the committee’s four suggestions to revise the zoning notices posted on properties:

NO ON INFO RE REFUSAL ON ORANGE POSTER: The administration claims that it lacks the computer capacity to place the reason for the refusal on the zoning poster AND has not adopted the Crosstown suggestion that applicants be required to post this info. when they post the notice.

NO TO LINKING ORIG DATE TO POSTONED DATE ON E CALENDAR: The administration advises that it is unable to link the originally posted date to continued dates on the ZBA computer calendar.

YES ON REVISING REPOSTING NOTICES: A revised reposting notice that will be distinguishable from the original orange notice is “in the works”.

YES ON REPOSTING FOR ALL CONTINUANCES: The administration has placed in an amendments bill language that would require reposting on matters continued for less than 7 days which are not currently required to be reposted.

SPECIAL OCCUPANCY DISTRICT NOISE RESTRICTIONS –

Council has not responded to Crosstown letters dated August 4 and September 15 requesting (1) more restrictive dimensional limitations on sound intrusion from Special Occupancy uses (i.e. entertainment facilities for 50 or more people) and (2) auditory monitoring of such intrusions rather than by calibrated measuring devices (decimeters) which are rarely available on scene. Committee chair Joe Schiavo has requested a meeting with Councilman Kenney to discuss this initiative.

BUS SHELTER BILL NEGOTIATIONS – Steve Huntington reached out to many Crosstown civics after two Center City Residents’ Association board members, David Rose and Chuck Goodwin, raised questions about bill 140897, passed on December 18, authorizing a 20 year renewal of the City’s bus shelter contract with Titan Advertising. The new contract also contains provisions re honor boxes and stand alone advertising kiosks. At a meeting with staffers from the offices of Council President Clarke and Councilman Johnson and representatives from MOTU (the Mayor’s Office of Transportation & Utilities) we learned:

Contract Still Negotiable: The Titan contract has yet to be signed. Consequently, “immaterial” changes can still be made without the necessity of returning to City Council.

Real Time Transit Information: The administration will ensure that the contract obligates Titan to make accommodations for future technology providing arrival times for next buses but advised that there were no current plans to embed this capacity and also stated that SEPTA’s technology could not currently support such a program.

Complaint Information: The administration will revise the contract to specifically require that shelter signs direct maintenance/upkeep complaints to Titan.

Elimination of Unused Honor Boxes: With reference to concerns that the advance of the digital age may render honor boxes for free newspapers derelict, the City has the right to request that Titan remove any honor boxes at Titan’s expense in five years.

Ad Content: The City refused to place restrictions on ad content in addition to those already within the contract’s Exhibit D dealing with alcohol, tobacco, firearms, sexually oriented businesses, and political campaigns, ballot measures.

Configuration of Ad Panels: The CCRA taskforce was concerned that bus shelter panels parallel to the street could be opaque so as to limit the security provided by eyes on the street. MOTU graphics showed these parallel panels intersected by an open air “doorway” so that areas within the shelter and immediately surrounding the shelter would be within eyeshot.

BILLBOARD LEGISLATION : Bill 130656 introduced by Councilman Henon last year deals with non accessory outdoor advertising (advertising not related to the premises on which the ad is placed). The original bill provided “amnesty” for billboards that did not conform to the land use laws. Crosstown representatives met with Councilman Henon to express opposition to the billboard amnesty agreement and, in its June meeting, the Crosstown Board voted to request that the administration not extend an expired agreement with the industry which limited the City’s rights to enforce billboard infractions. (click here to view letter). After the bill engendered opposition, it was placed in suspension last spring but was called up from the suspension calendar in early December. On December 11, Council removed the original text and inserted entirely new provisions. (view Bill 130656). The amended bill eliminated the controversial amnesty provisions but addresses topics of concern to all civics including digital signs, illumination, and swaps of traditional signs for digital signs.

POSSIBLE ZONING & LAND USE CMTEE TOPICS FOR NEXT MTG THURS JAN 22:

NEW ZONING CATEGORIES; Should the Zoning Code contain a CMX 4.5 to split the gap between the current CMX4’s 500 Floor Area Ratio and the 1200 FAR of CMX 5? Should other zoning classifications be created?

BONUS TABLE REVISIONS: Should bonus tables be revised so that increased density is not provided as of right but only in return for project specific community benefits such as underground parking, public art, public open space etc?

ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED OFFICE OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: How would this reorganization which is to be placed on the ballot per bill 140721 affect the operation of the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment? Is there enough detail in the proposal to make an informed decision on its merits.

Communications Committee

Communications committee chair and Crosstown vice chair, Ilene Wilder, met with committee members Brian Collins, Dan Horowitz and Crosstown chair Steve Huntington on Tues Dec 17. After reviewing delegate feedback, the committee selected the Crosstown logo (see the first page), set a January 9th deadline for issuing a draft Crosstown Chronicle and a December 24 deadline for loading the website. For minutes click here.