What’s the function of the FNA Zoning Committee?
By definition, the zoning committee is a neutral body that facilitates interaction between zoning applicants and the surrounding neighbors and solicits community input about development projects, usually in the form of a vote.
What does the committee do after the neighbors vote on a project?
The results are sent to the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA) for consideration during the applicant’s zoning hearing.
Is Fishtown’s vote binding?
No. The ZBA has the final word on which projects are approved.
Who is eligible to vote at Fishtown’s zoning meetings?
All zoning-related meetings are open to the public:
- Community meetings: held to present development projects to Fishtown residents; all Fishtown* homeowners, tenants, and business owners are eligible to vote. Residents within 500 feet of the project are tallied separately from the community-at-large.
- Zoning committee meetings: held to hear preliminary application presentations and to schedule applicants’ appearance before the community: THERE ARE NO VOTES AT ZONING COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
*Fishtown boundaries, as defined by the FNA are the Delaware River to Laurel Street, Laurel to Front Street, Front to Norris Street, Norris to Trenton Street, Trenton to Frankford Avenue, Frankford to York Street, and York to the Delaware River, including both sides of boundary streets.
How are community votes tallied?
Votes of the local neighbors (within 500 feet of a project) and the community-at-large will be tallied and reported to the ZBA separately.
So all of Fishtown gets to vote on the after-hours bingo bar disco that’s proposed for my block?
Yes. However, the votes of the local neighbors and the community-at-large will be tallied and reported to the ZBA separately.
When will zoning meetings be held, and how can I find out about them?
Zoning committee meetings are held on the first three Tuesdays of every month, depending on the number of projects on the calendar All meetings will be advertised in the local newspapers, on the local websites, and through the FNA’s e-mail alerts. In addition, this website contains a list of upcoming zoning events. The committee will flyer residences in the immediate vicinities of upcoming projects.
What else should I know about FNA-sponsored zoning meetings?
- A photo with a Fishtown address (or a picture ID along with a piece of mail) will be required to vote.
- Voting no longer occurs via show of hands; instead, all meeting attendees eligible to vote will receive a ballot.
- It’s a good idea to arrive early to ensure a smooth meeting check-in.
Is the FNA Zoning Committee pro-developer? Anti-developer? Allied with the casinos? Allied with NABR?
None of the above. The zoning committee is a neutral body.
last revision: 3/18/2007
