Monthly Archives: July 2014

It’s not easy being green space: Developer prevails against city

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Land Use & Zoning on Jul 31, 2014.

A friend of ours who has a whole array of food allergies has a saying: Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s good for you. A similar sentiment applies in land use: Just because it’s green space doesn’t mean it’s a park.

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New L&I rule may be out of proportion to family’s grief

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Real Estate Law on Jul 25, 2014.

Progress continues in the city’s efforts to transform Department of Licenses and Inspections procedures, according to Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. The city made a commitment to its residents following the June 5, 2013, Market Street building collapse, and a new signage regulation unveiled last week is part of that initiative, he continued. For critics of L&I and, perhaps, the mayor, the new rule is fine; their questions concern the reason the city took so long to develop a regulation about signage.

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Lawsuit may clarify if city thinks ‘better’ is better than ‘good’

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Development on Jul 24, 2014.

A dispute over inner city development pits two seemingly complementary revitalization approaches against one another. On one side there is affordable housing; on the other, gentrification. On both sides are politicians trying to rebuild the troubled Point Breeze neighborhood of Philadelphia.

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Another green space versus development dispute erupts p2

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Development on Jul 17, 2014.

We are talking about the Springgfield Township dispute over the fate of a 42-acre tract of land. The owner of the land has asked for a zoning change; his plan is to build an assisted living facility and some age-restricted housing. The neighbors would like the land to remain undeveloped green space — or at least part of the land. They have offered to purchase the acreage set aside for the houses and roll it into a public trust, but they need three years to raise the money.

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Another green space versus development dispute erupts

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Development on Jul 14, 2014.

While South Philly prepares to welcome the new Pier 68, Springfield Township has been gearing up for an argument. The Montgomery County community is home to the Tecce Tract, a 42-acre plot that was part of a large family estate. The owner sees an opportunity for development. His neighbors see an opportunity for more green space.

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Pier 68 redevelopment will be more nature experience than ‘park’

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Development on Jul 11, 2014.

Just a few years ago, visitors to South Philly — at least, visitors with a taste for Coleridge — must have thought, “Water, water everywhere, but not a drop for recreation.” South Philadelphia is bounded by the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, but wandering the neighborhood you may never have noticed it. You may, however, have noticed that this primarily residential part of town had little access to public open space.

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Zoning 101: Community involvement – will this be on the test? p3

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Development on Jul 3, 2014.

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission encourages community feedback on development projects and solicits that feedback in a number of different ways. We have been talking about how Registered Community Organizations fit into the process.

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