Philadelphia Metropolitan Area Real Estate Law Blog
Tag: Zoning
On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in
Land Use & Zoning on Aug 28, 2012.
In our last post, we noted that Philadelphia has official begun implementing its new zoning code. The event is an important one for business owners and real estate developers, who will have fewer zoning issues to deal with along the way.
Continue Reading New zoning code will allow for easier development, fewer zoning hang-ups...
Tags: Development, Zoning
On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in
Land Use & Zoning on Aug 24, 2012.
This Wednesday, the city of Philadelphia made the switch to a new, updated zoning code which is supposed to simplify the development process and modernize the city’s housing. The new code replaces the one that has been in use since 1962. At the time that code was put in place, Philadelphia was primarily a manufacturing center. The new code will support efforts to rebuild Philadelphia’s residential neighborhoods and accommodate a much-changed business landscape.
Continue Reading Philadelphia’s new zoning code officially implemented...
Tags: Development, Zoning
On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in
Land Use & Zoning on Aug 14, 2012.
Our regular readers know that zoning barriers can get in the way of businesses owners and entrepreneurs, preventing them from moving forward with plans to establish or expand their business or develop real estate. Zoning difficulties can get in the ways of philanthropists, too.
Continue Reading Township threatens to shut down charitable activity unless variance is sought...
Tags: Zoning, zoning variance
On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in
Land Use & Zoning on Aug 3, 2012.
In our previous post, we noted that a Pennsylvania intermediate appeals court ruled that major provisions of the state’s new “fracking” law are unconstitutional. The specific provisions targeted by the court were those overriding local zoning environmental laws. These were among the most contentious of the law’s provisions. These provisions were overturned 4-3.
Continue Reading Pa. intermediate appellate court strikes down major provisions of “fracking” law, P.2...
Tags: Fracking, Zoning
On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in
Land Use & Zoning on Aug 1, 2012.
Our regular readers know that we’ve written previously about Pennsylvania’s controversial “fracking” law, Act 13. As we’ve noted, the law was heavily pushed by Governor Corbett in order to attract gas drilling to the state and create jobs. One of the most contentious aspects of the law is that it took zoning control out of the hands of municipalities.
Continue Reading Pa. intermediate appellate court strikes down major provisions of “fracking” law, P.1...
Tags: Fracking, Zoning
On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in
Land Use & Zoning on Jul 13, 2012.
Pennsylvania lawmakers recently passed a moratorium on natural gas drilling in the South Newark Basin, a rock formation located in Bucks, Chester, Berks and Montgomery counties. Senator Charles McIlhinney, R-Bucks, was the primary supporter of the moratorium. According to McIlhinney, the moratorium was based on a new scientific study showing the potential of natural gas in the South Newark Basin, highlighting the need to find out where it is and how much is there before drilling.
Continue Reading Moratorium passed for South Newark Basin natural gas drilling...
Tags: Natural Gas Drilling, Zoning
On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in
Land Use & Zoning on Jul 13, 2012.
A business owner recently sued the City of Camden, its zoning officer and the Zoning Board of Adjustments after having his application to use his buildings for the production of medical marijuana. The buildings, which are reportedly vacant, are located near Campbell Soup Co. headquarters and the Cooper University Hospital in Camden. One of the buildings, a vacant Sears store, was recently sold.
Continue Reading Business owner’s application for zoning adjustment denied, suit follows...
Tags: Natural Gas Drilling, Zoning
On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in
Land Use & Zoning on Jul 3, 2012.
On Tuesday, a zoning variance which would have permitted the building of a day reporting center for ex-offenders in Southwest Philadelphia was recently overturned by a Common Pleas Court judge. The center was to be part of a wider plan on the part of the Nutter administration to reduce the prison population and make services available to those convicted of nonviolent crime. The plan was to have 10 day reporting centers around the city which would offer job training, drug testing, counseling, and temporary housing.
Continue Reading Court overturns zoning variance that permitted day reporting centers for ex-offenders...
Tags: Zoning, Zoning Code, zoning variance
On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in
Development on Jun 18, 2012.
On Tuesday, the Philadelphia City Council decided to table–after hours of testimony before the Rules Committee– a proposed zoning change that would have allowed a developer to redevelop acres of green space near the Philadelphia International Airport.
Continue Reading Proposed zoning change shelved, throwing court settlement into question...
Tags: Development, Zoning
On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in
Development on Jun 14, 2012.
Going up against restrictive ordinances can be a real challenge for developers. Sometimes zoning restrictions are out of date and the community is ready for a change. Other times there is considerable opposition to be faced. Moving forward with a project can quickly become political.
Continue Reading Allentown developer seeks variance in zoning ordinance to build geriatric hospital...
Tags: Development, Zoning, zoning variance