Who’s A Community Group? Hearing Will Ask Who Can Speak On Zoning

BY TONY WEST/ So who’s a community organization?

A movement by community organizers in protest of a regulation in the new zoning code has drawn the attention of City Council, which will hold a hearing on the issue on Oct. 29. Under the new zoning code, neighborhood block organizations have no say in zoning any more.  That’s reserved for Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) and these must claim a service area of at least five blocks.

The revised zoning code, which went into effect on Aug. 22 after years of public debate and study, for the first time spells out what it means to be a community organization, at least when it comes to having input on development.

Under the old system, which had evolved randomly over generations, almost every project of any scope required a zoning variance, and almost anybody could claim to represent the “community’s” interests. Developers complained they were forced to negotiate with chaotic spokespersons with vague authority and often-conflicting opinions. A major goal of zoning reform was to make community negotiations clearer, simple – and less frequent, since the new code permits more development “by right”, without approval by neighbors.

This change isn’t sitting well with some of the neighbors, though. Several activists, prominent among them Lee Tolbert of the West Philadelphia Coalition of Neighborhoods & Businesses, have been circulating a list of grievances with the new code, which requires the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to establish the status of RCOs which can testify on zoning matters.

The new requirements are commonplace for 501(c)(3) organizations and grant-receiving associations. An RCO must be incorporated; must have officers, elections and bylaws; must have clearly defined service boundaries and missions; and must establish a continuous existence. This isn’t hard for neighborhoods rich with neighbors who are lawyers. But blue-collar community groups are often short on formal organization. Grassroots leaders may be widely recognized but their status is informal. Spontaneous groups often rise up ad hoc in response to a particular development project, then dissolve after the case is closed, leaving no permanent structure.

Philadelphia is blessed with block organizations, which give character and stability to many a rowhouse street. Yet for the most part they could be better called “block disorganizations”; formed by small groups of people who know each other so well they don’t need articles of incorporation or elected officers.

Philadelphia is often called a “city of neighborhoods”. When it comes to local politics, it is often a city of dueling neighborhood groups. Development proposals that are controversial can split neighbors down the middle, spurring them to form hasty coalitions or action groups on one side or the other of the cause at hand. This process will be harder under the new code. Some argue it is too hard.

Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell will hold a Rules Committee hearing to address concerns about RCOs on Oct. 29 in Council Chambers, Room 400 at 10 a.m. People wishing to testify should contact Christopher Riddick in the Councilwoman’s office at (215) 686-3418 or at Christopher.Riddick@phila.gov.

   Send article as PDF