Commission Offices
The ACP Building - 8th Floor
190 N. Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2582
For directions call (215) 592-1800

Please Use Sixth Street Entrance

AGENDA

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1. Welcome and Introductions
Lynn T. Bush, Executive Director, Bucks County Planning Commission and Chairperson, Land Use and Housing Committee, DVRPC

2. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission's Imagine Philadelphia Initiative
Gary Jastrzab, Acting Executive Director, Philadelphia City Planning Commission

The regulations influencing Philadelphia's physical form have evolved over many decades and represent valuable efforts to improve citizens' quality of life. However, by solving targeted problems incrementally, our regulations and development procedures increasingly do not support a visionary future. We find ourselves in an historic city without the coordinated tools to direct growth, address environmental challenges, and promote design quality for infill sites. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission's "Imagine Philadelphia" initiative will identify the issues and opportunities related to repositioning urban areas in general-and Philadelphia in particular-as an exciting and attractive place to live.

3. Form-Based Codes and the Model SmartCode
Sandy Sorlien, Independent Consultant, SmartCode Local

Sandy Sorlien is the principal editor of the SmartCode, a model design and development code created by the New Urbanist firm Duany Plater-Zyberk. The SmartCode is the only unified transect-based code available for all scales of planning-folding zoning, subdivision, land development regulations, and design standards into one document. Using form-based code strategies, the SmartCode is designed to regulate physical form, keeping towns compact and rural lands open, and providing an alternative to the sprawl-producing separation of uses typical of conventional zoning. The SmartCode can be used by any design firm or municipality, but must be calibrated to fit local character.

4. Promoting Civic Design Excellence in Philadelphia
Greg Heller, Planning and Design Analyst, DVRPC This report, funded by the William Penn Foundation, and developed by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, looks at the state of civic design in Philadelphia in 2007 and makes recommendations as to how the City can strengthen its own functions to improve the quality of civic design that defines our urban landscape. Topics covered include elements of civic design, design review, design guidelines, design education and advocacy, and best practices from across the country.

5. Member Updates
Members are invited to give two-minute updates on current activities or initiatives.

6. Old Business

7. New Business

8. Adjournment