Next Great City: Philadelphia - Volume III, Issue X

MARK ALAN HUGHES STEPS DOWN

On May 18, 2009 Mark Alan Hughes announced that he will be leaving the Nutter administration in June and stepping down as the city's first Director of Sustainability.

Under his leadership, the Mayor's Office of Sustainability has spent the last year crafting Greenworks Philadelphia- an ambitious plan including over 100 initiatives to help make Philadelphia the greenest city in the country.

It is unclear at this time who will take over his position, but the Next Great City coalition and other partners will be urging the Mayor to quickly name a new director that can implement Greenworks and engage the public in its efforts.
 

DELAWARE ZONING OVERLAY GOES TO COUNCIL 

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission recently accepted the Civic Vision for the Central Delaware as the framework for future planning, and approved an interim zoning overlay as a way to ensure that the principles of the Civic Vision are met in the future. Next Great City applauds them for their foresight and their support.

The overlay legislation will now move on to the City Council Rules Committee.  Take Action by telling City Council you support an interim zoning overlay or tell them in person at the meeting on June 3 at 10 a.m. at City Hall, Room 400.  To register to testify email Sharon Ortiz at Sharon.c.ortiz@phila.gov requesting to testify on bill #090170. 

PARKS DEVELOPMENT BILL PULLED  

Legislation that would have opened up Fairmount Park to development was withdrawn before it was reviewed by the Planning Commission after strong opposition from park advocates.  Councilwoman Joan Krajewski who introduced the amendment to city code said it was not meant for the entire park, and that it was only intended to address problems involving Glen Foerd on the Delaware, a historic estate in the Councilwoman's district.  Krajewski withdrew the legislation and will seek other alternatives to help Glen Foerd. 

CALL COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF PLASTIC BAG FEE 

Philadelphia is close to taking meaningful action to reduce litter, pollution and waste sent to landfills by mandating a $.25 fee on plastic shopping bags.  City Council members need to hear from you that you support this step to help clean up our city.  Please call your council person and all at-large Council members and tell them to vote for the plastic bag fee. 

Key Council members who need to hear from you are:

District Members: 2nd District- Anna Verna: 215.686.3412; 4th District- Curtis Jones: 215.686.3416; 8th District- Donna Reed Miller: 215.686.3424; 9th District- Marian Tasco: 215.686.3454

At-Large Members: Blondell Reynolds Brown: 215.686.3438; W. Wilson Goode, Jr.: 215.686.3414; Bill Green: 215.686.3420

WANT RECYCLING IN YOUR BUILDING? 

The first Commercial Recycling Advocacy Workshop hosted by RecycleNOW Philadelphia is coming up on June 10.  The focus of this meeting will be to educate tenants and employees on how to advocate for recycling in their workplace or apartment. The City of Philadelphia's commercial recycling regulations require that all commercial buildings in all parts of the City including businesses, apartment buildings of more than six units, and schools provide recycling for their employees and/or tenants. Unfortunately, many buildings do not comply with this requirement.

If you are interested in becoming a recycling advocate for your apartment building, condominium, or workplace this meeting will provide you with the tools and strategies you need.

NATURAL GAS DRILLING AND SEVERANCE TAX

Huge multi-national gas drillers from around the world are coming to Pennsylvania to tap one of our most valuable natural resources - natural gas in the vast Marcellus Shale formation that underlies most of the state. In almost every state that has substantial natural gas deposits, drillers must pay a severance tax on the extraction of the resource to compensate for the depletion of the resource and for damage done to the environment and public infrastructure.

But not in Pennsylvania. Governor Rendell has proposed a severance tax exactly like the one in force in West Virginia, but the Republican-controlled Senate is refusing to consider a severance tax on natural gas drilling.

PennFuture and partner organizations are holding two events to push the legislature to pass a severance tax on natural gas: A Town Hall in Philadelphia and Lobby Day in Harrisburg.  Show your support and sign up to join us in Philadelphia or in Harrisburg. 

NEWS

·  Nutter Administration loses two top officials.  Mark Alan Hughes announces his departure from the Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Andrew Altman steps down from his dual role as Director of Commerce and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.  Hughes returns to academia and Altman heads to London to work on Olympics.

·  In an exciting week for Philadelphia's riverfronts, the Fairmount Park Commission approved the acquisition two parcels that will form the next sections of the Schuylkill River Trail and the Planning Commission approved an interim zoning overlay for the Central Delaware which will require development to be set back from the river.

·  PATCO works towards reopening the Franklin Square stop as the first step in a proposed expansion along the Philadelphia waterfront

·  Philadelphia is getting Washington's attention when it comes to urban greening

·  Bill allowing development in Fairmount park is introduced and quickly withdrawn

·  PA solar rebate program gets underway with an announcement in Roxborough

·  How to fix the fix that turned into a problem of its own

·  The City takes opens a biodiesel station to fuel the municipal fleet in step to meet Greenworks goals.

·  SEPTA plans to upgrade over 50 stations in next five years

EVENTS                                                                               

·  Tuesday, June 2 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.- Philadelphia Material Project at the Center for Architecture at 1218 Arch St.

·  Tuesday, June 2 6:00- 8:00 p.m.- "Green Cities, Clean Waters" South Philadelphia Public Meeting at FELS South Philadelphia Community Center at 2407 S. Broad St.

·  Wednesday, June 3 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.- Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course En Espanol at the Free Library of Philadelphia Central Library at 1901 Vine Street

·  Wednesday, June 3 6:00- 9:00 p.m.- Green Drinks Philadelphia at Standard Tap at 901 N. 2nd St

·  Thursday, June 4 6:00- 8:00 p.m.- "Green Cities, Clean Waters" Waterview Rec Center Public Meeting at the Waterview Recreation Center at 5826 McMahon St.

·  Thursday, June 4 6:30- 8:30 p.m.- Greening your Transportation Choices, a Panel Discussion at the Schuylkill Center at 8480 Hagy's Mill Road

·  Wednesday, June 10 5:00- 6:30 p.m.- Philadelphia Town Hall Meeting- Protect our land, water, and communities from gas drilling at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society at 100 N. Arch St.

·  Wednesday, June 10 6:00- 8:00 p.m.- "Green Cities, Clean Waters" Northern Liberties Public Meeting at the Northern Liberties Community Center  at 700 North 3rd St.

·  Wednesday, June 10 6:30- 8:30 p.m.- Commercial Recycling Advocacy Workshop at the Academy of Natural Sciences at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

·  Thursday, June 11 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.- MSEIA Greater Philadelphia Solar Tour at the Philadelphia Convention Center at 1101 Arch St.

·  Saturday, June 13 9:30- 11:30 a.m.- Food Trust Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at the Headhouse Shambles at 2nd and Lombard St.