NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
STATEMENT OF THE CITY REGARDING THE PROPOSED CONDOMINIUM PROJECT AT 2901 NORTH FRONT STREET“Since its receipt, the Planned Residential Development for 2901 North Front Street has been given a thorough review, as is the case for any submissions received by the City. “The City very strongly supports the creation of condominiums and other housing that accommodates the demand for first-class housing – just as the City also strongly supports the creation of affordable housing for all income groups. “In this instance, the proposed project for 2901 North Front Street creates two issues which are insurmountable: (1) The Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code makes it clear that a PRD—a Planned Residential Development – cannot be done in a residential zone such as what presently exists at and around 2901 North Front Street; as such, state law would prohibit the approval of the project at the proposed location; (2) further, it is also clear that if approval for this project occurred, the City would create the absolute precedent that would make it possible for any of the other mansions anywhere on Front Street to also be eliminated in favor of newly constructed office buildings or other new structures to replace existing mansions; this is a precedent that the City could not legally ignore and it is a precedent that inevitably would be used by other property owners and developers to seek the demolition of existing Front Street structures; for the obvious reason, the City cannot allow such a precedent to occur. “It is therefore the recommendation of the City that the project not proceed at 2901 North Front Street. The City does believe that the project is viable at alternate locations that do not involve the demolition of Front Street mansions or properties of an historic nature and the City is fully willing and able to assist the developer in finding alternate sites to allow such to occur within the parameters se by the state Planning Code and the city’s Zoning Code provisions.” “The project proposed is a splendid one but it must be sited in a way as to not raise the obstacles described.” |
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