🛍️ BYO Bag or pay ten cents

🛍️ Stores to Charge 10 Cents Per Paper Bag

A new law charging shoppers for paper bags goes into effect in January, after Mayor Parker declined to veto it following City Council’s approval. The law is intended to get people to use reusable bags instead. Retailers will keep proceeds from these sales. [NBC 10]

🏪 What’s Happening to Baltimore Avenue

West Philly’s Baltimore Avenue has been a central hub for entertainment, community, and culture for Spruce Hill and Cedar Park residents. But over the years, small mom-and-pop stores have disappeared and been replaced with nuisance businesses or nothing at all. So why does this keep happening and what does this mean for the rest of Philly? [🎧 City Cast Philly]

🇺🇸 Independence Hall Closed for Renovations

The federal government shutdown may be over, but Independence Hall will remain closed at least until Jan. 28 to prepare for next year’s semiquincentennial festivities. Meanwhile other local attractions have reopened after the shutdown. [Billy Penn]

🚧 New Market Headhouse and Shambles To Get Touch-Up

The renovations at the landmark include updates to the brickwork and masonry, along with upgrades such as ADA-compliant restrooms. [JackPhillyRE]

• Related: The headhouse is a remnant of South Street’s past, which has seen a lot of transformation over the centuries. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

🧖 Sauna Experience Returns to South Philly

Warm up this winter at the saunas at FDR Park! The pop-up experience outside the American Swedish Museum is already accepting reservations. [🔒 Philly Mag]

• Related: If you need more relaxation time, here are some local spas to visit. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Philly is no stranger to development (or lack thereof). We’ve witnessed contentious battles over proposed arenas, communities working to preserve the character of their neighborhoods, and an ongoing struggle to add more affordable housing to the city’s housing stock.

On corridors like Baltimore Avenue, where residents are seeing more commercial vacancies, neighbors want new things, from bakeries and restaurants to hardware stores and daycare centers.

But to see these visions come to fruition in any neighborhood, there’s a legal process to get approval from the city. So, how exactly does that work, and how can you get involved in the decision-making process?

What is zoning?

Zoning is a set of local laws and regulations that determines how land can or cannot be used. The zoning process can ensure that projects are safe, healthy, and compatible with the character and needs of the community.

Each property in Philadelphia is zoned under a specific category.

What are the zoning categories?

There are ten main zoning categories for properties in the city:

1. Residential
2. Parks and Open Space
3. Public, Civic, and Institutional
4. Office
5. Retail Sales
6. Commercial Services
7. Vehicle and Vehicular Equipment Sales and Services
8. Wholesale, Distribution, and Storage
9. Industrial
10. Urban Agriculture

What type of zoning permits exist?

Developers with plans for a property need zoning permits to proceed.

“By right” permits are issued by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections if a project’s use is consistent with the property’s zoning designation.

If not, the Philadelphia Zoning Board can approve permits “by special exception” if the project is deemed to be compatible with the neighborhood.

Otherwise an applicant can apply for a “zoning variance” from the board, citing specific reasons why a project should proceed even if it’s not in adherence to the code for the property.