Re: [UC] P. City Planning Commission info

[Glenn moyer]

"This was the agenda for yesterday's meeting. I did not attend."   Ray and Frank, Sorry for the long delay.  I checked the PCPC web site a few days prior to the July 15th meeting.   PCPC had not posted the agenda. (So much for a new improved PCPC.) They had instead placed this link to the Nutter speech.  A Daily News reporter sagaciously used the word, "platitudes," as he pondered this June 17 speech.  See what you think?  http://www.philaplanning.org/pubinfo/address061708.pdf   Nutter: ""Not In My Backyard" is a knee jerk response from people standing outside a process they deem lacking in credibility but a transparent and inclusionary process will encourage shared responsibilities."'   This Nutter statement is very troubling to me.  While this seems to speak the truth like the platitudes on the Penn Praxis web site,  Nutter provides absolutely nothing throughout the speech about the ways government will respond so that it ceases to be a partner in a deficient process which is not transparent! Reform of government processes so that government does not aid the exclusion and disempowerment of the voices of citizens was a more important topic than more bombardment from the great Penn Praxis visions.  The ignored government  reform "vision" was the vital follow-up "plan" that would have suggested that the mayor's speech was not intentional platitudes meant to fool the citizens!  After all, Nutter went on about the great Penn Praxis visions, without touching the comprehensive failure of Philadelphia government and his actual duty to the citizens!  The speech completely ignores his job and the very tangible beginnings of reform that he could champion.  (He could do something about the process.  But he seems to lecture the developers with their own platitudes while it appears that he is in fact giving them "the NIMBY wink") (The PCPC and PHC don't even keep an accurate written public record of their public hearings!!!!!!)   The use of the Nimby metaphor does not make the mayor seem cool or give the intended message that he "gets it."  It is not a thoughtless "knee-jerk" response that causes citizens to reject the schemes of bold and great visionaries.  It is a rather outrageous metaphior for  citizens doing their duty and Nutter is absolutely reinforcing  it!!!!  (Those that fail to see the big picture of fighting for "freedom and democracy" are knee jerk traitors!)  Imperialists, liars, and scoundrels who demand secrecy, misinformation, and exclusivity must be rejected outright by informed and dutiful citizens.  Falsely calling the victims response, a NIMBY response, while giving a free pass to powerful neo-colonialists does not inspire.   Far from showing an understanding of the current deficient process, Mr Nutter is blaming divisiveness and oppresive slow downs on a thoughtless, "knee jerk reaction" by unsophisticated citizens. The Nimby metaphor always has attempted to reduce and silence all discussions of appropriateness as "knee jerk."  If a citizen catches a con man or bank robber, should he or she properly focus on the criminals bold vision and his big picture???   The message Nutter seems to be sending is that unscrupulous developers must pay more attention to not being caught!   In my reading, Mayor Nutter seems to be calling for new and improved spin/ trickery because citizens have a thoughtless NIMBY response..  A close reading of the speech leads me to conclude that the Mayor is indeed using platitudes as a distraction.  In my opinion,  a political leader failing after making a good faith effort at reform is much easier to forgive than using platitudes as a smokescreen to blind the very citizens wanting to be inspired and offering trust!!!!   I hope this speech is remembered at election time!   I personally believe the hotel is going to be temporarily shelved as a longer term unpopular project like we have seen with the takeover of Clark Park and establishing BID.  Penn Real Estate needs to continue to put their people in place and refine the spin as the grassroots opposition fades from memory.  (Wink wink, know what I mean?) Sometime in the future, we will read about the beginning of constructiion the day after it passes city council approval due to overwhelming neighborhood support at the numerous public forums.  (Remember Clark Park) When I was with Penn researchers listening to such platitudes, these doing everythng big picture speeches; we used to joke about used-car salesmen.  It's not very funny but it helps avoid depression.   I hope Mr. Nutter has a Toyota for me. Glenn         -----Original Message----- From: Frank <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Jul 16, 2008 11:28 AM To: UnivCity@list.purple.com Subject: Re: [UC] P. City Planning Commission info This was the agenda for yesterday's meeting. I did not attend. Frank Begin forwarded message: From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: July 12, 2008 6:09:47 PM EDT To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: City Planning Commission Meeting Agenda for 7/15/08 TENTATIVE AGENDA Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. 1. Approval of the Minutes of the June 17, 2008 meeting. 2. Executive Director?s Update. 3. Information Only Presentation: Mantua HOPE VI development, vicinity of 35th Street, 36th Street, Wallace Street, and Fairmount Avenue (Philadelphia Housing Authority) 4. Bill No. 080575 ? Amends Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by adding a new definition for "Mechanical Access Parking Garage" and adding it as a permitted use in certain residential, commercial, and industrial districts, under certain terms and conditions. (Introduced by Councilmember Kelly on June 12, 2008.) (Paula Brumbelow) 5. Bill No. 080548 ? Amending Section 2 of Bill No. 050510, approved November 17, 2005, entitled "An Ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Allegheny Avenue, Collins Street, Westmoreland Street, and Tulip Street, by extending the period of compliance." (Introduced by Councilmember DiCicco on June 5, 2008.)(Paula Brumbelow) 6. Bill No. 080585 ? Authorizing the Commerce Director and the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire an approximately 17-acre property in the vicinity of Island Avenue, Penrose Avenue, and Escort Street, and to extinguish a deed restriction on the property, all under certain terms and conditions. (Introduced by Council President Verna on June 19, 2008.)(Martine Decamp) 7. Bill No. 080588 - American Commerce Center (1800 Block of Arch Street) Zoning Remapping Ordinance and related amendments to the C-5 Commercial District classification of the Zoning Code and special height limits of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Controls. (Introduced by Councilmember Clarke on June 19, 2008.) (Martin Gregorski) ================================== Philadelphia City Planning Commission One Parkway, 13th Floor 1515 Arch Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 Voice:    215.683.4615 Fax:        215.683.4630 E-Mail:   [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web:      www.philaplanning.org ================================== ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see .