[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by Pennsgrant

What is the zoning issue here?

Per the article to which summers linked:

The current zoning of the site would not allow a building of this size to be constructed, according to people familiar with the situation. The developer is seeking to more than double the amount of space current zoning allows.

The physical dividing line between what the developer wants to build and what is allowed is fine. The area east of 19 th Street would allow a taller building with more square footage. The area west of that has zoning allowing only about half of the size that Pearl is proposing, said people familiar with the property. This parcel falls in the east.

To increase the size of development there, the developer is reportedly drafting legislation to rezone the assemblage of parcels it wants to develop upon. By going that route and eventually presenting the legislation before council rather than before the zoning board, the developer can secure the proper approvals without lengthy debate and possibly circumvent uncertainty the zoning process may present.

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelp...stnut-but.html