Civic Vision Moves Closer to Reality
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September/October 2012 The Newsletter of The Society Hill Civic Association SOCIETYHILL Reporter www.societyhillcivic.org Civic Vision Moves Closer to Reality he Society Hill Civic Association (SHCA) The Central Delaware Advocacy Group, a volun- T is pleased to invite you to our September 19 teer-based, nonprofit organization composed of General Membership Meeting to meet Dianne a coalition of civic and nonprofit organizations, Mayer, Chair of Communications for the Central including our own association, was formed to Delaware Advocacy Group. Dianne will present advance the implementation of the Civic Vision. a slide show and take questions regarding the Dianne Mayer will discuss incorporating this plan riverfront Master Plan. into the new zoning code that went into effect August 22, 2012. In addition, she will address the As we all know, Philadelphia has a rich history, advocacy efforts needed to make sure this work a happening downtown, first-rate architecture (representing the input of over 4,000 citizens) and an exciting urban culture. Yet one of our is not neglected in the City’s planning process. greatest assets, the Delaware River waterfront, Artist’s concept of has been neglected and forgotten until recently. We look forward to seeing you on September 19th to hear your comments and questions the Festival Pier. Things started to change in 2003 when about this important topic. After all, a world-class PennPraxis (the “clinical” arm of the School riverfront at our doorstep will only enhance the of Design at the University of Pennsylvania) quality of life (and the property values) for all and the Philadelphia Inquirer hosted a series who call Society Hill home. of public forums and sponsored a design charrette that eventually became the Civic The General Membership Meeting will take Vision for the Central Delaware Waterfront. place at 7:30 p.m. in the Zubrow Auditorium This plan proposed new river trails and other on the first floor of Pennsylvania Hospital, just public amenities, as well as new connections inside the main entrance at 8th Street near Spruce. to adjacent neighborhoods, including an All neighbors are invited to attend. Prior to the innovative proposal to overcome the barrier General Meeting, at 6 p.m., we will hold our effect of I-95 in the Penn’s Landing area. monthly Board Meeting at the Hospital’s Great The plan also made recommendations for the Court Conference Room. All current SHCA creation of development zones along the river. members are welcome to attend. WED. MARK YOUR CALENDAR TRICK OR TREAT? Sept. Society Hill Civic Association Meetings 19 Wednesday, September 19, 2012 Pennsylvania Hospital 8th & Spruce Streets 6:00 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting Pennsylvania Hospital Great Court Meeting Room All SHCA members are welcome. 7:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting Pennsylvania Hospital Zubrow Auditorium All neighborhood residents are invited to attend. Speaker: Dianne Mayer, Central Delaware Advocacy Group Claudia and Conner are ready for the Halloween Costume Parade at Three Bears Park! Check out Topic: An Update on Riverfront Master Plan the annual event on Wednesday, October 31, 5 p.m. Pizza and prizes are part of the fun. PAGE 2 SOCIETYHILL Reporter SOCIETYHILL Liberty Tree Reporter by Thomas Paine Managing Editor Press Release Liaison Sandra Rothman c/o Matt DeJulio A song written early in the Columnists [email protected] American Revolution. Marilyn Appel Advertising Manager Claire Batten Lenore Hardy In a chariot of light from the regions of day, Jane Biberman [email protected] Matt DeJulio The Goddess of Liberty came; Submission Deadlines Bernice Hamel Ten thousand celestials directed the way Martha Levine November/December Issue And hither conducted the dame. Jim Murphy Advertising: October 1 Keri White Editorial: October 10 A fair budding branch from the gardens above, Contributors Society Hill Where millions with millions agree, Civic Association She brought in her hand as a pledge of her love, Maiti Gallen Laurel Landau P. O. Box 63503 And the plant she named Liberty Tree. Tania Rorke Philadelphia, PA 19147 The celestial exotic struck deep in the ground, Avalie Saperstein tel: 215-629-1288 Like a native it flourished and bore; Rob Taglieri Website The fame of its fruit drew the nations around, Graphic Design www.societyhillcivic.org To seek out this peaceable shore. [email protected] Unmindful of names or distinction they came, Submissions For freemen like brothers agree; We want to hear from you. Our goal is to print news of With one spirit endued, they one friendship pursued, interest to Society Hillers — happenings in and around And their temple was Liberty Tree. our community for residents, businesses and professionals. Direct your editorial submissions and/or queries to Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs of old, Sandra Rothman by phone at 717-715-5791 or email Their bread in contentment they ate, [email protected]. To publicize an event, submit Unvexed with the troubles of silver and gold, all press releases directly. The cares of the grand and the great. Materials must be submitted in writing — via mail or email — and must include the name of a contact person. With timber and tar they Old England supplied, Edited submissions will be considered for publication And supported her power on the sea; if the subject matter is community-related and if space Her battles they fought, without getting a groat, allows. Otherwise, upcoming events of interest may be For the honor of Liberty Tree. listed in the Community Calendar. Letters to the Editor will be considered for publication only if signed and But hear, O ye swains, ‘tis a tale most profane, the writer provides contact information. How all the tyrannical powers, Kings, Commons, and Lords, are uniting amain To cut down this guardian of ours; Society Hill Civic Association From the east to the west blow the trumpet to arms Board Officers and Directors Through the land let the sound of it flee, President Northeast Quadrant Let the far and the near, all unite with a cheer, Steven Weixler 2013 Lorna Katz Lawson In defence of our Liberty Tree. Vice President 2014 Lenore Hardy 2015 Heather Steiner Jim Moss Northwest Quadrant Secretary 2013 Lawrence Burstein George Dowdall 2014 Sissie Lipton Treasurer 2015 Diane Rossheim Marc Feldman Southeast Quadrant Directors-at-Large 2013 Robert Curley 2014 Jane Ahn 215. 886. 6111 | Oreland, Pa Mike Duffy Bernice Hamel 2015 Laura Temple 215. 725. 3637 | Philadelphia, Pa Certified Arborist George Kelley PD-1766A Southwest Quadrant 215. 572. 6937 | Fax Martha Levine 21 years experience Kim Williams 2013 Melvin Buckman www.libertytreecare.com 2014 Francisco Carreno 2015 Marilyn Appel SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2012 PAGE 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BY STEVEN WEIXLER Advocating for Tax Fairness have written several times about property tax across the City — on a purely voluntary basis — Ireform and why it’s such an important issue. to ascertain conditions. As in other urban centers, The Society Hill Civic Association has joined with many Philadelphians were reluctant to give the 12 other organizations to form the Tax Fairness assessors access, so they left door hangers Coalition (TFC). Earlier this year, our Coalition requesting basic information. advocated for delay in implementation of the Actual OPA finished the field inspection program Value Initiative (AVI) until the City had completed this summer and is moving into the next phase: a thorough and fair assessment. Logic won the day building the statistical model that will generate and Council postponed the enactment of the initia- the “actual value” of every property in Philadel - tive over the recommendation of Mayor Michael phia. This model will be based not only on the Nutter. Now our Coalition is studying the methods information collected from the field, but with Steven Weixler, the City is using to assess values and discussing the President the data obtained from Licenses & Inspections, course of advocacy when the legislation moves for- regarding improvements to properties, and from ward in the fall. Here is a report from our Coalition: Realtors’ sales databases and other sources. Report from the Tax Fairness Coalition OPA’s methods differ from those used by a Civic leaders Recently, TFC representatives met with Mr. Richie “fee appraiser” working for a mortgage company. meet with McKeithen, head of the City’s Office of Property Mass appraising nearly half a million residences Office of Assessment (OPA) in response to questions from for the purpose of assessing property taxes is a the community regarding the methods by which very different exercise than evaluating a single Property OPA is reassessing Philadelphia’s nearly half a property for the purpose of determining a mort- Assessment million residential properties for the purpose of gage. OPA’s goal is to take into account as many to discuss implementing the property tax overhaul known as factors as practical to get “as comparable as real estate the Actual Value Initiative (AVI). It is worth noting possible.” In the end, homeowners will have tax reform. that this office determines only property values — the opportunity to dispute OPA’s assessments not the property tax rate or tax policy. through the appeal process. It is expected that Assessment in a city like Philadelphia is a multi- up to 40,000 residents will do so. step process, made more difficult by the lack, The appeal process will begin directly with OPA heretofore, of regular reassessments. First, every via review by an Assessor. It will then proceed property’s history had to be analyzed by integrating to the Board of Revision of Taxes, ending, if records from various city departments, including necessary, in Commonwealth Court. zoning records; building permits and plans; deed recordings; and licenses. This process helped to TFC drew two conclusions from the meeting.