Academy of Natural Sciences zoning and limits on vape shops get a Nov. 17 hearing

Two of this fall's most-watched bills now have a hearing date. City Council's Rules Committee will take up Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr.'s zoning limits on the Academy of Natural Sciences block and Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson's restrictions on new tobacco and vape shops on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m., according to the posted agenda.

The committee hearing is where residents, businesses and city planners testify, and where bills can be amended. A bill has to clear it before the full Council can vote.

The Academy of Natural Sciences block

Bill 260764, from 5th District Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr., amends the Fifth District Overlay. For the block bounded by Race, 19th, Cherry and 20th streets, it would allow only a list of uses, including parks and recreation, child and adult care, community centers, schools, hospitals, libraries and cultural exhibits, government, research and development, and community gardens (bill text). Housing and most commercial uses would not be on the list.

Young introduced it after Drexel University announced it would close the Parkway museum, the Inquirer reported. The property is zoned for multifamily housing. Young told the paper the bill "wouldn't prevent the academy from closing." Under the bill, an owner wanting another use would need a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The bill takes effect immediately if enacted.

The timing stacks up. Council's Committee on Legislative Oversight returns to its Academy investigation on Monday, Nov. 16, the day before. The committee recessed its Oct. 26 hearing with plans to subpoena Drexel leaders and a top Parker administration official. Our story on that hearing.

Our records: Bill 260764 was introduced Sept. 24. By Nov. 17 it will have waited 54 days.

Tobacco and vape shops

Bill 260851, from at-large Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, with co-sponsors Brian J. O'Neill and Young, would add a separate zoning category for tobacco sales, with its own rules for where those stores can go. The Inquirer reported it would keep new tobacco sellers out of much of the city and bar them within 750 feet of schools, day cares, parks or existing nicotine sellers. Existing shops would be exempt. Gilmore Richardson said she wants a vote before the end of the year, the paper reported.

Our records: The bill was introduced Oct. 15. Nov. 17 will be 33 days later. A related Gilmore Richardson bill, Bill 260688, which rewrites the retail sales use categories, is on the same agenda. Our earlier story on Bill 260851.

Also on the Nov. 17 agenda

• Heritage trees. Bill 260689, Gilmore Richardson. It would move decisions on removing large "heritage" trees from Zoning Board special exceptions to Planning Commission waivers, and rewrite when removal is allowed (text). The Planning Commission voted to extend its own review of this bill by 45 days, according to the mayor's Oct. 20 transmittal.
• Late-night business hours. Bill 260697, Young. It would add N. 29th Street from Dauphin to Huntingdon, and W. Susquehanna Avenue from Broad to 15th, to the 5th District's 11 p.m.-to-6 a.m. closing rule for commercial businesses (text).
• Old City. Bill 260895, from Mark Squilla, approves the Old City District's 2027-2033 plan and budget (text). His Bill 260896 would allow certain uses in the Old City residential core of the Center City Overlay.
• Remapping. Bill 260800, Squilla, near Lehigh and Aramingo avenues; Bill 260855, Cindy Bass, near Rubicam and Wakefield streets.

What's next

Bills the committee approves Nov. 17 would still need a first reading and then a final vote. Council's sessions after the hearing are Nov. 19, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10. With a rules suspension for first reading on Nov. 19, the earliest final vote would be Dec. 3.