SECTION PM-704.0 BUILDING STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO DESIGNATED AREAS

PM-704.1 Front faces: Within designated areas, the front faces of buildings or structures used for commercial purposes shall conform with the following requirements:

   PM-704.1.1 Architectural elements: All exposed architectural elements or appurtenances thereto, including facades and business signs, shall be maintained in good structural and decorative repair. All such elements or appurtenances exhibiting substantial conditions of deterioration including rusted finishes, peeling paint, accumulated grime, graffiti, bent, broken or distorted surfaces shall be considered in violation of the provisions of this subsection. For the purpose of this subsection "substantial conditions" shall be considered 20% or more of the surface area; except that within the Center City Extended Commercial Area, any publicly visible graffiti shall be considered "substantial conditions" of deterioration.

   PM-704.1.2 Other elements: All other unused and exposed elements, including wires, brackets and conduits, shall be removed.

   PM-704.1.3 Glazing: Except as provided in subsection PM-704.1.5, broken window glass shall be replaced.

   PM-704.1.4 Security devices: All security devices designed to limit or block access to the front face of the buildings or structures used for commercial purposes shall allow for substantial visibility of the front face at all times. Solid shutters shall not be permitted. However, notwithstanding the above, any security device lawfully in existence prior to January 20, 1982 or, in regard to the Center City Extended Commercial Area, lawfully in existence on January 1, 1993, and not in conformance with the provisions of this subsection, shall not be repaired or altered in any substantial manner unless it be to comply with the design specifications of this subsection.

      PM-704.1.4.1 Finish: Within the Center City Extended Commercial Area, such non-conforming security devices shall be painted in a single solid color and maintained graffiti free at all times.

      PM-704.1.4.2 Advertising: Advertising shall be prohibited from being placed on shutters.

   PM-704.1.5 Window openings: Blocking of window openings located on any story above the ground floor shall be permitted. Blocking of window openings shall conform to all requirements of the building code. The blocking of any such openings shall be performed in a neat and workmanlike manner, and only rigid permanent materials shall be permitted.

PM-704.2 Historic area standards: Standards within the designated historic area shall be as set forth in Sections PM-704.2.1 through PM-704.2.7 in addition to the requirements of Sections PM-704.1 through PM-704.1.4.2.

   PM-704.2.1 Permit: No building or portion of the exterior thereof within the historic district shall hereafter be constructed, altered, repaired, demolished, or partially demolished unless a permit has first been obtained from the Department.

   PM-704.2.2 Approval: All applications for such permits shall be forwarded by the Department to the Historical Commission for review and approval, before issuance of the permit. No permit shall be issued unless the proposed work has been approved by the Historical Commission staff as preserving the historical character of the district.

   PM-704.2.3 Repair: Original architectural features such as cornices and bays shall not be removed. Deteriorated features shall be repaired where possible. Replacement material where necessary shall duplicate the original as closely as possible.

   PM-704.2.4 Facings: Refacing of facades, bays, cornices with inappropriate materials such as aluminum siding, or brick veneer shall be prohibited. Existing inappropriate facade facings shall be removed at the termination of the useful life of the facing. Any inappropriate facing material lawfully in existence shall not be repaired or altered in any substantial manner.

   PM-704.2.5 Elements: Original window and door openings, sills, lintels, and sashes shall be retained and repaired whenever possible. Replacement elements shall match the original appearance in proportion, form, and materials as closely as possible.

   PM-704.2.6 Storefronts: Original existing storefronts contributing to the character of the district shall be retained and repaired. New storefronts shall be compatible with the proportion, form and materials of the original building.

   PM-704.2.7 Design: Additions, alterations, and new construction shall be designed so as to be compatible in scale, building materials, and texture, with contributing buildings in the historic district.

PM-704.3 Neighborhood commercial areas: Standards within the specified neighborhood commercial areas shall be as set forth in Sections PM-704.3.1 through PM-704.3.1.3.

   PM-704.3.1 Security devices: In the neighborhood commercial areas specified in Section PM-704.3.2, the following requirements for security devices shall apply:

      PM-704.3.1.1 Permitted design: All security devices designed to limit or block access to the front face of the buildings or structures used for commercial purposes shall be of open link design and shall allow for substantial visibility of the front face at all times.

      PM-704.3.1.2 Prohibited design. Solid shutters, solid roll-down security grates or similar devices shall not be permitted.

      PM-704.3.1.3 Compliance. Any security device lawfully in existence on the effective date of this Section and not in conformance with the provisions of this Section shall not be altered or repaired in any substantial manner unless the alterations or repairs comply with the design specifications of this Section. Such previously existing security devices which are solid shutters shall be painted in a single solid color, shall be maintained graffiti free at all times, and shall not be used for advertising. For purposes of this subsection, "the effective date of this Section" shall mean the effective date of any ordinance adding a specified neighborhood commercial area to this Section.

   PM-704.3.2 Specified areas: Neighborhood commercial areas shall consist of the following:

      1.   Both sides of Haverford avenue between City avenue and Brookhaven road. (December 28, 1995)

      2.   All commercial corridors and neighborhood commercial properties throughout the Ninth Councilmanic District. (July 6, 1996).

      3.    The East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District as delineated in Bill No. 020431 (Approved December 17, 2002). 334

      4.   All commercial corridors and neighborhood commercial properties throughout the First Councilmanic District not already covered by Section PM-704.3.2(3), relating to the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District. 335

      5.   All commercial corridors and neighborhood commercial properties throughout the Tenth Councilmanic District, as defined by Section 20-501 of The Philadelphia Code, relating to boundaries of Councilmanic Districts. 335.1

 

Notes

334	Added, Bill No. 040134 (approved January 25, 2005). Section 2 of Bill No. 040134 provides that the bill shall be effective 60 days after enactment.
335	Added, Bill No. 100251 (approved July 29, 2010).
335.1	Added, Bill No. 140723 (approved November 12, 2014).