(4) Height Regulations. 308

The height of any building shall not exceed 300 ft. or 30 stories.

 

Notes

308	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013).

(5) Off-Street Parking.

Plans for all off-street parking areas must comply with the provisions of this section and with any prerequisite approvals of this Zoning Code. Within any SP-ENT district, off-street parking spaces must be provided for the following uses as listed below:

(a)   Licensed Gaming Facilities.

(.1)   Four parking spaces for every five slot machine or gaming positions provided for patrons and guests.

(.2)   Some or all of the parking required by this subsection may be provided on immediately adjacent lots, regardless of the lot's underlying zoning.

(.3)   During any period of time when any parking spaces required by this section are rendered unavailable because of ongoing construction of a parking garage to meet the requirements of § 14-405(6)(a)(.1) below, replacement parking spaces may be provided within one mile of the boundary of the SP-ENT district in which the gaming facility is located, regardless of the lot's underlying zoning, but only on a lot or lots immediately adjacent to and accessible from Delaware Avenue.

(b)   Hotels.

One parking space for every two units.

(6) Parking Design.

(a)   Layout and Access Conditions.

Parking provided in this district must be adequately served by high-capacity roads or driveways approved by the Streets Department as being adequate to safely serve the ingress and egress of patrons and guests using the facility, further provided:

(.1)   Except for interim facilities with 1,700 or fewer gaming positions and facilities with structured parking in which the deck of the highest parking floor is at a height not exceeding 90 ft. above grade (parapet walls, stair and elevator towers and light fixtures may be above 90 ft.), up to ten percent (10%) of all parking spaces in an SP-ENT district may be provided in parking lots. This includes required handicapped spaces, bus parking, limousine parking, cabstands, loading spaces and delivery spaces; and 309

(.2)   All entrances to parking areas or facilities must be provided with adequate vehicle reservoir spaces approved by the Streets Department.

(b)   Surface Parking Areas.

Where parking spaces are in an open-air area, the area must:

(.1)   Be situated on ground that does not contain any grades in excess of ten percent (10%), namely, changes of grade of one foot for each 10 ft.;

(.2)   Be paved with a hard top surface of cement concrete, bituminous concrete, or pervious pavers, including all accessways or driveways from the street;

(.3)   In cases where more than three motor vehicles are to be parked, comply with the applicable provisions of Section 9-601 of The Philadelphia Code that regulates garages, parking lots, sales lots, and showrooms;

(.4)   Be provided with adequate lighting facilities for use at night. Lights must be focused so as to prevent glare on surrounding lots; and

(.5)   For the protection of surrounding buildings and pedestrians, contain permanent, substantial barriers constructed of metal or masonry around the area. If constructed of masonry, the wall must be at least two ft. above the ground, and if constructed of metal or masonry posts, the posts must be at least four in. but no more than six in. in diameter, placed no more than five ft. apart, nor less than 30 in. above the ground, and connected by metal pipes, rods, fencing, or chains.

(c)   Walkways.

Where an off-street parking lot containing more than 25 spaces or a portion of an off-street parking lot that contains over 25 spaces is located between a building and a public street, a pedestrian walkway at least five ft. in width must be provided in accordance with the following requirements:

(.1)   The walkway must be located within or along the edge of the parking lot;

(.2)   The walkway must connect the street and the building;

(.3)   One such walkway must be provided for each 300 ft. of street frontage; and

(.4)   Where a walkway crosses a driveway or aisle, the driveway or aisle must be clearly marked and signed so as to indicate the location of the walkway and to require vehicles to stop for individuals using the walkway.

(d)   Screening Abutting Residential Districts.

Where an off-street parking lot, parking garage, driveway, or aisle is located between a building and a residential district, or is located so that there is not a building or portion of a building between the parking lot, parking garage, driveway, or aisle and a residential district, a planted buffer at least six ft. wide and six ft. high must be installed and maintained between the parking lot, parking garage, driveway, or aisle and the residential district in accordance with the following requirements:

(.1)   The planted buffer must be installed along the entire edge of the abutting residential lot line;

(.2)   Where an off-street parking lot, parking garage, driveway, or aisle is located between a building and a residential district along two or more lot lines, a planted buffer must be installed along the entire edge of both abutting residential lot lines;

(.3)   The planted buffer may be located within the required side and rear yards; and

(.4)   The required screening must be maintained in a manner to ensure its survival. In the event that any plants die, they must be replaced at the required ratio.

(e)   Screening Along Street Frontage.

Along all public streets, whether or not a setback is required, a landscaped area must be installed along the outer edge of the parking lot in accordance with the following requirements:

(.1)   A landscaped area at least four ft. wide and two ft. high must be installed along the entire street frontage of all streets, except where walkways and driveways connect to the public street; and

(.2)   The landscaped area may be located within any required setback.

(f)   Landscape Within Parking Lots.

Within all off-street parking lots additional area must be provided for the installation and maintenance of landscaped areas. The total landscaped area must be at least ten percent (10%) of the area of the parking lot, including all spaces, aisles, and driveways, but excluding all walkways and screening required by this Zoning Code.

(g)   Plants.

All required landscaped areas must meet the following requirements:

(.1)   Plants must be installed at a size and number to ensure adequate screening from the time the material is installed;

(.2)   The type of plant must be selected from a list of types, sizes, species, and numbers of plants that are appropriate to the environment in which they are to be installed and appropriate for the location of the parking facility as such list is maintained by the Commission; and

(.3)   The required landscape area may be located anywhere within or along the parking lot, provided it must be maintained in a manner to insure its survival. In the event that any plants die, they must be replaced at the required ratio.

(h)   Lighting.

All parking lots must include lighting in accordance with the following requirements:

(.1)   The lighting must illuminate the entire parking lot and walkways with an overall minimum average level of illumination of at least two horizontal foot-candles;

(.2)   The illumination must be maintained throughout the hours of darkness; and

(.3)   The illumination must be directed to the surface of the parking lot in a manner that will prevent glare upon the surrounding areas.

(i)   Maintenance.

The master plan must include a plan that addresses the long-term maintenance of all facilities and improvements required by the SP-ENT district regulations.

 

Notes

309	Amended, Bill No. 130162 (approved April 30, 2013).

(7) Off-Street Loading.

(a)   Off-street loading must be provided in accordance with the loading requirements of Table 14-806-1 in § 14-806 (Off-Street Loading) for "Residential Districts except RMX-3 for Office, Hospital, Civic and Institutional, or Visitor Accommodation". 310

(b)   The off-street loading areas must be used for all waste collection. Storage of waste must be fully contained within an enclosed structure, except at times of collection.

 

Notes

310	Amended, Bill No. 130162 (approved April 30, 2013).

(8) Accessory Signs. 311

(a)   Accessory signs in the SP-ENT district shall comply with this § 14-405(8) and applicable provisions of Chapter 14-900 (Signs).

(b)   Accessory signs are permitted in accordance with the following limitations and conditions:

(.1)   Each building in the SP-ENT district is permitted to have accessory signs, in accordance with Table 14-405-1, identifying the name, use, or purpose of said building.

(.2)   In addition to the accessory signs permitted by § 14-405(8)(b)(.1) above, the accessory signs in Table 14-405-2 are permitted, provided the Art Commission has approved them.

(.3)   The maximum area permitted for accessory signs on properties located in an SP-ENT District that is adjacent to an SP-STA Sports Stadium (Special Purpose) District shall be the maximum area permitted by Table 14-405-1: Permitted Accessory Signs, plus 7,000 sq. ft. 312

Table 14-405-1: Permitted Accessory Signs

{For printable PDF version, click HERE}

		Permitted Sign Types:
		Wall, Projecting, Marquee, Roof, and Freestanding (Standards shall apply to all of the permitted sign types in combination.)
Standards	Maximum Number	N/A
	Maximum Area	Lots facing one street line: 5 sq. ft./lin. ft. of lot frontage Lots facing more than one street line: 2 sq. ft./lin. ft. of lot frontage on the short side, 5 sq. ft./lin. ft. on the long side.
	Maximum Height	Freestanding: 40 ft. All other signs: N/A
Permitted Sign Characteristics	Static Illumination	Permitted
	Animated Illumination	Permitted, except within 150 ft. of a Residential District or facing any Residential District within 300 ft. of sign.
	Digital Display	Permitted, except within 150 ft. of a Residential District or facing any Residential District within 300 ft. of sign.

 

Table 14-405-2: Additional Permitted Accessory Signs with Art Commission Approval

{For printable PDF version, click HERE}

		Permitted Sign Types:
		Freestanding	Roof
Standards	Maximum Number	One per lot frontage plus one per 80,000 sq. ft. of district area	Two per lot.
	Maximum Area	Per lot frontage: 1,200 sq. ft. per face, up to two faces per sign. Plus: Per 80,000 sq. ft. of District Area: 300 sq. ft. per face, up to two faces per sign.	300 sq. ft. per face, up to two faces per sign.
	Maximum Height	40 ft.	Within 2,000 ft. of the Delaware River: 20 ft. above the roof level upon which it sits.   All other signs: N/A
Permitted Sign Characteristics	Static Illumination	Permitted	Permitted
	Animated Illumination	Permitted, except within 150 ft. of a Residential District or facing any Residential District within 300 ft. of sign.	Permitted, except within 150 ft. of a Residential District or facing any Residential District within 300 ft. of sign.
	Digital Display	Permitted, except within 150 ft. of a Residential District or facing any Residential District within 300 ft. of sign.	Permitted, except within 150 ft. of a Residential District or facing any Residential District within 300 ft. of sign.

 

 

Notes

311	Amended, Bill No. 120430-A (approved January 14, 2013).
312	Added, Bill No. 150767 (approved December 23, 2015).

(9) Design Standards.

The significant physical scale and extraordinary activity level of the uses permitted in this district create major impacts on the areas in which they are located. To ensure that these facilities are constructed in the most appropriate manner, design, scale, and density, the following requirements are imposed.

(a)   Review Procedure.

(.1)   No permitted use may be constructed or opened for occupancy unless the Commission certifies, based on a review of the architectural plans, that the proposed design is in compliance with the SP-ENT district regulations.

(.2)   The Commission shall act to accept or reject the submission within 30 days or the submission will be considered approved. No construction drawings will be reviewed for purposes of building permits until the master plan has received final approval.

(b)   Building Design.

(.1)   All buildings in an SP-ENT district must be designed by a registered architect.

(.2)   Recognizing the intended use of the facility, economic feasibility, and potential conflicts with codes of relevant jurisdiction, the applicant for any building or zoning permit in an SP-ENT district must use reasonable efforts to employ the technologies and strategies that promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, as recommended by City-recognized organizations (e.g., the United States Green Building Council) that promote sustainable building and development practices. Applicants shall document actions taken to comply with this requirement and shall submit such documentation to the Commission at the time of any building or zoning permit application.

(c)   Siting and Access.

(.1)   If a permitted use faces a public street, a significant pedestrian entrance must be on and front that street.

(.2)   A permitted use developed on a waterfront site must provide dedicated public access to the waterfront, open to and connected from a public street. Public access will be provided along the site's waterfront length at a width of at least 12 ft.

(.3)   A permitted use must provide for adequate public transit access to the site.

(d)   Lighting.

A lighting plan prepared by a qualified lighting engineer or designer must be submitted. No use will be approved unless it provides appropriate lighting levels throughout the site to support pedestrian safety.

(10) Public Art.

Each application for a zoning permit must include public art meeting the requirements of this section, which is intended to allow for the broadest definition of public art and encourage imaginative interpretation of media.

(a)   On-Site Public Art.

Public art may include, but need not be limited to the following, separately or in combination:

(.1)   Sculpture;

(.2)   Murals or paintings;

(.3)   Earthworks, waterworks, fiber works, functional elements, furnishings, neon, glass mosaics, photography, prints, or calligraphy, in any combination of forms of media including sound, film, holographic, and video systems; hybrids of any media and new genres; and

(.4)   Lighting in any combination or form.

(b)   Location.

Public art must be located within the building, upon the building, or within public spaces on the site. Public art may be provided within the public sidewalk, if authorization, by ordinance, is obtained.

(c)   Approval Criteria.

The proposed public art must be approved by the Art Commission and must include a long-term maintenance plan for the public art. The Art Commission may, upon request, assist in the selection of an artist or artists for the project or the selection of an arts coordinator for the project.

(d)   Elements Not Qualified as Public Art.

(.1)   Decorative, ornamental, or functional elements of the building or public space that are not designed by an artist and created specifically for the site and landscaped area or other furnishings or elements required by this Zoning Code, may not be counted toward meeting public art requirements, unless the Art Commission determines such elements comply with the intent of the public art requirement.

(.2)   Items, functions, and events that are basically commercial in nature, such as commercial art galleries or exhibits of items for sale, will not satisfy requirements of this section of the code.

(e)   Cost.

Public art as required in this section must be provided at an individual or combined minimum cost in accordance with the following:

(.1)   For development on a lot, with construction costs of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) or less, an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the construction costs;

(.2)   For development on a lot, with construction costs of up to forty million dollars ($40,000,000), one percent (1%) of the first twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) of construction costs and one- half of one percent (0.5%) of the construction costs in excess of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) but less than forty million dollars ($40,000,000); and

(.3)   For construction costs greater than forty million dollars ($40,000,000), one percent (1%) for the first twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) of construction costs, one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the amount of construction costs in excess of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) but less than forty million dollars ($40,000,000) and one-fourth of one percent (0.25%) of any construction costs in excess of forty million dollars ($40,000,000).

(f)   Exceptions.

Public Art will not be required under this section for interior alterations in existing structures if the alterations apply directly to retail establishments or eating and drinking establishments not accessory to a licensed gaming facility.