TITLE 14. ZONING AND PLANNING
CHAPTER 14-100. GENERAL PROVISIONS
§14-111. Determination of "Ground Level" in Computations of Additional Gross Floor Area. [14]
(1) In R-14, R-15, R-16, RC-2, RC-3, RC-4, C-4, and C-5
Districts, where additional gross floor area is given for creation of certain
specified open areas and/or public space "at ground level," the term "at ground
level" shall include all areas which are at sidewalk level, or not more than
three feet above or below sidewalk level; provided that, when a lot is above or
abuts a public transit concourse or station, "at ground level" shall include all
areas which are at the station or concourse level and, further provided, that
all such areas are connected to the sidewalk by stairs and/or ramps adequate for
convenient public access. Benches, planting boxes, fine arts, and other
ornamental devices and structures may be included in such open area without
being considered to deduct from the size thereof, provided, such devices and/or
structures shall conform to all other sections of this Title below, relating to
access to public space. In residential districts, devices or structures used for
the advertising or display of goods or merchandise, or portions of ground level
open areas upon which a commercial use is conducted shall be deducted from the
size of a ground level open area in computing the amount of additional gross
floor area in the building permitted by such open area. In commercial districts,
devices for the display and sale of goods or merchandise which is accessory to
the public space of a building and complies with other regulations set forth in
this Title shall not be deducted from the size of the ground level open area
and/or public space.
(2) In C-4 and C-5 Districts, the following shall
apply for additional and incentive gross floor area:
(a) All means of
pedestrian and handicapped access to public space required in these districts
shall not be deducted from the size of the public space;
(b) All
seating, landscaping, and fine arts required in order to qualify for additional
gross floor area shall not be deducted from the size of the public
space;
(c) Any space or facility created to qualify for incentive gross
floor area shall not be considered to be part of the amount of public space
required in order to obtain additional gross floor area.
(3) In the
districts that allow for the transfer of "unused gross floor area" from
"historically certified" properties, all of the following shall
apply:
(a) "Historically certified" property shall be limited to those
properties certified as historic pursuant to the requirements of Section 14-2007
of this Title;
(b) "Unused gross floor area" shall be limited to the
amount of gross floor area remaining after the total gross floor area of all
buildings and structures existing on the lot of the historically certified
property is deducted from the permitted gross floor area of the
lot;
(c) The owners of the historically certified property and of the
property to which unused gross floor area is transferred shall prepare and
execute deed restrictions satisfactory to the Law Department of the City of
Philadelphia, which indicate the amount of unused gross floor area transferred
between the properties and which are so drafted as to prevent the future sale,
transfer or use of that gross floor area by any party other than the owners,
heirs or assigns of the property to which the unused gross floor area is
transferred;
(d) The owners of the historically certified property
shall execute documents satisfactory to the Law Department to assure that a
portion of the proceeds from the transfer of the unused gross floor area is used
for the restoration, rehabilitation, upkeep or renovation of the historically
certified property.