TITLE 14. ZONING AND PLANNING
CHAPTER 14-1600. MISCELLANEOUS
§14-1607.1. Special Controls for Rittenhouse Row. [381]
(1) Legislative Findings. The Council finds
that:
(a) Major public and private investments have been made and
continue to be made to protect and maintain the economic viability, aesthetics
and historic character of the area of Center City on Walnut Street, West of
Broad;
(b) This area is one of the major shopping destinations of
Center City. It is essential to the continued success of this area to maintain
the existing character of the area and to attract and promote certain specialty
retailers to locate within this area;
(c) Within the said area there
are a number of certain uses which while not necessarily offensive by
themselves, when concentrated in an area, tend to contribute to the
deterioration of the economics and aesthetics of that area;
(d) The
current provisions of the Zoning Code permit certain uses which may be
considered as being incompatible with the general character of this
area;
(e) This area is important to the historic, cultural and
commercial vitality of Center City Philadelphia and these types of uses could
have a negative impact of this area;
(f) It is in the best interest of
the property owners, business operators, shoppers and the City of Philadelphia
that this area continues to prosper;
(g) Therefore, special land use
controls are needed to promote and protect the economic viability of this
area.
(2) Uses Prohibited on the Ground Floor. In addition to the use
restrictions as set forth in Zoning Code Section 14-305 and Section 14-1607, in
any building or upon any land abutting Walnut street between Broad street and
Twentieth street, the following uses shall be prohibited from occupying the
ground floor:
(a) Dry cleaning establishment;
(b) Financial
institution;
(c) Manicure/nail salon;
(d) Retail sales of
drugs;
(e) Retail sales of general merchandise;
(f) Retail
sales of groceries;
(g) Retail sales of major
appliances;
(h) Retail sales of optical goods when such use exceeds
2,500 square feet in gross floor area;
(i) Retail sales of recorded
music when such use exceeds 2,500 square feet in gross floor
area;
(j) Retail sales of variety store merchandise;
(k) Shoe
repair;
(l) Tanning salon or spa;
(m) Tattoo and body piercing
establishment; and
(n) Fortuneteller
establishment/palmist.