Localmedium impact · 5/10substantive110058

Council proposed tighter zoning rules for pool rooms and restaurants in Center City area

Official:Amending Section 14-1607 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Special District Controls for the Center City Commercial Area," and Section 14-1605 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulated Uses," by adding to both Sections special provisions relating to the area bounded by Chestnut Street, 12th Street, 13th Street, and Sansom Street, all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember DiCicco

Introduced: February 3, 2011

: Committee on Rules

neighborhood planning zoning

No one voted on this bill

This bill was introduced in the 2008–2011 Council term and when that term ran out. The public record shows no committee vote and no floor vote at any stage, so no member of Council ever went on record for or against it.

That is not unusual here. Of the 8,465 bills introduced between 2000 and 2025, 1,624 lapsed without a single recorded vote. Ninety percent of bills that became law carry a roll call. Three percent of lapsed bills do. How this works.

Plain-Language Summary

This bill amends zoning laws in a specific area of Center City Philadelphia, adjusting regulations for pool rooms and restaurants.

What This Bill Does

AI-written. Every figure is checked against the bill text.

The bill amends the Philadelphia Code in the following ways

It excludes establishments regulated by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board from being considered "Pool Rooms" in the area bounded by Chestnut Street, 12th Street, 13th Street, and Sansom Street, as long as the pool and billiard tables are not coin-operated.
It adds new conditions for regulated uses in the same area, noting that certain uses require a Zoning Board of Adjustment decision.
It changes the definition of a "Pool Room" in the area bounded by Chestnut Street, 12th Street, 13th Street, and Sansom Street.
It adds a new provision to Section 14-1607 regarding conditional uses in specific areas of Center City Philadelphia.