One Parkway Building
1515 Arch St.
13th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-683-4615 Telephone
215-683-4630 Facsimile
www.phila.gov/cityplanning
May 6, 2021
Matthew Wojcik
Department of Licenses and Inspections
Municipal Services Building, Concourse
1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Re: Civic Design Review for 300 N Christopher Columbus Blvd
(Application #ZP-2020-00329C)
Dear Mr. Wojcik,
Pursuant to Section 14-304(5) of the Philadelphia Zoning Code, the Civic Design
Review (CDR) Committee of the City Planning Commission completed the required
review of a proposed mixed-use development at 300 N Christopher Columbus
Boulevard.
The proposal is for a 25-story, 345,231 square foot mixed-use building containing
360 residential units, 10,000 sf retail space, 108 vehicle parking spaces, and 123
bike parking spaces. The parcel is zoned CMX-3 within the Central Delaware
Overlay. The project, as designed, utilizes the following height bonuses to attain a
maximum height of 276 feet: Public Art (12’), Public Space (36’), Mixed-Income
Housing (48’), Green Building Bonus (36’), Trail Bonus (12’), Retail Space Bonus
(24’) for 10,000 sf, and Stormwater Bonus (24’).
At its meeting of May 4, 2021, the Civic Design Review Committee completed the
CDR process and offered the following comments:
1. RCO Comments
The Central Delaware Advocacy Group (CDAG) was the coordinating RCO
for this project. They held a virtual public community meeting on April 8,
2021.
A representative from CDAG was in attendance and stated that CDAG’s
member organizations are generally supportive of the proposed uses, site
configuration, and building materials. However, they have concerns with
some of the design details.
CDAG urged the design team to reconsider both the materiality and facade
composition to better relate to the homes across Water Street. In addition,
they requested that the design team consider moving the ADA
ramp to Vine Street to allow for more direct connections between the retail
spaces and the Columbus Boulevard sidewalk. Lastly, CDAG would like the
landscape design to better represent the subsurface archaeological
resources and history of the waterfront site.
Eleanor Sharpe
Executive Director
Michael Johns, FAIA, NOMA, LEED-AP
Civic Design Review Chair
Daniel K. Garofalo
Civic Design Review Vice-Chair
Leonidas Addimando
Ashley Di Caro, LEED -AP
Tavis Dockwiller, RLA
Clarissa Kelsey, RA
Elise Vider
2. CDR Committee Comments
The Civic Design Review Committee had numerous positive public realm
comments, noting that the project proposes many admirable design features
including the LEED platinum design, the multi-generational public space, and
the high-quality building materials. Members complimented the diverse unit
mix but implored the design team to include larger units and to consider
building affordable housing units on-site as opposed to making a payment in-
lieu to the affordable housing trust fund.
Members of the CDR Committee echoed comments made by CDAG
pertaining to the Wood Street façade and the ADA ramp along Columbus
Boulevard. The design building facades on parking levels will be subject to
Planning Commission staff approval before a building permit can be issued.
The relationship between the retail spaces and the Columbus Boulevard
sidewalk was further discussed, and the design team was encouraged to
decrease the commercial setback and to explore the concept of integrating
the stairs and ADA ramps together.
The design team was urged to consider adding more balconies on the
western side of the building to provide more private outdoor space and to
include more bicycle parking spaces due to the site’s proximity to the Central
Delaware Riverfront Trail.
The CDR committee also adopted Planning Commission staff comments,
with a specific focus on the proposed fences and gates surrounding the park
space. It was stated that there are other, less harsh ways to accomplish the
desired security needs. The design of the park will require Planning
Commission staff approval before a building permit can be issued.
In closing, the CDR Committee stressed that the project’s success will hinge
on the establishment and care of the site’s landscapes.
In conclusion, the Civic Design Review process has been completed for this
project. Please contact me if you have any questions about the committee’s
action.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Sharpe
Executive Director
cc:
Michael Johns, Chair, Civic Design Review, [email protected]
Daniel K. Garofalo, Vice-Chair, Civic Design Review Committee, [email protected]
Councilmember Mark Squilla, [email protected]
Sean McMonagle, Legislative Assistant, [email protected]
Jennifer Slavic, Constituent Services Representative, [email protected]
Peter Kelsen, Esq., BLANKROME, [email protected]
Julia Limongello, Durst Organization, [email protected]
David Margolis, Handel Architects, [email protected]
Christopher Hager, Langan Engineers, [email protected]
Matt Ruben, Central Delaware Advocacy Group (CDAG), [email protected]
Kate Esposito, Center City Organized for Responsible Development, [email protected]
Ian Clark, 5th Ward Republican RCO, [email protected]
Ian Litwin, Philadelphia City Planning Commission, [email protected]
Matthew Wojcik, Philadelphia Licenses and Inspections, [email protected]
One Parkway Building
1515 Arch St.
13th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-683-4615 Telephone
215-683-4630 Facsimile
www.phila.gov/cityplanning
May 10, 2021
Mr. Paulose Issac
Permit Services, Licenses and Inspections
Municipal Services Building, 11th Floor
1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Re: Civic Design Review for 1201-09 Vine Street (App. No. ZP-2020-009283)
Dear Mr. Issac:
Pursuant to Section 14-304(5) of the Philadelphia Zoning Code, the Civic Design
Review (CDR) Committee of the City Planning Commission completed the required
review of the proposed development of 1201-09 Vine Street.
The proposed development includes 81,000 gross square feet with 8-stories of new
construction featuring mechanical parking, residential entrance, and leasing on the
ground floor with residential units above, combined with a two-story residential
overbuild on the existing Jarvis Building at 1209 Vine Street. There are 120 new
dwelling units proposed between the new building and overbuild construction, with 36
mechanical automobile spaces and 40 bicycle parking spaces proposed. The
proposal utilizes a Public Art zoning code bonus, though the details of the artwork to
be included are still in the early stages.
The Civic Design Review Committee voted to conclude the CDR process at its
meeting on May 4, 2021. The Committee offered the following comments:
1.
RCO Comments
Sarah McEneaney attended the meeting on behalf of coordinating RCO Callowhill
Neighborhood Association. Ms. McEneaney indicated that the group is generally
supportive of the project and its density. She encouraged the team to begin the
public art process as soon as possible, saying that it is a great opportunity for the site
and the community. She emphasized several improvements to further the project,
including the need for bump outs to aid pedestrians crossing Vine Street, greater
consideration of potential streetscape improvements such as planters, and the need
to avoid trash dumpsters along Pearl Street.
Yue Wu of Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation was in attendance
as well and reinforced the comments of Ms. McEneaney. She suggested the team
consider ground floor programming such as a small retail location along 12th Street to
provide more activity at the street level.
