PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia voters will be deciding on four ballot questions next week, in addition to choosing their parties’ nominees for Congress and governor. Only one of the four questions would have a noticeable impact on city operations.
The most dramatic change voters are being asked to make is to reconfigure the Zoning Board of Adjustment, a mayor-appointed panel with broad discretion over what buildings get built where.
Ballot question one: “Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to revise the composition of the Zoning Board of Adjustment by increasing the number of mayoral appointees from five to seven; by requiring Council confirmation of the mayor’s appointments; and by specifying qualifications that appointees must possess, including a demonstrated sensitivity to community concerns regarding development and the protection of the character of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods?”
Developers often turn to the Zoning Board of Adjustment when their projects don’t conform to the zoning code. Council President Darrell Clarke, who authored the proposed changes, said more expertise should be required, with more attention to citizens’ concerns.
“Homeowners, residents, community individuals say that their voices have been ignored,” said Clarke.
If ballot question one passes, the board would grow from five to seven members. It would have to include an urban planner, an architect, a zoning lawyer, someone from the construction industry, and two community leaders.
Ballot question two: “Should the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to remove all gender-based references?”
Does it matter that every reference to the mayor and other top officials in the City Charter calls those officials he or him? If it does to you, you’ll want to be sure to weigh in on ballot question two.
It asks voters to approve a charter change taking out gender-specific language — not just pronouns, but words such as fireman and policeman.
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Ballot question three: Should the Educational Supplement to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to remove all gender-based references?
The third ballot question would do a similar scrub of the Education Supplement to the charter, removing “he” and “him” as pronouns for the superintendent and board president.
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Ballot question four: Should the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to establish the Fair Housing Commission as an independent commission to administer and enforce statutes and ordinances concerning unfair rental practices and certain other matters concerning the landlord and tenant relationship and to adjudicate disputes related to such matters?
Question four asks voters to make the Fair Housing Commission a permanent part of city government. It has been operating continuously since 1962, but always at the discretion of the mayor.
Kia Ghee, who leads the commission, said it has become a vital resource.
“With all of the important legislative priorities that have come out and all the important protections that we enforce, the time is now for us to become a part of the charter,” said Ghee.
More: The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter | Find your polling place for the May 17 primary election in Philadelphia