SLS International Hotel/Condo Project, New Comcast Skyscraper Seek Zoning Changes
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Two projects that will become Philadelphia's tallest residential and commercial towers went before the City Planning Commission for zoning amendments.
KYW's Steve Tawa reports both require multiple levels of review, including action by City Council.
Developer Carl Dranoff's 47-story hotel/condo tower at Broad and Spruce Streets, at 567-feet, seeks zoning changes to allow for more density in relation to the lot, and install a loading dock on Spruce Street.
Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger, the Chairman of the Planning Commission, knowing that nearby residents will be concerned about trucks not only backing in, but backing up traffic on narrow Spruce Street, says the project has to be 'properly managed.'
"That has to be managed very smartly with respect to hours, noise, smells - the whole works," Greenberger said.
The Commission recommends the Dranoff project as well as the proposed 59-story Comcast Tower - at 1,121-feet, which also requires remapping zoning regulations to accommodate a building with more square footage, relative to the lot - from CMX-4 TO CMX-5, which is the highest density allowed.
The $1.2-billion Comcast Tower at 18th and Arch Streets, next to its current tower, also calls for widening the curblines of tiny Cuthbert Street, to help get service vehicles in and out.
