Zoning Code Commission Staff & Consultants

The Charter Amendment authorizes the Commission to hire an "executive director and such other staff as may be required for the proper conduct of its work," and to retain consultants "with regionally or nationally recognized expertise in city planning or zoning."

Consultants

In June 2008, the Zoning Code Commission selected the team of Clarion Associates & Duncan Associates to provide on call technical assistance during Phase 1 of the zoning reform process.  The team is working with the Zoning Code Commission to engage community members and zoning code users to help understand the strengths and weaknesses of the current code, evaluating Philadelphia's current application and approval processes, and identifying alternative code scenarios.

Clarion Associates & Duncan Associates, each a nationally recognized expert in the field, joined forces and assembled a superior team of local and national firms to provide a variety of resources towards the effort. The team included Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC; Claflen Associates; CH Planning, LTD; Portfolio Associates; Dyett & Bhatia; Hurley- Franks & Associates; Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads, LLP and The Vic Group. Previous projects that members of the team have worked on include: developing new zoning ordinances for Chicago and Detroit, the Central Delaware Riverfront Vision Plan and the Market Street and Frankford Avenue Corridors Transit Oriented Development Plans.  

In June 2009, the Zoning Code Commission voted to retain Clarion Associates and Duncan Associates as the lead consultants for Phase 2 of its work, which includes producing a set of detailed recommendations for the new zoning code, drafting the new code, organizing public review meetings, working with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to develop a plan for zoning remapping, and assisting the City with the adoption of the new code.  Once again, the Clarion/Duncan team selected a group of firms with national experience and local knowledge to assist in its work, including Wallace, Roberts & Todd, LLC, Claflen Associates, CH Planning, Ltd, and Portfolio Associates. 

Executive Director

On December 10, 2008, the Zoning Code Commission unanimously selected Eva Gladstein to serve as its Executive Director, effective January 2009.  Ms. Gladstein has worked for the City of Philadelphia for ten years, most recently as Director of Special Projects for the Commerce Department.  Her previous positions were directing comprehensive community and economic development initiatives.  Ms. Gladstein also has 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, founding and directing organizations focused on housing policy, development, and services.  She has served on numerous boards and commissions, and has been a resident of Philadelphia since 1970.