Registered Community Organizations (RCO): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:38, 1 October 2016

phila.gov/CityPlanning/projectreviews/Pages/RegisteredCommunityOrganizations.aspx http://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/projectreviews/Pages/RegisteredCommunityOrganizations.aspx phila.gov/CityPlanning/projectreviews/Pages/RegisteredCommunityOrganizations.aspx

Registered Community Organizations (RCO) are described by the City of Philadelphia as follows:

The Philadelphia Zoning Code includes provisions for ensuring that neighbors of proposed developments are notified and have an opportunity to provide input regarding zoning decisions that may impact them. This is accomplished through a standardized system of direct notification and through public meetings that are held in communities and convened by Registered Community Organizations (RCOs).

RCOs are provided notice by the Planning Commission whenever a zoning variance or special exception is requested, or when a development requiring Civic Design Review (CDR) is formally proposed, within their geographic boundaries. Where there is one affected RCO for a property, this organization convenes the public meeting that applicants are required to attend prior to being heard by the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA); where there is more than one RCO in an area, the District Councilperson has the option to select one or more RCO as the responsible party for convening the meeting, in cooperation with all other affected RCOs; and where there are no RCOs the District Councilperson can either choose to host the public meeting or assign an entity on his/her behalf to do so.

It is important to note that RCOs are recipients of early notification of zoning appeals and are not given any special privileges before the ZBA. Individual community members and/or organizations are entitled to testify at ZBA hearings or to send letters to the ZBA regardless of RCO status. When operating in their capacity, RCOs are bound to a set of requirements outlined in detail below. The Planning Commission keeps an updated list and map of RCOs on this website. Registration for RCO status occurs in June of each year. Each RCO must renew their registration with the Planning Commission every TWO years.

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-. [http://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/projectreviews/Pages/RegisteredCommunityOrganizations.aspx Registered Community Organizations]
+{{toplink|url=http://www.phila.gov/CityPlanning/projectreviews/Pages/RegisteredCommunityOrganizations.aspx phila.gov/CityPlanning/projectreviews/Pages/RegisteredCommunityOrganizations.aspx}}'''Registered Community Organizations''' (RCO) are described by the City of Philadelphia as follows:<blockquote>The Philadelphia Zoning Code includes provisions for ensuring that neighbors of proposed developments are notified and have an opportunity to provide input regarding zoning decisions that may impact them. This is accomplished through a standardized system of direct notification and through public meetings that are held in communities and convened by Registered Community Organizations (RCOs).<br><br>RCOs are provided notice by the Planning Commission whenever a zoning variance or special exception is requested, or when a development requiring Civic Design Review (CDR) is formally proposed, within their geographic boundaries. Where there is one affected RCO for a property, this organization convenes the public meeting that applicants are required to attend prior to being heard by the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA); where there is more than one RCO in an area, the District Councilperson has the option to select one or more RCO as the responsible party for convening the meeting, in cooperation with all other affected RCOs; and where there are no RCOs the District Councilperson can either choose to host the public meeting or assign an entity on his/her behalf to do so.<br><br>It is important to note that RCOs are recipients of early notification of zoning appeals and are not given any special privileges before the ZBA. Individual community members and/or organizations are entitled to testify at ZBA hearings or to send letters to the ZBA regardless of RCO status. When operating in their capacity, RCOs are bound to a set of requirements outlined in detail below. The Planning Commission keeps an updated list and map of RCOs on this website. Registration for RCO status occurs in June of each year. Each RCO must renew their registration with the Planning Commission every TWO years.</blockquote>
+<br>[[Category:Is-Zoning Code Mandated Designation]]
-The City of Philadelphia Zoning Code outlines a process for a zoning applicant to notify and meet with RCOs and nearby residents to discuss the proposed development when the proposal requires a special exception, a variance or Civic Design Review. Key elements of the law include minimum qualifications for RCOs, required notices from the City Planning Commission to zoning applicants informing them of their responsibilities, notification requirements for zoning applicants to RCOs and neighboring properties, and procedures for convening neighborhood meetings with zoning applicants.
-[[Category:Is-Zoning Code Mandated Designation]]
 [[Category:Is-Government_Program]][[Category:Serves-Communities]][[Category:Serves-Neighborhood_Organizations]]