Folks ,

This looks important and I am encouraging you to attend and bring as many people as you can along to at least learn how this may affect you, your community and family in the short and long term.
Jay Henry, Director

Office of Truancy and Delinquency Prevention

1601 Cherry Street

Philadelphia, PA 19102

215 683-4054

215 683-4087 fax
----- Forwarded by Jay Henry/DHS/Phila on 01/22/2007 12:45 PM -----
Al Alston <alphilly2005@yahoo.com>
Sent by: phillyblocks@yahoogroups.com

01/19/2007 11:38 PM
Please respond to
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[phillyblocks] Fw: [aabra] URGENT! Meeting to Oppose Zoning Bills #060902 and 060901









----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Al Alston <alphilly2005@yahoo.com>
To: AABRA Yahoo Group <aabra@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: Media Tank <info@mediatank.org>
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 1:16:12 PM
Subject: [aabra] URGENT! Meeting to Oppose Zoning Bills #060902 and 060901

[Please distribute widely!]



URGENT URGENT URGENT


You are invited to a meeting to build opposition to a dangerous bill recently introduced by Darrell Clarke (060902) that affects all communities in the city. There will be a hearing on February 7th, unless we act now. (We also need to oppose a companion bill, #060901.)

WHO's Invited: Community activists of all political persuasions from around the city
WHERE: Songhai City Cultural Center, 3117 Master Street, 215-769-3333
WHEN: Thursday, January 25, 2007, from 6:00 PM thru 7:30 PM

WHAT:
1. We will present detailed information about Darrell Clarke's Bill #060902, which would create a new zoning designation (having citywide effect) called an Industrial Transformation District (ITD). It is misnamed because an ITD can be established wherever there are large lots, not just in industrial areas. This legislation would allow a developer to create a master plan for developing larger lots and their vicinities, totally bypassing the community and the Zoning Board. This usurps even the pretense of power that we have to shape development in our communities and may be the tip of the iceberg. Will the next casinos have a clearer path to build in our backyards? Was this part of the NTI demolition plan all along? Will other types of special districts follow? Don't we need comprehensive zoning reform, not piecemeal changes that benefit only large developers and the well-connected?

2. We will update you on the Planning Commission Meeting of Jan. 16, 2007, at which the bill was discussed for 1.5 hours.

3. We will strategize over how activists from around the city can defeat the bill through individual and collective activities before, during and after the scheduled Feb. 7th City Council hearing on the bill. (Don't forget that this is an election year!)

4. After the meeting, and only for those interested, we will discuss whether there are other topics we should work on - topics that would garner broad, non-partisan support.

PLEASE tell us whether you will attend by calling 215-769-3333.

All community organizations and activists throughout the city welcome to attend!
Sponsored by AABRA (the African-American Business & Residents Association) .