Seeking Philadelphia Zoning Help – Mixed-Use Asset

[Matthew Morrow]

Looking for someone with deep Philadelphia zoning experience (Investor, attorney, zoning consultant/expediter, architect, former L&I or Planning staff) who can help answer a few specific code questions on a Center City mixed-use asset we’re working on.

We’re evaluating a mixed-use property in Center City that we expect to be an on market listing soon, and we’re trying to build a realistic, defensible menu of permitted and feasible uses based on zoning and overlay constraints (use, height/FAR, density, parking/loading, historic considerations, etc.). We’ve hit a wall with the City—every call just points us back to the website, which isn’t helpful when you’re trying to interpret how the code actually gets applied in practice.

The property consists of two adjacent buildings with existing commercial use, and there’s potential for a meaningful redevelopment or reposition if the zoning supports it. If anyone here has a direct contact or personal experience navigating Philly zoning at this level, I’d really appreciate a connection. Happy to take this to DMs if you’d prefer not to post publicly.

Thanks!