<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="; charset=UTF-16"> <title>Applicability of the MPC to City of Philadelphia and question of whether &quot;improper&quot; zoning constitutes a &quot;hardship&quot; sufficient to permit a variance under the MPC : Technical Assistance - Pennsylvania Land Use Law : PA Land Use</title> <meta name="description" content="Society Created to Reduce Urban Blight et. al. V. 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V. Zoning Board of Adjustment for the City of Philadelphia (Conrail)</u>, 772 A 2d. 1040, Cmwlth., 2001</a> <br> Note: Distinguished by Society Created to Reduce Urban Blight v. ZHB of Adjustment for the City of Philadelphia (Arsenal), 2004 WL 2148819 <p>Cross Reference: MPC Sections 10910.2 and 910.2(a)(1)</p> <p>While the MPC does not apply to the City of Philadelphia, the requirements of MPC 910.2(a) are applicable to variances sought under Section 14-1802 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code). See <u>Corman v. Zoning Board of Adjustment of Philadelphia</u>, 162 Pa. Cmwlth. 80, 638 A. 2d 365 (1994).</p> <p>In this case the Commonwealth Court reversed the decision of the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment granting a variance to Conrail to place certain signs on its property which was zoned Recreational. </p> <p>The Commonwealth Court found that the zoning classification (Recreation) was clearly contrary to the Philadelphia Zoning Code, which permits only &quot;public&quot; lands under governmental control to be included in the Recreational District. The Court, however, rejected such inconsistency as grounds for a variance under MPC 910(2)(a)(1). The Court stated that &quot;A zoning board may not grant rezoning under the guise of a variance&quot; adding that the proper procedure to redress an &quot;improper zoning&quot; grievance is by curative amendment or a request for rezoning.<br> </p> <p><br> <center> <a href="index.html"><img src="../images/back.gif" border=0 width=70 height=27 alt="Back"></a> </center> <br> <br> <p><br> <strong><font size="1">DISCLAIMER:</font></strong><font size="1"><br> This site is designed to provide summary review of selected Pennsylvania and Federal Court decisions related to land use and land use controls. The information contained herein, although produced by professionals, is not intended to render any legal service. Nor should the materials herein be utilized as a substitute for professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the service of an attorney or other professional should be sought. 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