FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman House Democratic Communications Office Phone: 717-787-7895 Fax: 717-783-6839 Email: nreigelm@pahouse.net	State Rep. Mark Cohen D-Philadelphia www.pahouse.com/cohen

Cohen wants to repeal 2004 zoning law

HARRISBURG, June 28 – State Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila, is introducing legislation (H.B. 1651) that would allow any city taxpayer to challenge a Philadelphia zoning decision.

Cohen said in the past any Philadelphia taxpayer was permitted to appeal a Zoning Hearing Board decision, however the law was changed in 2004, narrowing the scope of people eligible to appeal. Under current law, only taxpayers who are detrimentally harmed by decisions have the right to appeal.

“The change in the law limiting who is permitted to appeal zoning decisions was a step backward for freedom of speech,” Cohen said. “The law we’ve been operating under since 2004 fails to account for the wide range of people who are affected by zoning laws, making some taxpayers voices more valuable than others.

“My legislation would repeal a bad law that should never have been passed.”

Cohen introduced a similar bill in the last session.

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