The Following Policy on Front Loaded Garages was discussed, debated, drafted and voted on by the Francisville Community through a series of 2 Community Meetings and Discussion via email by a volunteer committee. Meetings and Committee work took place between October 27, 2006 and November 9, 2006.
- Policy shall be effective as of January 1st 2007.
- Notice shall be placed on all flyers and advertisement for voting meeting as follows; Residents are strongly encouraged to attend the community meeting and hear both sides of the issue before making a decision to support or not support the project. If you live within a 1 block radius of the proposed project, your vote will decide the outcome in the case of a split decision. (Except where it concerns large residential projects or commercial projects.)
- Important decisions that affect the community will be made through a democratic process in an open community forum.
- Come to the meeting and vote if you want your opinion to matter.
- If you live within a 1 block radius of the project, make this meeting if you can.
- Policy will be no curb cuts on commercial corridor; north of Fairmount, Ridge Avenue (east and west), Girard Avenue and west side of Broad Street.
- Policy will be for existing structures - no garages in rehabs through the destruction of the front façade.
- Policy will be not to support front-loaded garages when back-loading is possible.
- Infill in the middle of blocks with parking both sides will be reviewed on a on a case by case basis.
- Re: Blocks with parking on both sides of the
street.
Blocks in Francisville with historic and strong architectural character will be developed within traditional norms for that particular block. Front loaded garages on a block with more than 50% of it's housing occupied and parking on both sides of the street will be allowed in new construction (except on corners). A limit of not more than (4) front loaded garages per block is recommended however in a case where there is already (4) the final decision will be made by the residents on that block in an open forum. On Blocks with parking on both sides with less than 50% of its housing being occupied front loaded garages will be considered on a case by case basis with the most weight given to the residents on that block. - Blocks with parking on one side of the street.
Front loaded garages will be allowed (on the side with no parking) in infill development or new construction providing they are at par with PCP’s Guidelines for residential driveways and garages, specifically paragraph #7, Re: Minimal Turning Radius. - Blocks which are alleys with no parking on either side. Front loaded garages will be allowed in new construction and infill providing they are at par with PCP’s Guidelines for Residential Driveways and Garages, specifically #7, Re: Minimal Turning Radius however, the original architectural character should be reflected in the current design. If the block was originally filled with carriage houses that style of garage doors should be used so as to restore the original historic feel of the block.