Dear Conservancy Staff,

Since November, the Conservancy has met with City officials and other interested groups to seek changes to Bill No. 251030. On Friday, November 21, the Conservancy issued an alert outlining our concerns with the bill, and on Thursday, December 4, we testified on the problems with the bill at a Planning Commission meeting.

Over the past two months, the Conservancy has convened meetings with Northwest Philadelphia advocates and participated in meetings hosted by Councilman Squilla with City officials, representatives of the development community, and the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia to discuss concerns with the bill and propose changes. Recent meetings suggest potential progress on the bill, although nothing is yet certain. Within several weeks, we expect the Law Department to prepare a revised draft of the bill that reflects recent discussions. These discussions have included:

• • An interest in "closing the demolition loophole" and implementing a stay of demolition activities at the moment notice is provided to property owners of a nomination;

  • An understanding that the factors the Historical Commission can consider when declining to proceed with consideration of designation should be evidence of a significant amount of work having already been done on a project (with the definition of “significant” to be determined);

  • A willingness to reinsert landscape architecture as a valid basis for designation (we are also advocating for related archaeological language to remain as it currently exists in the code); and

  • An interest in including language formally establishing the ability to create tiered/flexible historic districts.

The Conservancy remains committed to advocating for improved language in the bill and meaningful collaboration with preservation advocates and community groups throughout Northwest Philadelphia and the lower Wissahickon watershed. We look forward to continued dialogue with interested parties and will continue to keep our constituents updated. If you have specific concerns about the proposed legislation, we want to hear from you.

For more information or to connect with our advocacy team, please email Info@CHConservancy.Org or reach our Executive Director, David Gest Esq., directly at David@CHConservancy.Org. 

2026 LEAD SPONSOR

2026 GENERAL SPONSORS