Pennsylvania Act 2006-39 — DOWNTOWN LOCATION LAW - DEFINITIONS

Act text

Session of 2006

No. 2006-39

HB 218

AN ACT

Amending the act of June 22, 2000 (P.L.318, No.32), entitled "An act encouraging State agencies to locate facilities in a downtown area; and providing for report to General Assembly," further providing for definitions.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 3 of the act of June 22, 2000 (P.L.318, No.32), known as the Downtown Location Law, is amended to read:

Section 3. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Department." The Department of General Services of the Commonwealth.

"Downtown area." [Either of the following:

(1) The central business district of a city, other than a city of the first class, borough, incorporated town or township or any commercial area within a neighborhood of a city, borough, incorporated town or township, in every case that serves as a commercial center within that community of this Commonwealth.

(2) In cities of the first class, the entire geographic area of the city.]

A geographically identifiable and contiguous business district within a town, city, village within a township, home rule municipality or borough, with a recognized sense of place and a distinct and identifiable pedestrian orientation based upon a rectilinear street grid pattern of development, with one or more central streets and intersecting cross streets. The business district shall have historically served as the center of economic, social and civic activity within the community since at least 1939, or, in the case of a municipality with multiple business districts, each business district shall have served as the center of economic, social and civic activity within a neighborhood.

"Pedestrian orientation." Development designed with an emphasis on a street sidewalk and on pedestrian access to a site and building rather than on automobile access and parking areas where:

(1) The building is generally placed close to the street and the main entrance is oriented to the street sidewalk.

(2) There are generally windows or display cases along building facades that face the street.

(3) The building covers a large portion of the individual lot area.

(4) Although parking areas may be provided, they are generally limited in size and are not emphasized by the design of the site.

"Rectilinear street grid pattern." A street and block system characterized by relatively regularly spaced, rectangular or trapezoidal blocks and four-way intersections.

"Secretary." The Secretary of General Services of the Commonwealth.

"Sense of place." The characteristics of a location that make it readily recognizable as being unique and different from its surroundings, including, but not limited to, publicly owned squares, village commons, open space, gazebos, plazas, courtyards and historic main streets.

"State agency." An executive agency or independent agency as those terms are defined in 62 Pa.C.S. § 103 (relating to definitions).

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 11th day of May, A. D. 2006.

EDWARD G. RENDELL