On March 5, 2015, City of Philadelphia City Council introduced Bill number 150-1680 amending title 14 of the developing code entitled “zoning and planning” revising certain provisions relating to the IRMX (industrial residential mixed-use district). This amendment was introduced by councilmembers Squilla and Johnson.

In short the new language is as follows

“in the IRMX district an industrial use must account for a floor area equal to at least 50% of the ground floor area or a nonresidential use excluding parking must account for a floor area equal to at least 60% of the ground floor. Any retail sales uses must be located on the ground floor of the building but other uses may be located on any floor of the building.

The amendment goes on to address specific changes that are allowed in the new IRMX that were previously not allowed.

• Pet Supply stores previously not allowed, now they are
• takeout restaurants were previously allowed, now they need a special exemption
• parking non-accessory previously not allowed, is now a special exemption
• commercial vehicle sales and rental was previously allowed and now is not
• equipment and materials storage yards and buildings was previously not allowed and now is a special exemption
• wholesale sales and distribution previously not allowed now there’s a sales exemption

Also the amendment notes the following

• in the IRMX district for any lot frontage facing the street 35 feet or less and with the first 8 ft of lot depth shall have a maximum building height of 38 feet in the second 8 ft. of lot depth shall have a maximum building height of 60 feet
• in the IRMX district, if an industrial use accounts for floor area equal to at least 50% of the ground floor area one of the following shall apply
  • the maximum occupied area as a percentage of the lot shall be 85% for intermediate lots and 90% for corner lots or;
  • the maximum height shall be 72ft with portions of the building above 60 ft not exceeding a maximum occupied area as a percentage of the lot of 50% for intermediate lot and 55% for corner lots
• maximum occupied area of the lot as a percentage decreases under the new amendment from 100% to 75% for an intermediate lot and 80% for a corner lot
• minimum side yard width decreases from 8 ft. to zero
• minimum rear yard depth decreases from 8 ft. to zero
• finally the language details new requirements for parking, on the whole decreasing the amount of spots needed pert resident and:
• details new off-street loading requirements