Former Councilman Frank DiCicco to lead Philly zoning board
DiCicco, a lobbyist who previously spent 16 years as city councilman and created the city's 10-year tax abatement program, is the new chairman of the city's Zoning Board of Adjustments.
Frank DiCicco, a lobbyist who previously spent 16 years as city councilman and created the city's 10-year tax abatement program, is the new chairman of the city's Zoning Board of Adjustments.
The Kenney administration announced DiCicco's appointment Monday, noting that Tuesday will be DiCicco first zoning board meeting as chairman.
DiCicco, who has long been a political ally of Kenney (when both were councilmen they had offices next to each other), replaces the position held briefly by James Moylan, who ran the Pennsport Civic Association for many years and is a close friend of labor leader John Dougherty. Moylan, a chiropractor, was forced to resign as chairman of the zoning board last September after his home and office were raided by FBI agents investigating Dougherty and Local 98 of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
DiCicco, 71, founded in 1989 what is now the Passyunk Square Civic Association. Throughout his 16 years on council, he led the creation of the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Renewal Program and the Market Street East Master Plan. He also fought a second casino along the Central Delaware Waterfront.
DiCicco, who now has his own lobbying firm, will have to recuse himself from zoning decisions that impact his development clients.
All zoning board members, including the chair, are paid a $100 stipend per meeting with a $22,000 cap. A cty spokeswoman said that DiCicco will not be taking the stipend.
In a statement Kenney said DiCicco is passionate about the community's involvement in development decisions.
"During our time on Council together, I watched Frank passionately battle for the best interest of Philadelphians as our city continues to grow and change," Kenney said.
Click here for Philly.com's politics page.