Here's the release:
Monday, November 24, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAYOR NUTTER APPOINTS PETER GONZALES TO ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Philadelphia, November 24, 2008 – Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced Peter J. Gonzales as his new appointee to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). Mr. Gonzales will fill the seat formerly held by Joe Manko, who stepped down from the board in September to Co-Chair the newly-established Sustainability Advisory Board. Mr. Gonzales will serve alongside current members Susan Jaffe (Chair), Lynette Brown-Sow, Tony Lewis and Carol Tinari.
“A clear, transparent, and predictable zoning process is key to Philadelphia’s future economic development and growth,” said Mayor Nutter. “The City relies upon the members of the ZBA to continually improve the openness and ease of working through the City codes and Peter will be at the forefront of this as we reform and modernize our development processes.”
Mr. Gonzales is an immigration attorney with the law firm of Rapposelli & Gonzales. Immediately prior to joining Rapposelli & Gonzales, he worked at the City of Philadelphia Law Department where he assisted the City Solicitor as a member of the Executive Management Team. During his tenure at the Solicitor’s Office, Mr. Gonzales provided legal counsel to the City on community development and zoning matters, handled civil prosecutions, and was appointed Pennsylvania State Chair of the International Municipal Lawyers’ Association.
“It is an honor to serve on the ZBA,” said Mr. Gonzales. “I embrace the challenge of applying the City codes while balancing the concerns of residents with the dynamic forces of development in our ever-evolving city and pledge to be fair, transparent, and practical in my decision-making.”
The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) is a departmental board of the Department of Licenses and Inspections comprised of five members appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Mayor. The ZBA hears and decides appeals in zoning matters, considers special ordinances, and grants variances.