Shawn D. Ward & Associates - Your Philly Zoning Lawyer

12/04/2025

https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/franklin-mills-mall-for-sale-northeast-philadelphia-20251203.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=ios&utm_campaign=app_ios_article_share&utm_content=6XJ5Y6UA3VB6LBUEPRW2BKANQM

The sale comes amid a wave of mall redevelopment in the region, with demolition and residential construction a common fate for struggling shopping centers.

06/20/2025

Office is closed today due to power outage…

12/27/2024

To my Zoning Land Use attorneys:

Please note that Al Dezzi, the husband of our long serving secretary and vice chair of the Philadelphia Zoning Board of adjustment Eleanor Dezzi has passed.

I simply ask a indication of sympathy or condolences be extended at this time… 

02/23/2023

Client looking for a bar/restaurant in Lower South, Upper South, Warminster and/or Warrington area. Please contact me if anybody has any ideas or suggestions…


07/30/2021

Happy to announce that our office remained unscathed by the recent tornado in Feasterville Trevose Bucks County PA.

Zoning and Code Enforcement Business as usual…

07/26/2018

https://northeasttimes.com/maggies-approved-for-outdoor-seating-2b5820080b9a

Late last week, Maggie’s Cafe received approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment to open the outdoor patio, but denied the request for…

06/14/2018

PHILADELPHIA ZONING BOARD APPROVES VARIANCE REQUESTS FOR PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF SPORTS

Following a brief hearing before the Philadelphia Zoning Board today, the long-planned Philadelphia Museum of Sports obtained approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment for variance necessary to open the museum.

Noted Philadelphia zoning attorney, Shawn D. Ward, representing the non-profit museum foundation co-founded by Lou Scheinfeld and Ken Goldin, presented the variance request to the zoning board. Ward was assisted by special assistant to the project Rick Berger who gave a brief presentation to the board as to the proposed uses and the conceptual floor plan.

Ward indicated that due to the industrial zoning of the site, located directly across Darien Street from the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field, variances were required for the museum including Assembly Space for the display of sports memorabilia and event space for catered events, food concession, retail sale of memorabilia and apparel, and sports education and and structural training.

Support for the application was provided by 2nd District City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson along with former Governor Edward G. Rendell, Craig Snider of the Philadelphia Flyers organization, noted sports commentator and analyst Ray Didinger from NBC Sports, the Independence Visitor Center, PHLsports/Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Pennsylvania sports Hall of Fame.

Special support was provided by the Veterans Stadium Neighbors Association following a meeting held the week prior to the hearing. Additionally, the four major sports team franchises of the City of Philadelphia are in support of the project.

At the conclusion of the hearing, and without objection, the board voted unanimously to support the variance request. The anticipated opening of the museum is in 2019.

For more information or how to donate/support the non-/profit museum effort please see the following link…

https://www.themuseumofsports.org/

05/25/2018

Beautiful Condo for sale in Bakers Bay. Contact our office if interested!

(TREND) For Sale: 2 bed, 2 bath ∙ 1381 sq. ft. ∙ 5024B N CONVENT Ln #410, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19114 ∙ $158,500 ∙ MLS # 7176773 ∙ Come see this exquisite wood finished beauty located in a gated community at Bak...

05/16/2018

http://www.vh1.com/shows/black-ink-crew

VH-1 HIT SHOW “BLACK INK CREW” SEEKS ZONING VARIANCES FROM ZONING BOARD FOR NEW PHILADELPHIA LOCATION.

The Black Ink Crew appeared before the Philaelphia Zoning Board of Adjusment today seeking a variance to permit their new location on S. 5th Street near South Street. Accompanied by noted Philadelphia Zoning Attorney, Shawn Ward, Black Ink star Caesar Emanuel testified that he proposes a fifth location, in addition to his other 4 in New York, Atlanta & Florida, here in Philadelphia.

Ward stated to the Zoning Board that a variance was required to permit reasonable use of vacant commercial space. Tattoo Shops are considered a Regulated Use under the Philadlephia Code and are prohibited in the RM-1 Multi-Family Residential District despite the fact that all of the first floor spaces are commercial however all but three are currently vacant.

Ward added that strict compliance with the Code creates an unreasonable hardship on the property due to the fact that the vacant commercial space can only be used as residential under the Code.

With over 25 supporters and a dozen opponents attending the hearing, the Board held the matter under advisement to permit the applicant and the community group, South Street Headhouse District, to attempt to reach an agreement on the proposal.

The Board is expected to vote the case on or after June 6, 2018.

Once confined to a small tattoo shop in Harlem, Black Ink is now expanding into an empire...but is the brand growing too quickly? With a new shop in Atlanta, Ceaser is forced to split his allegiance as he travels back and forth from New York. Sky has made the move to Atlanta to take on her new role....

05/01/2018

Have you received a City of Philadelphia Valuation Assessment Increase Notice for 2019?

If so, contact our office and allow us to determine whether an Appeal should be filed.

Currently, our office is handling many such claims.

Our property appraisers are on the ready to prepare appraisal reports and get you tax relief!

05/01/2018

https://northeasttimes.com/maggies-cafe-neighbors-continue-to-bicker-9eb485c5087f

East Torresdale Civic Association continues dialogue with Maggie’s Waterfront about possible developments.

04/19/2018

Unanimously approved by the zoning board!

Residents approved a senior medical center to be located in the Mayfair Shopping Center.