Category: Zoning

Zoning issues related to Frankford

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Frankford Civic Association Meetings Update

October 2018 Meeting

The Frankford Civic Association meets monthly on the first Thursday of each month. Meetings are held from 7 -8 PM at St. Mark’s Church, Frankford, 4442 Frankford Avenue, with convenient parking in the lot which can be accessed via Frankford Avenue or Griscom Street. We’re on the main strip!!

This month, we held a meet and greet with Ellie Vamos, the Commercial Corridor Manager for the Frankford Community Development Corporation. Welcome, Ellie, and we’re glad you’re here! Ellie joined the staff there in September. She comes to us with a varied range of experiences and skills that she developed as a community engagement specialist. Ellie has done much to build partnerships using effective communication strategies to further foster a sense of community. Ellie shared with us her vision and what she is currently working on in her new position.

Ellie is a great listener and endeared herself to the group at large immediately. Ellie would like to build and develop our local business organization by recruiting new members and helping them to see the importance of their investment in Frankford and how it can improve their own business success. Partnering with the greater community, the Frankford Civic Association agreed to co-sponsor the Monster Bash on Halloween which was held at the Pause (Pink) Park. Due to a recent fire on Paul St., the planned movie had to be canceled unfortunately.

Ellie is scheduled to return for this month’s meeting, too, to continue our discussions of how we can support the CDC’s effort to revitalize our commercial corridor.

We also discuss upcoming issues for the Neighborhood Advisory Committee such as zoning, expansion of existing properties and other issues directly affecting the community. Christine DeJesus serves as Co-ordinator of the NAC.

So join us at our next meeting on Thursday, December 6! There’s always something new to learn about Frankford!

 

 

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Frankford Votes No for a New Recovery House

It was a packed house at the Frankford NAC zoning meeting on October 11th at Second Baptist Church.

  • 4501 Castor Avenue – PERMIT FOR THE ERECTION OF A DECK IN AN LOT WITH AN EXISTING SHOPPING CENTER WITH STRUCTURES AND USES AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVE. THE PROPOSED DECK WILL EXTEND AN EXISTING NIGHTCLUB AND PRIVATE CLUB LOCATED IN UNIT 8. NO CHANGES TO EXISTING PARKING. The issue is that the Makumba Restaurant and Bar, in the Juniata Plaza shopping strip, is zoned properly but the area in the rear of the restaurant where they built an outdoor dining area is not.  They need a variance to legalize the use of that part of their property.  There was no community opposition.  

    Makumba Restaurant and Bar

  • 1633 Orthodox Street – PERMIT FOR MANUFACTURING/PREPARATION OF PUDDING AND SWEETS (LIMITED INDUSTRIAL), RETAIL SALES OF PUDDING AND SWEETS (RETAIL SALE OF FOOD, BEVERAGES AND GROCERIES), CATERING SERVICES (CATERING AND COMMISSARY SERVICES) AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE SAME (WHOLESALE AND DISTRIBUTION) ON 1ST FLOOR STORE FRONT WITH VACANT ACCESSORY ATTACHED GARAGE AND PROPOSED TWO (2) FAMILY DWELLING ABOVE IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE.  State Representative Jason Dawkins owns the property and applied to have the commercial use of the building legalized. It is zoned residential but has been in commercial use for as long as anyone can remember.  It was originally used by Dawkins grandfather for his business.  There was unanimous support for the change.

    1633 Orthodox Street

  • 4800 Frankford Avenue – PERMIT FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ADDITION TO AN EXISTING ATTACHED STRUCTURE (WITHOUT A CHANGE TO THE EXISTING BUILDING FOOTPRINT; ADDITION AT 2ND/3RD STORY), SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON PLAN/APPLICATION. FOR USE AS SINGLE-ROOM RESIDENCES (SIXTEEN (16) ROOMS FOR MAXIMUM SIXTEEN (16) RESIDENTS), THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING; NO SIGNS ON THIS PERMIT.  This is an application by Wedge Recovery Services to operate a recovery home in the building for 16 young men.  There was significant community opposition which was expressed during a 30-minute discussion. The issues raised centered on the wisdom of putting the facility on one of the most active and crime-plagued drug corners in Frankford.  Residents voted to oppose the application.

    4800 Frankford Avenue

  • 4101-07 Paul Street – PERMIT FOR THE EXTENSION OF A TAKE-OUT RESTAURANT WITH SEATING FROM 1ST FLOOR TO 2ND FLOOR AND RETAIL SALE OF MALT BEVERAGES IN AN EXISTING ATTACHED STRUCTURE – This is a new operator of the business who took over 6 weeks ago. There was significant opposition from neighbors of the business.  Representative Dawkins offered to host a meeting between the applicant and the neighbors to see if their issues can be resolved.  The case has been continued until next month’s meeting.

    4101-07 Paul Street

    The next Frankford NAC zoning meeting will be held on November 8th at 7 PM at the Second Baptist Church.

 

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Frankford NAC Zoning Meeting October 11th

Zoning Agenda for Frankford NAC meeting on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at the 2nd Baptist Church 1801 Meadow Street”

4501 Castor Avenue – PERMIT FOR THE ERECTION OF A DECK IN AN LOT WITH AN EXISTING SHOPPING CENTER WITH STRUCTURES AND USES AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVE. THE PROPOSED DECK WILL EXTEND AN EXISTING NIGHTCLUB AND PRIVATE CLUB LOCATED IN UNIT 8. NO CHANGES TO EXISTING PARKING.

4501 Castor Avenue Unit 8

 

1633 Orthodox Street – PERMIT FOR MANUFACTURING/PREPARATION OF PUDDING AND SWEETS (LIMITED INDUSTRIAL), RETAIL SALES OF PUDDING AND SWEETS (RETAIL SALE OF FOOD, BEVERAGES AND GROCERIES), CATERING SERVICES (CATERING AND COMMISSARY SERVICES) AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE SAME (WHOLESALE AND DISTRIBUTION) ON 1ST FLOOR STORE FRONT WITH VACANT ACCESSORY ATTACHED GARAGE AND PROPOSED TWO (2) FAMILY DWELLING ABOVE IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE.

1633 Orthodox Street

4101-07 Paul Street – PERMIT FOR THE EXTENSION OF A TAKE-OUT RESTAURANT WITH SEATING FROM 1ST FLOOR TO 2ND FLOOR AND RETAIL SALE OF MALT BEVERAGES IN AN EXISTING ATTACHED STRUCTURE

4101-07 Paul Street

4800 Frankford Avenue – PERMIT FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ADDITION TO AN EXISTING ATTACHED STRUCTURE (WITHOUT A CHANGE TO THE EXISTING BUILDING FOOTPRINT; ADDITION AT 2ND/3RD STORY), SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON PLAN/APPLICATION. FOR USE AS SINGLE-ROOM RESIDENCES (SIXTEEN (16) ROOMS FOR MAXIMUM SIXTEEN (16) RESIDENTS), THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING; NO SIGNS ON THIS PERMIT.

4800 Frankford Avenue

All photos from Google street view.

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Neighbors Oppose 1369 Sellers Street Plan

At the Frankford NAC zoning meeting on September 11th, there were four cases on the agenda.

1369 Sellers Street- House of W.I.N. – PERMIT FOR THE ERECTION OF A REAR ADDITION TO AN EXISTING ATTACHED STRUCTURE. STRUCTURE FOR USE AS A GROUP LIVING. SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN PER APPLICATION/PLAN. – The application was overwhelmingly opposed by those eligible to vote.

1369 Sellers Street

4900 & 5000 Frankford Avenue- Aria/Jefferson signage change to reflect the new name of Hospital (Thomas Jefferson) – non-opposition

4900 Frankford Avenue

4314 Tackawanna Street – Globe Dye Works owner has this building. Zoned ICMX. They have a print shop, window, and furniture restoration at the location. The application was refused because of the existing apartments above it. – Approved
2154-72 Bridge Street- (Chateau)  Address changed from 5131 Tulip to Bridge Street. – Approved

2154-72 Bridge Street

The next meeting of the Frankford NAC zoning group will be held on Tuesday, October 9th at 7 PM at the Second Baptist Church, 1801 Meadow Street.
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Zoning Meeting September 13th

The Frankford NAC Zoning group will meet Thursday, September 13th at 2nd Baptist Church, 1801 Meadow Street at 6:30 pm. We have a full schedule of properties to review.
Here is the list:

1369 Sellers Street– House of WIN was continued from last month. The applicant did send over the mechanicals for the property.

1369 Sellers Street

4314 Tackawanna Street– Globe Dye Works owner has this building. Zoned ICMX. They have a print shop, window, and furniture restoration at the location. The application was refused because of the existing apartments above it. Not sure why it was refused. Under the ICMX code, multi-family units are allowed.

4314 Tackawanna Street

4900 and 5000 Frankford Avenue– Applicant (Aria/ Jefferson Hospital). They want a variance for two signs. One at each location.

4900 Frankford Avenue

2154-72 Bridge Street- Chateau. They changed their address from Tulip to Bridge Street so they are simply redoing their it to reflect the address change. No changes as to how they operate or structure.

2154-72 Bridge Street

You must have ID to vote on any of these cases at the meeting.