Joe Krause, President of the Northwood Civic Association, revealed at the meeting on May 17th that an application for a variance is pending for the owner of 5114 Castor Avenue to increase the dwelling units from two to three.
The address is within the deed restricted area and that would prohibit anything other than single family homes. The owner or his representative will make a presentation at the next Civic meeting on June 21st.
This is the first zoning issue in about 2 years where the Northwood Civic has been recognized at the coordinating RCO (Registered Community Organization). During that period issues in Northwood were covered by the Frankford NAC at their meetings. Krause raised the issue and the result is that Northwood now gets a say in what happens in Northwood.
Votes by residents are critical since the deed restriction is widely believed to be important to the quality of life in that area. Residents are urged to attend.
In other business at the meeting:
Krause noted the ongoing lack of participation in the 15th District PSA1 meeting each month. Northwood residents are complacent until something happens and then unwilling to take next step to do something about it. Complaining does not fix the problem. Go to the meetings.
The conservatorship hearing for 1301 Wakeling is on June 1st. The owners must have the property fixed and on the market by that date or the non profit will take it over and do the job. This is a victory for Northwood in either case.
There are now 3 individuals selling cars and a car wash in Northwood on the streets. Calls to 911 have been ineffective in shutting them down. They do not belong in a residential area.
3 bikes were stolen from a residence on Castor Avenue across from Northwood Park. Be on the lookout for kids in the afternoon.
The Castor Avenue traffic project is on schedule and its just a matter of time before we start to see implementation. Continuing to look to improvements to Ramona and Adams.
There will be a cleanup at Arrott and xxx on May 28th. Volunteers are welcome.
Joe Hohenstein, representing Frankford Friends Meeting reported on the funds raised for the relief of the fire victims in February. $1,500 was raised but only $500 was disbursed to 2 families. They are looking for anyone else who suffered financially from the fire. Northwood Civic donated $500 of that total.
There is a major 15th District PSA1 meeting on May 26th at the Bridesburg Boys and Girls Club. This is an opportunity to show the police and City officials that the community wants solutions to our problems rather than promised. The start time is 7 PM and the address is 2901 Bridge Street.
The next Northwood Civic meeting will be on June 21st at 7 PM at St. James Lutheran Church at Pratt St. and Castor Ave.
