Category: Civics

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Zoning Cases Coming Up in February and March

These cases are listed on the calendar today.  One of our local RCOs or Civic Associations has or will have it on their agenda.

2/18/2014 – 1429 Unity Street     PERMITFOR A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING IN AN EXISTING ATTACHED STRUCTURE

2/19/201414 – 5422 Mulberry St.    PERMIT FOR THE TREATMENT OF PATIENT (SOLE PRACTIONER) AND ACCESSORY OFFICE ON BASEMENT IN THE SAME BUILDING WITH AN EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY ABOVE.

3/4/2014 – 5199 Mulberry St. – (Smedley School) PERMIT THE ERECTION OF ONE (1) ILLUMINATED FLAT WALL SIGN WITH DIGITAL DISPLAY (SIZE AND LOCATION TO BE AS SHOWN IN THE APPLICATION) TO AN EXISTING THREE STORY SCHOOL.

3/4/2014 – 4339 Torresdale Ave. – PERMIT IS FOR CREATION OF TWO (2) TENANT SPACES (SPACE A & B) FROM ONE (1) TENANT SPACE. SPACE B – PROPOSED TAKE OUT RESTAURANT WITH A WALK-UP WINDOW, SPACE A – EXISTING CAR WASH FACILITY TO INCLUDE AUTO DETAILING AND MINOR AUTO REPAIR (PERSONAL VEHICLE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE) IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE.

3/11/2014 4332 E. Stiles St. – PERMIT FOR A TWO (2) FAMILY DWELLING.

 

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Northwood Civic Association Meeting

Northwood Civic Association 
St. James Lutheran Church
4600 Pratt Street
**** Tuesday, December 17, 2013 ****
7:00 PM

AGENDA:
Quality of Life Issues

OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS

Bring a Neighbor!!!

Northwood, a Beautiful place to Live and Work!
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Manny Citron at Frankford Civic

manny citron

Sanya and Manny at Overington Park

Philly Rising’s Manny Citron introduced his replacement at the Frankford Civic Association meeting on December 5th.  Sanya Brown, graduate of Temple University, has assumed Manny’s coordinator duties at PhillyRising. Manny is moving on to another position in the Philadelphia Managing Director’s office.

Manny has been a constant presence in Frankford at every event over the last two years.  He is a roll up your sleeves and get dirty, kind of guy that you need in PhillyRising and he leaves Frankford a better place.  We look forward to working with Sanya.

Other news at the meeting:

  • Several nuisance bars have been closed on the East side of Torresdale Avenue in the last two months much to the relieve of local residents.
  • Turning Points for Children is opening a local office at 4329 Griscom Street.  The entrance will be on the side where Family Dollar is on Frankford Avenue.  They are the DHS Community Umbrella Agency for the 15th police district.
  • The club at 4721 Oxford Avenue has been closed by L&I.  That is what the white sign with the red strips means on the door.
  • There is some hope that two buildings 4728, 32-34 Griscom, long vacant, may be turned to good use.  There are some legal hurdles that have to be overcome but it could happen and that will transform that intersection.

The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be held on January 9th, 2014.  This is one week later than usual due to the New Years holiday.

 

 

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Focus of Frankford: Pete Specos

pete

Pete cooking Thanksgiving dinner at Mater Dolorosa

By: Pat Smiley

There are many concerned citizens and activists in Frankford. There is only one Pete Specos. I have gotten to know Pete much better since St. Joachim Church was closed in June and parishioners started Keep the Faith in Frankford, a nonprofit, to continue the work of the Church and to help the community.

Pete’s knowledge, connections and a real willingness to serve and help in any way he can has made him a vital member as well as a member of the board. But this has only added to the work Pete has done on behalf of our community of Frankford.

A real “grassroots” man, Pete is a Democratic Committeeman and President of the Frankford Civic Association and the Zoning Officer. He is the Treasurer of the PDAC (the 15th District Police District Advisory Council). On November 23rd, Pete and PDAC provided a Thanksgiving Dinner to nearly 150 people that was held in Mater Dolorosa’s hall where local residents were treated to all the trimmings and there were many return visits to the buffet.

Pete coordinates the  PSA1 meetings where the Police meet monthly with area residents to discuss and address their concerns. Recently, the NFCY, (the old “Frankford Y”) has been restored to community use and is undergoing major renovations. Pete is Financial Director of their board.

Lucille Ball said, “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” I, for one, am very grateful that Pete has been “busy” making Frankford a better place to work and live.

But don’t get the idea that Pete is all work. One of his passions is his very own Christmas Lightshow that’s on display for all those who come by 4287 Orchard St. It was featured on the Christmas TV special Christmas Planet two years ago.

The Christmas Lightshow begins on Thanksgiving night and will be available for all to enjoy through New Year’s Day! Pete, you just can’t help lighting up Frankford!

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Shopping Center Controversary at Frankford Civic

No zoning cases were on the schedule for the Frankford Civic Association meeting on November 7th so the entire meeting was used in discussion of two proposed shopping centers in the area.

Mark Hankin, President of the Hankin Management Company made a presentation on their proposed Shopping Center at the Arsenal.  The shopping center would total 500,000 square feet.  Site preparations has been underway for some time with opening of the initial stage scheduled for late Summer of 2015.  The entrance will be Tacony Street North of Bridge Street.

The last part of the meeting was used to discuss the Shoppes at Wissinoming, another proposed shopping center in the area to be located at Tulip St. and Aramingo Avenue.  Allegations made are that the site is too small for the size of the development, it would create too much traffic for an already congested neighborhood and there are environmental issues.

The 30 residents at the meeting were very interested in the issues raised but noted that the Wissinoming developer was not present to respond to those issues.

Residents interested in hearing both sides of this issue are invited to attend the Frankford Neighborhood Advisory Committee meeting on November 14th at 2nd Baptist Church at 1801 Meadow Street at 7PM.  Both developers have been invited and say they will attend.

Also at the meeting:

  • Police bike patrols are active on the streets close to Frankford Avenue.
  • A license for a club at 4721 Oxford Avenue was denied by L&I.  This location has been opening without a license off and on for several months.

The next Frankford Civic Association meeting will be held on Thursday, December 5th at 7PM at Aria Hospital.