Category: Zoning

Zoning issues related to Frankford

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Frankford NAC Rules on Multi Family

At the Frankford NAC zoning meeting on March 9th residents turned out to hear the proposal by the owner of 4200 Torresdale Avenue for signs, a set of stairs and an entrance ramp.  The address, under the previous ownership has been a source of trouble and residents were concerned about its future.  The new owner is going to use it as an auto body and repair shop for their used car lot at 4530 Torresdale Avenue.

Neighbors were concerned about parking which is always a problem on the blocks near Torresdale Avenue and sidewalks being blocked by car dealers.  The owner gave assurances that the location would only be used for repairs and it has capacity for storage of 30 vehicles inside.

Unfortunately, a vote on the case could not be held because the zoning notice was not displayed according to regulations.  The case will come up again at a future meeting for a vote.

Doctor Anthony Panossian presented the case for a special exception for a dental office at 4821 Frankford Avenue. The exception is needed because this will be a group dental practice.  The practice, ArtisanSmiles, will be a full service facility providing dental, dental surgery and orthodonture.  Anesthesia will also be available which many dental offices do not provide.  ArtisanSmiles has offices now in Clifton Heights and York PA.

One resident raised the issue of parking for clients coming to the facility.  Dr. Panossian said they are willing to look into available parking spaces in a nearby lot but his architect pointed out that it is not a requirement for buildings in this zoning area.  Most clients will be coming by public transportation.

One one resident was eligible to vote and the vote was a No.

5300 Marsden Street: PERMIT FOR THE ERECTION OF A CARPORT FOR ONE PARKING SPACE (SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN IN THE APPLICATION), ACCESSORY TO AN EXISTING ONE STORY SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.  The applicant was represented by a friend who made the case for moving his existing handicapped parking space from the front of his home to the side.  It was agreed to support the variance with that proviso.

1257 Pratt Street: PERMIT FOR INCREASE IN DWELLING FROM SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING TO FOUR (4) FAMILY DWELLING (MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING) IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE.  The building has been a ground floor bar with 2 apartments above.  The owner wants to convert the bar into 2 apartments.  After much discussion, eligible residents voted unanimously to support the variance.

The next meeting of the Frankford NAC zoning board will be held on April 13th at 7 PM at Second Baptist Church 1801 Meadow Street.

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New Dental Office Proposed for 4821 Frankford Avenue

The Frankford NAC zoning board met February 16 and heard a presentation from the architect for Artisan SMILES on their proposed new office at 4821 Frankford Avenue.

4821 Frankford Avenue – Unit B is the second one from the right, a proposed medical office

It will be a full service dental office with dentistry, orthodontics and oral surgery.  This site was selected among several others because of location and the large office size is just what they required.

Unfortunately the zoning notice posted did not include the information required and the case will be continued until next month’s meeting.

Also on the agenda, was a zoning variance for 5300 Marsden Street.  The owners were not present so the case was continued.

A resident of the 1300 block of Fillmore Street attended to discuss the zoning of his block.  It is all single family homes but is zoned as RM1 which allows for multi family use.  Rafael E. Álvarez Febo, Small Business and Development Coordinator for Councilwoman Sanchez was present and said they would work with the residents of the block to remap it to RSA5 which is single family use.

The next meeting of the Frankford NAC zoning board will be held on March 9th at 2nd Baptist Church at 1801 Meadow Street.

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Frankford NAC Zoning Meets Thursday February 16th

The NAC zoning meeting at 2nd Baptist Church, 1801 Meadow Street at 7 PM, will review a proposal to open a medical office at 4821 Frankford Avenue.  The building is owned by Philadelphia Suburban Development Corporation (PSDC).  The issues concerning this application are:

  •  Increase parking problems. (no parking lot)
  • The facility could be used for the dispensation of methadone.

If you remember the problems caused by the Verdell medical office and the Methdadone dispensation, you may want to attend the meeting to express your opinion.  See this link for more information.

Residents of the blocks closest to the facility will be permitted to vote.  It is noteworthy that the Nicholetti’s who run PSDC, also owned the building where the Verdell office was at 4606 Frankford Avenue.

Also on the agenda for the meeting is 5300 Marsden Street.  The owners want to legalize a car port.

The meeting was scheduled for February 9th but was cancelled due to the snow.

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NAC Zoning Meeting To Review Proposed Medical Office

February 9th NAC meeting cancelled due to snow.

The next NAC zoning meeting will review a proposal to open a medical office at 4821 Frankford Avenue.  The building is owned by Philadelphia Suburban Development Corporation (PSDC).  The issues concerning this application are:

  •  Increase parking problems. (no parking lot)
  • The facility could be used for the dispensation of methadone.

If you remember the problems caused by the Verdell medical office and the Methdadone dispensation, you may want to attend the meeting to express your opinion.  See this link for more information.

Residents of the blocks closest to the facility will be permitted to vote.  It is noteworthy that the Nicholetti’s who run PSDC, also owned the building where the Verdell office was at 4606 Frankford Avenue.

Also on the agenda for the meeting is 5300 Marsden Street.  The owners want to legalize a car port.

The meeting was scheduled for February 9th but was cancelled due to the snow.  The new date will be announced when details are finalized.

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Special Northwood Civic Meeting Tonight

There will be a special meeting tonight, February 7th, at Simpson Recreation Center to hear the applicant request for 1100 Haworth Street to legalize an existing fence. Please try to attend as this is a matter that can affect property values and decisions going forward in our neighborhood.

The meeting will be at 7:00 PM, 1010 Arrott Street. The neighbors immediately surrounding this property were given hand bills over the weekend describing the issues to be presented. See you tonight.