Category: Zoning

Zoning issues related to Frankford

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Community Opposes Another Torresdale Avenue Zoning App

4343 Torresdale Avenue

At the Frankford NAC Zoning meeting on January 12th, the applicant was seeking a: PERMIT FOR AUTO SPRAY BOOTH (VEHICLE PAINT FINISHING SHOP) AS PART OF AN EXISTING AUTO REPAIR SHOP WITH BODY AND FENDER WORK (PERSONAL VEHICLE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE) WITH ACCESSORY OFFICE AND ACCESSORY PARKING FOR 13 VEHICLES AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.

The applicant’s representative made the case to the residents attending and fielded questions about the business which was formerly DiCicco Auto Sales.  The residents concerns were more about parking and congestion in general from the auto related businesses on Torresdale Avenue.  The auto dealers park their cars on the sidewalks and block pedestrian traffic.  They also take up resident parking spaces on the side streets with excess inventory.

Residents have been complaining at civic meetings, to the police and elected officials and have found no help with the issue.

The vote was unanimous to deny the application.  Notice of the vote will be sent to the ZBA.

5300 Marsden Street

The applicant has applied for a variance to legalize an existing car port.  The zoning notice had not been displayed to the public on the property so a continuance was granted until that requirement is met.  They will return to the NAC at a future meeting.

Frankford Pause Park

Ellie Devyatkin, Frankford CDC Commercial Corridor Manager, updated the meeting on the progress of the Frankford Pause park which will be located on Paul Street right off Frankford Avenue.  Construction on the park has been delayed due to the construction bids coming in well above previous estimates.  The plan is now to do the park in stages with the first phase to be in ready for use this Summer.  Funding is in place for that part of the project.

The next meeting of the Frankford NAC zoning board will be held on February 9th at 7 PM at the Second Baptist Church at 1801 Meadow Street.

 

 

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Northwood Civic Tries to Slow Down Castor Speedway

The Northwood Civic meeting on December 20th was not well attended due to the impending holiday but there were significant issues discussed.

Terry Heiser updated the group on the delays in completing the traffic calming project on Castor Avenue.   Having already postponed the most important parts of that work by 12 to 15 months, the Streets Department now has no dates for it.  One excuse only leads to another.

Accident at Castor Avenue and Foulkrod Street on January 12th – Photo from 6abc.com

In the meantime, the speeding and crashes are continuing unabated.  For instance, on December 12 a vehicle caromed off a collision at Haworth Street and across the lawns of two houses; also, on January 12 a vehicle rammed a tree and overturned at Foulkrod Street.  Heiser continues to urge our local officials to get the work done.

The owners of 1100 Haworth (Haworth and Large) need a zoning variance to legalize a fence they have already erected.  It will be discussed at the meeting on January 17.

Darrion Shuford, Chief of Staff for Rep. Jason Dawkins announced that the Dawkins office will be relocating to the Daral building at Paul and Frankford Avenue in January.  Dawkins will occupy the first floor while the Frankford CDC and NAC will be up on the second floor.

The next meeting of the Northwood Civic Association will be held on January 17th at 7 PM at Simpson Recreation Center at 1010 Arrott Street.

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Frankford NAC Zoning to Meet January 12th

Community Zoning Meeting
DATE: January 12, 2017 2nd Baptist Church
1801 Meadow Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19124
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Join us and Vote On what happens in your neighborhood!

You must be 18 or older with ID to vote in these proceedings.

Time &Property: 5300 Marsden Street
Project Proposal: Applicant is seeking a variance to legalize a carport already built.

Approval Process: Determined by Community Vote

Eligible Voters: Community and Neighborhood Residents/ Residents must have ID in order to vote.

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Residents Oppose Zoning Change at the Globe

Residents in the area of the Globe Dye Works at 4520-40 Worth Street turned out at the Frankford NAC meeting on October 13th to hear about the proposed zoning variance to allow automobile sales in an existing business at the Globe Dye Works.

LBI Limited deals in the sale, brokerage, and collection management of investment quality collector cars.  They have previously conducted the sales at another location but want to be able to do that at their Globe location in the future.

Photo from the LBI Facebook page

Photo from the LBI Facebook page

They use the Torresdale side of the Globe building and that would be the entrance where cars are picked up and delivered and provide customer access. The business is not a high volume car lot of the type that presently line Torresdale Avenue and is completely contained within the building.

 

Residents raised the issue of parking in the neighborhood and called it a nightmare.  They noted that Globe tenants park on Worth and Kinsey Streets and residents have to scramble to park in front of their own house.  The Worth Street block captain also raised the issue that the Globe does not give back to the community.

The applicants say their are a small number of customers and their business is entirely on the Torresdale side of the building with occasional access to Worth Street.  When the vote was taken, 3 residents attending all opposed the variance.

The owners of 1930 and 1958 Bridge Street returned to the NAC this month to make their case to convert these single family homes into triplexes.  They attended the September meeting but their zoning notices had not been up the required number of days.  In the interim they made their presentation to the ZBA.  Only 1 residents attending was eligible to vote and he voted in favor of the change.

In the case of 5206 Pennway Street, the owner needs a variance to legalize an existing fence on his property. He explained his situation and that he did not know that he needed a variance.  There were no residents eligible to vote on the case.

A letter will be sent to the ZBA (Zoning Board of Adjustment) informing them of the result of the voting.  The ZBA is not obliged to rule in favor of the residents but takes it into account in making a decision.  When no residents are eligible to vote, notice of non opposition is sent.

The next meeting of the Frankford NAC zoning board will be held on November 10th at the Second Baptist Church at 1801 Meadow Street at 7 PM.