I found myself under the weather last week and missed the Frankford Civic meeting. NEastPhilly.com has a report of the event. Check it out here. Some new information on 1522-24 Church Street.
Tag: 1522-24 Church st
A Win for Frankford
Tim Savage, Margie Rivera, Brian Wisneiwski, Pete Specos
The hearing at the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the 1522-24 church Street application was scheduled for 4:00 pm Wednesday. This issue goes all that way to March of this year when we became aware of the new owners plan to use the properties for recovery houses. Since the houses are near a church, school and home for young girls, it did not sound like a good idea. Margie Rivera who is lives closest to the houses did not think it was a good idea either. She was besieged at all hours of the day and night by noise in the house next door and people coming and going at all hours of the day and night.
The houses are zoned as single family dwellings and cannot be used to house more than three unrelated people. Neighbors observed many men living there. At some point, the men were moved out and women moved in. The owner then applied to convert the houses into duplexes that would have permitted six people to legally live in each one. The community came together to oppose that maneuver.
Petitions, letters from city, state and federal officials and all other stake holders were collected and a hearing was scheduled. The owner sent a request for a delay at the first hearing. At yesterday’s hearing the attorney for the owner sent a notice that he was withdrawing from the case. The owner did not attend and the case was dismissed.
Attending the hearing were Pete Specos, Tim Savage and Brian Wisniewski from the Frankford Civic, Margie Rivera, Rita Lugrine and Joe Fernandes Legislative Assistant from Maria Quinones Sanchez office. This campaign took a great deal of effort on the part of the civic to coordinate the drive. They all should be applauded. The unsung here in this is really Margie Rivera who stepped up and just said no.
This is not over however. Now the line is clearly drawn. No more than three unrelated people in those houses. L&I has to enforce this. We will see how it goes. You can be sure that the community is watching.
Coming Up in Frankford
- Christmas Bazaar
When – Sat, December 5, 12pm – 4pmWhere – Second Baptist Church of Frankford, 1801 Meadow St, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map) - Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
When – Sun, December 6, 12pm – 5pmWhere – 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: Civil War Era Music from the Front at Christmas Time Gleim’s Band 198th P.V
- DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? St. Joachim’s Christmas Event
When – Sun, December 6, 3:00pm – 4:30pmWhere – St. Joachims, 1507 Church St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)Description – St. Joachim’s is presenting the biggest Christmas event ever! It will be held in the Church on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 3:00 PM. Join us for an afternoon of music, fun, drama and prayer. Free admission. 3 pm to 4:30 pm with refreshments following. Invite your friends and neighbors!
- Community Meeting on the SEPTA Margaret-Orthodox Station Rehabilitation Project
When – Tue, December 8, 5:30pm – 7:30pmWhere – Frankford Group Ministries, 4620 Griscom Street Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)Description – Get details about what’s happening to update the station We invite you to attend the meeting to get: * an overview and progress update about the project; * details about improvements; * possible impacts to businesses, residents, and riders; * an opportunity to have your questions answered firsthand. Tuesday, December 8 Frankford Group Ministries 4620 Griscom Street Philadelphia, PA 19124 5:30 pm Registration & Refreshments 6:00 Meeting Begins 7:30 Meeting Ends We look forward to seeing you. For more information contact Patricia Miller, Constituent Relations Coordinator, at 215-580-3609.
- Historical Society of Frankford program
When – Tue, December 8, 7:30pm – 9:00pmWhere – 1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)Description – MUSEUM and MEMBERS SHARE HOLIDAY TREASURES — Historical Society of Frankford Volunteers and Members. HSF’s Museum and Library has items in its collection that were likely holiday gifts or accessories for past Frankford families. You may have an item that your family has used or a special holiday gift that has been enjoyed over the years. Bring them to share with our members and volunteers as you get an insider’s view of some of HSF’s special items. Educational holiday crafts for the children will be offered, so bring your young people to this festive meeting. And feel free to bring a dessert as we gather to enjoy our traditional holiday sweets buffet.
- Zoning Board Hearing on 1522-24 Church Street
When – Wed, December 9, 4pm – 5pmWhere – 1515 ARCH STREET 18TH FLOOR (map)
- Philadelphia Energy Coordinating Agency co-host Weatherization Workshops
When – Wed, December 9, 6pm – 8pmWhere – Sankofa Charter School, 4256 Paul St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)Description – Rep. Payton and the Philadelphia Energy Coordinating Agency co-host Weatherization Workshops These free workshops are open to the public and will teach people how to save money through energy conservation. Trainers will present on how to install self-help energy saving material and provide these materials free of charge to qualifying attendees. Information will also be available on rebates, tax credits, and new energy programs. Referrals will also be provided to existing energy conservation and assistance programs. Sankofa Charter School 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 4256 Paul St. Philadelphia For more information, call 215-288-2001 http://www.pahouse.com/Payton/CommunityCalendar.asp
- Frankford Garden Club trip to Longwood Gardens
When – Sat, December 12, 3pm – 9pmWhere – Bus departs Griscom and Orthodox Streets (map)Description – Trip to Longwood Gardens on Saturday December 12- $5 for Garden Club members, $12 for adult guests, $6 for children guests! The Bus will leave from Griscom and Orthodox Streets at 3:00 pm, arriving at Longwood around 4pm – we will return by 9pm
- Frankford Garden Club Holiday Party
When – Tue, December 15, 6:00pm – 8:30pmWhere – Wissinoming Park (map)Description – For Garden club members and their invited guests.
- Northwood Civic Association Meeting
When – Tue, December 15, 7pm – 8pmWhere – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
- Italian Style Family Dinner
When – Wed, December 16, 4:30pm – 8:00pmWhere – St. Joachim’s Church, 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 (map)Description – MARK YOUR CALENDAR Every Third Wednesday from September thru May Italian Style Family Dinner The Dinners will be served from 4:30 PM to 8 PM in Fitzmaurice Hall Take-out will be available. COST: $8.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Children. Come Join us!
- Free Pictures with Santa
When – Sat, December 19, 9am – 12pmWhere – Dream Girls, 4601 Frankford Avenue, 2nd floor. (map)
Frankford Civic Meeting
The Frankford Civic meeting held tonight, was very well attended with about 30 people in the room.
There will be a SEPTA meeting at the Frankford Group Ministry building (4620 Griscom Street) on December 8th, to inform the community about the 7.5 million dollar rehabilitation of the Margaret-Orthodox El stop. It was the first el stop rebuilt back in the 80’s and now they need to do it over again. This time maybe it will be the right way. See the community calendar for the details.
Rep. Payton has partnered with the Energy Coordinating Agency to offer a Weatherization Workshop in Frankford. Weatherizing your home can reduce your heating bill dramatically, and provides a safer, warmer home for your family. The Energy Coordinating Agency will show you how you can weatherize your home for little to no money. They will also discuss assistance programs from the government that help pay for the cost of weatherizing your home. See the community calendar for the details. Please Call State Representative Tony Payton Jr’s Office at 215-744-7901 or email Simone Woods at swoods@pahouse.net if you plan to attend.
Zoning hearing at the ZBA for the conversion of 1522 and 1524 Church Street to multi family housing. The community opposes the conversion and all concerned residents should attend the hearing to make sure the ZBA understands our position.
A contractor who owns the lot at 4205-07 Adams Avenue is seeking support for a zoning change to build a garage to store his equipment. He came along 
with his architect to display his proposal. He was advised to solicit support from the immediate neighbors adjacent to his property and to begin the application process.
It was anticipated that Anthony Bannister would appear to explain his group’s plan to purchase the now closed New Frankford Community Y property. They have been in discussion with Senator Payton’s office as well as Councilperson Quinones Sanchez office. No one from the group attended the meeting. Reps from Sanchez and Payton’s office both said in the course of their meetings they had raised questions about the business plan and funding for the project. In addition,there is the issue of the sale of a non profit entity to a “for profit” corporation. Barry Howell, president of the Northwood Civic was present and said that the Northwood Civic’s position at this point is to emphatically oppose the deal.
Good news to report. Somehow the long unmoving vehicle on Ruan Street that was discussed at last month’s meeting has been eliminated. We’re not sure who deserves the credit for doing the right thing.
Next Frankford Civic meeting is January 7th. Be sure all the details I forgot to report on NEastPhilly.com.
Frankford Civic Shows Some Teeth
Close to 50 people crowded into the conference room last night at Frankford Hospital for the Frankford Civic Association meeting. Concern about the possibility of a recovery house at 1522/24 Church Street, in a residential area, so close to a church and school, seems to be having an effect.
Related to that issue, Jason Dawkins, of Maria Quinones-Sanchez office noted that a Frankford stakeholders meeting is scheduled for next week to update the community on the progress being made on the overall problem of the drug businesses in Frankford. This is not a public meeting so hopefully news will get out.
Zoning issues were discussed with approval given for several applicants. However, the representatives of one applicant were sent packing after being confronted with evidence gathered by the Civic that work was being done to the property without permits and of doubtful quality. Frankford just will not put up with this foolishness any longer. The Civic has given notice, do it right or don’t do it.
A new applicant for the expansion of a business on Frankford Avenue, along with his representative, made his presentation and did a very professional job of informing the Civic of his proposed plans. That was a model for how the process should be.
The next meeting of the Frankford Civic Association will be on May 7th.
