Tag: Northeast EPIC Stakeholders

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NE EPIC Stakeholders Meeting 8/30/12

Steve Blackburn with Ama, Ann and Andrea

The EPIC Stakeholders had another informative meeting on Thursday, August 30th.  It was held at 2nd Baptist this time.

  • Steve Blackburn, of Carson Valley Children’s Aid gave an update on truancy enforcement for the public schools.  Carson Valley is one of two providers in North and Northeast Philadelphia who will be visiting students homes to do investigations of truancy.  This will usually come after a student has 10 unexcused absences.  Steve introduced Ama Paasewe, Truancy Supervisor and Ann Bourdeau and Andrea Julius, both Truancy Case Managers. Only about 50% of public school students who enter high school finish.  Truancy is the first step on the road to failure.
  • Hope4Philly will be having their annual event at Harding Middle School on September 15th from 11 AM to 3 PM.
  • Tree Philly event is coming up on November 3rd at 2nd Baptist.  Free trees for those who apply in advance.
  • A build out at Hedge Street park in in the planning stages.  This will mean a major improvement coming within a year.
  • Affordable new houses will be built on the lot at Gillingham and Tackawanna Streets.  Information will be available as that project gets underway.
  • Affordable senior housing is proposed or the former faculty house at NE Catholic High School, at Torresdale and Kensington Ave.
  • Dan Duffy of Councilwoman Sanchez office gave a presentation on the new zoning code recently implemented in the city.
  • The Frankford NAC has been designated as a RCO (Recognized Community Organization) in relation to zoning.  That means that the NAC will have standing when a zoning project requires community support.  Those who have to make a community presentation will have to include the NAC in that meeting.  This means that Frankford will have greater overall representation in those issues.
  • C.H.A.M.P.S. (Choosing Healthy And Mature Principles for Success) Mentoring Program is in need of more mentors for Frankford High school students.  They had a very successful first year with the vast majority (106 of 111) of students in the program staying in school and moving on to 10th grade.  If you would like to be a mentor, contact Stephen L. Stevens Jr.,Program Coordinator, Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia at 267-971-2540 or email sls82886@yahoo.com

The next EPIC Stakeholders meeting will be held on September 27th at a location to be announced.

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New Housing Coming to Frankford

Gillingham and Tackawanna Sts.

NE Catholic Faculty House

At the Northeast EPIC Stakeholders meeting this month, Kim Washington announced that 12 new houses will be built on the lot at Gillingham and Tackawanna Streets.  The city has issued and RFP for the construction.  These will be affordable houses that will fit into the neighborhood.  This is only two blocks for the Globe Dye Works.

In related news, Geoffrey Long, Director of Development for Ingerman, made a presentation about the proposal to convert the former faculty house of Northeast Catholic High School (2501 Kensington Avenue) into affordable senior citizen apartments.  The owner of the property, Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School, has no need for that building.  Ingerman is seeking community support for the proposal.  This deal is only a proposal at this point but most people at the EPIC meeting that there is certainly a need for affordable senior housing in Frankford.

 

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Movie Night in the Park

From the Friends of Overington Park and the Northeast EPIC Stakeholders: “PUSS & BOOTS”

Showing at: Overington Park, 4600 block of Leiper St. and 1300 block of Orthodox St.

Show Time: Friday September 14, 2012 at 8PM

Bring your blanket or chair and your family and friends to enjoy Movie Night In The Park.

Friends of Overington Park

Diane Kunze, President
Janet Bernstein, Vice President
Mary Ellen Post, Secretary
Lorraine Fortino, Treasurer
 

 

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Northeast EPIC Meeting August 30

Thank you to all who attended our meeting last month.  For those who could not make it, please find the meeting minutes attached here.  This email is just a reminder that we will be holding our monthly meeting on Thursday, August 30th from 5:30 – 7:30pm at Second Baptist Church (1801 Meadow Street).  August marks Truancy awareness for EPIC.  In light of truancy awareness month Mr. Steve Blackburn from the Frankford Neighborhood Center will be giving a brief introduction about how families can avoid truancy court and he will be introducing the truancy case managers for our area.

Additionally, if you haven’t heard already the Frankford NAC was approved with the City as  Registered Community Organizations.  Daniel Dunphy, the zoning specialist from Councilwoman Sanchez’ office will come and explain what a RCO is and how local residents can participate.  In addition, Dan will briefly go over the changes in the City’s new zoning code and specifically  the impact it will have in Frankford.  As most of you may know by now the Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School is slated to move into the North Catholic High School building (1842 Torresdale Avenue).   Representatives from the Ingerman Group will also be in attendance at our meeting on Thursday to discuss the repositioning of the North Catholic Rectory building into a senior community which would house roughly 45-50 senior apartment homes and will be looking for community support.

If you have any questions about Thursday’s meeting please feel free to contact me.  I hope to see you all there!!

Thanks,

 

Kimberly Washington, Esq.
Northeast EPIC Stakeholder Group, Coordinator
CORA Services, Inc.
8540 Verree Road
Philadelphia, Pa. 19111
215 701 – 2588
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A Recovery House by Another Name at 4834 Penn Street

At the Northeast EPIC Stakeholders meeting on July 26th, Deacon Lamont Parnell, President of Innovative Treatment Alternatives Inc. proposed an alternative use for 4834 Penn Street. Previous proposals included a drug recovery house and a senior citizen boarding home for those with mental health issues.

The new proposal is for a boarding home for veterans with issues.  They would be coming out of treatment, possibly from the Coatesville VA Medical Center.  They would stay for no longer than 12 months.

After hearing Deacon Purnell’s presentation, one gentleman in the audience noted that it sounds a lot like a recovery house but for veterans.  The truth is that it would be run in much the same way.  It would have much the same effect on the community.

Councilwoman Sanchez declared at the meeting (see video here) that there is still a moratorium on drug recovery houses but said that the owner is entitled to use the building in whatever way the law and regulations allow. That being the case, the first thing that should be done is to revisit the zoning history of the building and clarify what the zoning is and does the building conform to the zoning.

The zoning for the property is R15. In June of 1957 an application was made to legalize the use of the building for 11 families.  Apparently it had been in use that way for some time but was only approved for 8 families.  That application was approved.

Assuming that a family requires a dwelling unit, the number of dwelling units in the building should also be 11.  The definition of dwelling unit under the zoning code: A single unit within a building providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.  The building does not have the 11 kitchens and bathrooms necessary for 11 dwelling units.  It appears that the building was never brought into compliance with the zoning variance granted.  If that is the case, it would make sense to send it back to zoning for a new application.

If the owner then wants to upgrade it to 11 apartments I don’t believe the community would have any objection.

In regard to the future use of the building as a group home of the kind proposed, all of those proposals made by Deacon Purnell involve a group of unrelated persons living together under supervision.  This seems to be a use that does not fall within the definition of a family in the zoning code.  Definition of family under the zoning code: A person living independently or a group of persons living as a single household unit using housekeeping facilities in common, but not to include more than three persons who are unrelated by blood, marriage, adoption, or foster-child status.

Using the concept that 3 unrelated people sharing a space temporarily while in recovery does not make them a family which is clearly what the zoning code had in mind when it was written.  That is what the 1957 zoning form says: FAMILIES

I am proud to say that in every meeting I have attended where this issue has been discussed, never has there been a negative comment about those who need help or recovery.  The issue is that now Frankford needs recovery from hosting so many of these facilities for these years.  Our goal should be the use of this property in a way that will be beneficial to the residents of Frankford.  If it is not good for the residents then it should be opposed.