Meeting minutes:

2020 Vision Listening Session #4

January 21, 2010

Sherman Hall, Carfax Building

Eight people attended. (One person had trouble finding the meeting and came quite late.  She said that many of her neighbors would like to be heard and it was agreed there would be an additional meeting.)

Institutions

Three school representatives attended.  They envisioned being closely connected to the East Falls community in a cooperative relationship for planning, use of their facilities by the community, and generally being open to their neighbors and being resources for the community. One school suggested that its coaches could be helpful to East Falls teams and welcomes community use of its green space. A resident expressed concern about the impact of institutional expansion on neighborhood texture and character and the residential dynamic. If some institutions in our community need to expand, they may need to do it elsewhere.

Community organizations

A resident said that some people in the community feel alienated from the community organizations and the decision making processes.  A developer suggested that the three East Falls organizations (EFCC, EFBA, EFDC) should work more closely together. It was suggested that there be a stronger tie between stakeholders who own businesses and who fear coming into East Falls because of the different organizations.

Residential areas

Residents value East Falls' walkable streets, open space, parkland and proximity to the river.  They do not want businesses and large apartment complexes inserted into neighborhood residential areas.  Open and green space should be preserved.  Some areas are suitable for business development and it should be limited to those areas.  East Falls feels like a small town in a big city. People value and want to preserve East Falls' socio-economic diversity and its convenient location. There is a need to protect residential areas from traffic and noise that come with commercial development. The impact of any new development on residences must be considered and the residential character of the neighborhood must be part of any long range plan.

Business corridor

It was suggested that Ridge Avenue be beautified, and that there be lighting and parking improvements. The business corridor is a negative due to too many nail and hair salons, lack of lighting and parking; it needs aesthetic improvement. A longtime resident described East Falls’ history and the need to further integrate Falls Ridge and Abbottsford into the community at large. The presence of two banks and drug stores are an improvement.  The isolation of The Mills on Scotts Lane from residences was noted which meant that it had not had a detrimental impact on the residential areas. There should be a walkway between Ridge Avenue and Kelly Drive at Rivage that needs a plan for development according to what the residents want.

Vision 2020 Listening Meeting

January 11, 2010

Falls Presbyterian Church

Six people attended this meeting led by Ted Swenson.

City’s Comprehensive Planning

Ted began by relating what we were doing to what is going on in the City. There will be 20 “districts” in the city for which planning will be done; in all likelihood East Falls will be paired with another neighborhood (possibly Germantown). The planning will begin in 2011 and continue through the 20 districts for about 5 years. Our planning now might position us to be among the first districts selected to be involved. The planning will involve an intensive study that will develop a plan for improvements.

East Falls’ unique qualities

Ted asked “What are the qualities about this area that you like and want to see maintained?” list included: accessibility, diversity of socioeconomic levels, public transit to city and region, library, “The Fallser”, waterfront, school options, recreational facilities, parks, stability, trees, minimal crime, affordable housing range, sense of community, good for families, and trees.

Vibrant commercial center

It was raised that the Midvale-Ridge Ave. was not cohesive or accessible and that it lacked parking. Maybe the city would do a “land swap” and allow parking on the Inn Yard Park grounds as a swap for some adjacent property to the park that it would purchase. It was suggested there were too many barbershops and nail salons. The landlords of these properties will rent to anyone, rather than consider the quality of the entire district. From both directions the approach on Ridge Ave. is not an attractive gateway. The parking lot under the bridge did not seem safe to some; Ridge Ave. needs to be cleaned up. Some holiday decorations would be nice. We need better health care in the immediate neighborhood.

Housing

Dobson Mills is about 90% occupied and that is good. There are vacant residential homes in the community.

Village

The concept of a self-sustained village had appeal to most, as well as being a way to conceptualize the plan for East Falls’ future.

January 9, 2010

Summary of “2020 Vision” listening meeting at Gustine Recreation Center
Saturday, January 9, 2010

This is a summary of the second of four ‘listening’ meetings to hear what community residents, institutions, and businesses want East Falls to be like in the next 10-20 years. Nine people were in attendance; Ted Swenson led the meeting.

The following topics were presented:

City of Philadelphia
The Office of Sustainability is new and doing work that we will benefit from knowing and keeping track of. For instance, the GreenWorks plan to increase trees and further ‘green’ the city should be a part of our planning.

Midvale & Ridge Aves. commercial improvements
It needs to be beautified. We need business development for goods and services: a place to go for breakfast, flowers, bookstore, etc. Parking needs to be remedied.

Playgrounds
The plans for a children’s playground and improving the basketball courts at Inn Yard Park is a positive move. It would be good to locate a water park in the community; the city is not building any more swimming pools; it is moving to play and spray parks.

3200 Henry Ave.
The representative of Gaudenzia House said that the in-house clients would help to improve the community when additional hands are needed. They would appreciate more green space, a movie theater, community garden, and restaurant in proximity.

Boundary definition
Questions were raised about the many definitions of what is considered East Falls. There was a request that we clarify this matter.

The role of institutions
What are their plans for expansion? That’s a key question of residents who want to maintain the community’s residential character. There are both positive and negative aspects to their future growth. We need to find opportunities for them to partner with residents so that there can be mutual support. Residents want to keep them healthy and need to help them be so.

So what do you want?
A walk able community, high rises carefully placed, green and open spaces, home owners, mixed—not segregated—income housing, public transit, more parking at transit hubs and in the business district.

December 09, 2009

Planning for the Future of East Falls
Meeting December 09, 2009, Falls Library
Initiated by the East Falls Community Council

Ted Swenson facilitated the meeting; there were 19 in attendance. The purpose of the meeting was to let everybody in attendance say what their ideas and wishes for the neighborhood are. Not to debate these ideas and wishes. Ted made an introductory presentation regarding land use planning:

What land use planning is and is not

1. •It is a means to establish guidelines for the best use of land in East Falls for the next 10-15 years
   

2. •It is not about addressing short-term land-use issues
   

3. •It does not favor one sector or some community groups over others
   

4. •It provides an understanding of the infrastructure, resources, and planning needs that serve the area’s common good: transportation, open space, environmental, and quality of life for all age groups.
   

5. •It requires interested parties to endorse an open process and provides a platform for collaboration around land use planning
   

6. •It does not solve or arbitrate leadership or political differences
   

7. •It favors those interested parties who decide to take an active and honest role in the planning
   

8. •It does not favor short-term or political engagement
   

Ideas heard from people present:

Make East Falls a Destination
Question was raised if we are hindered by the neighborhood boundaries; the neighborhood has easy egress and access. Easy ingress and egress are also what makes the neighborhood attractive for residents. There are positives and negatives to the easy accessibility. A negative is that it draws in crime.

East Falls is a wonderful place to raise a family.
It is a small town in a big city. The family atmosphere and residential quality of life is appreciated. East Falls is a neighborhood of families. The wish for a diverse community is expressed. Attract a demographic that is diverse in various ways: economically, racially, sexual orientation etc. Be careful not to drive out certain groups as a result of gentrification and the success of the community. Such success could make it less accessible to certain parts of the community for example, economically. We cannot control prices at which people sell their property.  Preserve green space that we have and or expand green space. We need good public schools as options. We like the heterogeneous nature of our community. Is there a way to develop some sort of community transportation system for seniors?

We need a stronger commercial area
The big attraction is the river. East Falls should be made more appealing for people that use the river trails. There should be a better connection between the river and the east falls businesses. Where does the riverfront development plan fit in all of this? There is a plan for Midvale for a storm water control system to be implemented.

There needs to be more day to day shopping opportunities in East Falls like a news stand, florist, supermarket, sandwich shops, coffee shops etc. It used to be possible in the city in general (for example South Philly) to walk to neighborhood stores. East Falls is more of suburban community in the sense that most stores are not in the community and you have to drive to reach them. Ridge Ave. is an eyesore. It needs parking to be functional. East Falls does not have enough residents to support a lot of resources. Find a better use for abandoned factories in and next to East Falls. We need more jobs. What is the East Falls overlay for zoning?

Is there value in planning at this time?
Previous planning rounds did not produce the wanted results. It was noted that there is no guarantee that will be the case this time. Planning does not necessary bring results.

What is the role of the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment? This is a different commission, it is noted that by the fall of next year new rules might be implemented with regards to zoning. A planning group should have political clout to be able to implement any changes or prevent changes (like the casinos). We need to know what the future city zoning code looks like; less neighborhood voice is anticipated.

Institutions
How should East Falls deal with and respond to the large institutions in the neighborhood like Phila U and Penn Charter who want and need to grow? What could be the impact of possible expansion plans of these institutions and how do we get the institutions to recognize and listen to the neighborhood opinion? We should make better use of the institutions’ programs and services.

How to move forward:
The possibility to invite the larger institutions, commercial entities and other existing neighborhood groups to future meetings is discussed. (Some present are in favor of this and others are not.) It is made clear that this ‘process’ that was started with the meeting on Dec. 2nd will take a long time. And results are unknown.

The question is raised what the framework is under which we are holding these meetings.
Currently there is no framework; it will up to the group to decide when and how to proceed. The group has no mandate or specific authority in its current form. Will this be formed as a part of the EFCC?  This is an EFCC initiative.

Plan is to hold future meetings in various locations in East Falls for the same purpose as this one: to listen to what the community, institutions, and businesses want. Announcements will be made via e-mail and in the Fallser.

Bring maps that outline East Falls.