2006 Zoning Minutes
March 2006
East Falls Community Council
Zoning Committee meeting, March 8, 2006 7 p.m.
Tuttleman Hall, Philadelphia University
There was one item on the meeting’s agenda.
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■Presentation of proposed Zoning Change for the “Budd Site” owned by Preferred Properties.
The presentation was made by William G. Schwartz (of the law firm of Obermayer…). Mr. Schwartz was introduced by Joe DePascale (Development Manager of Preferred Real Estate Investments). The proposed change in zoning is the conversion of the portion of the site owned by Preferred Properties from G2 (Industrial) to C5 (Commercial). Bothe Mr. Schwartz and Gina Snyder (Executive Director - East Falls Development Corp) presented Commercial Zoning class definitions of which there are 3 potentially useful for the site (C3,C4,C5).
There was general agreement by all attendees that some form of Commercial Zoning was desirable since Industrial Zoning is, in the current time, inappropriate.
The discussion that followed concentrated on which of the 3 designations would be most appropriate. C5, which is the designation sought by Preferred Properties, currently only applies to Center City Philadelphia. Much concern was expressed that C5 would be so broad that almost any development would be possible without further community input.
Mr. Schwartz asserted that Nicetown Tioga neighborhood associations, which had already been presented with the same information, had approved the C5 designations.
There was discussion about a letter from the City Planning Commission addressing this topic a copy of which Mr. Schwartz agreed to forward to Gina Snyder.
A motion was made, seconded and passed to table discussion of the proposal pending receipt of 2 items:
Checking with the Nicetown Tioga associations regarding their vote and or consensus
Receipt of the copy of the City Planning Commission letter
The committee would then meet prior to the EFCC meeting on March 20th to see if they can achieve an appropriate and timely recommendation for the EFCC to vote on.
The Zoning Committee meeting was adjourned.
January 2006
Minutes of EFCC Zoning Committee (EFCCZC) Meeting
11 January 2006; 7:00 PM
Philadelphia University – Tuttleman Center)
EFCCZC members in attendance: James D. Deasy, Arthur McDowell, Lloyd Russow, Gina Snyder, Carolyn Sutton, Dan McGettigan, Steve Buckley
In attendance:
Jeffrey Baird,, A. Cavaliere, John Fuller, Christine Hans, John Kevin Cugini, Matt McClure , Kelly McKenna, Joe Petrone, Sarah Piroli, Frank Raffaele
Three items were on the agenda:
1. 3511-3513 CONRAD ST. - Application for permit to relocate lot lines to create one lot out of two lots & to combine two existing houses into one building for use as a two family dwelling.
2. 3503 MIDVALE AVENUE (Gulf Station)- Application for permit certificate to legalize use as automobile service station for retail sale of automobile fuels, etc., & accessories, for performance indoors of incidental service & minor repairs & for legalization of erection of two(2) accessory signs.
3. 3510-30 SCOTTS LANE (The Mills) - Application for permit for the sale of art on first floor & increase to eight (8) apartments from seven (7) on second floor in building 29.
Meg Greenfield called the meeting to order at 7PM. The items on the agenda were presented in the order above.
1. Robert Browne, owner of the 3511-3513 Conrad Street property presented his plans to connect the two residences. There would be one studio-like apartment on the ground floor of 3513. The 3511 and the remainder of 3513 would be combined into one residence, connected by a doorway(s) on one or more of the three floors. Mr. Browne presented architectural renderings and pictures (attached to the hard copy of the minutes). Gina Snyder also presented some pictures (dated January 9). There would be some modification to the façade, although the owner indicated it would be relatively minor.
The presentation was followed by a brief question and answer period.
In its [in a closed] meeting following all the presentations, the EFCCZC voted and agreed to support the request.
2. Mr. Frank Raffaele and Mr. Arthur Cavaliere, attorney for Mr. Raffaele presented the request for support from the EFCCZC. The rationale for the request was that the business has been established and functioning as per the request for approximately 50 years. The request is to support a permit to legalize the current activities and the signs (both are on one post – the Gulf sign above with the price posting sign below).
The presentation was followed by a question and answer period.
In its [the closed ]meeting following all the presentations, the EFCCZC voted and agreed to support the request, with the following proviso the terms of which were accepted by the Owner before the Committee vote. [That the owner continue to act as in the recent past with respect to]
· No parking on sidewalk.
· All repairs to be done inside the building.
· All materials (including tires, used oil, etc. to be stored according to [current] City Code.
· No cars will be sold or advertised for sale on the property.
3. Ms. Chrissy Hans and Ms. Sarah Piroli presented the requests for the 3510-30 Scotts Lane ([The] Sherman Mills) properties. With respect to the artist space, adding the retail space is consistent with [practices ] uses on the ground floor of [surrounding properties] adjacent buildings at the Mills. It would also support art classes and other activities already conducted on site.
Regarding the additional apartment, the reason cited was that the reconstruction revealed the suitability of the space for apartment living, rather than using the space merely as storage as was originally planned. [Allowance of] Adding one apartment would increase the number of apartments in this phase/space from 19 units to 20. The number of parking spaces would be within the required 1 to 1.5 spaces per unit.
The presentation was followed by a brief question and answer period.
In the [closed] meeting following all the presentations, the EFCCZC voted and agreed to support both requests.
A new item was brought forward in the closed portion of the meeting. Meg Greenfield presented [a] Mr. John Fuller’s proposal for a new committee be added to the East Falls Community Council that would act as an liaison with institutions located in the area (Philadelphia University, Drexel University, etc.) The committee discussed the proposal and agreed that the committee should draft an alternative that might be easily adopted considering such things as membership. This item will [brought to the (next?)] upcoming general EFCC membership meeting as an alternative to Mr. Fuller’s very lengthy motion which the Committee felt was in part inappropriate for the bylaw amendment which would be required.
The motion should include a focus on engaging the institutions in an open dialogue including at least annual meetings of each with the Zoning Committee to discuss their needs and plans for changes in land use, acquisition of additional property and the like.
Gina agreed to prepare a first draft of the alternative to be offered with regard to formation of such a committee as well as a motion stating EFCC’s concerns about preserving the residential character of the Community, particularly in the face of pressures from the various institutions to physically expand.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Lloyd Russow