617 Dickinson Street: 

Application is for three (3) family dwelling in an existing structure.  The proposed use is prohibited in this zoning district. 6 votes in opposition. Strong neighborhood presence in opposition. Hearing date is Wednesday, June 26th at 4:00 p.m.

1430 South 7^th Street: 

Application for a two (2) family dwelling in an existing structure.  The proposed use is prohibited in this zoning district. 6 votes in opposition. Strong neighborhood presence in opposition. Hearing date is Wednesday, June 26th at 4:00 p.m.

1128-30 South 13^th Street: 

Application for the partial demolition of a 2^nd story portion and the erection of a 3^rd story addition, with roof deck and pilot-house, for use as business/professional offices on the first floor with 3 car parking garage and 4 single family dwellings on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors.  Multi-family residences; business/professional uses, and a rear deck encroaching into the rear yard are prohibited in this zoning district. 6 votes in non-opposition with the following provisos: Mechanicals on roof to be in the center of the roof above the mechanicals in the building; on-site landlord responsible for storing (inside garage, not on street) and putting out trash and snow removal; and applicant will provide a copy of the approval letter, from the required agency, about the parking garage ventilation before the hearing date at the ZBA. (Two neighbors present in non-opposition.)

Meeting began at 6:40 pm, ended at 8:15 pm. Attendance: Approximately 35.

Board Members Present: Zenzola, D’Ippolito, Anton, Geary, Knapp, Knox, Fioretti

Absent (excused): Morris, Wilder, DiCapua, Emma

Welcome and Introductions: Pam Zenzola welcomed guests.

Committee Reports:

Trash and Recycling: Carmela Fioretti announced that PSCA will host a Trash Think Tank meeting on June 6.  Monthly cleanups have started on the last Saturday of every month, meeting at Passyunk Gardens at 9am. Those who attend just may get to select the cleanup spot of the day!

Education: Christine Knapp reported that another education committee will be announced shortly. Committee is looking for grants for Jackson and Kirkbride schools. Committee is also putting together a summer event focusing on the difference between Charter and Public schools.

Neighborhood Ambassador Program (NAP): Angel D’Ippolito announced that National Night Out will be August 6^th and residents should turn on your outside lights and come and meet your neighbors. Leading up to August 6th there will be flashlight parades in the neighborhood.

Parks: Pam Zenzola reported that Music in the Park begins June 13 at Gold Star Park. The

Community Design Collaborative project at Columbus Square Park will present their initial designs to the Advisory Committee on June 17. Capitolo Park has a number of summer events listed on their website.

Events: Pam Zenzola announced that PSCA 10th Anniversary’s party is being planned, date TBD. Annual house tour is Oct. 12, and we are looking for committee members and homes!

Zoning: Tina Geary reported that the Zoning Committee will hear four cases on June 11 at 7pm (at St. John The Baptist Church at 1234 Tasker Street): 617 Dickinson Street is an application is for three (3) family dwelling in an existing structure (use prohibited); 1430 South 7^th Street is an application for a two (2) family dwelling in an existing structure (use prohibited); 642 Washington Avenue is an application is for the retail sale of consumer goods on the first and second floors in the same building with an existing single family dwelling on the third floor (retail is prohibited use); and 1128-30 South 13^th Street is an application for the partial demolition of a 2^nd story portion and the erection of a 3^rd story addition, with roof deck and pilot-house, for use as business/professional offices on the first floor with 3 car parking garage and 4 single family dwellings on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors (multi-family residences, business/professional uses, and a rear deck encroaching into the rear yard are prohibited in this zoning district).

Beautification: Sarah Anton announced that the pruning of trees is on hold but we will do some over the summer. Passyunk Gardens needs volunteers to help with watering and tending the garden, and it is open Sundays from 4-6pm and Wednesdays from 9-11am and 4:30-7pm.

Other: Sarah Anton announced that new financial policies have been adopted and will be posted on our website. Also, our welcome wagon mailing has netted us three new members attending tonight’s meeting.

Presentations:

Kathy Harris from the Mural Arts Program spoke about a potential mural at 910 Dickinson (next to Annunciation parking lot). Joe Burchero is the artist who will be leading it, and it will be in black and white. There will be a meeting with the community on the design itself.  A petition was passed for those who wish to support the effort.  The mural should be painted this summer and completed in the fall.

Power Home Technologies spoke about burglar alarms and camera systems for home or business security. Most of these can be turned on and off via smart phones, and one no longer needs a land line for this.  All wireless equipment can link to your cell phone remotely. The average cost is $30 per month for such a system. Other options and costs include:  two outdoor cameras at $900-$2000; terabyte camera at $800-$900 with every additional camera at $150-$200; and a mega camera setup is $3000-$3500. Some costs may be lower for hard wiring if one has an unfinished basement, since it is easier to install. For more information, visit www.powerhometech.com/.

–Submitted by Karin Morris, PSCA Secretary, June 12, 2013.

617 Dickinson Street: 

Application is for three (3) family dwelling in an existing structure.  The proposed use is prohibited in this zoning district.

1430 South 7^th Street: 

Application for a two (2) family dwelling in an existing structure.  The proposed use is prohibited in this zoning district.

1128-30 South 13^th Street: 

Application for the partial demolition of a 2^nd story portion and the erection of a 3^rd story addition, with roof deck and pilot-house, for use as business/professional offices on the first floor with 3 car parking garage and 4 single family dwellings on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors.  Multi-family residences; business/professional uses, and a rear deck encroaching into the rear yard are prohibited in this zoning district.

***

The PSCA Zoning Committee meetings are opportunities for neighbors to hear the details of zoning applications within our civic association boundaries. The Zoning Committee does not make final decisions on the applications, but it does send letters to the Philadelphia Zoning Board Administration.

Check facebook.com/passyunksquare or twitter.com/passyunksquare for any last minute changes

Please email zoning@passyunk.org with any zoning-related questions.

Several South Philly civic groups will meeting on Thursday, June 6 at 6:30 pm at the EPX Center (1729 S. 11th St. on Neumann-Goretti High School campus) to address the issue of litter. This invitation is open to anyone from any part of the city who would like to join us in thinking of new and creative ways of dealing with litter. All ideas and suggestions are welcome.  We will also have a member of the Streets department joining us.

In addition Cathy Harris, Director of Community Murals, from the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program will be on hand to discuss an application for a new mural at 910 Dickinson Street.

Also a reminder that this will be our last General Meeting until we resume in September. We take a summer break during the July and August months.

The Philadelphia Police Department Central Detective Division has identified a scam targeting merchants in and around the city of Philadelphia.

The scam works as follows:

The subject/customer executes the scam by walking into a store and or business well dressed, after selecting the merchandise the subject use a prepaid credit card/debit card, with his or her name displayed on the card. The subject also uses a Pennsylvania state driver’s license or identification card with the name matching the name on the credit card. Once the merchant swipes the credit card for approval the card is automatically declined. The reason for this declination is that the credit card is prepaid, and no funds were ever deposited to make the card have a positive balance. The merchant then tells the subject/customer that the card was declined; subject/customer then comes up with an excuse as to why the card was declined. Subject/customer uses their cell phone to call their bank; in reality, subject/customer is calling a co-conspirator at another location. The merchant is then handed the subject/customer’s cell phone. The merchant is led to believe they are speaking to a representative of the subject/customer bank. Co-conspirator asked the merchant if they verified the customer’s identification, etc. Once the security question part of the conversation is over the co-conspirator will, then ask the merchant what type of credit card machine are using after the merchant responds to the co-conspirator instructs the merchant to key in a series of commands, which prints out a receipt with an approval code, and the merchant then hands the phone back to the subject/customer. The merchant has subject/customer sign the receipt, and he/she exits the store with the merchandise. Most merchants do not discover the scam until they receive a charge back from their bank several days later.

Purchases range from a few hundred dollars to over ten thousand dollars at a time.

Central Detective Division S.I.U is conducting the investigation into this matter, contact Detective Steven Parkinson 8164, at 215-686-3093.

On Wednesday, May 22, 2013 it was “Ace” day at Christopher Columbus Charter School in South Philadelphia to honor Philadelphia Police Officer Juan “Ace” Delgado # 6318, the long time 3^rd District Community Relations Officer. This was a surprise presentation that was months in the making, the cafeteria was decorated with drawing hanging on the walls & ceiling, most with the theme from a deck of cards with the “Ace” of hearts, spades, clubs & diamonds to show how much the kids from the school appreciate Ace for his years of service. Miss Dougherty the Campus Principle told of how the school opened in 1999 and they where new to the neighborhood and didn’t know anyone, then decided to call the 3^rd District and ask if an officer can stop by due to a disturbance with a parent, Ace made his way to the school to take care of the assignment and when he was done he gave his cell phone number that he answers every time his services are needed. A dozen students performed dances, a choir of 70 children serenaded Ace with songs “We are grateful”, “Honor a Vet”, “I am grateful to be Free”. A lunch was served to the visitors which included Aces wife, mother & children, Christopher Columbus Charter School Board Chairman Mr. R. Pescatore and Commanding Officer of the 3^rd District Captain Michael Ryan. Ace stated he was very surprised and appreciated being recognized for doing something that he loves which is working with children in reference to danger / stranger programs and making our schools & community safer.

Report prepared by: Police Officer Michael Duffy, Badge #7441

Reviewed by: Captain Michael Ryan, Badge #20