At this meeting the Community Design Collaborative Design Team will be presenting preliminary designs for bike priority streets. These designs will include both short and long range plans for a typical residential block in South Philadelphia based on input they received from you in previous meetings. This is your last opportunity to provide input to guide the final plans.

SEPTA Constituent Relations Coordinator Wendy Green-Harvey and Assistant Director of Transportation Michael Lyles will address issues relevant to schedules and ALL South Philadelphia routes. Mr. Lyles, along with many of his staff members, will field questions especially regarding pilot projects such as the 47 bus lines limited pick-ups.

Lots of aluminum siding hiding that exterior detail work now! Click here for Google Streetview’s shot of what this same view looks like today.

1. 1304-06 S. 9th St. (aka the Metro PCS store at 1303-05 E. Passyunk Ave.)

Applicant is seeking to legalize the current use – cell phone retail store. Committee voted 6-0 in non-opposition with the provisos that the applicant secure a permit for the canopy sign, remove the roll down grate and replace with one that conforms with the city regulations and consider removing imposing bulletproof glass from inside of store. ZBA hearing date is currently scheduled for Tuesday, January 24 at 9:30am.

2. 1323-25 S. Warnock St. (aka Attention 2 Detail car detailing)

Applicant is seeking a variance to allow for use as an auto detailing shop and to obtain permit for a sign. Committee voted 6-0 in non-opposition.

Applicant originally began his business traveling to clients to power wash and detail their cars at their location. He used the garage on Warnock to keep his van. Last spring a few of his clients stopped by at various times to see if they could get their cars done. After this had a happened a few times, others from in the neighborhood began inquiring about getting their own cars cleaned and detailed. Soon the business at the Warnock Street site picked up and became as large or more than the mobile business. Since he started off as a mobile business, he didn’t have any experience with zoning and was recently told by an L&I inspector who saw the business in operation that he would need a variance given the single-family residential zoning of the property. Based on his accounting of how he runs his business and absent any opposition from the immediate neighbors, the committee voted 6-0 in non-opposition with the provisos that auto painting, auto body work, degreasing, and engine cleaning would not be allowed and there would be no compressors or loud noise before 10:30am, and no Sunday hours. Applicants ZBA hearing is February 15, 2012 and calendar number is 16469.

3. 1132-34 S. 9th

Informational presentation only to inform committee and neighbors (of which there were none in attendance) of plans to expand Connie Ric-Rac into the property next store to its current location in order to set up a kitchen and additional restaurant style seating. There will be no breach between the two properties. Patrons of Connie’s will be provided table service such that wait staff will bring food from next door to the current space. The new space also allows for others who aren’t patronizing Connie’s for a show to stop in and try what the proprietor assures will be a dining experience unlike any other in South Philly. Their next step is to schedule a hearing with the ZBA to receive their referral (note: not a refusal… a referral essentially means that permission is granted for the proposed use and the burden of proof to disallow the use falls on any opposition to prove a harm, rather than the burden being on the applicant to prove a harm should the proposed use NOT be allowed). They will be back in front of the civic association Zoning Committee for an official vote in the future.

Minutes from 1-3-12 PSCA General Meeting @ SPOAC
Attendance: Approximately 20 people including Board.

Board members: Knapp, Zenzola, Morris, Emma, Pohlig, D’Ippolito, Wilder, Anton, DeCapua. Absent: Bongiovanni.

1.    Welcome and Introductions

2.    Announcements

a.    New Board Members—Ilene Wilder (fundraising) and Chris DeCapua (parks) introduced. Board of Trustees forming and will meet Jan. 17.

b.    Fundraising appeal letter has been sent out and neighbors should look for it in their mailboxes.

3.    Committee Updates

a.    Zoning—John Digiulio gave an overview of the zoning committee, which hears two to four cases every month on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

b.    Events—Upcoming events include:

i.    MLK Day of Service—Pam Zenzola meeting with Principal Lisa Jackson from Jackson School to discuss possible service project on Jan. 16.

c.    Education—Christine Knapp mentioned that we hope to work with Kirkbride School this year, in addition to our ongoing work at Jackson.

d.    Trash and Recycling—Christine highlighted the following:

i.    Weekly street cleaning service continues, supplemented by PARC cleaning. Neighbor commented about problem PARC trash cans that are overflowing after three-day weekends (with no collection). PSCA will talk to PARC about, recognizing that it’s not a matter of short dumping with these cans, rather lack of service over the long weekend. It’s something to monitor. We have redeployed cans in problem locations where dumping has occurred.

ii.    Also, tree recycling will take place on Sat Jan 7 at 13th and Reed (Columbus Square) from 10am-4pm. Trees should not have lights, ornaments or tinsel on them. $5 donation covers the cost of the chipper and personnel to run the chipper. Neighbors are welcome to the mulch created. Bennett Compost will also haul your tree there for an additional $5.

iii.    Recycling bins are available through PSCA.

e.    Beautification—Andrew Emma mentioned that seven new trees have been planted on 9th Street btwn Wharton and Federal. Next planting will be in April. Pruning club forming. Garden continuing to go well.

f.    Planning—Karin Morris highlighted the recently completed local business directory and gave an update on the neighborhood signage project.

g.    Parks—Chris DeCapua discussed events at Columbus Square, including Tuesday night yoga and a tot recreation program. Their advisory council meets the 3rd Thursday of every month.

h.    Town Watch—Next one is Jan. 14 at 11am at Police Station at 11th and Wharton. Still looking for a leader to take this over, or a co-leader to share duties.

4.    Other:

a.    EnergyWorks is still looking for applicants for low-cost energy audits from PSCA.

b.    PSCA is participating in the Bicycle Coalition’s Safe Streets for Healthy Neighborhoods Project in South Philadelphia, investigating what streets might accommodate bike lanes, such as 10th, 13th, and 15th. Next meeting is Feb. 1.

c.    PSCA was selected to participate in PWD Green Streets Rain Check stormwater incentives pilot program.

d.    PSCA is forming an outreach committee (Angel and Chris) to better involve non-English speakers, the elderly, long-time neighborhood residents, the faith community, etc.

e.    PSCA is also interested in initiating more public arts/arts projects. Neighbor suggested contacting POST (Phila Open Studio Tours) to find local artists and add to the local business directory. Ilene’s husband is a member. Another resident suggested we do painting of doors/trim on houses during the citywide spring cleanup day.

f.    A survey on problem parking spots will be sent out next week, to assist the police in enforcing safe parking.

g.    A neighbor asked about vacant/abandoned properties, which we hope someone who takes over Town Watch might tackle. The survey asking for problem properties is still active on our website, and we submitted the list to L & I recently, as well as hosted a speaker in November from L & I about fines for vacant properties without windows or doors.

Meeting adjourned 7:40 pm. Submitted by Karin Morris on 1-4-12.

1323-25 S. Warnock St.
(a.k.a. the auto detailing shop near the corner)

Details: Applicant is seeking an auto-detailing shop with one flatwall non-illuminated, accessory sign on the first floor in the same building with an existing single-family dwelling. The proposed use, auto detailing with an accessory sign, is not permitted 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 any final decisions on these zoning applications, but we do send letters to the Philadelphia Zoning Board Administration. Those letters outline the neighbors’ thoughts on the application and the Zoning Committee’s decision either to oppose or not oppose the proposal. Check out Passyunk.org for more information following the meeting about how the board voted and information about the ZBA hearing dates for these cases.

Zoning Committee meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm at S.P.O.A.C.

1304-06 S. 9th St.
(a.k.a. the Metro PCS store on East Passyunk Avenue)

Details: Seeking a permit for the retail sale of cell phones and accessories on the first floor rear in the same building with an existing two-family dwelling above. Note: This case will be about the uses on the first floor, not the two-family dwelling above. ZBA hearing for this case (#16154) is on January 24, 2012.

1134 S. 9th St.
(a.k.a. Connie’s Ric Rac at 1132 S. 9th St.)

Details: Seeking a permit for expansion of their facilities to establish an eat-in and take-out restaurant, that would primarily serve patrons for the 1132 S. 9th St. venue as well as the general public. This is an INFORMATIONAL presentation only. The owner of the facility will be on hand to give more details about his plans and to get feedback from the Zoning Committee and neighbors. No vote will be taken on this case.

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 any final decisions on these zoning applications, but we do send letters to the Philadelphia Zoning Board Administration. Those letters outline the neighbors’ thoughts on the application and the Zoning Committee’s decision either to oppose or not oppose the proposal. Check out Passyunk.org for more information following the meeting about how the board voted and information about the ZBA hearing dates for these cases.

Zoning Committee meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm at S.P.O.A.C.

In order to even begin planning what we might do about this issue, we first need to get an idea of the scope of the problem. To do this we want to continue to get an inventory all the boarded up/vacant houses in the neighborhood. This is where you come in!

Some weeks ago we sent around a survey to allow neighbors to report suspected abandoned properties. (Unfortunately, there are some inhabited buildings that only look like they’re vacant.)

If you see a house that is boarded up/vacant  click here to fill out this short form and send us the address and cross streets. This will feed into the inventory we have been keeping.

Thank you for helping to make our neighborhood a better place.

1. 1157 S. 12th St. Applicant is seeking to legalize a currently disallowed three-family use of a building that is zoned R-10A (single family). The Committee voted in opposition to this project at its September meeting. ZBA hearing is scheduled for January 10 at 9:30am. Calendar number is 15756.

2. 1526 S. 10th St. Applicant is seeking to build a three-story addition on top of an existing one-story structure for use as a single family residence. Refused for various reasons including exceeding maximum allowed height. Committee voted in non-opposition to this project at its December meeting. ZBA hearing is scheduled for January 11 at 4pm. Calendar number is 16654.

Any neighbor with an interest in the outcome of these cases should attend the ZBA hearing. Results of the hearings can be gotten by calling the ZBA at 215-686-2430 and giving the calendar number. It is recommended to wait a couple days after the hearing date to allow time for the decision to be entered into their system.

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 any final decisions on these zoning applications, but we do send letters to the Philadelphia Zoning Board Administration. Those letters outline the neighbors’ thoughts on the application and the Zoning Committee’s decision either to oppose or not oppose the proposal. Check out Passyunk.org for more information following the meeting about how the board voted and information about the ZBA hearing dates for these cases.

Zoning Committee meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm at S.P.O.A.C.

A $5 donation is suggested to cover the costs of the tree chipping. Please be sure to remove all decorations (they don’t make good mulch). Unfortunately, we can’t take early drop-offs so make your plans now to be there between 10am and 4pm. Please note that the City of Philadelphia does not recycle trees left at the curb.

Do you have a couple hours you can offer to help out with this event? We’re looking for a few good volunteers. Email contact@passyunk.org if you’re interested.