We are ALWAYS looking for feedback about problem parking areas in the neighborhood or other car/bike/pedestrian issues that need to be addressed. If you notice repeat offenses of parking in crosswalks, parking on sidewalks, blocking fire hydrants, blocking handicap ramps; if you know of any handicap parking spaces that are no longer being used by the person who originally requested them; or if you have any suggestions for how we can take care of some of our most persistent problems, please email parking (at) passyunk.org. All emails will be kept strictly confidential. We will use the information you give us to add to the list of problem areas that we will discuss with the police and for which we will request targeted enforcement.

Click here for graphs showing the results of the statistical portion of the survey.

Click here for a document that summarizes the open-ended questions about problem parking areas, obsolete handicap spaces and suggestions for improvements.

May 8, 2012

Lynette Brown Sow, Chairperson
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
1440 JFK Blvd, 11th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107

RE: 1537 S. 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA

Dear Ms. Brown-Sow:

The referenced application was first presented at the public meeting of the Passyunk Square Civic Association Zoning Committee on April 10, 2012. The Committee heard the application and public comment, if any, and voted in NON-OPPOSITION to the application for a variance.

The applicant requested a Use Permit for: erection of one accessory double faced projecting sign accessory to the proposed take-out restaurant with seating on the first floor with existing one apartment on the second floor with one apartment on the third floor.

The Department of Licenses and Inspections issued a Refusal for the Permit Application stating:
• the proposed use, take out restaurant with seating, is not permitted in this zoning district
• the proposed projecting sign is not permitted in this zoning district

Before the April meeting with the Zoning Committee, the applicant scheduled an informational presentation at the Committee’s March meeting in order to give the community the opportunity to provide feedback. The applicant then convened a separate informational meeting for the neighbors who live in the immediate vicinity of the property in order to give those neighbors a chance to have all concerns heard and addressed. A member of the Zoning Committee was present and satisfied that all concerns were addressed to the satisfaction of those assembled.

On 10 April, the Zoning Committee voted 5-0 in non-opposition of this application. Following that meeting, applicant learned of an opportunity to convert the 2nd floor of the property to accommodate additional restaurant seating. Applicant informed the Zoning Committee, revised the application, scheduled a second meeting with the Zoning Committee and received a revised refusal for the project that included the following additional refusal:

• The proposed commercial use on the 2nd floor is not permitted in this zoning district

The applicant appeared before the Zoning Committee with the revised refusal (Application# 402818) on May 8, 2012. The Committee heard the application and public comment and voted 4-0 with 1 abstention in NON-OPPOSITION to the application for a variance. The Committee was satisfied with the lengths to which the applicant went to keep the near neighbors of this project informed about the plans for this property during the initial phase. The Committee also believes that the proposed tenant – who is the proprietor of another establishment nearby – is a responsible business owner. The Committee did not find that granting this variance would cause significant harm to the character or appearance of the neighborhood or create a hardship for the neighbors. Finally, the Committee did not find that the change to the application to include the commercial use on the second floor would cause significant harm to the character or appearance of the neighborhood. In fact, given the current use of the building’s ground floor – none – the proposed would be an improvement to the street life and activity of one of the neighborhood’s most high trafficked intersections.

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Sincerely,

/s/ John DiGiulio
John DiGiulio, Chairman
PSCA Zoning Committee

Cc: The Hon. Mark Squilla, 1st District Councilman
Senator Larry Farnese, PA 1st Senatorial District
Jennifer Barr, Community Planner, Philadelphia City Planning Commission
Sam Sherman, Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation, Applicant

Minutes from May 1, 2012 PSCA General Meeting @ SPOAC

Meeting began at 6:40 pm, ended at 7:30. Attendance: Approximately 40 people. Board members: Knapp, Zenzola, D’Ippolito, Morris, Emma, Pohlig, Anton, Wilder, Fioretti. Absent (excused): DeCapua.

1. Announcements

a. Zoning: The zoning committee will hear two cases next Tues May 8:

i. 1033-35 Tasker St—Subdivision of 1 lot into 2 lots. One lot to be used as single family dwelling, the other to continue use as a previously approved 3 family dwelling. Both parcels refused for open area, lot size, and rear yard depth in R10-A.

ii. 11th and Tasker—proposed Fountainhead restaurant is reapplying for zoning variance as they now seek 2nd floor seating.

b. Board Nominations: Continue to seek new Board members. Will soon have an open Communications position and continue to have at-large positions.

c. Food Sponsors: Thanks to Acme for donating fruit and cookies.

2. Committee Reports

a. Town Watch: Kim Davis spoke about her desire to focus more on follow-up and resolution of complaints with 311. Also will be setting up way to anonymously report issues to PSCA.

b. Trash and Recycling: Carmela Fioretti reported that the spring clean-up was a great success and thanked Acme for their donations and assistance. Carmela hopes to do more spot clean-ups around the neighborhood (email her with suggestions), as well as an e-waste and shredding event. Outreach to local businesses regarding trash will begin soon.

c. Education: We will be getting an education intern this summer and fall. Education volunteers will convene next month to follow up on the recommendations made at last month’s PSCA Education Forum.

d. Beautification: Tree planting and mulching event last month went well. There will be upcoming work days in the garden.

e. Events: PSCA Annual Plant sale at Urban Jungle is May 5. Will be raffling off Urban Jungle design services.

f. Other: PSCA is participating in PWD Rain Check Program.

g. Other: Joey Henderson from Acme spoke about their interest in partnering with PSCA on various green initiatives, supported by their parent company SuperValu. These include:

i. Greening the Acme parking lot

ii. Installing trash cans in the parking lot (already accomplished and has cut back their incidental pickup of trash in the lot by 80%)

iii. Recycle bag program—hope to give away two free bags to each customer, to cut back on plastic bag usage

iv. Have put doors on refrigerated cases, which has cut their energy cost/carbon footprint by 60%

v. Want to support local businesses, work with the local community on sponsoring events/programs

vi. Trying to get to zero waste, by recycling corn crates and doing local composting

vii. Started a healthy eating program four months ago with schools. Going to Jackson ES next week to reward teachers (give them flowers and gift cards) and give students a card that lets them come in to Acme and get a free banana or apple

viii. Also interested in hearing about what food the community wants stocked (for instance, they recently installed a gluten-free section)

3. Presentations

a. Hilary Jay from DesignPhiladelphia: DesignPhiladelphia, established in 2005, in partnership with the University of the Arts, is a weeklong series of design events in Philadelphia. This year it will take place Oct. 10-15, and Passyunk Square will be a ‘hot spot’ neighborhood, with a cluster of different events happening in our area. We will also host our fall house tour then (Oct 13). Our events and their events will be co-marketed and the week should bring greater exposure to our neighborhood. A call for submissions will be released by mid-June and be due by mid-July. Their website is www.designphiladelphia.org if you want to sign up for email updates.

b. Karin Morris regarding PSCA Signage Project: PSCA is hoping to install “Welcome to Passyunk Square” signage on key streets in the neighborhood. These would be metal 12 x 18 inch signs that would replace some of the obsolete No Parking Due To Street Cleaning signs. The draft sign design was presented for feedback. The signs would be oriented more towards pedestrians than motor vehicles, and bring greater awareness of our organization to the neighborhood. We are working with the Streets Dept, Councilman Squilla’s Office and the Art Commission to make this happen. It was suggested that the old signs that come down should be recycled or made available to artists to use.

c. Christine Knapp regarding PSCA Parking Survey Results: Condensed results will be available on our website, but highlights include:

i. 75% of respondents said they live on non-permit parking blocks

ii. 46% of respondents park within 1-2 blocks of their home; 32% on their block itself; 6% have a dedicated space; 13% do not have a car.

iii. 69% of respondents would like the local police to enforce parking laws that relate to safety (no parking in crosswalks, etc); 21% are not sure; and 10% were against.

iv. 64% of respondents own one car; 20% own two or more cars; and 16% own zero cars.

v. 34% of respondents have lived in the neighborhood for less than 5 years; 37% have lived here for 5-10 years; 11% for 10-20 years; and 18% for 20+ years.

vi. When asked to rate their concerns, the highest scoring were (in order):

1. Nonresident parking

2. Other (received a wide variety of responses—such as more muni lots needed; could use Acme lot as paid or permitted parking; limit vehicles allowed per household; repaint crosswalks; put lines in denoting on-street parking spaces; ticket snow bullies; don’t allow commercial trucks to park on side streets; don’t allow cyclists on sidewalks; auto body shops shouldn’t be allowed to park their cars on sidewalks or use street spaces; and concern over amount of institutional parking in our area—on-street spaces being used by police, churches, schools, etc.)

3. Illegal parking on sidewalks

4. Abandoned vehicles

5. Illegal parking in front of fire hydrants

6. Illegal parking in crosswalks

7. Handicapped spaces no longer needed

vii. When asked to list problematic intersections, most that were listed include any street that intersects with Passyunk Avenue (creating the traffic triangle), as well as issues with commercial trucks making deliveries or being parked in our area.

–Submitted by Karin Morris, PSCA Secretary, May 3, 2012.

1537 S. 11th Street: Applicant is revisiting the Zoning Committee with a revised application that includes additional seating to be placed on the second floor of the building. The Committee approved the variance for use as a bar/restaurant at its April meeting but the applicant has since had the opportunity to add seating and requires another vote on the application. All other details of the operation remain unchanged.

Check passyunk.org or twitter.com/passyunksquare for any last minute changes!

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.

Please come and help make our neighborhood a better place.

Come shop for your plants and flowers at Urban Jungle, 1528 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Support our local nursery and the Passyunk Square Civic Association.  Proceeds from plant sales will go to support PSCA programming.

New this year, buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win free landscape design consultation* by Urban Jungle.   Proceeds from the raffle will go to support PSCA programming.

*Urban Jungle is your full-service neighborhood garden center, located on E Passyunk in South Philly, they are exclusively dedicated to gardening in the city!  Patios, courtyards, roof decks, railings, windows, walls, even interiors, we green it all.  This offer is good for a one hour on-site consultation with their staff Urban Landscape Designer, Becky Bourdeau.  A $100 value, Becky will walk and talk with you about the best way to beautify and bring your space alive, with suggestions for materials, plants, and long-term care.  Call 215-952-0811 to schedule your consultation today! .

And after you buy your plants on May 5th, learn how best to care for them on May 6th at…

————————————————————————

The South Philly Food Co-op’s Container Garden Workshop
Sunday, May 6, 2pm to 4pm
Passyunk Gardens

Do you want to try your hand at growing plants but donít have lots of space? Think you need a yard or raised bed to grow food?

Think again!

Join Sarah DeGiorgis, who has been blogging for over a year at SouthPhillyFoodCoop.org about growing in containers, as she shows you what type of containers to use, what plants to choose and information about sun and watering. They’ll also cover transplantation and maintenance of your new container garden. They’ll have soil, seeds and tools and attendees are encouraged to bring their own containers. They don’t have to be traditional pots! Anything that can hold soil and water, has drainage holes in the bottom and is made of something non-porous is just fine. Email general@southphillyfoodcoop.org for more information.

$5 suggested donation will go directly to the Co-op.

Time for spring cleaning!  Reserve your spot at the Columbus Square Park Flea Market, Saturday April 28th –  8 am to 1 pm.  $20 for one spot / $30 for two  - reserved in advance.  $5 additional day of.  Call 215-685-1890 or email columbussquarerec@gmail.com to reserve your space today.

Get a taste of East Passyunk at Flavors of the Avenue
noon-6pm

Time for spring cleaning!  Reserve your spot at the Columbus Square Park Flea Market, Saturday April 28^th -  8 am to 1 pm .  $20 for one spot / $30 for two  – reserved in advance.  $5 additional day of.  Call 215-685-1890 or email columbussquarerec@gmail.com to reserve your space today.

Gold Star Park
Space available for vendors
$10 per space (bring your own table)
Email goldstarpark@passyunk.org to reserve your space

Saturday, May 5th
10am – 1pm

It’s springtime – time to plant! Come shop for your plants and flowers at Urban Jungle. Support our local nursery and the Passyunk Square Civic Association. Proceeds from plant sales will go to support PSCA programming. New this year, buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win free landscape design consultation* by Urban Jungle. Proceeds from the raffle will go to support PSCA programming.

*Urban Jungle is your full-service neighborhood garden center, located on E Passyunk in South Philly, they are exclusively dedicated to gardening in the city! Patios, courtyards, roof decks, railings, windows, walls, even interiors, we green it all. This offer is good for a one hour on-site consultation with their staff Urban Landscape Designer, Becky Bourdeau. A $100 value, Becky will walk and talk with you about the best way to beautify and bring your space alive, with suggestions for materials, plants, and long-term care. Call 215-952-0811 to schedule your consultation today!

1108 Titan Street: Legalize AS-BUILT construction of a 11’4″ x 13’4″ two story addition at the 2nd and 3rd story levels for use as a single-family dwelling. Refused for insufficient rear yard area and depth and insufficient open area.

***CANCELED:*** 1033-35 Tasker St: Subdivision of 1 lot into 2 lots.  1 lot to be used as single family dwelling, the other to continue use as a previously approved 3-family dwelling.  Both parcels refused for open area, lot size, and rear yard depth in R10-A.

617 Dickinson St.: legalization of a 4 family dwelling in R10-A (single family zoning)

1131 S Broad (Boot & Saddle): proposed use as a nightclub requires a certificate in C-2

TENTATIVE: 1537 S. 11th Street: Applicant is seeking a variance for a proposed use as a bar/restaurant.

Check passyunk.org or twitter.com/passyunksquare for any last minute changes!

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.

Please come and help make our neighborhood a better place.

JUST ADDED: 1108 Titan Street: Legalize AS-BUILT construction of a 11’4″ x 13’4″ two story addition at the 2nd and 3rd story levels for use as a single-family dwelling. Refused for insufficient rear yard area and depth and insufficient open area.

1033-35 Tasker St: Subdivision of 1 lot into 2 lots.  1 lot to be used as single family dwelling, the other to continue use as a previously approved 3-family dwelling.  Both parcels refused for open area, lot size, and rear yard depth in R10-A.

617 Dickinson St.: legalization of a 4 family dwelling in R10-A (single family zoning)

1131 S Broad (Boot & Saddle): proposed use as a nightclub requires a certificate in C-2

TENTATIVE: 1537 S. 11th Street: Applicant is seeking a variance for a proposed use as a bar/restaurant.

Check passyunk.org or twitter.com/passyunksquare for any last minute changes!

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.

Please come and help make our neighborhood a better place.