Commissioner, as you can see, there was initially a cover letter.
uh we then move on and we get to the exhibits there is a uh rco
and we get to the exhibits. There is a RCO letter in support from Community on the Rise.
There is also three other letters of support. They consist of neighbors that are in very close
proximity to this particular project. We then move on. There is
pictures there. I'm showing them right now. If you can see them, you will see where it says the
PBC. That is, in fact, the building currently existing owned by my clients.
could you rotate that sir um i sure would like to try
um if you have her oh you're on a are you on an ipad um i am on an ipad
um all right gotta get continue we'll try to figure it out okay and then that that that open
area right there is where the, uh, the new building and the structure would go. Uh, we also
have, um, uh, site plans that were designed by, uh, Plateau Maranacos. We also have the property
deed in question. Uh, we have the, uh, applicants, we have the refusal, we have the applicant's,
tax clearance. What we're seeing right now are part of the exhibits. And then finally, we also
have the posting. We have the deed to the property right there. Essentially, what we're trying to do
is stay consistent with this area. This Castor area has had numerous other similar type situations
that were presented and approved but what's different here is we're just trying to add
residential apartments to the second floor whereas the first floor is a commercial use
this area or that that spot right there has been vacant for quite some time it's a bit of an eyesore
I think it speaks volumes that the people that are closest to this situation are fully in support.
The RCO, and I believe it's Ms. Solomon, my understanding is that she resides very, very close to this particular location.
I think that gives her an extra keen type of awareness as to what is needed in this particular area.
As I said, the owners, they're not absentee owners.
They've been in this area.
They have this business now for at least 11 years.
And we're just trying to get this accomplished.
is your client available to adopt your testimony uh he he certainly is he could raise his hand
and his name what is his name uh gertie tifa mr tifa are you there
he can unmute himself and speak
please identify spell your first and last name first name gerti last name tefa g-e-r-t-i
t-e-f-a do you swear or affirm to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Thank you, Mr. Griffin.
Mr. Teffa, good morning or perhaps now good afternoon.
Were you able to hear my presentation with regard to your property?
Correct.
Were you able to see on the screen my amateur attempts to share everything appropriately?
Correct.
And did you listen to my testimony and listen for its accuracy?
Yes, I did.
Was it, in fact, accurate?
Yes, it was.
Do you adopt my testimony as if it were your own, sir?
Yes, I do.
Commissioner DiCicco, I have nothing further unless there are questions.
Thank you.
Any questions from the board?
Anyone else would like to testify in this case?
Please raise your hand.
There are no hands at this time, Chair.
thank thank you planning commission
i think
i think he may have to unmute my apologies thank you mr griffin uh chair seco members of the board
with the philadelphia city planning commission the comprehensive plan recommends no change to
the existing ca1 zoning at this location however the proposal is consistent with recommendations
in the comprehensive plan promoting strong commercial corridors transit oriented development
in this area the proposed developments also consistent with the existing non-conforming
mixed-use character of this block face and so the city planning commission would recommend that the
board grant the variance thank you mi 2020 does zero zero one one two one six nine one five caster
avenue my vote is yes my vote is yes my vote is yes my vote is yes my vote is yes thank you go
back to number three and four right is it number three are they heard together no no no no just
okay i'll call it again calendar number 0461 1532 north 25th street mr anastasio name and address
on the record please and spell your last name thank you madam vice chair verne anastasio a-n-a-s-t-a-s-i-o
1315 walnut street suite 1006 philadelphia 19107 representing the owner of uh of subject property
at 1532 north 25th street which is if you look follow my cursor it's right here you're still
under oath and do you agree to waive the reading of the refusal and stipulate to its accuracy
You have the entire exhibit packet in with proof of ownership, tax compliance, refusal,
photos under plans five days in advance of this hearing, and have you met with the RCO,
and do you have a letter?
Yes to everything.
Thank you.
You may proceed.
Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, members of the board, here's the vacant lot.
What we're proposing is a two-family dwelling for a new structure.
very handsome uh brick facade which was at the request of the members of the rco
this is a very small sliver on the block of north 25th street that is zoned rsa 5
on the very same block almost 40 percent of the of this side of the street is zone rm1 across the
street from directly across north 25th street the entire block is rm1 and all the homes behind
here on the back street behind this property the entire block both sides of the street rm1
so we have we are sitting in a little tiny um speck of rsa5 in a sea of residential multifamily
And which is why I believe that these lots have laid vacant for such a long time.
What we're proposing is a two-family dwelling. As I said, let me show you the interiors.
unit two is sixteen hundred and seventeen square foot unit unit one fourteen fifty nine
and there's a full basement as well as i said i we've met with the rco
and let me share with you
they're coming in with non-opposition as i can show you right here
and with that i have also have the tax cert proof of mailing the flyer that was mailed to the
community and all other supporting documents that i'd like to enter into evidence at this time
and with that my client who has been waiting since case number three um patiently uh thank
I'd like him to raise his hand, Isaac Badouche.
Mr. Badouche, you can unmute yourself and speak now.
Hello, my name is Isaac Badouche.
Yeah, Isaac, please spell your full name again.
I-S-A-A-C-B-A-D-O-U-C-H.
Do you swear and affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?
Thank you. And I apologize for the mix up in the cases.
Thank you.
I think it was my, I think I presented wrong, Mr. Chairman. I think you called the right one.
It was my, I dropped the ball on that. But nevertheless, Mr. Badouche, did you hear my presentation to the board today?
Okay. And was it true and accurate to the best of your knowledge?
And was it true and accurate to the best of your knowledge?
And do you adopt it as your own testimony?
I have nothing further, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you again for your patience today.
Any questions from the board?
Anyone else like to testify in this case?
Please raise your hand.
no hands chair you planning commission
thank you chair to chico ian hegarty for the city planning commission
uh chair members of the board in 2014 the zoning map was amended from rm1 to rsa5 at this location
in accord with recommendations from the comprehensive plan and with the support of
the community this was an intentionally uh zoned block into rsa5 during that process
The applicant's hardship claim is not supported with evidence of unique physical conditions of the property.
And so, accordingly, we have to recommend that the board deny the variance.
Mr. Chair, just for the record, I understand Ian's got to do his thing.
Just for the record, as many, there are as many vacant lots zoned.
There's actually more vacant lots on this block zoned RSA 5 than there are actual single family homes.
and i think the market market conditions support that yeah like you said it's like a spec as you
said uh compared to all the other multi-families mi 2021 000 461 1532 north 25th street my vote is
yes my vote is yes my vote is yes my vote is yes thank you all see you next week
Number four, Carol.
Number four, calendar number 0557, 1536 South 15th Street.
The owner is Amber Jones.
Okay, now let's check.
Amber, what kind of device are you going to be sharing your screen with?
What do you have?
You can raise that hand.
Kenneth, are you going to be presenting for Amber, the screenshot?
I'm the architect and advocate.
I can share the documents through my screen.
But where's Amber?
She's on the phone.
It looks like it says Galaxy S8.
My phone number is 267-400-6981.
Okay, we don't like full numbers stated.
I'm sorry, yes.
We can have Amber do the speaking
and you can share your screen after you're promoted
so that you can only present,
but she will do talking
unless the board asks questions
that the architect would need to handle.
Thank you kindly, Kenneth.
Amber, can you unmute yourself?
I did, can you hear me?
Yes, now I can.
Amber, can you put your name and address on the record and spell your last name, please?
Amber, J-O-N-E-S, 1536 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19146.
Thank you. Do you swear or affirm to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
And have you emailed the exhibit packet with proof of ownership, tax compliance, refusal, photos and or plans of the property five days in advance of this hearing?
And have you met with the RCO? And do you have a letter?
Okay, you may proceed.
okay so um i'm requesting a variance to um convert a single family into a two-family
um unit um my uncle has was is disabled and has recently been amputated and it's hard for him to
go up and down the stairs so i'm requesting that i can have two bi-level units where he
reside on the first floor
and I will reside on the second
and third floor.
So it can be easier for him to get
around with him being amputated.
Have any exhibits?
Mornings, photographs?
Can you see my screen?
Can you see my screen?
Yes, we can.
All right. So this is the deed for ownership. I'm sorry, Kenna.
I'm sorry, Kenneth.
Yes. The chair is just requesting the plans and.
The chair is just requesting the plans and the photos.
And then Amber will speak to what's being shown, if we would.
That's the photos.
So you want me to go through the plans or no?
So it's up to the chair, but if we could swear Kenneth in prior to doing so.
Mr. Johnson, please identify yourself with the record, and I'll swear you in.
John Johnson, 43 E. School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA.
Swear and affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?