no no no is there anyone in the virtual audience
no further hands at this time okay planning commission
thank you madam chair ian hegarty for the philadelphia city planning commission
in 2018 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
With regard to the refusal for front yard setback, we recognize the block contains a mix of setbacks
and that strict adherence to the setback requirement would constitute an unnecessary hardship for the applicant.
However, with regard to the front-loaded parking, the applicant's hardship claim is not supported
with evidence of unique physical circumstances or conditions of the property
and rather relies on existing non-conforming conditions of adjacent properties.
The Commission strongly opposes garages on the sidewalk, as you've heard me say before, because of their impacts to safety and the public realm, regardless of adjacent nonconformities.
The City Planning Commission would recommend that the Board grant the variance for front yard setback, but deny the variance for the front garage and curb cut on this property.
Can you repeat that for the front yard setback you're okay with?
that's correct the planning commission recommends that the board grant the variance for the front
yard setback but deny the variance for the front loaded parking thanks and we would just note that
now for the record that that's would be a wash because currently they park you know in the 30
foot setback uh you know we're not taking we're rather than putting two cars on the street we're
putting them in garage this is the the housing directly across the street and you'll notice that
this particular block has a series of off-street parking. Thank you.
Right. The RCO, what is their position on this?
They said they were mailing a letter to the zoning board and we met with them. I didn't hear
any opposition, but I didn't want to represent to them. We've requested a copy of the letter
at least three times in the last two weeks and I didn't see it. So I either assumed that they
didn't send it or that it would be with
the zoning board.
Do we have anything?
I don't have a copy.
The RCOs don't always copy me.
Ms. Sunkett,
do we know if there was one submitted to the
RCO ZBA mailbox?
We can check,
Ms. Saletta.
Would you like to hold this vote
until next week, Madam Chair?
Yes, I would.
I don't know how to get a letter.
I've been knocking on their door for weeks.
If there is none in the RCO mailbox either,
Mr. Perry, if you could just email me the name of the RCO
and maybe I could contact them.
It's United Francisville.
And I'll send that to you.
Is this Tanya?
Okay, I'll send that to you, Sharon.
Okay, thank you.
So calendar number 1476, 731 North Uber Street, we'll be holding that.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
This concludes the 930 hearings.
Is there anyone else in the audience who feels that they've not been heard or would like to say something?
I see no further hands at this time, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Hand.
I will see everybody back at two o'clock.
Okay, Madam Chair, as you wish.
Thank you.
Good afternoon. My name is Carol Tenere, and today I'll be the Acting Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
I'll be participating in today's hearing along with Board Secretary Confessor Plaza and Board Members Thomas Holloman and James Snell will be joining us a little bit later.
board administrator tanya tanya sunkett and board attorney sharon saletta are also in attendance
and there is another attorney rebecca cole who is present for those of you who haven't yet
participated in one of our virtual hearings i'll go through some of the basics of what you can
expect first we will be administering oaths to individual participants prior to their testimony
Second, we'd like to advise everyone that this proceeding is being recorded and that by participating, you acknowledge
that this proceeding is being recorded and that by participating you acknowledge your agreement
to be recorded. This is available to the public and it is also on the web. Third, for anyone
participating by phone, if you wish to testify you must raise your hand by hitting star nine
then star six to unmute yourself. That's star nine then star six to unmute yourself. To enter an
appearance statement, call 267-270-5548 and leave your email address and address of the property
at issue. The number again is 267-270-5548. Fourth, and very importantly, the question and
answer box is not for testimony. Any comments are to be directed to Ms. Tanya Sumpkit.
And now I will proceed with the continuance we have.
Calendar number 1682-4520-40 Worth Street is continued.
Does anyone object to that?
You know what I'll do?
I'm going to pull all the continuances and withdrawals.
and if anyone objects, they can then raise their hand.
The next one is number nine board 0591
is the calendar number, 817 Ellsworth.
That's also continued.
Are there any objections?
And if so, please raise your hand.
I see that Madam Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Hand.
are there any requests additional requests for continuances
or withdrawals if so please raise your hand
Mr. Mattione has his hand raised I will allow him to speak at this time okay great
Michael Michael not allowed to say Michael um Mr. Mattione Mr. Mattione
name and address please and spell your last name and i'll swear you in certainly michael
mattioni m-a-t-t-o-n-i federal reserve bank building 100 north independence mall suite 5a
northwest philadelphia 19106 and it's do you swear for oh sorry do you swear from the total
whole truth and nothing but the truth i do i apologize for interrupting are you here for
4140 West
Girard? Yes, yes.
We met with the RCO.
We made changes, but we want to talk
with them again about a couple little
changes to the plans because we just
got a letter from them yesterday, and we want to
go meet with them one more time and
make sure they're on board with the project.
And the letter, the
indication I have is that they are,
we have letters of support.
So that's calendar number
MI-2021
21-001687, 4140 West Gerrard Avenue.
This case is continued.
Is there anyone in the virtual audience on this case?
To no other hands, Madam Chair.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Mattyoni.
are there any other requests for continuances
no further hands at this time madam chair calendar number 1686 1212-20 marlboro street
the attorney is catherine missimer and we have a fishtown neighbors association rco letter of
I'm Ms. Catherine, Mr. Merr, how has been promoted to your panelists?
Hi, Ms. Mr. Merr, can you put your name and address on the records by your last name and I'll swear you in?
Yes, it's Catherine, M-I-S-S-I-M-E-R, 1835 Market Street, Suite 1400, 19103.
Do you swear or affirm to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Do you agree to waive the reading of the refusal and stipulate to its accuracy?
And have you emailed the exhibit packet with proof of ownership, tax compliance, refusal or referral,
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?
And do you have a letter? Yes. And as I mentioned, we do have an FNA letter of support for you,
And as I mentioned, we do have an FNA.
so you may proceed. Thank you. I'll go ahead and share my screen. Thank you. Can everyone see that?
Yes. Great. As I mentioned, I'm here today on behalf of 1212 Marble LLC and Fishtown Montessori
School, which is the tenant at 1212 to 1220 Marble Street in the Fishtown neighborhood
of Philadelphia. We're here with an application for an adaptive reuse of the existing stone church
building on site as a child care center. With me today is tenants representative Denise Petrino,
who is head of school for Fishtown Montessori, as well as David Whipple, the project architect.
As you can see from your packages and hopefully on your screen, this project has overwhelming
support from the surrounding neighborhood. First thing you can see is a letter from Fishtown
Neighbors Association. We met with the RCO and they've provided their support. We also have a
petition as well as several individual letters of support from neighbors. We do also have a petition
with 80 some signatures on it. This is the zoning site plan. The only addition proposed to the
existing structure are two play structures that would be in the yard for use by the child care
Center. Fishtown Montessori has operated an existing child care center in this neighborhood
for the last four years. They're located on Girard Avenue between Marlboro Street and Oxford.
So this would be right down the road from the existing location. Where will the kids be dropped
off? If you look directly in front of the building, there's an existing curb cut there which will
remain. And 85% of our families do walk or bike to the existing location. So we really don't have
a need for an ongoing parking situation. Additionally, because of COVID, we've staggered
our drop-off and pickup timing so that there's not a mad rush of students and families arriving
at the school. Thank you. The program enrolls children from ages two to six. And because of
its vast success on Girard Avenue, we're proposing to add a second location here in what we think
is a perfect setup, a vast church building with large lush grounds. I want to show a couple photos
of the interiors to understand what the space provides. This is the existing interior of the
church. The beautiful beams and all will stay and we'll just basically adaptively reuse this space
again for the child care use. It's a creative way to bring this building back to a community resource
because the prior owner did attempt to use it as a single family home, but the estate has advised us
that they really have had no interest since his passing and use as a single family home. And again,
because of its setup, it does lend itself very well to this long-standing community use.
so this property is actually zoned RSA 5 which would require a single family that's generating
the refusal we also did receive a refusal for the proposed playground structures in the yard
as that would technically necessitate two structures on one lot again no separate
structure is proposed it's just playground equipment for the students to use while they're
in school another benefit here and you can see it in some of the posting pictures is that there's
lush landscaping here so we will be able to offer the students both active outdoor play as well as
some opportunity for gardening which can be very educational obviously and lend itself very well to
the Montessori program. Catherine what are the days and hours of operation?
It's operating five days a week as a traditional school would and I believe Denise Petrino is on
she can speak to the hours. But again, we do have staggered drop-off and pickup times,
which I think alleviates any of the proposed congestion that a typical school would provide
in a set drop-off time. Okay. I have one more question. Wait one second. I have one more
question. There are two areas for play for the kids and are they behind the fence? Yes.
So they're totally secured? Correct. Yes. Okay, great.
And if you'd like, I'm sure Denise can speak to the hours.
But again, historically, being that this was used as a church, probably Sunday school child care in the past,
the neighbors really support this proposal and think it's a great way to sort of bring this church back to life in the neighborhood.
Okay. Does the board have any questions on this?
No, no, no.
I would just ask Denise to be promoted to panelists.
Denise, can you put your name and record address on the record?
Denise, can you put your name and address on the record?
Thank you.
Does she need to present or something? This is Tanya.
I just need her to adopt my testimony.
Okay, so she doesn't have to be promoted, Jason. She could just give audio.
Thank you.
What is her name again? Denise? Petrina?
Petrina.
Ms. Petrina, please raise your virtual hand.
so you may hear it she's been allowed to speak hello this is denise vitrino thank you for having
me today hi can you please spell your last name it's s as in sam p as in peter e-t-r-i-n-o
do you swear or firm to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth
i do okay and now your attorney denise have you heard my testimony today yes i have
would you agree that it's true and correct yes would you adopt it as your own i would
thank you we have nothing further unless the board has additional questions
thank you is there anyone else here to testify
can you hear me
I can hear you.
My further hands.
Thank you. Planning Commission.