basically present two properties at the same time because... If possible, please.
So just at the outset, as the chair recognizes, there's two properties here, 440
West Queen Lane and 442 West Queen Lane. We presented both properties to the RCO and
affiliated RCOs at the same time. It's basically side-by-side duplexes. So I'm going to ask that
my testimony with regard to 440 also applied to 442. Thank you. I'll walk through the presentation.
Excuse me, Mr. Chair, I just want to note for the record, Mr. Clinton, when you're referring to
440, you're referring to 440-42 West Queen Lane T-1-110935, because that's the official address
that we have on record for that property at this time.
Okay, understood, because that's the confusion
I think that was raised here is
when the refusal was issued for 440,
it had 440-442,
and then there was a second refusal simply for 442.
But I agree with counsel that 440-442,
that was the OPA number you referenced.
All right, thank you.
Just wanted to clarify for those listening
because the addresses are different.
Thank you, Mr. Emerson. So, Mr. Chairman, members of the board, this is my table of contents A1 to A10, which I ASP admitted into the record for both properties. And by both properties, I mean, Mr. Chairman, 440 and 442. And I won't describe that again in the interest of time.
There's simply one refusal here. It's a use refusal. The project is a by right project for a duplex as part of this twin. So there's no issues with regard to dimensions, height, rear yard, open space.
It's simply that in our zoning district that parking two spaces are required.
And I'll show the board that none of the multifamily homes on this block have parking spaces.
And frankly, all of our discussions with the community group really concerned the construction and elevations of the two duplexes to make them more fitting into the neighborhood.
so that you wouldn't be able to tell one house from the other,
although our homes will be new construction.
I'll show you the RCO letters at the end.
There is a letter of support from the 12th Ward Democratic Committee.
They voted 14 to 0 to support us in their letter.
They note that we've had three meetings with the community group.
And again, all the discussions were concerning the elevations
and the construction of the property, nothing really to do with parking, which I think is a
tacit acknowledgement, not willing to put words into the RCO's mouth, but a tacit acknowledgement
that the parking on this block for these two properties would run contrary to what all the
other properties have on the block. And I'll show you that with aerial photographs. So currently,
this is a vacant parcel of ground. As I say, this is a buy-write project for a duplex on one side
and a duplex on the other side, and I'll show you additional photographs of the block
indicating that all the homes on this side of the street don't have any parking at all,
and some of them are multifamily. Across the street happens to be a Montessori school
and some other properties, again, very few of which of a residential nature have any parking at all.
This is a close review. Again, Mr. Chairman, members of the board indicating that there's really no parking, off-street parking on the same side of the street as our project. These are the zoning notices that we're required to post on both properties.
on both properties.
Our plans are revised,
and I don't know if the chair wants me to go through the plans
because really there's no issue concerning the use,
excuse me, concerning the construction of the property.
But in deference to the community group,
again, they asked us to make several changes,
all of which we did.
So for both properties,
I have submitted revised proviso plans forms
consisting of two pages.
So basically, the front porch was added
to match the adjacent properties.
Front set packs were adjusted.
Grading was changed.
The depth of the proposed building also was changed.
And again, as the chairman knows,
there's give and take with the community group.
And when my client decided to undergo all these changes,
the community group supported this project wholeheartedly.
So again, I don't want to dwell on the plans
unless the chair wants me to?
I think we're fine.
So the rest of the documents that are in the package are,
and I'm not going to go through all the other plans
that we have, Mr. Chairman,
because we did three revisions, again,
to try to seek the support of the community group,
which we did.
Henry, where's a drawing of the front
I'm going to show you that. That's the last photograph, I think. I have a rendering.
You know, it may have been at the front. Bear with me and I'll get to it, Mr. Chairman.
Let me reduce these. It'll make it go faster.
Thank you.
it's in my package mr chairman you just have to find it for you okay
i did see it once when you flashed by just right i did uh
these are the revised floor plans
all right this is the side view of the property yeah the front view is to the right here it is
Mr. Chairman. Okay, thank you. So again, we're trying to match the historical context of the
of the block. Remaining documents are my tax certifications and basically the list of
notifications to all the surrounding properties that we provide. There's also a letter of non-opposition
from SOLO, which is Germantown Civic Association Southwest Central. That's also, I'll show you that
this is the letter of support from the 12th Ward Democratic Committee.
And this is a summary of the meetings indicating that we had three different meetings. We redesigned
the project twice and they are in full support and this is the letter of non-opposition from
solo germantown civic association which is really the southwest central lower germantown
they asked for a number of provisos trash stored indoors no mail boxes on the exterior
and we've agreed to do that as well as to plant trees if we're permitted by the streets department
So with that, Mr. Chairman, I just want to, in summary, mention that this is a unique situation where we're not really altering the essential character of the neighborhood.
We're in conformity with the other elevations on the block.
And more importantly, to address the refusal, we're in conformity with the other uses on the block where there is no off-street parking for multifamily use.
We're not impairing anyone's light or air.
We're not impairing the development of any adjacent properties.
we're in harmony with the code
and we're in harmony with the
desire of the neighborhood
and with that I'd like to close and ask
that all my exhibits for both properties
be admitted into evidence
thank you
how about your client you want to adopt your testimony
sure Ms. Madara can you unmute
yourself
they've been allowed to speak
They've been allowed to speak.
Hi, could you state your name, please, and spell for the court stenographer?
Yes, good morning.
It's Anat Madar, A-N-A-T, Madar, M-A-D-A-R.
Right.
Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Yes, sir.
Proceed.
Ms. Madara, were you on the call when I presented both of your projects, one at 440-4042 West Queen Lane, which is ZP-2022-012-462, as well as 442 West Queen Lane, which is ZP-2022-012-463?
And if you had the opportunity to testify, would you adopt my testimony as your own and as true and correct?
Yes. Thank you, Ms. Medar. Questions from the board?
No, Chair.
Thomas?
No, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Questions or comments from the virtual audience?
Mr. Chair, I have a hand raised from a number ending in 7798. I have allowed them to speak.
Hi. Could you state your name, please, and spell for the court stenographer?
Hi. Can you hear me?
Okay. I'm Edon Shlomo. E-D-O-N. Last name Shlomo. S-H-L-O-M-O.
Right.
Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth,
nothing but the truth?
Are you a neighbor?
Proceed.
Sorry.
I was at the community meetings,
and I just want to say that the owner worked with us really well
to make sure all of our things that we wanted to change were done
as far as the front porch and the setback so that it works with the
community, and I highly approve the project.
Thank you very much for taking the time to call in. Is there anyone that's in the virtual audience?
Yes, we have another hand raised from a number ending in 5555.
Hi, state your name, please, and spell for the court stenographer.
Hello?
Hi, could you state your name, please, and spell for the court stenographer, please?
Certainly. Allison Weiss, A-double-S-O-N-W-E-I-S-S.
All right. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
And you're from Solo, right, Allison?
Proceed.
um i i want to just um comments which i know um are not part of the
issue but uh we're unresolved and
you're breaking up i say we appreciate all of the improvements to the project that the owner made
But there were two unresolved issues from the last meeting that I just wanted to address, if possible, which was the materials of the mansard, the wooden shingles.
people had objection to that use of material and the retaining wall in front along the sidewalk
that has deteriorated being restored using Wissahickon shift, a material that's widely
used in the community and on that block. So we appreciate if that could be addressed
with the owner
at some time.
Thank you for your comments.
Is there anyone else in the virtual audience?
Yes, I have a hand raised from a number
ending in one point.
Well, right now, the only hand raised is
Mr. Charles Richardson.
Hi, Mr. Richardson.
Just state your name for the record, please.
Good morning again, Mr. Chair.
Charles Richardson, Office of Councilwoman
Cindy Bass Room, 508
City Hall.
Housewoman has no opposition to granting this variance.
Thank you for taking the time to call on in.
We appreciate it.
Is there anyone else in the virtual audience?
Yes, a hand raised from 1655.
I've allowed them to speak.
I could you state your name, please?
It's spelled for the court stenographer.
Star six to unmute, please.
Star six to unmute, please.
Hi, could you state your name, please?
Would you state your name, please, and wait to be sworn in?
Are they muted, Jason?
no they weren't muted uh but now they are okay they may be having technical difficulties because
they keep muting is there is there anyone else from the virtual audience
no i do not see any further answer okay we're gonna we're gonna move on planning commission
thank you chair bergman and board members good morning david effecto with the city planning
commission chair i'll testify for both properties at the same time the comprehensive plan recommends
no change to the residential two-family zoning at this location the appellant has demonstrated
the slope of the property presents a hardship requiring the proposed parking variance and so
this the proposed variance matches the character of the block and the city planning commission
recommends that the board grant the proposed variance from the parking requirements in the
zoning code. Thank you. So I'll join both together. Number two is MI 2022-007-610-44242
West Queen Lane, number T1-110935. And number nine is MI 2023-000102-442-West Queen Lane.
I vote yes to both with revised plans, two pages, stamped by ZBA on July 26, 2023,
and interior trash storage, interior mailbox, and mail storage.
Is that for both properties, Mr. Chairman?