good afternoon miss pritzker could you state your name and spell for the court reporter
sure rachel r-a-c-h-a-e-l pritzker p-r-i-t-z-k-e-r 1521 locust street suite 605
philadelphia pa 19102 do you swear for them to tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the
truth yes mr hollam it has a few questions for you sure do you agree to waive the reading of
the refusal and stipulate to its accuracy yes did you mail the exhibit package with all the
required documents yes please proceed and share your screen thank you
so um as you can see uh in front of you is the letter of support that we received on the 18th
which was yesterday which is a letter of support from the 44th ward democratic rco
based on a community benefits agreement that we agreed to and have submitted so we do have
support from the coordinating rco i'm just going to go through the packet
the refusal only refusal that we have for this project which is basically
a adaptive reuse of an existing long-standing vacant structure to add 78 dwelling units with
32 accessory parking spaces to accessible spaces to ev spaces and 26 bike spaces
given the location of the existing structure that we are trying to rehabilitate and the
addition, the only refusal we have is for dimensional standards. The property requires
a 39 foot 11 inch side yard depth and we are proposing a 23 foot side yard, 23 and a half
side yard depth. Basically this again is a long-standing existing hotel that we're turning
into residential units. This is the deed. You have all this. The lot is zoned RM2, which
is a high density residential multifamily. So from a use perspective, we're in character
with that and our architect Scott Woodruff is here from Design Blends who will be able to
go through the design and further explain the only refusal which we have which is related to
quite a large side yard that RM2 requires. Again this is what the site looks like right now.
It has again been vacant for quite some time and is causing a lot of safety
and blight issues in the neighborhood especially for these surrounding single-family homes and we
worked with the 44th Democratic Board through this. Here are the zoning posters on the property.
As you can see, the building is not in great shape. And again, the only refusal we have is
dimensionally. We met with the 44th Democratic Board a number of times and ultimately have the
letter of support. They originally did not support the project based on the September 2nd letter,
but again, based on a January 18th letter, they are in support given the community benefits
agreement and some revisions that we made to the project. With that said, if we could allow for
Scott Woodruff to present, he'll be able to again explain the design of the project and really the
only way we would be able to comply with the required 39 foot side yard would be to demolish
part of the existing building. And we're looking to adaptively reuse it and put an addition on
And we're looking to adaptively reuse it and put an addition on instead of demolishing it just to meet what I think is extremely large side yard requirements at almost 40 feet.
instead of demolishing.
So if Scott can be promoted and be able to share his screen to go through the plans, that would be appreciated.
Mr. Chairman, I'm back.
Thank you.
Mr. Woodruff has already been a promoter to panelist.
Thanks, Jason.
So, Woodruff, could you state your name and spell for the court reporter?
Yes, Scott Woodruff, W-O-O-D-R-U-F-F, 4001 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19127.
Right. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Proceed.
Thank you.
Let me just share my screen.
So, I have the zoning plan of the property, just to orient everyone, 51st Street is on
the right here, Westminster Ave to the south.
The existing building is located on the corner here, originally two three-story buildings.
We have proposed an addition to the middle building here, and then a new five-story structure
on this left side. The side yard that we are looking for a refusal on is this one. So currently
we have a 23 foot and half inch side yard that's abutting the houses to the left here. And then we
also have 32 parking spaces on the north side of the property. As far as the hardship that we're
looking for the intent of the design was to save the existing structures which are an interior
perspective in pretty poor shape but structurally actually are in good shape masonry bearing walls
are still construction on the interior and they're on the corner in order to keep those
intact architecturally and provide the right unit density for the project we constructed a brand new
building on this side um and we can walk through the plans looking at uh the new unit sizes that
are actually nice um sizable dwelling units for people to live in as opposed to the existing
smaller kind of hotel rooms that have been historically on this building um you just run
through. This is the proposed exterior rendering for the project. As you can see, this is the
existing building on this side. The middle one will receive an addition and a recladding,
and then this is the new five-story structure on the left through talks with the RCO.
It was determined that the existing building had was like a jazz hotel and had some historical
ties to having some of the african-american jazz artists come to this hotel um in the past so we
proposed a mural to kind of recognize that um along this building which is currently a stuff
of construction so it'll be cleaned redone and then a mural will be um kind of accented on this
existing building uh that is on the corner the rest of the material palette is a fiber cement
metal that kind of creates a playful pattern along the facade looking at the
this is the basement plan laundry bike storage utilities is the only thing
that's on this plan this is the first floor level plan that is proposed
currently there are five two bedrooms in the project and 69 one bedrooms we'd
reduce the unit count based on conversations with the neighborhood as
well as created a community room on the first level that's adjacent to this lobby that's
access from Westminster Street here. So the interior of these existing buildings were
kind of relayed out to create a little bit of a better layout for these units that was
more livable. This is the typical third and fourth floor plan. Again, pretty standard.
there was a small existing elevator we'll be adding another elevator to the project as well
to better serve the residents of the complex fourth floor so again we're creating an addition
to this existing middle building the third floor roof will remain here and then this is the top
fifth floor which is in stop so we kind of create the stacking effect to the building
just go through we can get into actual units if you're interested but I'll keep this moving
again this is the facade as far as again going back to the side yard is 23
Again, this is the facade. As far as, again, going back to the side yard, it's 23 feet
currently. Based on the zoning, the side yard is required to be three quarters of the dimension
of the height of the building. So the height is in direct proportion to the side yard,
which is a little bit unique, but it is part of the zoning code. If we were to kind of
flip this entire development the way that it is and had the taller building at the corner
and the smaller building at the side it would kind of bring it into compliance at that point
um again one of the main parts of the project was to keep the existing building and fabric
uh that's there and just kind of add to it um we wouldn't be able to kind of add the
you know density and the kind of addition of this scale over here um to do that which is why we kind
of did this again we felt like the stacking kind of uh at least um brought down the height of the
corner and kind of create a nice visual aspect um but based on the 23 feet that we currently have
it would need to be i think 34 35 feet tall on this side which is essentially what this building
is here um again just going back to the rendering we can kind of see the the visual of that looks
and this across the street is a large baseball field in the park that's open to the public
and this side I think is a cemetery that's over here. Rachel, did you want me to touch on anything
else specifically? No, unless the board has any questions. I appreciate the presentation.
Any questions for the architect before he leaves by the board?
no mr chairman no mr chairman okay continue rebecca i've been rachel i'm sorry okay um so
as i said the only uh variance that we're asking for is just uh from the 39 feet to the 23 feet
and other than that um i don't have anything else uh do you want to put your owner do you
want to have your owner come on yes thank you chairman um is there a felix
felix ellison should be able to raise his hand he's been allowed to speak thank you
would you state your name sarah and spell it for the court reporter
yes felix ellison f-e-l-i-x-e-l-i-n-s-o-n right do you swear for him to tell the truth the whole
truth and nothing but the truth? I do. Thank you. Thank you. Felix, have you heard the presentation
I gave today and the testimony that I gave? Do you believe it to be true and accurate and do you
adopt it as your own? Yes, I do. Thank you. Questions from the board? No, Mr. Chairman. No, sir. No, Mr. Chairman.
Questions from the virtual audience?
Mr. Chair, Mr. Willie Jordan has his hand raised.
I will honor you.
Mr. Jordan, please unmute and wait for your phone in.
Hello?
Hi, Mr. Jordan, could you state your name and spell it for the court reporter, please?
Willie Jordan, W-I-L-L-I-E, Jordan, J-O-R-D-A-N.
Thank you.
Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Yes, I do.
Thank you, sir. Proceed.
Yes, we're sorry we got the letter of support in late, but as Rachel indicated, it's been a back and forth.
We're trying to get this right for the community.
And we want to stress the importance of our community benefit agreement that will make this project successful.
And also, Lynn, our apology to you for addressing it to the past chairperson.
Oh, thank you.
That's fine, Mr. Jordan.
Thank you.
We appreciate you calling in.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Hey, before the Planning Commission, before we vote, Rebecca, did you see there's four pages attached?
My notes indicate revised plans, four pages.
Can you hear me?
what that yeah i can do we know what that is maybe rachel could help i don't have it in front
of me currently yeah i believe yeah i believe we made uh slight revisions to the plans um
scott if you're still out there um it's from the we reduced the uh unit count from 78 to 74
reduce from 70 to 74. 78 to 74. okay all right planning commission
okay all right planning commission good afternoon chair bergman david facto city planning commission
mr chairman members of the board the comprehensive plan recommends no change to the residential
multi-family zoning at this location the proposed dimensional variance granting relief from the side
yard depth requirements of the code is a minor variance that will not impair the use of adjacent
properties the city planning commission recommends of the variance thank you
MI-2021-002181-5101-5107, Westminster. I vote yes with proviso of four attached pages.
Carol Tinheri, my vote is yes with proviso. Thomas Holloman, my vote is yes with proviso.
James Snell, my vote is yes with proviso.
Ishmael Shaheed, my vote is yes with advisors.
Thank you.
Thank you.
And Chairman, I have another case today that I just didn't see on the list for 1820 West
Venango.
It was a reconsideration hearing.
Anya, do we have that?
Yes, check your checks.
Thank you.
it's an add-on
okay why don't we do that right now
MI 2021-004041-1820 Venango Street.
You want me to put my name back on the record?
Yeah, just your name.
That's all.
Rachel, R-A-C-H-A-E-L, Pritzker, P-R-I-T-Z-K-E-R.
And we have this note.
Vice Chair, could you ask a few questions before we...
Rachel, do you agree to waive the reading of the refusal and stipulate to its accuracy?
And it appears, according to the notes, that you have submitted all the required documents, correct?
You may proceed.
Thank you.
So I'm going to just share my screen.
This, I don't know, Chairman, if you were privy to the prior hearing back in September 1st.
Okay, so this basically was, I'm just going to then go back through. Essentially, it's not our burden to show that we needed a rehearing. It's the councilwoman's burden because apparently new information should have been brought to light or there was something new that should have gone on.
But nothing new has happened besides additional outreach and communication with the RCO, some inappropriate, in my opinion, exchanges, and some, you know, a lot of time spent that really didn't result in a whole lot.
So this is an existing corner lot.
I'm sorry. This is Tanya, the Zony Administrator. Just want to interject, Rachel. Maybe I'm confused, but is this the council person's case?
Well, they're the one who filed the motion for reconsideration that the board granted.
Yeah, so they should have the burden to show, but given-
Right, but I want them to be put on first, so that's why I'm making sure.
Yeah, I'm sure Mr. Richardson is here.
okay please promote mr richardson staff he's being promoted to panelists now thank you thank you all
mr richardson just state your name you've already been sworn good afternoon again mr
chair charles richardson from the office of councilwoman cindy bass room 312 city hall
Okay, thank you.
Go ahead.
The reason that we're here today is because in June of last year, we received a meeting
summary that stated that the near neighbors from Tioga United, stating that the near neighbors
had opposed granting the variance.
This summary was sent to us by the former co-chairs of Tioga United.
In fact, that was back in June and September of last year.