Sure, no problem.
So the first floor unit has one bedroom.
The second floor unit has two bedrooms.
The third floor unit has one bedroom.
and uh you have uh shown a history for 1512 uh correct so uh essentially we have the first
variance that had been granted was back in 1933 then there was another one that that was applied
for in 1955 um at one point yes but is this this application is for 15 14 through 16.
this is 15 14 through 16 that's correct i'm showing a history of the area as well that
the use is not uncommon for the area all right um the application here that i am showing uh is
the next door unit and as I indicated that was from 1955. All right so what you're showing is
what's in a neighboring property not what's in this property. In terms of the uh historical
use permit that's correct. Okay so historically the area has accepted um this usage. All right
and and this is what you showed the community uh groups yes and was anyone there able to
just kind of anecdotally um uh attest to the multi-family use of this program
not anyone in the community because no one appeared to express any objections or concerns
So, then we scheduled a second hearing to, you know, just in case, give them another opportunity. And, again, there had been no one that had appeared to give any concerns or anything like that. The RCO did, in fact, send an email to the board indicating that they do agree with the request and variance that we can solve.
All right. Thank you.
so i have a question um do we know when the last time there was a legal rental
license on this property like to be clear we are legalizing an illegal triplex yes you're you're
100 correct and i do not have that information your honor i was not able to acquire that
information however when miss uh brantley acquired uh the property from uh her brother who had who
was deceased, she went to get an application. She went there twice, actually. And that's how
she learned that it was necessary to request the variants so that she could legalize the existing
use. And then just a note for the record, the second floor bedroom per the existing plan is
not illegal to bedroom. So just, I do want the owner to be aware of that. You cannot have a
bedroom that only accesses through another bedroom so that would like eventually this is
going to have to get legalized this two one bedroom apartments i mean three one bedroom apartments
any other questions from the board
questions or comments from our attorney hillary emerson
Not at this time, Mr. Chair.
Questions or comments from the virtual audience?
Yes, Chair. I have a hand up by the name of Charles Richardson.
He has been allowed to speak.
Richardson, you've already been sworn. Just state your name for the record, please.
Yes, Mr. Chair. Charles Richardson, R-I-C-H-A-R-D-S-O-N, Office of Councilwoman Cindy Bass Room, 508 City Hall.
The Councilwoman is not opposed to granting the variance.
Thank you very much.
Is there anyone else in the virtual audience?
No, I see no more hands at this time.
Okay, Planning Commission.
And we voted with the Planning Commission.
The comprehensive plan recommends no change to the residential single-family zoning at this location.
There are unique physical conditions and circumstances of this property that would prevent it from being used in conformance with the zoning code.
Planning Commission recommends that the board grant the requested use variance for three dwelling units.
MI 2024-000179-1514-16, Church Lane, I vote yes.
Michael John, my vote is yes.
Michael John, my vote is yes.
Cheryl Gaston, my vote is yes.
Cheryl Gaston, my vote is yes.
Tanetta Graham, my vote is yes.
Tywin, my vote is yes.
Thank you.
Thank you, counsel.
Thank you very much.
Have a good day.
Number 13, MI 2024-000259-5131 Woodland Avenue.
Tracy Soller is the attorney for the owner.
Out my hair.
Tracy Soller is coming in as a
panelist
Good morning,
Counsel
Good morning
Could you please state your name and spell for
the court stenographer
Tracy Soller, it's T-R-A-C-Y
Last name Soller, S as in Sam
S-M-A-U-L-E-R.
We're a firm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Could you identify your client and relationship to this property?
Yes, my client's name is Sang Chimrowski, and he is the owner and operator of the property and business at this location.
To the reading of the refusal, and do you agree with this accuracy?
I would also note that we have a letter of unanimous opposition from the Southwest Philadelphia District Services, and Councilmember Gauthier is in opposition also of this project.
Share your screen and please proceed.
Thank you.
We're here today to request a variance for the use of a property at 5131 Woodland Avenue.
to be used as a distributor. The property as pictured here on this photograph is a corner
property on the corner of 52nd Street and Woodland Avenue. I have a couple of photographs that will
show the neighboring area so that you can see the street and how it's set up and the other
businesses at that location the current use of this property is a as a restaurant with a valid
r liquor license the location here
across the street at a diagonal there is a gas station next to the property there is a food market
And directly opposite the property is a Popeye's fast food restaurant.
I have a couple of photographs of the interior of the property so that you can see how it's set up inside.
There are tables inside.
Restaurant equipment.
Bathroom.
And I also have photographs of the posters that were posted on the front of the location as well as the side of the location due to the fact that it's a corner property.
This property is currently zoned CMX2.
And as I stated before, it is validly operated currently as a restaurant.
And the request is for a distributor.
Now, we did meet with the people of the neighborhood, whoever showed up to the meeting.
We had a good amount of members on there.
And we sent out notice here as proof of publication for everyone.
And then I have a copy of the deed, which just proves ownership.
And then I'll just share lastly the tax balance at zero, which bear with me one second.
It's on a different screen.
so we did meet with the members of the community and i know you said that there was a letter of
opposition that was received there was a strong opposition from the community in regards to the
the business that is currently at the location um as much as we tried to talk about what was
being requested to be at the location, the variance for the future business use,
the conversation kept going back to the current use of the operation. So what I wanted to go over
with everyone today is, you know, having a beer distributor here would not change or impact
the neighborhood. It is a very large street on Woodland Avenue. There are
It is a very large street on Woodland Avenue.
There are, it is commercial all around this corner and it is currently set up as a bar
restaurant.
There is a laundromat right next to this building and that use is not changing.
That stays as a laundromat.
So this would only impact the very corner of the property and it would not change the
traffic in the area because it would be similar in traffic to what would be used currently as the
restaurant bar. The main focus of the neighborhood meeting and the opposition that we received
is in regards to how the business operates now. So right now, as I said before, it is a bar
restaurant. The neighborhood has expressed some concern that people hang out inside and then
sometimes outside of the building. That is pretty consistent with what takes place at a bar
restaurant. People are going to hang out inside. They are going to drink inside. That's part of
what the business does. That is irrelevant to what we're asking for today, which is a change
in the business. The change that's being requested is as a distributor, which would not allow for
anyone to be in the distributor drinking or hanging out. They would purchase their alcohol
and they would leave the premises for consumption at their home or wherever they choose.
The other issue that was raised were the difference in the hours. So right now,
the restaurant is open seven days a week there would be a change in the hours as a distributor
they would have more limited hours and that is the distributor would also be operated by the current
owner and he is seeking to limit the days of week and hours that the new business would be open
we would like to enter this packet into evidence as our exhibit i'm sure that people have some
comments that they would like to share from the community. And I would just like to reiterate that
we are here today seeking a variance and a change of the business use. And this is not the proper
place to discuss the current use of the business. You have your client, is your client going to
adopt your testimony? He is online. He is not very technically savvy. So we can try to have him
adopt it and if not i can as his attorney speak on his behalf also the court will accept your
testimony thank you i have a hand up by joyce sitner not sure if they are associated with your
case or not um before we take testimony well questions from the board
so for clarification he's not going to be operating the restaurant anymore no
longer. He wants to change that
to just a distributor. That's
correct. Yes.
The questions from the board.
Questions or comments from our attorney?
Hillary Emerson.
Not at this time, Mr. Chair.
Questions or comments from the virtual audience?
I have a handout by the name of
diane settles they have been allowed to speak i could you please state your name and spell for
the court stenographer good morning my name is diane last name is settles spelled s as in sam
e-t-t-l-e-s right do you swear or affirm to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the
truth? Yes, I do. Are you a neighbor? Yes and no, but I was one of the RCOs that participated
in the community meeting. Sure, proceed. First, I would like to say that the proposed
place of selling alcohol would also be selling 40-ounce bottles of alcohol, which will be
used for individual use,
which people can easily stay there and drink.
And as far as the lawyer's saying about the community
had questions and opposition
about what it is currently used for.
And like she said, this may not be the forum,
but the community, from what I gather,
the community was concerned about the operation
and how it butts up against the church.
There are two churches in this community,
This property and Christ Tabernacle Church, they butt up beside one another.
Christ Tabernacle Church is from 1509 to 1531.
Christ's Tabernacle Church is from 1509 to 1531, I believe, South 52nd Street.
This church also has a large pantry giveaway that occurs every Thursday where the line stretches from the beginning of their property down to Willing Avenue.
This is a widely received food pantry that people use public transportation, a 52 bus, 11 trolley to come to this establishment.
As far as the pictures that the lawyer showed when she made her presentation for this facility, it was inaccurate because we showed an actual live pictures of what it looked like at that particular time.
So the community has concerns about this person conducting this type of business from the past history that they have had.
And while it is on a busy street, it is directly across from people's houses where they will encounter whatever goes on there as well.
It's not like it sits back and it won't be seen or, you know, the community won't be affected, the neighbors won't be affected by it.
but because it is on a community property.
Settles, thank you very much for your call.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, on a corner property, I'm sorry.
Okay, thank you very much.
We appreciate it.
Is there anyone else in the virtual audience?
Yes, Chair.
I have a hand up by the name of Joyce Sitner.
They have been allowed to speak.
Morning, could you please state your name
and spell it for the court stenographer?
Can you hear me?
I can.
My name is Joy Sidnor, J-O-Y-C-E-S-Y-D-N-O-R.
You swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?
Yes, I do.
Are you a neighbor?
No, I'm not a neighbor, but I'm in that area.
I actually work at the church.
Sure, please proceed.
I was at the virtual meeting when the presentation was made,
And I think she neglected to show how our church actually abuts the establishment.
And the pitches are inaccurate, too, because that's not how the building looks on a regular basis.
And, yes, we do object to not only the variance, but we object to the establishment altogether.
And most in our community, we call it a deli, not a restaurant with a bar.
Thank you very much for taking the time to calls.
Anyone else in the virtual audience?
Yes, Chair. I have a hand up by the name of George Goski, Jr. They have been allowed to speak.
Mr. Goss, it may be for another case, but we can check.