But I think we had more than a handful of meetings, including a few at the Nest, one up in an office owned by Temple.
I'm not sure who that group was. And then we did have an in-person hearing, if I remember,
and then we had a video hearing. So this has been around for a while, and it's not like it's a rush
to judgment. But again, we're willing to meet anywhere, anyplace, anytime to accommodate
your interest. But this is, in our opinion, it was at the time of the presentation in
Ms. Van Story's RCO. She was the organizing RCO. We had a couple of meetings, and that was the
process. And her letters in the record, as well as Reverend Nash for his RCO, and also I guess
there was some opposition from people who live in Yorktown.
But it wasn't because they didn't know.
It was because they were opposed to it.
It's not like people didn't know what was happening.
My recollection is they knew.
And I think the council president's office
made sure everyone did have knowledge of what was going on
and did have a chance to have input into it.
Okay, I thought the reason we were here today
was to listen to neighbors from yorktown there are no neighbors here from yorktown mary jones
isn't here does the board have any questions um chair if i can just put on the record no no
questions ms jones did intend to be here but um for circumstances that were beyond her control
she could not be okay um no question but no one is here from yorktown which is a little upset
on. Okay, Ms. Saleta, do I ask Planning Commission again? No, I don't believe that's necessary unless,
well, do you know what, let's ask if there has been some change since the last position was put
on the record. Well, they did revise their position from opposition to non-opposition.
That's correct, based on revised plans, and if they could just confirm that that is still their
position. Okay, Planning Commission. Thank you, Chair Tonari, Ian Hegarty for the City Planning
Commission. I'm here just to confirm that the Planning Commission recommends that the variance
be granted in accord with the letter that was submitted to the board and placed on the record.
Thank you. I'm just writing all that down. Calendar number
Excuse me, ma'am, you keep saying that there's no one from Yorktown here, but I am from Yorktown.
I know, and we have been listening to you, and you and Mr. Primavera have been speaking to each other, and he's more than willing to meet with you after the vote.
I was supposed to hear from many residents from Yorktown, and no one's here today except for you, and thank you for coming. I appreciate it.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
No, I just really wish that prior to everything, I wish they would have came and spoke with my community.
I really do.
Because as he said, yes, it is an insult to speak with a community that you're going to be building in after the fact.
So that's all I have.
that's all i thank you so much miss dukes calendar number mi-2021-002671
1451 north broad street my vote is yes
1451 North Broad Street. My vote is yes in accordance with the letter that we received.
Ms. Saleta, I think I hear you. I'm sorry. Madam Chair, if you could hold the vote in order for us
to be sure that everyone has seen everything required. I'll object to that. We've had plenty
have noticed we've had a full presentation uh this was supposed to be a technicality so i i say
the vote should go forward okay if the board wants to go forward with the um yes i'm ready to vote
i'm ready mr primavera what how many pages to your plans uh i have a proviso letter which i'll read
and it's in your record and it says the variance is granted as per proviso in the form of a revised
plan from Cecil Baker & Associates dated June 18, 2019. The decision is in accordance with
our prior vote of January 21, 2020, granting the same relief as per this proviso.
Interesting on that, Mr. Primavera, but what we need for them to vote is the revised proviso
completed form and it's in your record yes and i i sent it before it's okay this is what happened
a year ago i i was jumping up and down i had it i had everything in the record i understand the
verification from the architect that there were no additional refusals uh it's all in the record
i understand your i understand your frustration i was only going to suggest that it be done next
week oh no i've been there took a year with the record closed okay okay just tell me how many
pages then they're stamping they have to say that in the decision let's see what it says here
and miss the letter if you can give me the proviso it's getting longer and longer
it's in accordance with the letter no it will just be as per revised plans i just you just need to
know the number of pages from mr primavera uh let's see so i'm not mentioning cecil baker
No, you're not doing any of that. Okay.
It's two pages
dated 618-29. It's sufficient to say two pages. If you could just send me,
if you haven't already, the plan, the form, the completed form, and the plans to be stamped as
two separate pdfs that's correct i will do that thank you okay i will start over calendar number
mi-2021-002671 1451 north broad street my vote is yes and including revised plans consisting of
two pages stamped today.
Fursa Plaza, yes, with proviso.
James Snell, yes, with proviso.
Thomas Howellman, my vote remained no.
Thank you, and I'll submit that material today.
Thank you, does that complete the 930 hearing?
Yes, Madam Chief.
thank you thank you sure thank you see everybody at two
just for the oh good afternoon everyone i apologize for the delight my name is carol
tenere i'm the vice chair of the zoning board i'll be participating in today's hearing along with
board secretary confessor plaza and board members thomas holloman and james snell
board administrator tanya sunk it tanya sunk it and yvette benton is that correct jason hand
i just asked that um jason hand um and board attorney sharon saletta is in attendance as
well as tanya sunk it for those of you who who have not 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 your agreement
to be recorded. This is available to the public by contacting Tanya Sunkett at tanya.sunkett
at philadelphia.gov. 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.
then star 6 to unmute yourself. That's star 9, then star 6 to unmute yourself. To enter an
That's star nine, then star six.
appearance statement, call Google at strike that call 267-270-5548 and leave your email address
and address of the property at issue. The number again is 267-270-5548. And fourth,
The question and answer box is not for testimony.
Any comments are to be directed to Ms. Tanya Sunkit.
And now I just want to check to see if we have any continuances that we have.
MI-2020-002576 4432 Wingate Street.
attorney moving party continuous requested by the attorney is there anyone who objects to that in
the virtual audience madam chair i see miss angela geiger with her hand raised i will allow her to
speak at this time thank you mr hand and miss geiger put her hand down i'm sorry mr richard
pressman had his hand raised mr pressman please unmute yourself if you wish to speak to this
continuance mr pressman are you there yeah my hand was raised because there was a freeze on
the screen i have no comment on this uh continuance i'm sorry that's okay um the next continuance
Assuming there are no other hands up for number 11, which is Wingate Street.
The next continuance is MI-2021-002575, 8501 Hegerman Street.
Is there anyone in the virtual audience who would like to speak on that?
I see no hands, Madam Chair.
Okay. Are there any other requests for continuances?
Mr. Justin Crick has his hand raised. I have allowed him to speak.
Okay. Mr. Crick, can you put your name on the record and spell your last name, and then I'll square you in?
Yes, Justin Crick, K-R-I-K, 1500 JFK Boulevard, Suite 630, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102.
Do you swear for him to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Okay, you may proceed.
Thank you. Madam Chair, I am here on matter number MI2021-002581.
The address is 1528 North Bailey Street, and I represent the applicant.
I am requesting a continuance, minimum 60 days, as we met with the RCO, did not have their support, and we believe that some revised plans may be helpful in that effort.
Okay, there are also no exhibits. Is there anyone here to object to that?
this case mi-2021-002581 1528 north bailey street is continued thank you very much thank
you is there anyone else requesting a continuance
mrs tina marie russell had her hand raised i will allow her to speak at this time
okay hi tina marie russell are you can you spell your last name and i'll swear you in
sure t-i-n-a-m-a-r-i-e-r-u-s-s-e-l-l do you swear for him to tell the whole truth and nothing but
the truth i do thank you you may proceed yes the um property owner and a attorney for 25 14 north
17th street okay i'm sorry i'm still on the wrong one sorry i'm on the wrong one again
i'm getting near you're you'll eventually you'll get to the 330 case i have to see you again for
to for for an approval i want to i'll see you in a few minutes though for another one okay but thank
you okay thank you is there anyone else requesting a continuance
Mr. S. David Feynman, with his hand raised, I will allow him to speak now, ma'am.
Mr. Feynman, can you hear me?
Yes, I can. Can you hear me?
Okay. Yes, I can. Let it look clear.
Can you put your name on the record and spell your last name and I'll swear you in?
and spell on the record and spell your last name and I'll swear you in.
S. David, F-I-N-E-M-A-N.
S. David.
Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Okay, do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing about the truth?
Madam Chair, this is Sharon.
Before Mr. Feynman speaks, this is about the first case on your list.
Could you also promote either Carl Primavera or Steve Bertil, depending on which of them is here, and Maggie White, because they may want to have some input on whether a continuance will be granted.
Okay, great.
We have not sought a continuance here.
My understanding was that the city was seeking a continuance because the city's principal witness was not going to be available today.
Madam Chair, there was some back and forth between all the parties involved as to whether this would go forward today.
the city initially requested a continuance because one of their witnesses could not be here.
There was then a discussion again back and forth as to whether the hearing could begin today with
an understanding that there would be a resumption hearing and whether that would be preferred as
the way to proceed over simply continuing and trying to have the matter heard on one hearing
date. Is that your understanding too Mr. Feynman? Yes there was a back and forth about it. Our
our position is that this matter could be heard at one time and we think it's appropriate to be
heard at one time my understanding is mr primavera has another view of it and in the city's view
was that they didn't care but under any circumstances the board is not going to be
able to hear this matter today in its entirety okay mr primavera are you somewhere yes
Yes. Can you hear me, Madam Chair?
Yeah. You're already sworn in. Just put your name on the record and spell your last name.
Yes. Carl Primavera, P-R-I-M-A-V-E-R-A. Madam Chair, members of the board,
I represent the property owner that was issued an as-of-right permit. This is an appeal by
Mr. Feynman's office on behalf of Protestants in the area. We have an expert, Janice Woodcock,
as well as our architect to explain why the permits were issued and why it was correct.
We believe that this is the kind of case that if we could even get halfway through it today
and then have a resumption, it would be better than putting it back
and then having a long hearing that may not get completed in one shot.
So we're prepared to go forward with as much testimony and time as the board will allow.
clearly with the understanding that whatever we don't finish plus with the city's reservation of
its right to call its witness will happen in a resumption. There's a priority of time for the
project because of the whole issue regarding debatements and permits and the appeal was filed
in May so we've been anxious to have this hearing and it was only I guess a day ago or so that we
heard that there might be a problem with the city's witness. Ms. Saleta is there a problem
with the city's witness? Yes they cannot be here today so today would if you go forward today it
would be with the understanding that the hearing could not be completed that there would have to
be a second hearing date. I don't know whether this would be helpful to the parties but Ms.
Sunkett would you be able to advise as to what the date would be for resumption hearing date
as opposed to a continuance date
or if that would be the same date?
So the resumption hearing date for this
could be January the 18th.
And a continuance date would be in the February.
Yeah, the city's requiring that we put up
hundreds of thousands of dollars in permit fees
in order to move forward with the abatements.
and we don't think that this is something that needs to be delayed nobody would be prejudiced
and my suspicion is that given the fact that I have two witnesses the city has at least one
and Mr. Feynman will have several it's not the kind of thing that would be done in a half hour
anyway so if we were to put it back we'd probably end up having it resumed from the continued date
So if you give us at least a half hour, 45 minutes today, we can wade through as much as we can and we'll be.
a half hour 45 minutes today we can wade through as much as we can and we'll be
as brief and as focused as possible and then it'll get continued uh hopefully as soon as possible
but we at least have something for our effort today um miss saletta would brief opening statements
today be acceptable um i'm sure it's your call how long you would i would suggest that the party
start with brief opening statements and then the um call is whether mr primavera can go forward
as as suggested presenting the witnesses that he has available today and then the understanding
that there would be a resumption hearing and in either way the resumption hearing or the continuance
is in 2022 that's correct um so this is tanya the zba administrator madam chair
As you all wish, we could come up with a compromise of maybe trying to do a two-hour special listing at the schedule of the board.
It's your call.
And my fear is that you have so many specials, and I'm probably to blame partly, that that would basically put its way behind the eight ball as well.
tanya could you come up with a tuesday that we could hear this as a special not necessarily a
tuesday madam chair for working with you guys offline i can come up with a special date
that will still keep them within 2021 yes chair and it can be a completed case
you know i i i truly believe that the case will be resolved or the case you'll be able to hear
the case within a two-hour period of time, if not less. Although I can't, I shouldn't say that
because I don't know how long Mr. Primavera's witnesses are. Our case is quite frankly very
short. Okay, Ms. Sunkett, I'm going to depend on you to come up with a date. Today I'm going to