So this is actually where the Manchua Civic Association holds all of their community meetings for projects in their community.
As I turn to the zoning map at Exhibit 9, you will see that these properties are now zoned RSA 5, having been one of the many blocks that was previously zoned multifamily prior to the 2017 Mantua rezoning initiative that was done in conjunction with the community.
Now, the proposal before the board today, which is shown on the zoning planet exhibit six includes a new three story structure to carefully blend with the newer two and three story structures that have been built on this block.
The building will contain for dwelling units.
I now have renderings which are included in your packet at exhibit eight to give you a sense of what is proposed for this lot.
The large units will vary between two bedroom, two bathroom and three bedroom, three bathroom, and all of these units are proposed to have over 1000 square feet of living space garbage will be stored in the rear, which was designed to be larger than the code would require to accommodate both living.
outdoor living space for residents, as well as trash storage.
Now, regarding the refusal, this proposal only received one refusal for the proposed multifamily use.
No dimensional variances are requested, and this structure does comply in full with the provisions of the zoning code.
In fact, this structure is smaller than the code would permit for this lot, further to the developer's goal of remaining consistent with the varied newer structures that have been built on this block.
Now we do submit to a hardship here in in erecting a compliant single family home on these lots, given both the history of these properties, as well as the transformed character of this neighborhood and block specifically.
specifically. Now, historically speaking, 3701 Mellon Street, just half of this proposed lot,
was used as a three-family dwelling, which you can see up on your screen and in the packet at
tab 13. It's unclear whether the lot at 3703 Mellon ever contained any structure at all,
as it's been vacant for many decades and has not contained a single-family use in any recent
history. Now, aside from the historical multifamily use of the property, erecting a new single-family
home on these lots would also represent a significant deviation from the predominantly
multifamily dwellings that currently exist and have been recently constructed on this block.
I'll bring up the exhibit because it shows a little bit more clearly than the permits themselves,
But I do have copies of all of the permits referenced here at Exhibit 14.
So you can see that this block specifically contains a variety of two family dwellings at 3729, 3730, 3734, and 3738 Mellon Street, all on this block.
There are also some higher density structures at 3717 Mellon, which includes three dwelling units, and 3615 Mellon, which has four.
If we look at the adjacent properties along North 37th Street, which is that intersecting street, there are a mix of multifamily dwellings, including two, four, and even a 10-unit dwelling.
Further evidence that the board might consider in establishing the hardship in developing new single-family homes on this lot, and I'll bring up a photo just so you can see, is that any of the newer single-family homes that were developed on this block were only made possible by significant state subsidies and favorable tax credit and other financing structures.
So the developments that you see here are a mix of single family and multifamily, depending on the tax credit structure that that developer took advantage of.
So in addition to the mixed residential character of the block, which is not consistent with.
So, in addition to the mixed residential character of the block, which is not consistent with the RSA-5 zoning, the opposing end of the block also includes a large community center, which I referenced earlier.
That is also not permitted in the RSA-5 single-family zoning district.
So the proposed four units on these two lots will represent a natural blend of the predominantly multifamily and community-based uses on this block, and is further consistent with the historical multifamily use that existed on this lot.
We submit that the proposed number of units is the least minimum. Now, for comparison's sake, if the property were still zoned RM1, the RM1 zoning would have permitted the four proposed units today.
As mentioned previously, just half of this lot historically contained three units.
The density proposed is consistent with the density of surrounding structures, which vary from two all the way up to 10 units.
The structure itself is smaller than the code would allow, and the proposed units are all well over 1,000 square feet each.
We submit the proposal will not increase congestion, harm neighbors' properties, or impair any light and air.
This development will complete the last piece of revitalization of this block, which is the new core of the Mantua community, with the community center right at the other end of this block.
As described in detail, the structure was designed to align with the varied character of the other
structures on this block, and further analysis, as always, is included in my memo of law submitted
to the board at tab 11, and I'd be happy to touch on any point in more detail. With respect to the
community, we did meet with Mantua earlier this month, and that discussion resulted in an
overwhelming vote of support that's in your packet at tab 16. If at this time the administrator can
look for Rami Shrine to have him unmuted. Counsel, while we're waiting for him to come on, could you
show me the map one more time where these properties are compared to where Mantua Civic
Association meets? Sure. So again, this Google aerial is probably a few years out of date
because the structures are now complete you have the other one the zoning one with the color
showing the rsa5 area or whatever it is there's another yeah the community center is sure so if
you see you see where 3701 is identified if you look a little bit west this sort of larger block
here that's right where the center is so it's match what meets there in these two properties
at the other end of the street exactly yeah so let me see if i can get you so if you if you can
see here in this photo where the fence is all the way to the right you can see this the community
center just on the other side of those structures okay thank you mr shrine please unmute yourself
and wait for the chair hi could you state your name please and spell for the court reporter
Hi, Rami Schraim, R-A-M-Y-S-H-R-A-I-M.
Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Proceed, counsel.
Thank you.
And before I have him adopt my testimony, just for another point of clarification,
above the community center itself is also a multifamily dwelling, just in case that was not made clear.
Okay, thank you.
Rami, have you heard all of my testimony given before the board today?
And would you agree that testimony was true and accurate? And would you adopt it as if it were your own? Yes. Questions from the board? No, Mr. Chairman. No, Mr. Chairman.
Questions or comments from the virtual audience?
I see no hands at this time, Chair.
My planning commission.
Thank you, Chair Bergman. Ian Hegarty for the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.
board members in 2017 the zoning map was amended in this area from rm1 to rsa5 in accord with
recommendations from the comprehensive plan and with the support of the manchewa civic association
while we reject the claim of hardship based on cost of redevelopment or based on the use of
prior structures on this lot that have since been demolished we agree that the proposed use is
consistent with adjacent non-conforming uses so the city planning commission has no objection to
grants you have the variance. Thank you. MI 2022 004-793-3701 Mellon Street, I vote yes.
Thomas Holloman, my vote is yes. Ishmael Shaheed, my vote is yes.
Thank you very much. Thank you. Is there anyone in the virtual audience whose case has not been called?
Chair, we have one hand.
Chair, we have one.
Ms. Wayman, please unmute yourself and wait for the chair.
Okay, can you hear me?
Yes, state your name, please, and spell for the court reporter.
Dana Wayman, D-A-N-A-W-A-Y-M-A-N.
Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?
Yes, I do.
What case, sir?
Well, I've been sitting here all this time, and I'm waiting to hear on a case involved in 2832 Belmont Avenue, 19131.
Let me see here.
Hillary, do we have that?
I believe that's on the, give me one second, please.
i believe i was told that on the 2 p.m that's on the 2 p.m list well they told us 9 30 i got a
letter here says 9 30 no that that case is on the 2 p.m list there all right well i never got that
information okay so all right i'll try to get back at 2 2 p.m appreciate it thank you is there anyone
else no chair there are no more hands at this time thanks everyone see everyone at two o'clock
Thank you.
Thank you.
lakish is everyone's in yes chair okay
good afternoon my name is bill bergman and i will be chairing this afternoon zba hearings
With me is Ishmael Shahid, our Board Vice Chair.
Present, Mr. Chair.
Thomas Holliman, our Board Member.
Present, Mr. Chairman.
And James Snell, our Board Member.
Present, Mr. Chairman.
Also here is Hillary Emerson, our Board Attorney, and our ZBA Hearing Supervisor, LaKeisha Dandy.
Before we begin, here's our virtual format.
be advised the proceedings are being recorded. By participating, you acknowledge your agreement
to be recorded. The video will be available by contacting tonyasunkett at phil.gov. For the
benefit of our court stenographer, we ask attorneys and witnesses to identify themselves before
testifying. If you're participating by phone, if you wish to testify, press star nine to raise your
hand and star six to unmute. To an appearance statement, call 267-270-5548. Leave your email
address and the address of the property in question. And finally, the question answer box on
the screen is not for comments or testimony. All comments should be sent to our executive director,
time is sunken. So let's look at our continuances for this afternoon. Number four, MI 2022-004-822-5304
North Broad Street. That case is continued. Number five, MI 2022-006-535-118 Hillcrest
avenue that case is continued is there any comments relative to those two cases
That case is continued.
Is there any comments relative to those two cases being continued?
Chair, we have someone by the name of Rebecca Cole.
Ms. Cole, please unmute yourself and wait for the chair.
Good afternoon.
Could you state your name, please, and spell it for the court reporter?
Good afternoon, Chair. Rebecca Cole, R-E-B-E-C-C-A-C-O-L-E.
Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?
What case?
118 Hillcrest, the continuance just announced.
I'm with Vintage Line for Sean Whalen on behalf of the property owner.
I'm wondering if you have a date for that continuance.
um hillary did we give that a date nope but notices will uh go out so we'll make sure
notices come out okay thank you all right thank you are there any other requests for continuance
i see no other hands at this time chair i have a few cases without exhibits number two
MI 2022-004-886-617 East Durham Street. This is the first listing. Demetrius Parrish is the attorney. No exhibits.
I see no hands, Chair.
So MI 2022-004-886-617 East Durham Street. That case is continued.
Case number seven, MI-2022-004-808-2832 Belmont. 2832 Breale Limited is the listed owner.
We have no exhibits. This is the first listing.
Chair, we have someone with the hand up by the name of Carolyn Kamau.
Okay. She just put her hand down. Now we have a Stephen Magnum with his hand up.
Okay, sure.
Mr. Magnum, please unmute yourself and wait for the chair.
Hi, Mr. Magnum, could you state your name, please, and spell it for the court reporter?
Stephen Magnum, spelled S-T-P-H-E-N, last name Mangum, M-A-N-G-U-M, like a man chewing gum.
You swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth.
So we don't have exhibits for this case.
It's the first list.
So it's going to have to be continued.
Mr. Chair, is this the gentleman that spoke up in the 930 list and he was here for this case?
Mr. Magnum, are you the property owner or the tenant in this case?
Because we have. Oh, OK. No, we need to speak. Are you an interested party like a neighbor?
Yes. OK. OK. We need to speak to the property to the property owner, if possible.
We only have any other hands listed. OK. Is there any other hands up chair?
We have some. We have someone by the name of Dana Wayman. OK, sure.
I believe that's the person from earlier. OK, now the hand has disappeared again, chair.
Do we have no other hands up?
28-32 Belmont.
The hand is back up again, Chair.
Please raise your hand if you are the owner or applicant for this case.
Ms. Wayman, please unmute yourself and wait for the chair.
Hi, could you state your name, please, and spell for the court reporter?
yes uh my name is dana wayman i called earlier you did meeting i'm not i'm not the owner of
the property i wanted the um i wanted the um residents that's that's my only reason for being
here and to make my vote what i'm trying to do is find the owner of the property i understand
okay okay chair we have a carolyn camara with her hand up okay miss camara please unmute yourself
and wait for the chair i you know i'm sorry because uh i am also i'm carolyn camara c-a-r-o-l-y-n
last name is k-a-m-a-r-a right i'm just ready wait one minute do you swear to affirm to tell
truth the whole truth is nothing but the truth yes i'm only a homeowner okay
Yes. I'm only a homeowner.
Okay. All right. So I'm still looking for the owner. Okay. All right.
Last call. 2832 Belmont. Is the listed owner applicant available?
Chair, I see no hands.
Okay. So MI 2022-004-808-2832 Belmont. This is the first listing. This case will be continued.
Are there any other requests for continuances?
We're going to go to our add-on list.
I see the handshare.
Okay, so our add-on list, MI 2022-003-699-1709 Marshall Street.
I vote no to reconsideration and rehearing.
Thomas Holloman, my vote is no to request for reconsideration.
James Snell, my vote is no to reconsideration and rehearing.
Mr. Mayor Shaheed, my vote is no to reconsideration and rehearing.
Number two, thank you. Number two, 2022, 404-618-850-East-Madison Street.
I vote yes
Thomas Holloman
my vote is yes
James Snell
my vote is yes
Vishal
my vote is yes
number three
MI 2022