So members of the board, we're here. We were last here in 2017 for this project. I represent
Ms. Phyllis Johnson. She's the owner of Hosanna Personal Care Home, which is supposed to be moving
into this property once renovations are completed. Hosanna Personal Care Home is a personal care
assisted living facility for those with the, excuse me, disabilities. Sorry, it's been a long
day. So that's what we're here for today. I've included in my packet a handout explaining what
it is exactly Ms. Johnson tends to do, and it's really to provide a community outreach
program to allow folks to live in this house, to have a structured daily schedule with events,
to go on vacations together when we're all allowed to do this again, provide for assistance
with personal care, et cetera, et cetera.
For purpose of the record, I'm showing again my packet of materials, including the refusal
appeal and project information form at page one area zoning map at page six this is an rsa 5
district deed is at page seven tax clearance is at 13 zoning notification letter is at 16 we do
not have an rco letter because we were asked to come back due to lack of attendance at the community
meeting i have a copy of our prior temporary permit that was issued by after his hearing with
this board back in 2017 it was a three-year permit that's why we're back again i have photos of the
property at 24 and plans at 36. So I'm showing right now the refusal, which is in the page
number three of my packet. It's a personal care home, which requires a special exception in this
district. The house itself, as you'll see, members of the board, is a large three-story Victorian
style for a maximum of 12 occupants in six units, providing assistance with bathing, dressing, diet,
financial management, etc. I'm showing now overhead an area zoning map. Members of the board were
indicated in this blue area right here. Like I said, it's an RSA 5 district located around RM1
and CMX 2. We're right off of Erie Avenue. It's shown on the screen right now. It's the
sheriff's deed where my client purchased the property at page 7. The tax clearance information
at page 13. For whatever reason, we were not able to get a tax clearance through the system.
There was an outstanding balance that was due of 714 that had since been paid, so we are clear at this point, members of the board.
So my zoning letter at page 16, proof of mailing at page 18, indicating that 115 letters went out as of October 17th.
page 19 is a copy of the permit for purpose of the record it's permit number 714340 issued 330
2017 or pardon me 330 2017 after a hearing by this zoning board of adjustment for a temporary
three-year permit coming back to try to get a permanent permit for that
showing the photos of the property page 24 is the sign i posted
This is the property as it currently exists. It still does need interior alterations before
it's ready to be used as the personal care home. This is looking towards Erie Avenue, page 27,
and these are just going to be shots rotating down the block showing the adjacent properties.
Now back up the block towards Erie Avenue at the properties across the street.
these are the plans members of the board i know it's difficult to see because this is a smaller
screen for these sorts of plans but these are the existing conditions basement first floor plan
there's currently an office dining on the ground floor the second floor there's three bedrooms and
a bath and on the third floor three bedrooms and a bath what we're seeking to do
just renovate everything so we have a place that's a little bit more conducive for a personal
care home that will be housing up to 12 people in the basement we have laundry facilities with
a folding table along with the utilities for the entire building the ground floor we're having the
porch in the front nice living and communal area to the front community and dining with an accessible
unisex toilet in the middle the kitchen to the rear and then stairs that lead into the rear yard
On the second story, we have several bedrooms. Unit 2A has two beds, allowing for two people.
We have several bedrooms. Unit 2A has two beds, allowing for two people. We have an office space
for the employees, including Ms. Johnson herself. Bathroom. Another bedroom unit to the rear of the
property, again with two beds. Moving on to the third story members of the board. Bedroom to the
front with two beds. We have a one bedroom unit in 3B. Then in Unit 3C, we again have two bedrooms,
and there's a bathroom that's common on the floor.
There will be someone on site 24 hours a day,
as indicated in our prior presentation,
which I don't expect you all to remember at this point,
as that was so long ago.
But assuming we receive the special exception,
Ms. Johnson would like to continue the service
to representatives and residents of the neighborhood
who are in need of help with the tasks of daily living
and who are otherwise developmentally disabled.
Ms. Johnson, are you on the line right now?
if so please raise your hand chair she's available to be sworn in thank you miss uh johnson barron
i believe uh please identify yourself for the record spell your full name and provide us with
your address yes phyllis johnson barron my address is 4963 north franklin street philadelphia pa
19120. We're infirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?
I do. For the court reporters benefit, it's Phyllis, P-H-Y-L-L-I-S, next name, Ann, uppercase A-N-N,
Johnson, uppercase J-O-H-N-S-O-N, hyphen, Barron, B as in boy, A-R-R-E-N as in Nancy.
That's correct. May I proceed, Chairman?
Yes, please.
Ms. Johnson, will you briefly describe your experience in dealing with folks with disabilities such as this?
Yes. I have well over 15 years of experience working with those with special needs.
My experience is that a lot of times those who are higher function individuals need more of a step down place to reside.
um currently right now as we all know there's a shortage of homes uh good homes
to um actually place people with special needs but i have well over 15 years of experience i'm
also a licensed personal care administrator as well through the state of pennsylvania
okay miss johnson at this site itself the maximum number of people that will ever be housed there
is 12? Yes. What's the approximate age range of the people who will be living at the facility?
We're looking from age 18 to 55. And do you know how many employees you intend to have at the site?
We're going to have around-the-clock care, so approximately 12 staff.
Is there anything you'd like the board to know at this time to supplement my testimony
or the testimony that you gave at the previous hearing, which I understand was quite some time
ago? Only that it's needed. I believe a lot of people do understand those with special needs
individuals. A lot of people are afraid of what they don't know. However, we are prepared. My
daughter, she's going to be aboard, and she's a licensed clinical therapist or a licensed clinical
clinical director um and we're going to make sure that we have those with special needs
that they're not going to have like drug and alcohol issues or those with um if they've been
incarcerated of any sort we're going to screen our individuals um we we want to be able to do a good
job and and and just uh by us doing a good screening process we'll be able to have the
the uh special needs individuals that we feel so would be uh good for for us and the neighborhood
all right thank you ms johnson i don't have any other questions for you at this time but members
of the board we're happy to take any questions uh from you if you'd like thank you questions from
board no no anyone else like to testify in this case if so please raise your hand
um chair i have charles richardson from the council person's office but before before you
swear him and i just would like to put on record i do have a letter of opposition from representative
rosita youngblood thank you
good afternoon please identify yourself for the record and i'll swear you in
Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of the board.
good afternoon mr chair and members of the board charles
Charles Richardson of the Office of Councilwoman Cindy Bass, room 312, City Hall.
We're in a firm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth.
Thank you.
I believe you may have heard Mr. Moro at the onset suggest that we hear and hold.
Yes, I did.
I just wanted to make sure that he is aware of the email that was sent to him yesterday from Mr. Charles Karn, setting up a meeting on November the 19th at 5.30 p.m.
Mr. Mulvihill, are you in receipt of that?
Because there was no response to that email yesterday.
Yes, I did receive the email, and I was going to respond as soon as we had a new rehearing date for this,
so I could advise Mr. Karn and get those new letters out to all community members
so they'd be able to attend and add whatever testimony they may like at the additional hearing.
Okay, but as I stated, as we just discussed, 13th Ward, RSEO, has rescheduled the community meeting,
going to be at the Mercy Ministry Center on Thursday, the 19th of November, 2020,
gives the address of 1939 West Venango Street at 5 30 p.m. So since that is the is the date then
perhaps it can be scheduled thereafter. Okay we're going to need a date after the what was that the
19th? 19th yes sir. So I think that's going to bring us into the end of the month if not mistaken
right, Tanya? No, we're going to be able to do it December 2nd. December 2nd. Okay.
Any other individuals wish to be heard on this case? Just two more things, Chairman. Ms. Sunkett,
I haven't received a copy of this letter of opposition. Would you be so kind as to forward
it to me? Because I was unaware. Yes, I sent it to you as I stated it on record. Great. Thank you
very much uh my second request is simply this members of the board if for whatever reason
there are there's an insufficient turnout at this next community meeting as well
for whatever reason i'm just asking that we'd be allowed to proceed and we don't continue this case
again only because it cost my client several hundred dollars in posted fees every time we
send them out and we made every effort to attend the last meeting noted thank you anyone else would
like to testify in this case please raise your hand no hands chair you can proceed thank you
planning commission i'm sorry a hand just popped up okay we have a shamika you're gonna mute
yourself and wait to be sworn in okay ma'am please identify yourself with a record spell your first
and last name and provide us with your address yes my name is shamika sparrow my first name is
spelled s-h-a-m-e-k-a last name is sparrow s-p-a-r-r-o-w your address my home address is
368 east church lane philadelphia pa 19144 where was that in practice excuse me you swear and
affirm to tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth yes and chairman for the record
miss sparrow is related to the project she is the licensed uh therapist that my friend is
johnson referred to okay uh unless you have something new and different ma'am because
we're going to hold this case until the rco meeting okay um no i was all right okay thank
you anyone else planning commission good afternoon board peter bernard for the planning commission
this property is indicated for single family residential use in the comprehensive
of plan we do not feel the proposal will have a negative impact on the surrounding community
accordingly we have no objection to the granting of the special exemption
thank you MI 2020-000303 3643 north 19th street this hearing will be resumed on is that a Tuesday
what day is that Tanya Tuesday December 4th no it'll be December the 2nd Wednesday December
the 2nd at 2. Wednesday December the 2nd at 2 p.m at which time I just wanted to state for all
involved that this would not require new posters to be posted on the property okay and again this
will be resumed on December the 2nd at 2 p.m. at which time the board will consider any feedback
related to the RCO and the Councilwoman Bass's position. Thank you. Thank you members of the
board you have a good afternoon you too thanks
M-I-2020-000-330-2566, Belmont Avenue.
2020-000
Hi, Chair.
I have Gary.
Gary, are you, you can unmute yourself.
Are you the applicant, owner, or attorney?
I'm not the attorney.
I work for the organization we need the owner or his or her attorney
Mr. Kerr you've been promoted to panel
good afternoon Mr. Kerr please identify yourself for the record
and I'll screw you in okay good afternoon Mr. Chairman members of the board William Kerr
High Swartz 40 East Erie Street, Norristown,
19404 for the applicant.
English Housing.
And your last name is spelled K-E-R-R?
That's correct.
You swear and affirm to tell the truth,
the whole truth, nothing but the truth.
Thank you.
Is there a way to read in of its refusal
and stipulate to its accuracy?
Also, have you emailed an exhibit packet
with the required documents,
proof of ownership,
proof of tax compliance,
copied the refusal or referral photos and plans
five days prior to this hearing? Yes, that was all forwarded last week. Have you met with the RCO
and have a letter, sir? We have met with the RCO and that letter of, it's a letter of support
actually. It's number two in our exhibit packet due to some technical difficulties. I can't share
my exhibits today, but it is in the exhibit packet which we had submitted. This is Sharon
Saleta. I can confirm that we've received that. Okay. That RCO meeting was held on September 18th
of 2020 there were 15 attendees and all 15 voted to support the um the application and that was
the winfield residents association so uh probably makes sense to have mr bramnick testify he's just
gonna he's gonna adopt my um statements in a couple minutes but not testify but be sworn in
at this point mr bramnick please identify yourself first name last name
Gary Bramnick, G-A-R-Y, B as in boy, R-A-M as in Michael, N as in Nicholas, I-C-K, address 2600 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia 19131.
Swear and affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?
Yes, sir.
And your involvement in this?
I'm the Director of Marketing Communications for the Inglis organization.
Thank you.
Okay, so Inglis Housing Corp is a nonprofit.
Their main function is to provide housing and related services to the physically disabled.
They also provide those kinds of services to other folks with other disabilities as
well but primarily physically disabled.
This particular location is fully developed at this point.
There are two buildings essentially.
Each of the buildings has 40 residential units for physically disabled folks.
There are also they also have what they call their innovation center there and those are
that's where they provide the services in various offices throughout the campus.
The services relate to training folks just providing therapy and they have an accessory
physician's office with physical therapy. One of the issues that they have is just directing folks
from the street and internally to the various doors where the various functions
happen. So what we're proposing, there are two existing signs. One is out on Belmont Avenue,
which says English Housing, I believe. And we're proposing an additional freestanding sign out on