They also discussed the fact that it was rezoned to RM1.
And again, our adjoining property is RM1.
It was a renovated property.
We are providing this lot to provide the parking for that RM1 lot, as well as the 3500 Kensington Avenue property, which, again, has a permit for the personal services, i.e. nail salon, as well as the two residential dogs above.
of. I find it odd that, you know, in this day and age where people, you know, usually they're talking
about not providing enough off-street parking. And in this particular case, they're objecting
to the fact that we are providing off-street parking, albeit the improvements to the lot
were made without the proper permits. However, I think the photographic evidence indicates
in and of itself the efforts and the improvements and the investment made into the lot with
replacing sidewalks adding ornamental fencing security lighting and you know in effect providing
off-street parking uh for the adjoining parcel uses um so at this point we would ask this board
um you know just you know not not disregard but take take into effect the uh the value of this
letter and give it the weight and authority that it deserves um in addition uh you'll see the
certification of mailing, 108 pieces went out. They indicate in our letter that 16 members were
present and opposed the application. I recall less than a half a dozen participating actively
in the conversation and a lot of their concerns dealt with other properties owned by my client
and not necessarily the fact that there's going to be off-street parking on this RM1 property.
So, at this point, I would ask, if you haven't already done it, Ian Smith, please raise your hand so you can verify and adopt.
Good evening, Mr. Smith. Please identify yourself with the records by your name.
And I'll swear you went.
All right. Good evening. I'm on the meeting.
My name is Ian Smith, I-A-N-S-M-I-T-H, operating at 322 East Thompson Street, 19125.
And Ian, you are the design professional for the property owner, is that correct?
And you've heard my representations to the board?
Are they true and correct, to the best of your knowledge, information, and belief?
and would you adopt them as your own testimony yes thank you very much just to be clear mr ward
yes sir no demolition on that site uh is that correct or not other that is correct there weren't
any were there ever any structures were there when since your clients own it has been structures on
those parcels no there has not there was uh you know a hard a hard concrete surface uh coming in
And there was some rubble, some rubble from the structure that had been there, but he did not demolish the building and acquired it as pretty much a vacant lot.
So basically, he made improvements to what was an existing flat surface.
Absolutely. Absolutely.
Thank you.
Questions from the board?
Anyone else would like to testify in this case, please raise your hand.
Here we have Sloan Foulkes, who can unmute himself.
Mr. Foulkes, welcome back.
Please identify yourself again for the record.
Once again for the record, Sloan Foulkes, Office of Councilwoman Maria Quinonez Sanchez,
Room 508, City Hall, 19107.
I just have two questions before the Councilwoman weighs in with her opinion.
Not questions, but statements.
Actually, one of the issues that we've had prior was that our office requested a continuance based on...
that our office requested a continuance based on not having feedback from the coordinating RCO.
The coordinating RCO that the councilwoman had designated was impact RCO.
The appellant met with Harrogate RCO.
I'm just curious as to how they came to meet with Harrogate RCO as opposed to the coordinating RCO
that the councilwoman designated as impact RCO. Mr. Ward was that at the direction of the planning
commission? I recall receiving the RCO notification from the planning commission
directing us to meet with Harrogate Civic. Just as a point of record I have a document here
that directs the appellant to meet with impact RCO as the coordinating RCO. Now I will submit
that to share in Saletta as soon as I am able to probably while we, before the end of the evening.
More of, but secondly, we appreciate there was a community meeting that the community was able to
weigh in. And in as much as the community was able to weigh in, the councilwoman is not
supporting this BME's request.
Anyone else would like to testify in this matter?
Mr. Chairman, I would just follow up.
I would just like to follow up by saying,
you know, my client purchased this derelict property,
invested a lot of money into it,
along with the adjoining property at 3512-14 and at 3500.
I believe it is not contrary to the interests of the community, nor a adverse impact upon the safety and general welfare of the community.
And I would ask that the board grant the variance.
Understood. Planning Commission.
Mr. Chairman, this is Mason Austin from the Planning Commission.
The property is indicated for multifamily use in the city's comprehensive plan.
While the property is irregularly shaped, there's adequate frontage on two streets and there do not appear to be any physical characteristics that justify a claim of hardship.
Non-accessory parking is incompatible with the neighborhood context and introduces pedestrian automobile conflict directly adjacent to a Market-Frankford line station.
Accordingly, staff recommends against the granting of the variance.
No, I think I would agree. It may not be the highest and best use, but what I see is a
purchase of a piece of land that has not been kept, made a lot of improvements,
so with no disrespect to the councilwoman's office, MI 2020-000221-3510 K Street, my vote is yes.
anybody else voting board members
professor jim tom stop this thing
they all went out to dinner
just hang in there guys we only have one more all right all right thank you thank you very
much folks and have a great evening thank you okay all right thank you a little while ago i
was the hose man i couldn't get back uh frank our number number seven last one
i'll read it off mi2020-0002345123 viola street um this is sharon saletta the attorney on this
is Darlene Threat and we received a very enthusiastic letter of support from the community.
Okay. Ms. Threat, please identify yourself with the record and consider yourself still
under oath from earlier today. Ms. Threat, you can unmute yourself.
here we go good evening commissioners darlene freed on behalf of the applicant theresa gardner
please again spell your name for this uh sonographer please d-a-r-l-e-n-e t as in
thomas h-r-e-a-t-t 2101 pine street philadelphia ta 19103 and remember you're still under oath
So, confessor, please begin.
You agree to wait the reading of its refusal and stipulate to its accuracy?
also have you emailed an exhibit packet with the required documents proof of ownership proof of
Also, have you emailed an exhibit packet with the required documents, proof of ownership, proof of tax...
tax compliance copy of the refusal or referral photos and plans five days prior to this hearing
i may not have been quite five days but yes okay have you uh met with the rco and have a letter
yes thank you may i share my screen
yes you may
can this go in the oven yes no
commissioners um miss theresa gardner who's on the line now has run a family daycare from 5123
biola street for approximately 19 years i have a package of information for you here today
I'll just go through it very quickly. I inadvertently labeled this a refusal. It's
actually a referral. Here it is. For the daycare to have 12 children,
it requires a special exception approval in this zoning district.
Here is the application submitted by Ms. Gardner.
here is the lower ordinance concerning uh family daycare pardon me miss three we're not
able to see your exhibits you can see my exhibits okay let me try again
how about now
you hit the screen share because we don't have that it's being tapped you tap that
I'll tell you what miss three could you read us that very enthusiastic letter of support you
why certainly commissioner uh we received a very enthusiastic letter of support from the
parkside association of philadelphia dear uh mr chico as president of the parkside association
the coordinating rco in the above matter please accept this letter of support we met with the
applicant on july 30th we are pleased to write this letter in support of june bugs garden
daycare center application for extension. This daycare center is an important part of the
community and we are very pleased to witness both on the outside and in the inside the significant
and positive improvements that have taken place over the past several years since the establishment
originally opened. With regards to this application, we very much support the extension.
We want the zoning board to understand that it is important that this existing and extended daycare
be maintained, along with the proposed extension improvements. We are pleased that the owner is
willing to maintain and extend such a wonderful business that provides nutritional, educational,
and safety to children and families all year round. Thank you for your consideration of this
request. That was enthusiastic, I will admit. Okay. Can you hear me? Yes, I can. All right, good.
But do you have a client you want to bring on, Ms. Street?
Ms. Gardner, are you available?
If not, we'll accept you.
She's available to be sworn in here.
Good evening, everyone.
Hi, good evening, ma'am.
Please identify yourself with a record, spell your first and last name, and provide us with your address.
My name is Teresa Gartner. It's T-H-E-R-E-S-A, last name G-A-R-D-N-E-R, and the address is 5123 Viola Street.
Do you swear and affirm, ma'am, to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Yes, sir, I do.
Thank you, Ms. Threatt.
Ms. Gartt, commissioners, I believe my package is up now. Can you see it?
It's okay. We've got that letter, that enthusiastic letter. That suffices.
Very well, then. Commissioners, I'd ask you to approve the extension of a family daycare to a group daycare, which would allow for 12 children ages 2 to 12 to use the facilities here for daycare and educational needs.
This daycare has been a staple of the community for over 19 years. It gets very, very robust support from the community. It provides a great service that's needed in this community.
and we ask that you allow Ms. Gardner
to extend the use of June Bugs Garden Daycare.
June, Bugs, Garden, Daycare.
Would you ask your client?
Would you ask your client if she will adopt your testimony?
Ms. Gardner, if you were to testify today,
would you adopt the testimony that I just put forth to the board?
Yes, I do.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Any questions from the board?
Anyone else would like to testify in this case?
If so, please raise your hand.
No hand.
Thank you.
Planning Commission?
Mr. Chairman, this is Mason Austin with the Planning Commission.
The lot is designated for single-family residential in the comprehensive plan
and is currently zoned for that use.
Given the context, the need for this use, and the enthusiastic support of the RCO,
staff has no opposition to the granting of this special exception.
Okay, thank you.
MI 2020-0002345123 Viola Street, I enthusiastically give my vote a yes vote.
i second that my vote is yes my vote is yes my vote is yes thank you very much commissioners
thank you and i thank my board members for staying awake i appreciate the everyone's
involvement today thank you everyone all right fellas great job