ZBA Hearing - March 18, 2025

There was never a full vacating of the premises, which caused some consternation with the neighbors.

I would ask that if this is approved, that it be a short-term proviso of no more of two years.

It would give the applicant an opportunity to establish a favorable relationship with the neighbors on the block.

I will point out that the neighbors on the block that were supportive self-identified as having an employment relationship with the business.

I would ask that if at the end of the two years, if the neighbors have no problem, then we would welcome them to come back and go for an extended, not a proviso, but a variance on the property.

Any difficulty here has been self-manifested by the applicant not going through the normal controls, rules, and regulations that the Planning Commission and its subcomponent L&I have established for the real estate.

The real estate was vacant long enough so that it went to sheriff's sale.

We're happy to see the unit brought back online, but the garish nature of the original signage, bright lighting, etc., clearly did not blend into the fabric of the neighborhood, and that appeared to be one of the sore points between the business operators and the neighbors.

So we'd like to point out that this is a community. It is necessary for everyone to get along. We asked for some other issues which were not addressed, which are not provisable. And that was the job, since we're told that there are 100 plus people employed here, that those jobs be advertised to our local job bank at the Southwest Philadelphia Community Development Corporation.

To that effect, we've heard nothing to that effect. One of our RCOs, Paschal Betterment League, did ask for a distribution list by zoning code to confirm that, in fact, employees were coming from southwest Philadelphia. We never did receive that.

We're not denigrating the service that this provides, but it was done in a very heavy-handed manner, and there seemed to be no effort to become neighbors.

At this point, if there's any questions that you have, like to cross me.

Do you have any questions for him?

Just some comments.

Yeah, so—

Why don't we do this?

Sure.

Why don't we see if there's anyone else in the virtual audience and make your comments there?

Craig, thank you very much.

We appreciate your comments. Anyone else in the virtual audience?

Good afternoon, Mr. Chair. This is Jason Hand. I'm stepping in temporarily. I do not see any

further hands raised for this matter right now. Counsel, do you want to make comments?

Sure. So, you know, I would have no objection to what Mr. Melodosian said about permitting and

certificate of occupancy. Fully on board with that. I would object to the request for a temporary

zoning permit merely because of the fact that we're at the request of the RCO being asked to

make additional modifications to the interior of the building that are going to take some time

that are going to take some time and are sort of a condition of the zoning permit that we get the

and are sort of a condition of the zoning permit.

co so um you know the way i see it the the issues have been with the building structure primarily and

rather than the operation of their business this is a very long process we they would like to not

have to re-enter it a year from now um so you know i think that requiring the work to be done

inspected and get a co should serve as sort of guard rails enough to make sure that this is

done properly. Tanetta, do you have any questions? Yeah, I do. Are you

a licensed contractor? You are? I can't hear you.

Yes, ma'am. Yes, you are. Okay, and could you just tell me or give me any

explanation as to why permits weren't applied for prior to doing any work?

During the time, I used to come home like on the weekends because

I was attached to the army engineering,

so it's like I was doing this for fun. We never

choose to move to this location

till our office

that we are renting

on 52nd Street was vandalized

during the George Floyd incident.

So when that thing

happened, then we have to move.

But I was just coming home on weekends

having fun with my family.

Then I spent time in the

broken building, fixing.

And during

the time of the COVID,

so most of the LNI

I would not like functional.

Any other questions?

Yeah, I have a question.

I know you just mentioned that the concern about the temporary variance

was requests from the RCO to do interior renovations.

Could you explain what those renovations...

Creating a residential dwelling.

Creating the residential dwelling.

Because right now that's just open space as a part of the office.

Understood.

Any other questions?

Planning Commission.

Amy Boyd with the Planning Commission.

The comprehensive plan recommends no change to the existing RSA 5 for zoning at this location.

The proposed use for business professional office is consistent with documented prior use.

However, the appellant has not demonstrated that there are unique physical conditions or circumstances that would prevent the property from being used in compliance with the zoning code

for sign regulations.

The Planning Commission recommends

the board grant the use variance

for business and professional office

and for multiple principal uses,

but deny the requested variance

for accessory flat wall sign size.

If I may, quickly, you know, again, to reemphasize,

the sign that's facing the sort of RSA 5 portion

of the block is 11 square feet in sign area.

You're allowed 15 square feet.

I think we're meeting the spirit of the code.

Thank you.

So MI 2022, 606-705, 2000 Lowry Street, I vote yes, temporary variance that expires 3-19-28, all permits to be required, and a CO granted for the building.

Michael, John.

Sorry, Mr. Chair, I just wanted to clarify the provisos a little bit. So one, the temporary variance, are you intending that to apply to both uses?

Yes.

Just the business use or the signage or everything?

The whole thing.

Okay. The whole thing is temporary?

The whole thing, yeah.

Okay. And then, so you want them to obtain all necessary building permits as well as a certificate of occupancy?

And a CEO.

Okay. Yes.

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you.

michael johns my vote is yes with provisals wait a minute wait a minute

there's a permitted there's right all right all right so let's let's start over okay

so mi2022-006-705-2000 larry street i vote yes temporary variance expires 319-28

three years, right? Permits to be required and CO, and per amended refusal dated 9-27-24.

Okay. Michael Johns, my vote is yes, with provisos.

Cheryl Gaston, my vote is yes, with provisos.

Tynetta Graham, my vote is yes, with provisos.

Taya, my vote is yes, with provisos.

Thank you, counsel.

Thank you.

Okay, before we break, number three, MI 2024-004-330.

MI 2024-004-330.

MI 2024-004-330-437 North 52nd Street.

That is continued to 520-25 at 930.

And number four, MI 2024-004-331-1900 Hofnagel Street.

That case has continued to 5-20-25 at 9-30.

Is there anyone in the virtual audience whose case has not been called this morning?

Chair, I do not see any further hands.

Mr. Reuter, are you just visiting or?

See everybody tomorrow morning.

Thank you.

I think it's absolutely wild that they both put their professional licenses at risk for that building.

That is insane.

That's what the whole pack was going to cry.

She's like, you're not crying.

I was like, no, I'm supposed to guarantee you.

That's right, Matt.

That's right, Matt.

So you're right.