off street um and it won't harm the neighbors in any way because we're basically
continuing to exist in the same way that the neighbors are um and continuing to use this
property as a single family home um and it is supported by the near neighbors as well as
community at large council why don't you bring your client on sure ahmed are you are you here
Councilor, why don't you bring your client on?
Sure. Ahmed, are you here? Can you raise your hand?
can you raise your hand
And they have been allowed to speak.
Hi, could you please state your name and spell for this phonographer?
Can we best hear me?
We can.
Hi, my name is Ahmed Mithwali.
I'm the son of Ahmed Mithwali, the owner of the property.
All right. Ahmed, could you spell your name for this phonographer?
Sure. It's A-H-M-E-D. That's my first name. Last name is M-E-T-W-O-A-L-I.
You swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?
Please proceed, counsel.
Just one question before I go into the other ones. You are a resident of this property, correct?
All right, great. And you heard my testimony here today and believe it to be truthful and accurate?
And would you adopt it as your own?
I do. Thank you. Questions or comments from the board?
Can I see the
interior photos of the space again?
Please. Thank you.
So this is the
this is where you would come into the front. And again, there's like a little kitchenette
here. There's laundry.
I'm sorry. This is like
that that one photo is inverted right yeah let me see if i can turn it for you
there you go okay all right so so um there's that one and again it's just a little area for
again the the most elderly residents of this property of this family are living down there
with mobility issues um which is hence the first floor um bedroom a little place for them to cook
some food um this is the stairs this area basically uh if you look here um next to the
washer and dryer is that door there in in the picture there on the left at the top is that
one of the access points to yes that's to the front of the property that is this this door right
there okay all right and then and then so when you continued through um there um you know past
the washer and dryer that's where you sorry i'm going to turn this again i apologize i didn't
realize that one was turned um i would have put it on separately um so this is the door here on
this bottom left photo um that goes into where the bedroom access is and that little entryway
and this is the stairway into the main living quarters of the house upstairs and if you pass
through here past this entry past the stairways that's when you get to the family room that's in
the rear of the home it had been in the rear of the home it was just fixed up and this is the
bedroom where the garage used to be okay other questions from the board thank you i have two
questions one um how does the how do you access the backyard from inside the property
um can you clarify that because i'm not sure on that yes uh just right on the you scroll down
please you see that door yes right there uh yeah can you if you could please uh uh yes which
that door right there that takes you to the backyard okay so whoever's staying in that in
And that basement, I mean, sorry, the garage conversion does have access to both the front and back and the back at grade.
And then for the kitchenette that you added across from the washer dryer, where is the stove venting out?
Is it?
It's venting out to the side of the property.
To the side of the property.
Any other questions from the board?
Questions from our attorney, Hillary Emerson.
Not at this time, Mr. Chair.
Questions or comments from the virtual audience?
I see no hands.
Planning Commission.
Thank you, Chairman, and good morning.
Dave DeFecta with the City Planning Commission.
Chairman and board members, the comprehensive plan recommends no change to the RSA-2,
residential single-family zoning at this location.
The city rezoned this neighborhood in 1978.
The appellant converted their garage into a living space without the benefit of permits.
the condition of parking in the driveway instead of in the garage is a common situation on this
block face so the proposal matches the character of the other homes the city planning commission
recommends that the board grant the proposed use variants for accessory off-street parking
in the required front yard thank you uh council we'll vote on this next wednesday at uh 9 30 a.m
okay thank you so much both of your cases will be voted thank you thank you
Go back to number 7. MI 2024-004-415-5338 Walnut Street. George Gossett is the attorney.
Go back to number seven.
Mr. Gossett. How are you? Can you hear me? Good morning. We can, sir.
If I remember correctly, you've already been sworn in, am I correct? Correct.
I have my client who is present. The issue is whether or not we have a picture of the posting.
We do not have a picture of the posting, but my client would testify,
would represent that she didn't in fact post it. We just don't have a picture of it.
Mr. Gossett, we can't go on unless we have that.
Okay. So what we're going to have to do is we're going to have to continue this, right? He'll reach the normal schedule, am I correct? So, Mr. Gossett, this case, MI 2024-004-415-5338 Walnut Street will be continued to 917-25 at 930 a.m.
Commissioner, is there a possibility we can get an earlier date on it?
Mr. Gossett, the whole staff is looking at me like ready to throw things at me because we are just booked to the thing, to the max.
But sorry about the issue situation, but that's the thing we have to do.
Thank you, sir, Mr. Gossett.
Thank you.
Is there anyone in the virtual audience whose case has not been pulled from 930 a.m.?
I see no hands. Thanks, everyone. See everyone at 2 p.m.
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Bill Bergman, and I will be chairing this meeting
of the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment. With me is our board member Cheryl L. Gaston.
Present, Mr. Chairman. Our board member Tanetta Graham. Present, Mr. Chairman.
Our board member, Michael Johns.
Present, Mr. Chairman.
Our board member, Taya Nguyen.
Present, Mr. Chairman.
Also present is our attorney, Hillary Emerson, the zoning board director, Ian Haggerty, and our board administrator, Lakeisha Dandy.
Recording of this hearing will be posted on the ZBA website.
By participating, you consent to be recorded.
This is an in-person meeting with remote capabilities.
whether remote or in person if you're called to speak you must state and spell your name and then
wait to be sworn in once you've been sworn in please state your name each time before beginning
your testimony any person may enter their appearance to become an interested party to the
case there are three ways to enter your appearance you can identify the case property address on your
zoom webinar you can see a staff member or you can call this ebay line by the close of business
tomorrow. Call 267-270-5548. Leave a message that includes your email address and the address of
the property of the appealed case. The following guideline is for remote attendees. First, when
directed, you must raise your virtual hand in order to be recognized to speak. Second, if you're
called to testify, you will be promoted to join as a panelist. Please accept the request and turn
on your camera. Third, the webinar Q&A is for questions about the hearing. Do not comment on
a case in the Q&A. Fourth, if you're participating by phone, press star 9 to raise your hand and star
6 to unmute. For our in-person attendees, please refrain from talking, eating, or drinking during
the hearings. Verbal and physical aggression will not be tolerated. Restrooms are across from the
elevators a water fountain is just outside the room to the right when speaking on the record
you must speak directly into the microphone in order to be heard by all attendees in the court
reporter in the event of emergency please follow the directions given over the public address system
or by the staff the main exit is through the double doors at the rear of the room
the nearest stairwell is to the left outside the doors in case of an evacuation the rally point is
love park directly across art street please remain there so we can account for you let's look at our
schedule for this afternoon number two um mi 2024 006 177 2068 east somerset street
burn anastasio is the attorney we understand there may be a request for continuance
Vern Anastasio is the attorney. We understand there may be a request for continuance. Mr. Anastasio.
We'll be right back.
Good afternoon, Chair. This is Doreen Blakely, and I will be your co-host this afternoon.
Mr. Anastasio has been promoted.
Counsel, just for the record, please state your name. You've already been sworn.
Vern. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair. Vern Anastasio on behalf of Mr. Jeffrey Sommer at 2068 East
Somerset. Counsel, I understand that it may be a request for a continuance here? Yes, Mr. Chair.
I did have an initial screening, but the community-wide meeting has yet to be held. As a result,
I understand I need to ask for continuance. Okay, thank you. So MI 2024-006-177-2068
East Somerset Street, that case is continued to 8-27-25 at 2 p.m. Number seven. Thank you.
Thank you.
Number seven, MI 2024-007-371-4664 Caster Avenue.
That case has been continued.
Are there any other requests for continuances?
I see no hands.
Oh, sorry, Chair.
David Orfanides just put his hand up, and I will promote him.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Orfanides, just for the record, could you please state your name and spell it?
David Orfanides, O-R-P-H-A-N-I-D-E-S.
Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
What case do you want to talk about?
289 East Walnut Park Drive, MI 2024-004403.
I was just reading.
That was this morning at 9.30.
Oh, that was this morning.
Oh, okay.
They told me it was 2 o'clock this afternoon.
All right.
Well, hopefully that was continued.
It was, sir.
Okay, thank you.
Thank you.
Any other requests for continuance?
Yes, Eric Badzen will be promoted.
good afternoon sir good morning mr chair good afternoon how are you i could you please state
your name and spell for the stenographer yes eric bods in a blank room eric b-o-d-z-i-n
do you swear or affirm to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth
yes i do what case do you want to talk about uh 301 lombard street mi20 24 007 380
Okay, number nine.
My understanding that case is being withdrawn.
That is mine as well.
All right, thank you.
So number nine, MI 2024-007-380, this case has been withdrawn.
Thank you for calling in.
We appreciate it.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Any other requests for continuance?
There are no hands up.
I have one more withdrawal.
Case number one, MI 2024-003-278-5336 Ridge Avenue.
This case has been withdrawn.
We're going to do our regular list, and we'll handle our add-ons first.
MI 2024-007-325-24 South 69th Street.
I vote yes.
I vote yes, Michael Johns.
Sorry, my thing wasn't working.
Cheryl Gaston, my vote is no.
Teno to Graham, my vote is yes.
I win, my vote is yes.
Thank you.
I just want to clarify the address on that one.
It's 2040 South 69th Street.
Thank you.
um number two mi 2024 007 326 1032 to 34 east berk street i vote yes proviso revised plans
two two pages stamp by zba march 26 25 2025 michael johns my vote is yes with proviso
Cheryl Gaston, my vote is yes with Proviso.
Tanetta Graham, my vote is yes with Proviso.
Tanetta Graham, my vote is yes with Proviso.
Tywin, my vote is yes with Proviso.