everything we've heard thank you all and thank you all for sitting here we appreciate it thank you
okay all right um
now i'm going to try to get a couple more we're okay i'm going to go with um
um where's my quickly
be right with you
I'm going to do that
firehouse one here.
You saw him in.
What up? Yep.
This is the
it's the
Lewis, right? Lewis? Yes.
Everybody knows her.
Everybody knows.
See what I say?
so number mi2025-005-890-9189 torsdale lewis balese is the attorney sir could you please
state your name as spelled for the stenographer lewis l-o-u-i-s balese b as in boy a-l-l-e-z-z-i
do you swear or affirm to tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth
I do. Could you identify your client and the relationship to the property?
Yes, Mr. Chairman. My client is Philly Firefighters and Paramedic Union, LLC.
Yes, Mr. Chairman. My client is Philly Firefighters and Paramedic Union, LLC, which has an equitable interest in the property pursuant to a pending agreement of sale.
With me today is Michael Bresnan, who is the manager of the appellant and also president of the affiliated union, International Association of Firefighters.
You have a report from the Sixth District Council Office, right, who have facilitated a meeting with 25 in support and 40 in opposition?
That's correct. That's the letter of support from the RCO.
And our vice chair has a few questions for you.
Good afternoon.
Have you emailed all your documents and exhibits five days in advance of this hearing?
Yes, we have.
And do you waive the reading of the refusal and stipulate to its accuracy?
Yes, we do.
Okay, thank you.
You can proceed with your case.
Share your screen.
Thank you, members of the board.
Sorry, have I been granted access to share my screen?
do we have access for him here we go invitation should be showing shortly
sure thank you thank you
sorry people had to wait a while we had just a couple long cases and
I was just kicked out
I'll rejoin
I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman.
I was kicked out of the Zoom.
I'm rejoining now.
All right.
Mr. Chairman, we're-
We're-
Yes. We're here today seeking a use variance for this property.
My client would like to use the property as its new union headquarters.
The uses would involve office space as well as meeting rooms for the union,
offices for the union's health plan, a fitness center and gym for the union's members,
as well as a members-only lounge and a banquet hall.
And I'd note that the union constitutes a fraternal organization under the zoning code,
which is part of our application.
This image here shows the property in question and its setting within the neighborhood.
I would note that the allocations for the specific uses may be subject to change.
We've received some additional suggestions.
However, this shows the context of the property.
Of the proposed uses, office use is already permitted as of right under the existing zoning of I-1.
We're therefore seeking a variance for the uses that are commonly attendant to union offices.
a um in our application here meets the requirements for a use variance specifically
to deny the variance here would result in an unnecessary hardship as you can see the vicinity
of the property is surrounded by a large residential neighborhood and um across
torsdale avenue are uh is jacob's park jacob's playground as well as uh as fields for for sports
to the rear of the property is i-95 which acts as a barrier separating the property from any
other true industrialized uses in the area and one block away both down linden avenue as well as
torsell avenue there is icmx zoning and i would note for the board that each of the uses that we
are seeking under this variance are permitted as of right under icmx zoning the adjacent zoning
classification the hardship here is created by the unique circumstances that affect the property
specifically being bordered by 95 as well as being surrounded by non-industrial uses it's not
surprising that the most recent tenant at the property Lincoln Tech has actually vacated the
property as being unsuitable. The variance here is necessary therefore to allow for a viable economic use.
The variance here is necessary, therefore, to allow for a viable economic use of the property, and it will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood.
In fact, it's in keeping with the neighborhood's character, because, as I mentioned, the uses that we're seeking here are allowed as of right on neighboring parcels.
Finally, I would note that a dimensional variance could not cure the situation, given the nature of the hardship.
We've received, as the chairman noted, overwhelming support from the RCO that coordinated the meeting for this variance.
and we're seeking the minimal relief necessary here again the all of the uses are allowed as
of right under the adjacent adjacent variance I'm sorry the adjacent zoning characterization
there are three key points that I would note for the board that again all that all of these uses
are permitted on neighboring parcels they're in keeping with the existing uses within the
neighborhood and there's based on the layout of the property there's no reasonable expectation
that there could be any impacts on neighboring properties either as to use of property or light
or air the variance here because of our intended uses compared to what's what the property has
been used as before would not increase congestion on the streets or endanger the public it could
not substantially or permanently impair anyone else's use of property nearby or their access to
light or air and it would not substantially affect any adopted plan similarly because there's no
reasonably expectable increased burden on any infrastructure compared to either any of the
neighboring uses or the most recent use. The variance here would not affect transportation
in a negative way or burden other infrastructure. And finally, it would not create environmental
damage or increase the danger of flooding. We're not looking to... This is an existing structure.
Exactly. Exactly. I would now ask Mr. Bresnan to join me. Well, why don't you go through the...
Do you have a couple of things here to show us some?
This is an aerial view of the property.
You can see that there's a large existing parking lot,
which provides more parking spaces than will be necessary under any of the intended uses.
There are two entrances to the parking lot,
one here on Torresdale Avenue where I'm moving my cursor,
one here on Linden Avenue.
We do not intend to request any changes to the curb cuts or changes to the property layout.
This is really just repurposing the existing structures, as the chairman mentioned.
I could also show you, this is a screenshot from Atlas.
The subject property is this dark purple shape right here.
You can see from the Atlas view that the surrounding area is largely residential to the north and east.
The screen space here is park and playground, and the magenta or brighter purple is all of the ICMX area that I was mentioning.
was mentioning so if this property had already been zoned icmx we wouldn't be here today everything
will be allowed as of right it's really to bring it into conformity with the existing use that
we're seeking of variance right um the is what's inside it has to be fit out is that what you're
saying that that's correct go through that real quick sure sure it was most recently a lincoln
tech and you can see these were images we submitted uh to the board this is the current
interior of the property um it's not in the greatest of condition but we will be refurbishing
it before for additional uses right um this this is part of the large main structure uh these these
show it as well there's there's a secondary structure in the rear which is shown in the
aerial view uh this is where we intend to put the the fitness center gym and these images show the
current inside of that it's a rather industrial setting do you have what the plans look like in
the future or we don't have uh existing architectural plans yet because this as i
I mentioned the sale is still pending, and we're seeking the variants first.
Why don't you bring your client on and adopt your testimony?
Certainly.
Sir, could you please state your name and spell for the stenographer?
Oh, no.
Yes, sir.
Mike Bresman, B-R-E-S-N-A-N, like Nancy, Andy, Nancy.
Right.
Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Yes, sir.
I want you to tell people your position.
I'm the current president of International Association of Firefighters, Local 22, Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics.
Okay. Counsel, please proceed.
Mr. Bresnan, did you hear my testimony today and my description of your intended uses for the property?
Yes, sir.
Did I accurately describe your intended uses to the best of your knowledge?
Yes, sir.
And do you adopt my testimony as your own?
Yes, sir.
Questions from the board?
questions or comments from our attorney
not at this time Mr. Chair
questions or comments from the virtual audience
any witnesses
I see no hands
hold on
but I mean
do you have any testimony relative to this
Do you have any testimony relative to this?
My opinion, because I passed by that area.
Well, come on up.
Come on up and testify.
Hi, could you please state your name and spell for this stenographer?
Get a little closer to the mic.
It'll pull towards you.
It'll come right to you.
There you go.
Deborah Sparks, D-E-B-O-R-A-H.
Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?
Your testimony?
I pass by that area every day when I take my grandchildren to and from school, to and from Tarsdale Boys Club, which is a block from them.
I frequent Dagwood's, which is catty corner from them.
I think that it would be a great thing.
The Philadelphia Fire Department is on State Road.
I know it will give their firefighters access to congregating together.
It would be a use for them.
and for the boys.
Thank you very much.
You're the shortest witness we had all day long.
Thank you very much.
Is there any other comments from the audience?
Planning Commission.
Yes, no hands, Sheriff.
Planning Commission.
Amy Boyd with the Planning Commission.
The comprehensive plan recommends no change
to the existing I-1 light industrial zoning
at this location.
The existing building,
which is proposed to remain
is a former high school and not currently configured for industrial use.
The appellant has therefore demonstrated that the proposed use
would not have detrimental impacts beyond what might be otherwise expected
for this location.
The Planning Commission recommends that the board grant the requested variances
for fraternal organization, assembly, and entertainment,
sit-down restaurant, and personal services.
MI 2025-005890-9189, Taurusdale Avenue.
I vote yes.
Michael Johns, my vote is yes.
Cheryl Gaston, my vote is yes
Tanetta Graham, my vote is yes
Ryan McAdams, my vote is yes
Iowyn, my vote is yes
Have your votes, thank you
I'm sorry we kept you so long
MI2025
004696
1412-22
Lehigh Avenue