ZBA Hearing - January 17, 2024

This space will have appropriate handicap accessible entryways as well as as well as bathrooms.

And in the package, we've included some articles, which we're obviously not going to go through in totality today.

But the I think the board to understand how this concept is going to operate in this mixed use development is intended to be very much like the Bach craft market space and the Bach flex space.

space down in South Philly, or there's one up in Chestnut Hill, and we've included a

recent article from Philadelphia Magazine just on how popular these craft markets have

become with the local communities, how local artisans who pursue their crafts on Etsy and

eBay need a brick-and-mortar location to utilize, and that's what this space is intended to

be.

This space is intended to serve the residents of Bridesburg in a way that not just complements

the already approved shared office spaces but also the rental units had already been approved

and built out and are now occupied in the former school building chapel building and rectory building

with me today who can answer any questions about the functionality of the craft market space is

matt samola he's the principal of all saints development as well as ron bauman who is going

to be one of the operators of the actual craft market space, and he's with an NE called Milk

Street Marketing. If the board has any questions about just the day-to-day functionality of the

space, either those two individuals are available and are happy to address those.

Why don't we have your testimony adopted, Mr.

I'd like to have Mr. Massimola raise his hand and be admitted to the Zoom.

Mr. Simola has been unmuted and allowed to speak.

Sir, could you state your name and spell it, please, for the court stenographer?

Good afternoon.

Matthew Simola, M-A-T-T-H-E-W, S-E-M-O-L-A.

Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

I do.

Proceed, counsel.

Mr. Simola, what's your position with All Saints Development?

I'm one of the principals.

And is All Saints Development the owner of the All Saints campus at 2641 Buckeyes Street?

2651, yes.

I'm sorry, 2651 Buckeyes Street.

And did you hear my presentation this afternoon?

I did.

Do you agree with all the factual statements I made to the Zoning Board of Adjustment today?

I do.

And do you adopt them as your own?

Yes.

Mr. Smola, can you briefly describe to the Zoning Board your concept for how the craft market will operate?

Well, we hope to have a regular indoor market, crafts, a produce market, perhaps a coffee bar, something that does not exist in Bridesburg.

And we feel the demand is very strong for not only renting out our our studio craft spaces, but as well as well as the the the craft markets on a, you know, regular, we're hoping weekly, weekly event.

And, Mr. Smola, have you reviewed a community benefits agreement that was negotiated with the Bridesburg Community Action Alliance?

I have, yes.

And are you agreeable to enter into the community benefits agreement to address all the concerns listed and identified in that document by the Bridesburg Community Action Alliance?

Absolutely.

I have no further questions.

Questions from the board?

No, Mr. Chairman.

No, Chair.

Questions or comments from our attorney, Hillary Emerson?

Not this time, Mr. Chair.

Questions or comments from the virtual audience?

Chair, I see no hands at this time.

Planning Commission.

Planning Commission.

Thank you, Chair Bergman, and good evening.

Thank you, Chair Bergman, and good evening.

David Fechtow with the City Planning Commission.

David Fechto with the city.

Chairman and board members, the comprehensive plan recommends no change to the residential single-family zoning at this location.

The proposed retail sales, artist studios and artisan industrial, food, beverages, and groceries, wearing apparel, and accessories matches previously approved variances at the site for multi-tenant spaces within a former church.

The City Planning Commission recommends that the Board grant their proposed use variants.

Thank you.

Hillary, in hearing Mr. Toner's comments, the only thing that I heard was a temporary variance.

Are you fine with that as a proviso?

Yes, Mr. Chair, we could include that as a proviso.

Okay, thank you.

MI 2023-003-753-2651 Buckeye Street, I vote yes. Proviso. Temporary variance expires 1-18-29.

Thomas Holloman, my vote is yes with Proviso.

James Snell, my vote is yes with Proviso.

Ishmael Shahi, my vote is yes with Provaizo.

Thank you, Mr. Turner.

Thank you very much.

Is there anyone in the virtual audience who had a case at 3.30 that has not been called?

I see no hands at this time, Chair.

Thank you, everyone.

Good day, a lot of work, and I appreciate what everybody did today.

Thank you.

Thank you, Bill.

Great job, Chair.

see you everybody

good night all

good night all

good night all

You