because of the facades that...
I mean, it's pretty detailed.
It was run through a historical commission with a lot of back and forth because this
is an historic corridor.
And if you've read the Inquirer recently, Ms. Judith Robinson is very prominent in that
neighborhood, trying to save as many historical properties, many owned by Black professionals
on Diamond Street and in the surrounding area.
and she was very, very supportive.
And that's why she said her letter of support
would indicate that it was a strong letter of support
and it is quoted in the letter itself
being as the chairman described it,
where the asterisk is a strong vote of support.
These are photographs.
This is an existing property in the middle.
My client's properties are to the left
and right of this structure.
You can see they're under construction.
But we have not started the front facade.
And the reason we started the building is because it is a by right five unit project.
But as the floor plan was laid out, it became obvious that the building was so large that another unit really would make sense.
And it would make it compatible with the other buildings that are on the block.
Again, just another photograph of 1825 to the left, 1829 to the right.
and in the middle is 1827 these are photographs of the posting of the
notices you can see the orange placard in the front of the building and these
are the plans as I said this is a rather large lot we don't have any issues with
height open space or rear yard basically we have six apartments we have one
apartment on the basement and first floor front basement and first floor rear third is on the
second floor front third floor second floor rear then the fifth and sixth is on the third floor
front and third floor rear we have no roof deck and what you'll be able to see from the plans is
while we have access from the front door we also have an alleyway leading down to basically the
middle of the building. And these switchback steps help the tenants or future tenants
to gain access to the upper units. And you can see the stairwell is repeated at first floor,
second floor, and third floor. This is a site plan indicating we have approval from the water
department. Again, it is a rather large lot in terms of depth, over 100 feet. And we also have
a wide area in the front, over 20 feet.
I just want to spend a few moments, if I can, here, Chairman, on the facade.
I don't usually do this, but because of the support of the community group
and the historical commission, I think it's pretty significant to show the board the detail
that is going to be part of the facade of both of these structures.
Again, this was an historic area.
My clients took photographs of what the buildings used to look like, met with the Historical Commission virtually through a number of email exchanges.
And over time, the Historical Commission was accepting the design as proposed, actually proposed by them in terms of the windows and the pediment heads, as well as the facade at the lower level.
detail above the windows. Again, some cast stone would be here to mimic the brownstone of years
past. We also have cast stone windowsills. And what was raised at one of the community meetings
is, you know, why do you have pediment heads over all three windows and, excuse me, two windows and
the one door on the first floor and on the second floor, but nothing over the window to the left?
The answer is that's what the photograph depicted.
So we basically mimic the photographs from yesteryear.
And basically you're gonna have a facade
that was in place in the 20s and 30s.
And both buildings again, are gonna have the same facade.
They're gonna have the same floor plan layout
and the same side alley access
to get to the switchback stairs that lead to the upper units.
again this is just a site plan uh but i wanted to show you this because we have approval from
the streets department because again there's a window well in the front of the house
that imposes upon the sidewalk it doesn't extend beyond where the stairs project from the front
first floor elevation but we need a streets department approval from that for that we also
First floor elevation, but we need a streets department approval for that.
We also have L&I approval for the entire project.
The remaining documents are the typical documents you would see in an application.
Henry, just out of curiosity, L&I's approval is for the six units?
No, no, their approval is for the floor plans, the elevations.
Okay, all right, okay.
That there's no open space issues, height issues.
Okay, all right. Fine. Thank you.
I didn't mean to infer that, so thank you for that question.
This is the tax certification that we do have.
The zoning map indicating that this entire row is RM1.
The deed.
Our notice letter.
And then these are the documents.
It's a zoning record.
I just wanted to point out to the chairman that 1827,
which is the property between our property, is zoned for seven units.
That was the one existing brownstone.
This is the property down the street.
This is also 1827, excuse me, again, indicating seven units.
This is 1821, 1823.
This has eight units, eight family dwelling.
And these are the historical commission approvals.
Again, very detailed requirements for windows.
And the green stamp is typical of the stamps issued by the historical commission.
And we have the same approvals for 1829.
so even the moldings that surround the windows
have to be approved by the historical commission
the details
even the hardware the latches on the window
we had to run that by the historical commission that had to be approved
So, there are the approvals for both projects, and I think that's why, in part, why the neighborhood group, Ms. Robinson, strolling supported this application.
So, in summary, this is a situation where we have existing structures, which the floor plan easily would accommodate a sixth unit.
We're coming to the board asking for that sixth unit.
We have all the necessary approvals in place, streets, L&I, as well as historical.
We have a unique circumstance here on Diamond Street, which was a historical corridor.
It's multifamily in between these two buildings in excess of what we're asking for,
as well as adjacent to this property on the east side with units in two more units than what we
have. We're not altering the essential character of the neighborhood. We're actually bringing
back an historical facade that is in harmony with what the neighborhood wants. It's in harmony with
the code. And we're not really affecting any latent error or development of any adjacent
and properties. And with that, I ask that all my submissions be admitted, and that I'd be
permitted to have my client adopt my testimony. Yes, you can, and please bring your client on.
Mr. Boyce, can you unmute yourself?
Jerry, can you raise your hand and unmute yourself?
i know he's on the call mr chairman yeah he's there he just needs to unmute
jerry please unmute yourself can you hear me now yes we can sir could you state your name
please and spell for the court stenographer sure gerald boyce g-e-r-a-l-d last name boyce b-o-y-c-e
right do you swear or affirm tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth
I do. Proceed, counsel. Mr. Boyce, you heard my presentation concerning 1825 diamond in conjunction with 1829 diamond. Is that correct? Yes. And you were on the entire call? Correct. And if you had the opportunity to testify, would you adopt my testimony as your own and as true and correct? Yes. Thank you, Mr. Boyce.
Hi, questions from the board.
no chair no mr chairman thank you questions or comments from the virtual audience
no hands chair planning commission morning chair bergman this is ian hegarty
Good morning, Chair Bergman. This is Ian Hegarty, appearing on behalf of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Last name spelled H-E-G-A-R-T-Y.
appearing on behalf of the philadelphia city planning
Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?
Yes, sir, I do.
Please proceed.
All right. Thank you, Chair. Good morning, Board members.
The comprehensive plan recommends no change to the existing RM1 multifamily zoning at the location of either of these appeals.
The proposed use variances for a dwelling unit count are minimal and do not conflict with the purpose and spirit of the zoning code.
And the proposed parking variance is supported by a hardship stemming from the size and shape of the existing buildings.
City Planning Commission recommends that the Board grant the variances for 1825 and 1829 Diamond Street.
Thank you.
MI 2023-001-377-1829 Diamond Street.
And MI 2023-001-370-1825 Diamond Street, I vote yes to both.
Thomas Holloman, my vote is yes to both.
Ishmael Shahid, my vote is yes to both.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Good morning, Mr. Consul.
he has been promoted it looks like he dropped off
can you hear me good morning Mr. Consul please state your name and spell for the court stenographer
Joseph J-O-S-E-P-H last name Consul C-O-N-S-O-L-E right do you swear a firm to tell the truth the
whole truth nothing but the truth I do could you identify your client in relationship to this
property. Yes, my client is Kurt Breisheis. He is the tenant of one of the units in the property
that we're here to discuss. Okay, our vice chair has just a few questions.
Good morning, counsel. Do you agree to waive the reading of the refusal and stipulate to
exact accuracy? I do. Have you emailed all the required documents and exhibits that are needed
and required to proceed with this case five days in advance of this hearing? Yes. Thank you. Please
proceed and share your screen okay my packet come up
all right good morning everyone uh we're here on 1241 east erie avenue uh kurt my client is
a tenant of this large um sort of industrial warehousey space uh that um he is seeking to
have approval to use as a body art studio that's his profession and we are in a icmx zoned property
so we're here for a special exception we met with the juniata park civic association
on september 11th they wrote us a letter of support it was a good meeting uh i believe
kurt's gonna be a good member of their community everyone seemed excited to have him proof of
mailing here's the space as i said it's an industrial space uh it's got uh some hairdresser
type places in there um you know kind of like just different mixed commercial uses in there
and um the spot he's using which we highlighted on the attached site plan is going to be uh a
tattoo body art space so there's no outward facing spot no nothing that faces the street
it's all inside that building and it will be an appointment-based space as he has a following
of folks that um are eager to make appointments with him and he's eager to help him out so
So he's got a lease, which the first year is up in December, and then he's got another year through the following December.
So he's got a lease, which the first year is up in December.
And here are some examples of his art.
So he's been under a lease for a while now while we've been going through this process.
I'll leave it at that. I'll call Kurt to raise his virtual hand.
are they allowed to speak i'm here all right sir could you state your name please and spell
for the court stenographer my name is kurt breysheis my first name is k-u-r-t and b-r-e-c-h-e-i-s
right do you swear or affirm to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Please proceed.
Good morning, Kurt.
Did you hear my presentation just now about your proposed special exception?
Do you agree with what I said and do you adopt it as your own?
All right.
I have nothing further.
Questions from the board?
No, Mr. Chairman.
No, Chair.
Questions or comments from the virtual audience?
No hands, Chair.
planning commission thank you chair bergman ian hegarty for the philadelphia city planning
commission board members the proposed use is not likely to have impact impacts beyond what would
reasonably be expected from this use at this location and so the city planning commission
recommends that the board grant the special exception thank you mi 2023 zero zero one
excuse me mr mr chair i just had a quick question for um mr consul
yes so um should there if the board grants mr consul should there be a proviso limiting this
to the specific unit that the tenant is is um is leasing yes yes i would agree with that yeah
okay and is is that unit 211 do i have that correct uh kurt are you still on the call
i believe you're correct uh from what i saw on the site plan i just wanted to confirm
he's still there is he still here up here yep there he is
kirk could you confirm the unit number it's on 211 thank you sorry thank you so mi 2023
001-347, 1241 East Erie Avenue, I vote yes. Proviso, limiting use to the specific unit,
unit number 211. Thomas Holliman, my vote is yes with proviso. Ishmael Shahid, my vote is yes
with proviso. Thank you. Thank you. Number 10. MI 2023-001-373-210 East Gerrard Avenue.
Letter of support from the Fishtown Neighbors Association.
Letter of support from Fishtown Kensington Area Business Improvement District.
Good morning, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, Mr. Clinton.
You've already been sworn.
Just state your name for the record, please.
Sure, Henry Clinton.
Could you identify your clients and their relationship to this property?
My client is William Zhu, Z as in zebra, H-U.
He is both the applicant and the owner of the property, and he is on the call.