people to address the Zoom issues. A lot of people are older and they do not have those capabilities,
nor do they are comfortable utilizing Zoom or calling in that process. And that's a hardship
this from being a low-income community. The other issue is that the one person was in the community
who denied was on that block, and the other one was around a corner from that block. So
they were affected. There were two who were affected, immediately affected.
The other piece is that if you say there's a number of vacant lots on that block, and the
owner indicated that he was in possession of two of those lots. So we set this precedent with doing
four-story units with the trash underneath. It wasn't really clear-cut as to how he wanted to
handle the trash. He actually indicated having trash out the window. So we appreciate the fact
that he has a better plan, but if there is a better plan, I think that this is something the
community needs to be apprised of in a community meeting as opposed to on this particular platform.
So as far as the size, and we have an overlay. An overlay indicates what the community is expecting when they purchase these homes.
And this is what the RCO's job is to do, to try to adhere to what people's expectations are and their rights.
So even though the community may or may not be here, it doesn't mean they're not concerned.
It means that they know that we are here to represent them as well.
Some people still work, right?
So we have to take that into consideration.
I'm trying to make sure I hit all the parts that he targeted.
So if you look at the consistency of the block, it's three stories.
It's not four stories.
Those previous properties that look in that manner are on the other side of Diamond Street.
And they are ridiculously used for temple housing.
And we see how that trash is taken care of.
And we do have a problem with trash.
It's indicated by the fact that we have five different organizations, including two of them
being part of the city, that actually clean the neighborhood. And we can barely keep up with the
with the illegal apartments trash as opposed to any additional trash. So trash is a major issue.
It's a health concern. We live in the era of COVID. It's not going to go away just because
we finally get inoculated. You know, there's ongoing health risk. We don't need additional
movement in that direction um so basically and i wish i could read the letter but i can't
do two things at once and i'm all over the place right now as i can't bring it up
was the letter submitted to the board yes you do have it you have um but we do have
to protect us and we really would like the board to understand to adhere to the community's decision
and that is that the um the applicant should redesign the property there are there's no
hardship because there are single family homes that are all in that community that have been
rented out. If you look on the OPA BRT, it substantiates that. And so there's no reason
to put apartments in an area that's already saturated and is existing ownership single
family usage. Thank you. Sean, did you want to say something? Yeah, Mr. Chairman, Tina Marie
claims that 2204 North 17th Street is an illegal apartment.
claims that 2204 North 17th Street is an illegal
I have a copy of the zoning permit I'm sharing the screen now.
You'll see it's 2204 North 17th Street.
Date issued March 28th, 2008.
It was changed from a five unit to a three unit.
And then she also mentioned 2236 North 17th Street, again in 2008.
that was registered as a three-family dwelling.
So, and quite frankly, for all 17 of these properties on my list,
I have the zoning history showing each and every permit documenting
that these are, you know, documented legal multifamily dwellings.
And some of them go back to, you know, before we were on this God-given earth.
So, again, the block has a long history of multifamily use.
You know, concerns about COVID and health are not zoning issues.
And, you know, we can't address, you know, safe storage of residential trash and safe disposal of residential trash.
just like just like the 17 other uh apartment uh you know or multi-families on on the block
so can i ask a question yep um i i i hear that um tina marie said they sent something to the
board and i was curious to know when and what i don't see anything unless it's an oversight on my
part? That was emailed this morning by Tia Marie, and it's understandable. We had our
meeting on Friday night at 6.30, and as you can see, Tia Marie's there on four different
cases today. So, you know, I mean, I would note my objection to the late submission of
the letter, but, you know, in the wide scheme of things, I understand why it didn't reach
the board until this morning any other questions
anyone else would like to testify please raise your hand
there are no other hands up chair thank you planning commission good morning david effecto
city planning commission mr chairman and members of the board this property is indicated for
residential single-family use in the city's comprehensive plan the adoption of the new
2012 zoning code did not change the zoning maps the zoning in this part of north central changed
to single-family in 2014. this block has a fair number of two-unit homes but few three-unit homes
accordingly we do not oppose multi-family use if the property is limited to two units
thank you you must be reading my notes
MI 2020 that's 000264 2222 north 17th street my vote is yes with the following proviso
maximum two units
no living
quarters in basement
and trash to be stored
in ventilated
a ventilated
trash unit
excuse me
a ventilated unit of trash
in each unit I know I'm saying that wrong
my vote is yes with provisos
yes with proviso
yes with proviso
yes with proviso
So, excuse me, this is Sharon Saleta, just so I get the proviso in a way that Ellen and I will understand.
Would it be okay to say a ventilated trash closet in each unit?
Would that work?
A ventilated room in each unit for trash.
Okay, thank you.
And a maximum two units, right?
Got it.
Got it.
Oh, and no living.
No living.
No living area.
Quarters and basement.
Thank you.
Thank you.
calendar number 1754 no strike that no that's correct um calendar number 1754 5525 larchwood
avenue the attorney is rachel pritzker good morning good morning rachel can you put your
name and address on the record, please and spell your last name.
Yep. Rachel, R-A-C-H-A-E-L, Pritzker, P-R-I-T-Z-K-E-R, 1635 Market Street, Suite 1600, Philadelphia, PA, 19103.
Yep, Rachel, R-A-C-H-A-E-L, Pritzker, P-R-I-T-Z-K-E-L.
Do you swear or affirm to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Do you agree to wait the reading of the refusal and stipulate to its accuracy?
And finally, have you emailed an exhibit packet with the required documents, including proof of ownership, tax compliance, refusal, or referral, photos, and or plans of the property five days in advance of this hearing, and have you met with the RCO, and do you have a letter?
You may proceed.
This is 5512 Larchwood Avenue.
I'm going to share my screen.
Um, you said 5512 Larchwood, I apologize. 5525. Sorry, thank you.
So this is 5525 Larchwood Avenue. We were refused for two dwelling units in RSA and
5. However, as I will show, this property is an existing structure. It's an intermediate lot
on the 5500 block and has been an existing duplex for almost all of its history. The owner,
Eddie, is here with me today. It's actually his great aunt's house. She passed away. His family
has lived in it for a long time, and he's looking to just rehab it back to its former glory in honor
of his aunt, Ray. So I'm going to just provide the packet and show the plans as well.
Really slow internet, I apologize.
The deed for the property, you can see the LLC is called Aunt Rea's house in honor of
her as well.
As you can see, this property is here on the zoning map.
It's again RSA 5, however, I believe these properties were remapped in 2019, so they
were formerly RM1, allowing for this multifamily use by Wright. And as I mentioned, the existing
structure has already been built out as a duplex. We're going to be renovating it. Here's a
front view of the home. There's going to be no structural work done to it. So we're not making
any interior alterations insofar as the structure. We're not going to be excavating or digging down
just some cosmetic updates to the property to bring it back into a more habitable use.
We met with the community which was the
I believe the West Philadelphia Economic Development Council on
December 2nd and we have a letter of support. As I mentioned, this is an existing structure as a
two-family dwelling. We presented the project and provided notice to 179 neighbors. There was
a vote to approve this project as far as the community is concerned and there's a letter
evidencing it as well and Andrew Goodman from Councilman Gauthier's office was also
in attendance for that meeting. Just want to provide the plans really quickly.
It's not that project. So that the board can see kind of what we plan to do. This is just a
elevation of the exterior. And this, these floor plans are as it exists now with just some slight
updates, just to open up the living space a little bit more on these units, make it a little bit
more of a cohesive flow, but no structural alterations. As I have mentioned, the property
is sort of exists as a duplex. I'd like to bring Eddie. Eddie, if you could raise your hand
just to provide testimony and then happy to take any questions that the board may have.
Edward Howell has been unmuted.
Hi, my name is Edward Howell V.
Hi, my name is Edward Howell V, sole member of Heinrich House LLC, 1515 Market Street, Suite 1200, number 622, Philadelphia PA, 19102.
I'm a sole member of Henri's House LLC.
I'd just like to state that...
Excuse me, sorry, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me.
Would you spell your last name, please?
H-O-W-E-L-L, just like Gilligan's Island.
Okay, thank you.
And do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?
Please proceed.
I just wanted to state that, like I said, it's always been a duplex.
It's my great aunt's house.
I believe originally her daughter lived upstairs after she passed.
There had been various times where my mother or my grandmother had resided upstairs.
It's kind of where we stayed when we were in the city in Philadelphia.
So I'm just trying to bring it back to our former glory.
My company's name is really in honor of my Aunt Marie.
It's literally Aunt Marie's house.
Sorry, I'm kind of nervous today.
it's my first time doing one of these things but that that's pretty much all I have to say
you're fine thank you thank you Eddie and have you heard the testimony I gave today Eddie
yes and you adopt it as your own I do thank you I'm happy to take any questions that the
board may have thank you any questions from the board no no no like to would anyone else
like to testify in this case if so please raise your hand
there are no hands raised here thank you planning commission good morning david effecto city planning
commission mr chairman and members of the board this property is indicated for single family
residential use on the city's comprehensive plan since this is a pre-existing duplex we have no
objection to granting this variance thank you very much uh oh god i got ahead of myself here
mi 2020 that's zero zero one seven five four five five two five larchwood avenue my vote is yes
my vote is yes my vote is yes my vote is yes my vote is yes thank you i think we have a
resumption hearing is that correct yes mi 2020-001092 1931 south broad street
and if i'm not mistaken i don't remember if i was
involved in that case was i was i in attendance on this case i know about it but i just don't
remember if I was a party to the test to the original hearing I don't know research it here
in the meantime are the participants here
the hearing was held on
on November 17th were you here that day the original hearing
there are no hands raised at this time chair
I remember the case I just don't remember if I participated in it because I
I think I may have gone offline for a while I could be could be wrong
no one no hands are up
there's one hand up now Michael
his name is Peter Zetter
South Broad Street folks yeah
I believe the attorney's name is Michael Malloy
and chair I did check on 1117 I know that you did vote
all of the other cases for that morning session
i don't know whether you were out i would think you were here chair because typically you would
be the only one who would do the resumption hearings yeah okay i again i remember part
of the hearing and maybe once we get into it refresh my memory a little bit more thank you
um i don't think it's an attorney present have he been in contact with you sharon
no he is not okay
we do have mr zutter uh from south broad maybe he can shed some light on it maybe we can get