area that's slightly smaller than the lot area we're requesting um and also they have no open
area in their project whereas we're providing 31.1 open area so in with regard to any uh
contestants about this fitting in with the character of the neighborhood this fits in with
what was granted by the zba um in 2019 yeah but there you are you want you're proposing three
houses on one particular lot which the requirement is 1440 and each one of your houses is like like
900 900 something square footage which is small very small and then on each one of you want to
add on the roof three-story rooftop deck and all these houses are suburban type
of style and if the Commission would look at the Google Maps and see how this
project was structured you know you see that this is definitely a mismatch in
terms of the community I we I have no knowledge of those new plans or strategy
and and I do not remember you presenting them at the at the at then we asked you
to come back did we not and we asked and you said you wanted to take your chances at the zva
what we said was we were we had made a variety of changes already and the changes that were being
requested where you would like us to break was that was not i was that point Greece community
development coalition said they would like to see a by right plan here so um you know with all due
respect i think we're just going to have to you know you've said i believe miss green said what
um her view of the meeting is um i that is not my that is not what in my mind happened and my
client willing to testify to that and if somebody from um point three's community development
coalition is here i would love to hear what their input is as to what plans were presented at the
Okay. Is there anyone else who would like to testify in this case?
Yes, I have a Philip Harris.
Good afternoon. Please identify yourself with the record. Name and address.
Good afternoon. Philip Harris, 2106 Alter Street. Can you hear me okay?
Yes. Do you swear and affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Please proceed.
I am here today to present opposition to the plan.
I did have the opportunity to meet and speak with Jason and shared.
I did have the opportunity to meet and speak with Jason and shared these concerns with
him probably a couple of days ago, but I'd like to read my opposition for the record.
Again, Philip Harris, lifelong resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, my family and
I reside at 2106 Alter Street.
Our home is located behind the property, and we are writing to express our opposition to
the proposed re-subdivision and redevelopment of the property for the plans as submitted.
The plans submitted, as you know, have a requirement of 16 feet wide. They're looking
for a narrower one, I guess, by almost a foot or a foot and a half, over a foot and a half less
requirement, and the square footage also pointed out by, sounds like, Point Breeze Development
Association. That represents approximately 30% less square footage on a lot than expected.
Our opposition is based on the loss of neighborhood and community character. We bought into this
property five years ago and loved the open green space and that would totally take us in the
opposite direction. And we see a 300% increase in density, six residential units replacing
two residential units, increased traffic congestion due to the density, insufficient or really
no all street parking in the plan, which exists today, increased competition for street parking,
more likely cars associated with the additional density and saturation of the homes.
Destruction of green space I think I touched upon already. And a very important concern I guess for
our area is the increase in pervious area for storm runoff. Currently there's existing drains
that are in those backyards of those two properties and our understanding of the plan
those drains would be removed that would uh cause additional water to run into our property
oh i'm sorry
please proceed mr harvis oh i'm sorry was i cut off i think somebody else was talking they had
their mic open so please proceed you left off about the uh water runoff uh yes concern because
are removing the drains. Yeah there's two drains that would be removed and that would
increase the water runoff I guess into our yards and threaten our basements and the water in this
area seems to be I'm not sure how close you are to a river but it gets saturated very easily so
that's a that's a very huge concern. I did I'm not sure if my neighbor from 2104 joined the call
Carolyn Walton, but she gave me a signed opposition letter
and I also have verbal opposition from
Sir, not to interrupt you, but you have to speak for yourself
Okay, good enough
Mr. Jiggle, there's another neighbor, she's on Zoom
We're going to get to whoever has their hand up, thank you
Mr. Harvish, have you concluded?
Just to finish up, and I would
suggest they look at 20, the development of 2103 Ellsworth and use that plan as a guide and we
wouldn't have a problem if they pursue that design. That would help maintain the character
and green space of the neighborhood. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else would like to testify?
Please raise your hand. Both are waiting for people to raise their hand just to address
two issues raised by Mr. Harris. First, you know, taking them in reverse order on the issue of
stormwater um we're providing forest pavers um and we've in and we increased from our original
plan to our revised plan the amount of um rear yard area so it's coming in well below we would
be allowed to build by right and providing extra open area um in addition this is an rsa 5 zoning
district so parking is not required and that would actually initiate another variance if we attempted
to proceed with the plan that included parking.
Anyone else to testify?
Please raise your hand.
Mr. Chairman, I've been, as we've been on here,
I've been receiving messages from a woman named Amber Alda
who has been trying to raise her hand to testify.
and she's an immediate neighbor in the area.
I don't know if the board can see her in the queue.
Yeah, she just raised her hand, but I have a Ms. Johnson on the line.
Yeah, she just raised her hand,
but I have a Ms. Johnson on the line.
Ms. Johnson.
Ms. Johnson, you can unmute yourself.
Aisha Johnson, you can unmute yourself.
okay miss amber you can unmute yourself and talk yes hi uh my name is ma'am please identify
yourself for the record first and last name spell your name and provide us with your address
hi my name is amber al hadif um a-m-b-e-r a-l-h-a-d-e-f-f my address is 2103 ellsworth
You swear and firm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth?
Thank you, ma'am. Please proceed.
So just to introduce myself, I am the immediate neighbor to this project on the east side.
And so the construction would occur directly adjacent to my property.
I found out about this project maybe a month, six weeks ago.
I was at the RCO last month where Sarah and Jason did propose their updated plans.
I share all of the concerns of the community that have already been, you know, been described from a selfish perspective.
You know, it's hard to swallow construction immediately next door to your property.
But I think we're also overlooking a very important point here. And that's that this area of the city, in particular Ellsworth Street, is increasingly popular. It's going to be increasingly developed. And so I think it's important to point out that, you know, whether it's these developers or other developers, I think that we are trying to fight the fact that there's development in the neighborhood and not necessarily the issues at hand.
And so I just wanted to kind of point that out and also just mention that I aired some of my concerns last month at the RCO.
And since then, I've been quite impressed by Jason has met with me multiple times.
We've met in person, actually outdoors at the property to try and assuage my concerns about the development that's happening right next door.
And so while, you know, I completely understand all of the concerns about development, parking, green space, and the issues surrounding, I do think that if we are going to have development in the neighborhood, I appreciate that there will be development by someone who has been responsive to me.
So all of my concerns, he responds to really immediately provided me with a cell phone and and has been proactive in making sure that, you know, while I may not be happy with the project going on next door, I am convinced at this point that he is not trying to make my life more difficult by by having his project be where it is.
and I appreciate that.
Just some things I think it's important to consider
moving forward with this project.
Thank you very much for your testimony.
Anyone else?
There's another neighbor.
She's texting me saying she's on Zoom,
but she's not being acknowledged.
Does she have her hand raised?
the only hand i have left is aisha johnson um she's available to talk she just has to unmute herself
now i have a um a randolph
yeah that's her and uh and i'm telling her i'm technically telling her to unmute herself now
good afternoon ma'am please identify yourself for the record first and last name and your address
thank you my name is annette randolph my address is 2012 ellsworth street i live and i am the cap
black captain on this block also i have my husband dennis randolph that is sitting beside me
okay do you swear and affirm to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Yes, I do. Please proceed. Thank you. First, I just want to say that I've been on this block for 61 years at this home. And the house that they're trying to put up down on the next block, the six houses down there, we need the neighbors. We do not accept those six houses. It would be cramped to the T.
and as far as the gentleman that said that he went to the neighbors he did not go to no neighbors
he did not and as far as the lady um that was sitting there with the gentleman
And as far as the lady that was sitting there with the gentleman, we explained it to her
that we were against the six houses and she said, she was supposed to come back to the
meeting.
We were on that meeting with her and she was supposed to come back.
She did not, she did not come back to us.
she did not um everything that we put before her no she did not come back there was we we we got
nothing we got nothing no absolutely nothing and if you put those six houses there in that spot
there they will be smaller than smaller and it is nothing on that block or on my block that looks
nothing like that at all at all and the lady who just spoke that lived on that corner there
she was in agreement with us and so I don't know what happened I don't know what happened with the
conversation from her and the gentleman but that gentleman did not come to the neighbors with no
paper after we spoke he did not and in fact he was not even at the meeting um when we were on
the meeting on the line so everything that was said is not true and my husband is right here
and he also listened on it that is not true
anyone else we're going to wrap this case up shortly anyone else something new and different
no more handshare thank you planning commission good afternoon david effecto city planning
commission mr chairman members of the board the comprehensive plan recommends these properties
for single-family use the proposed lot line changes will result in lots that are approximately
970 square feet although this is undersized according to the zoning code these lots are
roughly the same size as the house lots across Ellsworth Street. We do not oppose granting these
variances. You answered my question. I was going to ask you about that lot size issue. All right.
And they're actually building it below 38 feet, which is a buy right. Apparently they have taken
under consideration many of the community concerns. Maybe not all, but sounds to me like significant
adjustments were made that's my opinion anyway calendar numbers 2020-002-118-2105 Ellsworth
Street and MI 2020-002-1116-2107 Ellsworth Street my vote is yes on both with the proviso
revised plan two pages approved today. My vote is yes with proviso. Yes with proviso. Yes with proviso.
Yes with proviso. Good luck. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you. Have a good day. Calendar number 2757
2626-30 Cedar Street.
good afternoon hi rachel can you put your name and address on the record and spell your last
name sure 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 thank you do you swear or affirm to tell the whole truth and nothing but
the truth yes do you also agree to waive the reading of the refusal and stipulate to its
accuracy yes and have you emailed the exhibit packet five days in advance of this hearing
with proof of ownership tax compliance refusal or referral photos and or plans and have you met
with the rco and do you have a letter yes thank you you may proceed okay i'm going to share my
screen um also want to call up um Jeff Tubbs and Ian Smith who is our architect um just so that
they are ready and prepared to go as this should not be a very long matter okay
Okay, so this is, while we're doing that, this is 2626 Cedar Street.
Just going to go through the exhibits. Essentially, what we're asking for are variances for
lot area. We are doing a subdivision of the existing lots, lot line relocation, and then
four single family homes are being proposed. These lots are slightly
four single-family homes are being proposed. These lots are slightly smaller than the code requires.
However, I'll have Ian show that we did a study and similar to other cases, these lots are sort of
in compliance or identical to the existing small lots on this site. This is also generally for
some of these issues were also related to the small size. However, again, they're in compliance.
I want to see if Ian can go through the plans for the board. I just want to highlight that we did
meet with the RCO. Taxes are paid even 2021, a little bit early. And this is the site. As you
can see it's a corner property. There's an existing structure here that's going to be
demolished but four new single-family homes and this project was supported by the community. So
as you can see this is sort of the aerial shows the existing site and sort of the
full site as well that we're looking to put these homes on. This is the posting requirements.
um just get down to the rco the rco is old richmond civic association
we met with them on i believe the 17th they have three in support of the near neighbors
and issued us a letter of support additionally we have a letter from councilman squillett's office
in support of the project um as well you know the hardship would be that complying with the code
would really provide out-of-character large single-family homes and given the corner lot
we believe that the way that we have laid them out is more in compliance and obviously was
something that was supported by the community. So I'm going to just have Ian share the plans
and then take any questions and go from there. Okay so you want me to bring up the plans? Yes please.
is okay i had to promote him to panelists he's coming back in i guess i didn't share my screen
let me share my screen yeah and a summarized version would be helpful will do i'll do my best
I apologize for not being absolutely prepared
to get right into this.
While you're doing this,
can you put your name on the record
and do you swear or affirm to tell the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?
My name is Ian Smith
the Vian Smith Design Group, located at 322 East Thompson Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
19125. Okay. All right. Thank you. So what we're looking at here is our site plan. It shows four
individually separated properties facing East Albert Street. Cedar Street would be to our right
hand side. And you can see that the lot arrangement as the rear yards are in the back.
We've also provided a deeded easement that complies with building code with regard to egressing from the rear of the property out to Cedar Street.
Moving on. The buildings are below 38 feet. I think they're clocking at 34 feet, 6 inches. That's what this drawing shows.
um the plan layout uh you know as it stands is uh basement sort of uh amenity space for
potential uh guest room and living area plus a flex space first floor is your main living area