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Mission Statement
To provide the community of Upper Holmesburg with a fair and unbiased platform for the exchange of information
relating to zoning issues in our community. We will help facilitate a community
position using a common sense approach and help engage our elected officials as required.
City Links - For zoning information like allowed use for G2. Click on this link then click "Title 14" and then "Chapter 14-500"
industrial districts. Look for the G2 link.
OPEN ZONING ISSUES:
Four paint booths, two on 4718 Pennypack St. and two on 8677 - 79 Torresdale Ave. Community denied all request
across the board based on details and testimony of local references provided to UHCA by the applicants lawyer.
Looks like Mr. Anderson and his Lawyer Billy Schwartz decided to plead the case to Zoning anyway and it was approved!
Zoning Board is now using a double standard, prior to this issue the Board would never approve a variance without a letter
from the community. We never sent the letter but they approved it anyway. I am really confused on this approval!
Why go through all the trouble of making a community listen to these FLIP ARTISTS if they are going to approve the variance
anyway. THIS ONE SMELLS ROTTEN AND NEED A DEEP DIVE.
At this point it looks like we can't appeal on a technicality (no one showed up to oppose the change and we never sent
a letter of refusal, not that that would help). So what is our options? Get our Council people involved and put
the ZBA on a HOT PLATE. My current understanding is that the MAYOR'S APPOINTED ZONING BOARD is JAMMING these unwanted
Zoning changes down the throats of all our communities. MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE THEY GET PAID BY THE HEARING, I HEAR IT'S
A $100.00 a POP. IF THE MAYOR AND HIS CROONIES WANT A WAR THEY CAME TO THE RIGHT PLACE. WE WILL BAND OUR COMMUNITIES
TOGETHER AND WE WILL FIGHT! MORE TO COME ON THIS TOPIC.
Next steps on the paint shops. We will wait for these properties to be purchased and then we
will unload all the LEGAL and MEDIA VENOM WE CAN MUSTER......
Completed Zoning issues:
Torresdale Plaza (old Kmart site) - Approved with exclusion and proviso.
Enterprise Rent a Car - Approved
We have one zoning issue scheduled for our June meeting, it will be
a paper vote. Please voice your opinion on June 18th for the expansion of the WEE CARE CHRISTIAN DAY CARE CENTER located
at Ashburner and Jackson Streets. Only Members in good standing may vote.
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WE WIN!
IT IS OFFICIAL, THE PULL-A-PART CHAPTER IS OVER.
It took us almost two years to prove that the "WILL OF THE
PEOPLE" and the "VOICE OF THE PEOPLE" are alive and well in Upper Holmesburg. Thanks to countless supporters from our
community, neighboring communities and strong Political Leadership, we were able to stand toe to toe with a very tenacious
and well funded "JUNK YARD" and WIN.
We should all feel extremely proud of our accomplishment here and we should also
remember why we were successful. In my humble opinion, the key ingredient was LEADERSHIP, starting with one of the strongest
community advocates to ever grace the floors of City Hall, Councilwomen Joan Krajewski. Her direct support allowed us
to team up with an attorney that would not be intimidated or settle for anything less than a fair shake of the issues, soon
to be Judge (January 3rd) of the Commonwealth of PA, Honorable Linda Carpenter. We thank them and all the Local and
State Representatives that helped promote our cause.
Now it is time for us to move on to the next chapter of this story.
Next week, I will reach out to Mr. David Wengar, the property owner and see if he will allow us to pursue a GREEN ENERGY option
for his tract of land. I am confident that some support and funding is available from Private Enterprise, Local, State
and Federal Government for this kind of an initiative. So stay tuned, more to come.
Thank You,
Stan Cywinski
President,
UHCA
NOVEMBER 14, WE WIN AGAIN!!!!
COURT RULES IN OUR FAVOR. PULL-A-PART NOW HAS 30 DAYS TO FILE ANOTHER
APPEAL. STAY TUNED, MORE TO COME.
PULL-A-PART HAS FILED AN APPEAL. TIME FOR US TO MUSTER THE
TROOPS AND MEET ROUND FOUR WITH THE SAME MESSAGE "NO JUNKYARD IN MY BACKYARD"
MORE TO COME. BRIEF'S ARE DUE IN AUGUST, HEARING HAS BE SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 31.
The Philadelphia Zoning Board reaches a unanimous decision NOT to approve the application for
JUNKYARD in UPPER HOLMESBURG.
PULL-A-Part - Round three now complete. We are now waiting on
the decision. I would again like to thank Councilwoman Krajewski for her continued support.
"NO JUNKYARD IN MY BACKYARD".
APPLICATION INFORMATION AS FOLLOWS
Cal No.: 06-0722
Appl. 060126088 Zon. Class.: G-2 IND.
4801 BLAKISTON ST
Applicant:
CARL S. PRIMAVERA, ESQ.
PERMIT FOR THE COMPLETE DEMOLITION OF ALL EXISTING STRUCTURES AND FOR THE
RELOCATION OF LOT LINES TO CREATE ONE LOT FROM TWO LOTS, FOR DISMANTLING USED
MOTOR VEHICLES, OPEN AIR STORAGE AND SALES OF DISMSNTLED VEHICLE PARTS, ERECTION OF
FOUR ONE STORY STRUCTURES AS FOLLOWS. (1) ACCESSORY RETAIL MANAGEMENT OFFICE
MAXIMUM 23' HIGH, (2) PREP PAD MAXIMUM 25' HIGH (3) PAD MOUNTED CRUSHER MAXIMUM 23'
HIGH, (4) SCALE FOR WEIGHING MAXIMUM 25' HIGH, WITH ACCESSORY OPEN AIR PARKING
MINIMUM 9' X 18' FOR 195 SPACES, ERECTION OF 8' HIGH FENCE AND GATE ALONG THE PROPERTY
LINE
ADDRESS - 4801 BLAKISTON ST. NEC HEGERMAN ST. THRU TO PENNYPACK ST.
Petition has been denied by the Philadelphia Zoning
Board.
Inquirer article on the JUNKYARD
OPEN ITEMS:
PULL-A-PART APPEALS HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 31st. UPDATES WILL BE POSTED AS WE RECEIVE THEM.
CLOSED ITEMS:
PHILADELPHIA WATER ICE HAS REQUESTED ZONING FOR A USED CAR LOT AT THE STATE ROAD FACILITY. SINCE THE BOARD AND
UHCA MEMBERSHIP SEE NO NEGATIVE COMMUNITY IMPACT, THE REQUEST WAS APPROVED AT OUR OCTOBER MEETING.
RITA'S WATER ICE HAS REQUESTED ZONING APPROVAL AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO OPEN A RETAIL OPERATION AT THE OLD SHELL
GAS STATION ACROSS FROM ST. DOMINIC'S MARIAN HALL. MEMBERS SUPPORT THE CURRENT REQUEST TO DIVIDE THE BUILDING
INTO TWO RETAIL STORES, AS LONG AS RITA'S MAINTAINS THE ENTIRE PROPERTY. IN ADDITION, BECAUSE CURRENT
UHCA POLICY DOES NOT TO APPROVE ANY NEW RENTAL PROPERTY IN UPPER HOLMESBURG, UHCA MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT IS STRONLY RECOMMENDED FOR THE
TENENT OF THE SECOND STORE. APPROVED
CVS - Board approves sign change over the summer. No community impact was cited.
4432 Wingate Street.
Proposed subdivision, one single home and one twin home.
Applicant: Doris C. Bell
Attorney: Shawn D. Ward (215 355 3350)
Presentation to membership 2-15 by Tom Citro for Shawn Ward. At the request of UHCA, the Applicant will present
a revised set of plans at our March meeting for board and membership review.
Revised building plans submitted, reviewed and approved by the board and membership on 4/19/2007.
Status: APPROVED
C & D Autoworks, Sean Dembeck
4710 Wingate Street (former Sturdy Ornamental Iron site)Request for variance to operate auto repair facility.
UHCA supports the zoning request to operate an automotive repair facility at this location.
- Presentation completed
- Board Approved 2-15-07
- Membership Approved 2-15-07
Church - Greater Hope Fellowship - 8601 Torresdale Ave. (old social club) Request for zoning variance.
- Presentation completed at the March meeting
- Membership vote - approved
- Board vote - approved
UHCA supports the Greater Hope Fellowship zoning request for 8601 Torresdale Ave. Maximun number of members
250, hours of operation Wednesday evening, Thursday evening, one Saturday a month and Sunday for services.
Pizza and Beer Restaurant - 8801 Torresdale Ave. Owner did present the request to membership at our February 16th
meeting. A modified request that eliminates the sale of alcoholic beverages was APPROVED.
PULL-A-PART, used auto parts - Request to open a retail used car part/salvage operation at 8501 Hegerman Street.
2/16 membership vote 106 opposed, 4 in favor.
Support is DENIED
George Mendes, Frank Mirabelli, request to build three owner occupied garages at 4320 Evarts Street.
- Presentation completed at the November meeting
- Membership vote - approved
- Board vote - approved
UHCA supports the development of 4320 Evarts Street for three (3) owner occupied garages only, no rental use is intended
or approved.
Original ZBA 05-1181 Application 050729014
Zoning Committee
- Five Members - (20% Business Residents,
80% Residents)
- Selection Process - Requests should be sent to the Zoning Chairman
- Communications - Email, Conference
calls as needed.
- Work activities:
ZBA rules updates
Presentation requests, coordination (Applicant)
Presentation request, coordination (Protestants)
Neighborhood protest/support procedures
Community response coordination
Recommendation to the Board
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