After about a dozen years as a temporary Somerton resident, Enterprise Car Sales will be making a permanent home in Somerton.
During the monthly meeting of the Somerton Civic Association on April 8, Enterprise attorney William Kerr detailed his company’s plans to build a permanent building on its auto sales lot at 2001–19 Byberry Road. For the last 10 to 12 years, employees have worked out of a portable, temporary structure, Kerr said. It will be removed.
While Enterprise may build the new office as a matter of right, the company needs a zoning variance to erect a new free-standing “pylon” sign on the property, according to the attorney. The proposed sign would be double-sided with 168 square feet of display. It will be internally lit. City zoning laws restrict the area of such signs to 100 square feet.
Kerr explained that the company already has a similar sign on the lot, but hopes to relocate it so that it is clearly visible to arriving patrons. The actual “Enterprise” logo is 5 feet high and 25 feet wide, with a green backdrop accounting for an additional 43 square feet. The new building will have one similar sign on the facade, replacing two smaller facade signs that are on the temporary structure.
The new building will have 4,700 square feet of floorspace, Kerr said. Neighbors questioned whether the new signage would pose a distraction to drivers in the area of Byberry Road and Evans Street. Kerr replied that improved signs could relieve potential hazards by giving Enterprise patrons clear indication where to enter the property. SCA members approved the variance by a 25–4 vote.
Enterprise Car Sales is where Enterprise Rent-A-Car markets vehicles removed from its rental fleets.
In other SCA business:
• City Councilman Brian O’Neill invited residents to attend a recycling fair on Saturday, May 10, at his office in the FOP Lodge 5 building, 11630 Caroline Road. Folks can get information about the city’s recycling program, sign up for recycling rewards and get a free recycling bin.
• Philadelphia police Capt. Frank Bachmayer introduced himself as the new commander in the 7th Police District. Bachmayer has been on the police force for 33 years, including the last 12 as a captain. He is focused on reducing quality-of-life crime as much as violent crime and property crime.
“If you have ten juveniles drinking with loud music, that bothers a lot of people,” he said.
• Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Coelho said that the DA’s Public Nuisance Task Force can address many complaints about troublesome properties in the community. The task force works to shut down homes and commercial properties where disturbances chronically occur. To complain about a nuisance property, call 215–686–5858.
• Watson T. Comly Elementary School Principal Terri Salvucci and third-grade teacher Cindy O’Donnell encouraged Somerton residents to get involved in the neighborhood public school. There are a lot of volunteer opportunities, particularly in working with children on history projects. In addition, O’Donnell is working with the Northeast Philadelphia History Network to develop a walking tour of Somerton. For information, call the school at 215–961–2008. ••
