A Cliffe Drive resident who built a deck that is closer to a neighbor’s property than allowed by city code last week got the overwhelming support of Parkwood Civic Association members for his application for a zoning variance.
Dan Gillespie brought photos of the deck at 12827 Cliffe and several of his neighbors to the well-attended Sept. 17 association session in St. Anselm’s church hall on Dunks Ferry Road.
Gillespie said he believed someone who does not live near his property reported his large covered deck to the Department of Licenses and Inspections, and he was told he had to have city approval to build it because it is within only a foot or so of an adjoining property.
The Philadelphia Code outlines what can be done on properties within the city’s borders. Anyone who wants to do something that varies from that code requests the aptly named “variance” from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Part of the process of seeking the zoners’ approval involves posting a sign about the variance, notifying immediate neighbors and an applicant going before a local civic association to ask for its members’ support. Whatever a civic association’s members decide is forwarded to the zoners, who consider what they’re told but don’t necessarily agree with the applicant’s neighbors.
Parkwood heard two other zoning variance presentations last week, but asked the applicants to come back when they’ve received some paperwork from the zoning board and had notified neighbors.
A Dunks Ferry Road homeowner is seeking a variance to legalize his new fence on his corner property. Approval for a commercial zoning for 3142 Mechanicsville Road for therapeutic riding also was sought. No votes were taken, and the matters were tabled until the civic association’s next meeting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 15. ••
