The new Wissinoming Civic Association broke new ground on April 28, as it conducted its first-ever vote on a zoning application. And it didn’t transpire without some controversy.
Members voted conditionally not to oppose a plan by a New York-based property owner to build three relatively high-priced rowhouses on the former site of the Wissinoming Boys Club, although four members voted against the application.
The newly-constituted civic group is not to be confused with an organization of the same name that previously served the Wissinoming neighborhood before disbanding.
The WCA first considered the zoning application for 4125 Van Kirk St. during its Feb. 24 meeting. During that session, leaders of the association say, the applicant fielded questions about why he had begun demolishing the former boys club clubhouse, apparently without a demolition permit. The applicant claimed then that he wanted to stop trespassers from climbing onto the roof, according to WCA vice president and zoning chairman John Nolan. The civic association opted not to vote on the application then, hoping to negotiate some maintenance and security issues with the applicant.
At last week’s meeting, Nolan reported that the applicant had agreed not to build on a portion of the property that’s close to a neighboring home. The applicant also agreed to install decorative fencing that would help secure the entire 1.26-acre site, which also includes 5814 Erdrick St. However, neighbors complained again about the partial demolition work, which they argued could cause more safety problems than it solved. They also complained about the condition of the grassy property, which is unmaintained and covered in litter, neighbors said.
Despite the objections, most of the WCA’s 23 individual members voted not to oppose the plan, providing the applicant cleans the property, secures it and consults the civic group before any additional construction.
• In an unrelated agenda item, the civic association learned more about the future site of Tacony Academy Charter School in the neighborhood. Tacony Academy is in its sixth year and serves more than 380 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It operates at two leased sites, one in the former Orleans Tech building at 1330 Rhawn St. (at Dungan Road) and another in the former St. William School at 6238 Rising Sun Ave.
Starting next school year, the school plans to move all students into a renovated former billiards hall at Robbins Avenue and Keystone Street.
WCA members wanted to know why the school is called Tacony Academy but will be located in Wissinoming. They also wanted to know if neighborhood students will get preferred admission status.
School spokesman Jim Stanton explained that the school was named before it had found the permanent site in Wissinoming, but it would be willing to publicize the new location as its “Wissinoming campus.” As for enrollment, Stanton said that the school is obligated to follow the directives of the School Reform Commission, which determines the catchment area. For Tacony Academy, the area includes ZIP codes 19135, 19111, 19120, 19124 and 19149.
• John Barnes, the WCA president, announced that the group will coordinate a community cleanup day on May 16. Residents are encouraged to organize neighbors for block-level cleanups starting at noon. The civic group will distribute bags and brooms supplied by the city.
By about 1:30 p.m., residents will gather at a selected site in the neighborhood for a group cleanup project and some refreshments. To set up a block cleanup and to recommend a larger cleanup site, contact the WCA via the “Wissinoming Civic Association” community organization page on Facebook. ••
