A Bustleton Avenue eatery with a history of name changes is one step closer to a new use as a medical office building following the Somerton Civic Association’s approval of a zoning application last Thursday.
The civic group’s executive board voted 4–1 to back the renovation of the former Four Seasons Diner in the Leo Mall into a multi-faceted medical center operated by Holy Redeemer Health System. In past incarnations, the same property housed the Hong Kong Super Buffet, Channel Home Center, Rickels Home Center and a movie theater. But the old restaurant and an adjoining strip mall are now vacant. Holy Redeemer plans to convert the entire site for a variety of healthcare uses including primary care, OB/GYN care, physical therapy, radiology and a medical lab.
Representatives from Holy Redeemer as well as property owner Posel Enterprises showed a proposed floor plan to neighborhood residents during a special meeting of the civic group, which typically does not meet in July and August. Holy Redeemer has agreed to enter a 15-year lease with two optional five-year renewals. No structural alterations are planned, although there will be cosmetic improvements to the exterior as well as reconfiguration of the interior.
The complex will operate weekdays from about 9 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m., Saturday mornings and possibly Sundays. There will be no emergency or urgent care provided.
SCA President Seth Kaplan said that he had spoken about the plan with City Councilman Brian O’Neill and both agreed to insist that no methadone or other drug or alcohol treatments or medications be distributed in the healthcare center. That condition will be cited in a letter of non-opposition that the SCA will send to the city’s zoning board, Kaplan said.
During the same special meeting, SCA leaders voted on two additional, unrelated zoning applications.
At 10188 Bustleton Ave., the civic board granted its conditional support for the construction of two auto repair bays on the site of a gas station and mini-mart.
The triangle-shaped property at Bustleton Avenue and Verree Road has been a gas station since the late 1960s, according to the owner’s attorney Stephen Pollock. The owner wants to add auto repair as a use for the first time. The two new bays will be built on the Verree Road side of the lot. The new structure will measure 28 feet by 43 feet.
As part of the new layout, a trash bin will be moved from the Verree Road side to the Bustleton side and parking will be reconfigured. There will be four off-street parking spots in addition to the spots next to four fuel pumps. Pollock reported that there will be no body work or painting done on site. The emphasis will be minor mechanical repairs, inspections and maintenance. There will be no car sales. Repair hours will be 9 to 6 on weekdays and 9 to noon on Saturdays. No cars will be stored outside overnight.
The SCA board voted 4–1 in favor of the application.
Separately, the board voted 5–0 to support a local homeowner’s application for an oversized storage shed in his backyard. The house is on the 1000 block of County Line Road and has a yard of about a half-acre. The proposed shed is 280 square feet.
The owner assured SCA members that he wouldn’t store cars in the shed, which he described as a “pre-fab” structure with no driveway access. Board members approved the application on condition that the homeowner obtain signatures of immediate neighbors on a letter of support.
The next regular meeting of the SCA is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. at Walker Lodge, 1290 Southampton Road. ••
