The Parkwood Civic Association has adopted a wait-and-see approach for a proposed dance studio that a local husband and wife are hoping to open in the Byberry East Industrial Park.
It’s not that the civic group is necessarily against the studio. But members are concerned that even if they back the plan, it may end up the subject of a lawsuit anyway.
The issue arose during the civic group’s monthly meeting last Wednesday at St. Anselm’s Church. The owner of the property at 12301 McNulty Road has applied for a zoning permit to lease space to the dance studio operators. The building is a multi-unit property with 15 units, according to property records. The units range in size from about 2,000 to 5,000 square feet, according to the owner, Ron Levine.
Under the zoning code, a dance studio does not conform to an industrial property, so the Zoning Board would have to issue a variance for it to open. Levine said he has had difficulty finding conforming businesses to lease the building, which is next to the Plumbers’ Union hall just east of Southampton Road.
In the past, someone wanted to open a CrossFit gym in the building and obtained a zoning variance with the support of the civic association. But City Councilman Brian O’Neill appealed the Zoning Board’s decision, citing a deed restriction on the property limiting its use. O’Neill won his appeal, but Levine may choose to file a counter-appeal. In the meantime, the CrossFit is allowed to operate.
During discussion of the dance center application, the PCA zoning chairman, Lou Farinella, asked the studio operators about their plans. The studio would occupy two rooms with seven employees and would operate from 5 to 9 p.m., offering up to five classes a night with five to 15 students per class.
The applicants noted that there are no homes in the area and that nearby businesses indicated the studio would not disturb them.
PCA Vice President John DelRicci said that residents should be consistent in their assessments of zoning applications. He also noted that the CrossFit case is pending final resolution. Mike McAleer, Democratic leader of Ward 66B, said that residents should expect O’Neill, a Republican, to appeal the dance studio variance should the Zoning Board grant it.
Earlier in the meeting, O’Neill explained his opposition to the use of industrial properties for commercial activity. Industrial jobs generally pay better with better benefits and are more stable, he said. He’s trying to prevent designated industrial space from falling into the hands of commercial or retail businesses.
In a show of hands, PCA members agreed to table a vote on the dance studio proposal. A Zoning Board hearing is scheduled for next month.
In other business, DelRicci complained that neighbors and the Parkwood Youth Organization have been spending their own money to patch potholes on Dunks Ferry Road near Mechanicsville Road. PCA President Marge Philippi reported that she complained to the Streets Department and was told that Dunks Ferry is scheduled for repaving next year.
Farinella reported that city inspectors have begun to crack down on illegal fences in front of private homes. Generally, the code prohibits a fence that extends closer to the street than the front of the house. Also, there are height restrictions in the code. Farinella warned homeowners to do their homework before building one.
“Get a permit. Do not spend thousands of dollars because it’s going to come down,” he said.
DelRicci reported that the city has neglected to maintain the new recreation trail in Poquessing Creek Park. As a result, neighbors have had to mow the grass, which has become overgrown anyway. Mayor Nutter and other officials opened the 1.5-mile trail with much fanfare last December.
Philippi said that the civic group’s Nov. 18 meeting has been relocated to the 8th Police District due to a schedule conflict at St. Anselm’s. She said Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey may address the group then. ••
