The Holmesburg Civic Association held a lengthy Zoom meeting on Dec. 8, listening to a proposal from The Gun Range, which wants to move its operation to 7430 State Road.
Owner Yuri Zalzman, represented by attorney Shawn Ward, has operated at 542 N. Percy St., which is not too far from 10th and Spring Garden streets, since 2012.
The State Road property is zoned for heavy industrial, and The Gun Range would normally have the right to open without going to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. However, in 2018, City Councilman Bobby Henon successfully pushed an overlay that would prohibit gun shops and some other uses from operating in industrial areas.
Zalzman and Ward were scheduled to begin their ZBA case on Dec. 15. They will continue to work with the civic association until its next meeting on Jan. 12, when members will vote on the proposal.
Civic leadership and owners of Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse, located next to the proposed location, seemed supportive of Zalzman’s bid.
The Gun Range is moving because it needs more space. The current occupant, a contractor, is moving to a smaller space near Aramingo Avenue and Church Street.
Zalzman said hours would be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. He said noise is not a problem at his current site, adding that the range has gotten good overall grades on Yelp and Google.
As for security, there will be cameras and plenty of night lighting. Concrete and rebar will replace the many windows as a safety precaution. He said looters and rioters were unable to break into his current place, thanks to $800 locks.
The Gun Range, if approved, will offer retail, a gunsmith, safety training and a firing range with short and long distances. Exterior improvements will include evergreen trees and flowers.
The staff would increase from 12 to 25. Most employees have a police or military background. Applicants are hired in a vote of staff after they spend a day at the range.
Zalzman expects 50,000 customers a year, and believes many of them will patronize Sweet Lucy’s and Sharkey’s Grill & Ale House.
In other news from the meeting, InnovAge’s Al Romanelli announced that the Living Independently For Elders (LIFE) center opened last month at 4401 Megargee St., on the site of the former Liddonfield Homes housing project.
The 30,000-square-foot center offers, among other things, classes, store transportation, hair styling and assistance with food and prescription medication. Call 267-283-0550.
The site was also supposed to include a turf soccer field to be used by Holy Family University and the community, but the price tag was too high. Some 200 affordable housing units will be built for senior citizens, with income limits waived for eligible veterans, though Upper Holmesburg Civic Association president Stan Cywinski said a potentially lengthy zoning process looms.
As for the proposed Tiny Home Village coming to State Road, near the prison complex, Cywinski said the project is in the bidding stage. The village will house homeless people 65 and older. ••
