Politz Hebrew Academy, 9225 Old Bustleton Ave., told members at last week’s Fox Chase Homeowners Association that it plans to open a second school in the neighborhood.
Besie Katz, head of school, identified the proposed new site as 8450 Pine Road (near Shady Lane). The school educates kids in kindergarten through eighth grade, and has been at its current location for 36 years.
Katz was joined by her lawyer and architect. There will be 115 parking spots at the new school, which would be 4 stories and 42,000 square feet. Politz needs height and use variances to build the school, which would house 200 kids. Zoning allows only 3 stories and 35 feet.
Neighbors expressed concern about traffic, noting that a circle will replace the stop sign at Pine and Shady. They likened current driving conditions to the Atco Dragway. And they pointed out that the next-door Medical Mission Sisters have a proposed apartment development.
“It’s zoned residential for a reason,” one woman said of 8450 Pine Road, which has a house on site.
Katz said the guards at the Old Bustleton Avenue location do a good job handling traffic flow.
Politz will weigh the complaints from neighbors before proceeding.
In other news from the June 8 meeting:
• The owner of a twin home at 1030 Loney St. discussed a variance he needs to legalize removal of a rear garage. He is demolishing the interior, and a tenant will move in. Immediate neighbors complained of noise during construction, and faulted him for work performed seven days a week, 12 hours a day. A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is set for Aug. 3, and work will take three to four months. Although immediate neighbors oppose the plan, other FCHA members approved the proposal 25-3.
• Community relations officers Mark Mroz and Joe Staszak, of the 2nd and 7th police districts, respectively, provided crime updates.
Mroz spoke of a June 7 murder on the 6200 block of Oxford Ave. He said a man was stopped at a traffic light when someone in another vehicle fired 32 shots at him. The victim lived in the apartments at 800 Cottman Ave. and had past arrests for drugs and guns, according to Mroz.
“This was clearly a hit,” he said.
Staszak discussed thefts at the Rite Aid at 8200 Roosevelt Blvd.
The 2nd, 7th, 8th and 15th police districts are sponsoring an end-of-the-school-year event on Friday, June 17, from noon to 3 p.m., at Bustleton Bengals, 9945 President St. The event is for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. There will be hot dogs, water ice, pretzels, cold drinks, games, prizes, giveaways and information tables.
National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 6-8 p.m. at the Fox Chase Elementary School yard.
• The St. Helena 55+ Club will be holding a casino trip on Tuesday, June 28. A bus will leave St. Helena Church, 6161 N. 5th St., at 9 a.m. and return by 6 p.m. The cost is $25 and includes $18 in slot play at Resorts Casino. There will be bingo and 50/50s on the bus down and back. Make check out to St. Helena Seniors and mail to Sister Sophie, 6161 N. 5th St., Philadelphia, PA 19120.
• SEPTA will begin a project to enhance infrastructure as part of the Fox Chase Improvement Program. The work is scheduled to take place from July 5-29. During this time, shuttle buses will replace all trains from Fox Chase to Wayne Junction stations. For more details, including timetables, shuttle bus stop locations and suggested alternate routes, visit septa.org/foxchaseimprovement.
• State Rep. Kevin Boyle will hold a shredding event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, at his district office, 7801 Hasbrook Ave. Call 215-695-1016.
• The Fox Chase Homeowners Association will meet on Wednesday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m. at American Legion Loudenslager Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. There will be a discussion of the proposed roundabout at Pine Road and Shady Lane. ••
