The Holmesburg Civic Association last week approved three zoning proposals.
Attorney Steve Pollock said Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse, 7500 State Road, is looking to expand from within the existing building for catering needs. The ground is zoned industrial.
Owners Brooke and Jim Higgins were in attendance. They are seeking signage changes and the ability to play music during smallish banquets, wedding receptions and corporate events.
The civic board voted to not oppose the plans. A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is set for Aug. 17.
Meanwhile, attorney Hank Clinton represented an auto repair shop at 7324 James St. The shop, in operation since 2018, needs a special exception, as the property is zoned industrial.
Civic membership approved the plan. A ZBA hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21.
Also, Project Counterstrike Conditioning owner Lee Zimmerman is seeking to move to 7430 State Road, as it has outgrown its space in the Flyers Skate Zone in the Far Northeast.
The new 5,000-square-foot spot is more than three times the current space. The new location will be in the same building as a proposed gun range, though on separate floors.
By growing, Counterstrike Conditioning will be able to add equipment. The gym welcomes anyone 8 or older.
Members unanimously approved the gym plan. Construction is expected to be complete in early 2023.
As for the gun range, it is expected to open in a year.
In other news from the June 14 meeting:
• Vicki Riley, of the city Department of Revenue, told the crowd that the Office of Property Assessment will be mailing new home assessment information in August and September. She said information on 2022 and 2023 assessments can be found at property.phila.gov.
Riley also encouraged homeowners to sign up for the Homestead Exemption, if they haven’t already. She also spoke of programs such as the senior citizen real estate tax freeze; monthly payment plans for back taxes that stop penalties and interest; a discount for homeowners who’ve lived in their houses for more than 10 years and do not take the Homestead Exemption; a 25-percent water bill discount for seniors; and help, including debt forgiveness, for low-income people or hardship cases who have fallen behind on water bills.
Some of the programs Riley outlined have income limits.
For more information, email her at [email protected].
• Dave Wyszynski, an aide in the 173rd Legislative District, said the offices will remain open at 7104 Torresdale Ave. and 8760 Frankford Ave. Rep. Mike Driscoll resigned to join City Council. His former chief of staff, Pat Gallagher, is running unopposed in the general election.
• For more information on the Holmesburg Fish & Game Protective Association, visit holmesburgfishandgame.com.
• A Laundromat will replace the Wells Fargo bank that closed at Frankford Avenue and Rhawn Street.
• Holmesburg Civic Association will meet again on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 7:15 p.m. at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. ••
