The Greater Bustleton Civic League last week heard from developers hoping to build 65 townhomes on an 11-acre piece of ground adjacent to the 1700 block of Fulmer St.
The presentation was a “sense of body,” as developers will be going to the Civic Design Review board on Oct. 11 before coming back to the GBCL in advance of a Jan. 11 hearing in front of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Developers need a variance because the property is zoned industrial.
Attorney Jared Klein explained that Cobblestone Court would feature 13 detached structures, each of which will have five townhomes. There will be 130 parking spaces and 24 bicycle spaces, along with a 34-foot-wide loop street. Residents would be part of a Homeowners Association.
The three-floor, 3,000-square-foot homes would have stone and brick fronts and include two-car garages. There would also be a dog park. In all, the property would be 52 percent green space. Prices are expected to be $600,000 to $700,000.
Neighbors expressed concern about a buffer, parking, traffic and turns coming out of the development.
Alice Udovich, of City Councilman Brian O’Neill’s office, said the councilman will wait to see how the GBCL votes before he decides whether to support or oppose the project.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Klein said.
In other news from the Sept. 27 meeting:
• The 7th Police District was represented by Capt. Steven O’Brien on Zoom and community relations officer Joe Staszak in person. The district is participating in several upcoming events. People can visit the district, at Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street, on Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to discard their prescription drugs. On Oct. 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., there will be a Trunk or Treat at Mission BBQ, 11000 Roosevelt Blvd. On Oct. 31, Halloween, kids are invited to the district to receive candy from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
• Former Councilman Allan Domb, expected to run for mayor, addressed the crowd. He said public safety is by far the top issue, adding that the city needs leadership and more police officers. Until he resigned in August, Domb donated his salary to schools.
• Vicki Riley, of the city Department of Revenue, appeared through Zoom. She mentioned that Council has raised the homestead exemption to $80,000. To make sure you have the exemption, go to property.phila.gov. As for home assessments, she said the deadline is Oct. 14 to file a first-level review appeal with the Office of Property Assessment. Property taxes are due by March 31, 2023. Individuals 65 and older can have their property taxes frozen if they make no more than $33,500 a year. The limit for married couples is $41,500.
• There were two representatives from Councilman David Oh’s office in attendance, and one mentioned that Oh’s bill that adds semi-trailers and truck tractors to the list of vehicles that cannot be parked on residential streets has been passed by Council and signed by the mayor. The penalty is a $300 fine and towing.
• The Northeast Philadelphia History Network will meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Pennepack Baptist Meetinghouse, 8732 Krewstown Road. The topic will be The Lenape and the Arrival of the Europeans. The speaker will be Chris Applegate, of the Churchville Nature Center.
• Fox Chase Farm, 8500 Pine Road, will hold an Applefest on Saturday, Oct. 15, from noon to 4 p.m. There will be cider pressing, apple butter making, hayrides, seasonal games, pumpkin painting and music. Pumpkins, apples, apple butter and cider will be for sale.
• Work has been completed, and Welsh Road is now one lane in each direction from Pine Road to Alburger Avenue. The GBCL is hoping Council approves bike lanes.
• The GBCL is mourning the loss of member Joe Cooper, who fought to clean up trash and shopping carts from Walmart, Lidl and other stores that were left on the Boulevard. Cooper died in August.
• The Greater Bustleton Civic League will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. at American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road. ••
