The Lawncrest Community Association last week heard two zoning cases.
Attorney Shawn Ward spoke on behalf of Lorenzo Woods, owner of an auto body repair shop at 6610 Hasbrook Ave. (near Unruh Avenue). The shop needs a variance because the property has both residential and industrial zoning. Woods is also seeking a permit to paint.
Hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there is plenty of on-site parking. In addition to Woods, there are four employees.
Neighbors were worried about the painting portion of the shop, since it’s next to a daycare, and voted to oppose the variance.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment was scheduled to hear the case on Oct. 26 at 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, the resident of a home on the 6000 block of Bingham St. is seeking to legalize a 9-foot-high fence. Only 3½ feet is permitted. A contractor did not get a permit for the fence, which is in the front of the property. A school bus is parked behind the fence during the day. The resident is open to suggested improvements to the fence, but residents said it would set a bad precedent for the neighborhood to approve such a large fence and voted to oppose the variance. One member voted to approve the variance.
A ZBA hearing will take place on Dec. 21.
In other news from the Oct. 20 meeting:
• The 2nd Police District was represented by Capt. James Kimrey, Sgt. Bill Whartenby and community relations officer Mark Mroz. They presented LCA president Bill Dolbow with a community service award. The 2nd, 7th, 8th and 15th police districts will hold a trunk or treat and classic car show on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Mission BBQ, 11000 Roosevelt Blvd. The 2nd was happy to hear that City Councilman David Oh’s bill raising fines on illegal tractor trailer parking from $101 to $300 has become law. Tractor trailers cannot be parked within 100 feet of residences, whether there is signage or not. Any tractor trailers without proper license plates, inspection stickers or VINs will be booted and towed by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Dianne Barclay, a former community relations officer in the 2nd, is being promoted to sergeant. There were 25 robberies, including 15 with guns, in a recent two-week period in the 2nd.
• SEPTA officials outlined a plan to improve pedestrian safety at the Lawndale train station. The plan would create an overpass for riders so they don’t have to cross the tracks, also used by CSX. The ramp would be ADA compliant, and lighting would be improved. Residents expressed concern about parking and the ramp incline. SEPTA will appear at a future meeting after considering LCA feedback. Meanwhile, the officials encouraged people to go to SEPTABusRevolution.com to learn about proposed bus route changes.
• Faith Needleman, director of quality management at Kindred Hospital, 6129 Palmetto St. (at Devereaux Avenue), asked for two residents to join the Patient Safety Committee. Kindred is a long-term, acute-care hospital.
• State Rep. Jared Solomon will hold a Roosevelt Boulevard Subway Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road. There will be a discussion about options for a public transit line. SEPTA and PennDOT will be represented.
• Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at St. William’s Monsignor James E. Mortimer Memorial Hall, Argyle and Robbins streets. ••
