The Fox Chase Homeowners Association last week voted 35-6 to approve the opening of a takeout deli at 222 Hartel Ave. (at Burholme Avenue).
The property – once a Unity-Frankford store – has been vacant since 1986, though there is an upstairs apartment. A variance is needed because it’s zoned residential.
The three owners have put $100,000 in interior and exterior improvements, and there will be outdoor lighting and cameras. They plan to hire neighborhood employees. No cigarettes will be sold. Waste management will collect trash twice a week.
The opposition was led by two women who live on Burholme Avenue who complained about possible parking, traffic, trash and noise issues. They wanted the owners to look for a site on Oxford Avenue.
The new store, open seven days a week, is expected to be called Unity Market.
In other news from the March 8 meeting:
• Members voted 27-4 in favor of a couple’s effort to legalize a garage at 917 Shelmire Ave. They had been given false information by a worker at the Department of Licenses and Inspections that they did not need a permit. A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is set for May 10. The plan passed despite the group’s guiding principle that it opposes the legalization of existing structures.
• Rockledge Police Chief John Gallagher said there will be a Hike the Pike pub crawl on April 15, at 4 p.m. The cost is $30 and includes a T-shirt, door prizes and drink specials. Proceeds benefit the Rockledge 4th of July Association.
Gallagher also mentioned the first St. Cecilia School Legacy Run/Walk on Saturday, April 29, at 8 a.m. Proceeds will go to a scholarship fund that benefits children who have a parent who graduated from St. Cecilia. Go to https://stceciliafc.org/.
As for crime, Gallagher credited his officers with keeping the rate low. Rockledge plans more foot and bicycle cops.
• Mark Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, said the district will be monitoring social media to see if there are any big parties planned for underage drinkers on St. Patrick’s Day. The fields at Fox Chase Recreation Center have been the sites of past parties.
Capt. Marc Metellus, the new commander in the 2nd Police District, will hold a town hall meeting on Wednesday, March 15, at 6 p.m. at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road.
• Among those in attendance was Christy Brady, a Fox Chase resident and the endorsed Democratic candidate for city controller.
• Fox Chase Homeowners Association will meet on Wednesday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. at American Legion Loudenslager Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. ••
