The Burholme Civic Association last week weighed two zoning cases.
First, the group heard from the owner of a house at 7320 Montour St. who wants to build a loft over a detached garage. The man’s wife is a social worker employed by an adoption agency. The space would be used for her to communicate with parents. After the man agreed to not turn the loft into living space, Burholme voted 11-4 to support his request for a variance.
In the second case, a man who owns a house at 1405 Oakmont St. is looking to legalize a vinyl fence around the side of his house. The height of the fence is higher than the maximum allowed 4 feet. The man said he wants the fence because he might install a pool and for safety, as he said the area is home to a lot of registered sex offenders. Burholme approved legalization of the fence, 18-0.
In other news from the Feb. 8 meeting:
• The 2nd Police District was represented by Capt. Marc Metellus, Lt. Joe Mortimer and community relations officer Mark Mroz. A man has been arrested for vandalism and assault on the 7300 block of Claridge St.
Inspector Frank Bachmayer, commander of the Northeast Police Division, will hold a town hall on April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Philadelphia Protestant Home.
The Civilian Police Academy is looking for members. The class meets nine times on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the police academy, 2838 Woodhaven Road. Contact Cpl. Megan Fabrizio at 215-934-4147 or Megan.Fabrizio@phila.gov.
Meanwhile, a benefit will take place on Thursday, Feb. 22, from 6-10 p.m. at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road, for three 2nd district officers shot in October during an incident on the 7500 block of Whitaker Ave. The event will honor Sgt. Mitchell Farrell and Officers John Hesdon and Samantha Gress. There will be a silent auction, DJ and raffle baskets. No tickets will be sold, but monetary donations will be accepted at the door. For more information, call Officer Judy Kinniry at 267-515-8887, Cpl. Christopher Bennett at 215-605-0414 or Erin O’Donnell at 215-205-1922.
Burholme Civic will be donating to the benefit.
• United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave., which hosts the civic meetings, invites the community to its weekly service Sundays at 9:15 a.m. The church also hosts opera shows, Bible study and substance abuse meetings, serves as a 53rd Ward polling place and is home to a Ukrainian congregation.
• Members expressed concern about what they said is a trashy and poorly lit shopping center at 7770 Dungan Road. They also complained about a daycare on the 7100 block of Rising Sun Ave. leaving trash out all week.
• Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Ave., will host a laughter “funshop,” presented by certified laughter specialist Barbara Hee, on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m.
The museum hosts an Anime and Manga Club on the second Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. The next meeting is March 10.
Other upcoming events are a book club on Feb. 16 from 1-3 p.m.; storytime on Feb. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and Fibercraft Friends on Feb. 23 from 1-3 p.m.
Call 215-685-0599 or visit robertryerss.org.
• Burholme Civic Association will meet on Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer. ••
