The Greater Bustleton Civic League on Tuesday approved one zoning proposal while rejecting a second.
The GBCL voted 22-4 in favor of a homeowner’s bid to build a garage in the rear yard of his home at 9969 Wistaria St. A variance is needed because the proposed garage is 40 feet long, when only 25 feet is permitted. The owner argued that the overall square footage of his proposal is smaller than the square footage allowed. The garage will be used to store two cars, a motorcycle, a lawnmower and a snow blower.
Meanwhile, the GBCL voted 26-2 in opposition to a proposed after-school childcare in an industrial-zoned building at 260 Geiger Road. The center would be for kids ages 5-12 and be open weekdays from 2:30 to 6 p.m. There would be 13 to 20 kids in the roughly 1,000-square-foot space. Neighbors cited concerns about noise and congestion due to other daycares and adult care facilities in the complex. They were also concerned that the owner would operate in the summer, even when school is closed. One man repeatedly told the owner to find a spot in Huntingdon Valley.
In other news from the May 28 meeting:
• Capt. Steven O’Brien, commander of the 7th Police District, joined the meeting via Zoom. He said there was one robbery in the district in the last month. It took place at an AT&T store at 12002 Roosevelt Blvd., when four black males forced a manager into a back room. The suspects have been identified.
O’Brien said there were four residential burglaries from April 19 to May 7. In each case, the suspects entered through rear doors or windows. The burglaries took place on the 2000 block of Fuller St., the 8500 block of Rising Sun Ave., the 600 block of Welsh Road and the 300 block of Byberry Road. No suspects have been identified.
O’Brien said there were 76 thefts from autos and 16 stolen autos in the last month.
Meanwhile, community relations officer Joe Staszak invited the community to a Family Fun Day on Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the district parking lot, 1701 Bowler St. There will be food, giveaways, information tables, a DJ and police and fire vehicles. Staszak will be retiring after 34 years. The new community relations officer will be Al Fiorentino.
The 7th Police District Advisory Council named Officer Robert Binns as Officer of the Year.
• Members mourned the passing of Bernice Hill, a former GBCL president and Democratic leader of the 63rd Ward. Hill died on May 17. She was 86.
• Paul Kaplan, a member of the West Torresdale/Morrell Park Civic Association, addressed the crowd as an ambassador for Philadelphia250, the upcoming celebration of America’s semiquincentennial. Kaplan said there will be activities in the Northeast during the celebration in 2026. Citywide, Philadelphia will host six World Cup men’s soccer games and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. For more information, go to Philadelphia250.us.
• Among those in attendance were Jill Henon, an aide to state Sen. Jimmy Dillon; Alice Udovich, an aide to City Councilman Brian O’Neill; Nicole Cousounis, of the city controller’s office; and Joe Picozzi, Republican candidate in the 5th Senatorial District.
• Greater Bustleton Civic League will meet on Tuesday, June 25, at 7 p.m. at American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road. City Controller Christy Brady will speak. ••
