The Lawncrest Community Association last week considered two zoning cases.
The LCA voted unanimously to not oppose a doctor’s request for a variance to add a handicapped-parking spot outside his office at 5900 Rising Sun Ave. (at Van Kirk Street).
The civic association was divided on a request to convert a single family home at 6029 Palmetto St. into a duplex.
A woman would live on the bottom floor, while her son would reside on the second floor.
There would be two bedrooms in each unit.
Some people were concerned that the woman and her son would sell the property for a higher price once they were approved for a duplex.
Members voted 14-8 in favor of the proposal, but the civic will write a letter to the Zoning Board of Adjustment giving no recommendation.
In other news from the Oct. 15 meeting:
• The city Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability discussed upcoming projects, such as longer crossovers on Roosevelt Boulevard and crosswalks on Tabor Avenue. Pedestrian timers will be lengthened so people can more quickly cross the Boulevard. Trees will be added to the Boulevard. OTIS said speed cameras are making the Boulevard safer. The city has no plan to add pedestrian bridges on the Boulevard because the existing ones get little use. Improvements will be coming to the area on the Boulevard near Friends Hospital, as the city plans a large district health center on hospital grounds.
To request speed bumps, go to https://www.phila.gov/services/streets-sidewalks-alleys/request-traffic-calming-for-a-residential-street/
For more information on city transportation-related issues, email Matt Wysong at [email protected].
• The city Department of Public Health distributed kits to test for COVID or the flu. The kits cost $20 at pharmacies. The health department also gave out hand sanitizer and masks.
• State Sen. Tina Tartaglione will hold a senior expo on Friday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Juniata Boys and Girls Club, 1225 E. Cayuga St. Call 215-533-0440.
• City Councilman Anthony Phillips and state Rep. Anthony Bellmon will sponsor Haunted Fall Fest on Rising Sun on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 5-8 p.m. at Kinder Academy at Trinity, 6901 Rising Sun Ave. There will be food, games, live music, trunk-or-treating, scarecrow building and a bounce house.
• The Kazakh National String Quartet will be in concert at Fox Chase United Methodist Church, Fillmore and Loney streets, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. Members of the quartet are Aidar Toktaliyev, first violin; Alexey Lebedev, second violin; Bekzat Sailaubaiuty, viola; and Vernar Myntayev, cello. On the program will be Mozart’s String Quartet in G Major, K 387 and Brahms Piano Quintet with pianist Timor Mustakimov. The concert will be in the sanctuary of the church. No tickets are needed but a free will offering will be received.
• Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at St. William’s Monsignor James E. Mortimer Memorial Hall, Argyle and Robbins streets. ••
