The Lawncrest Community Association last week discussed the proposed use of a lot for parking cars at Speedy Auto, 100 Comly St.
The lot is located in Cheltenham, behind Newtown Avenue in Lawncrest.
Sergio Polyakov has owned the property for 20 years and wants to park up to 30 cars on the vacant lot.
The Cheltenham Planning Commission has recommended that the Cheltenham Zoning Hearing Board reject the proposal. The zoning board was scheduled to meet Tuesday night, Sept. 25, but the proposal was continued until the board’s Nov. 19 meeting.
LCA members were given small pieces of paper when they arrived at the meeting to indicate whether they supported or opposed the proposal. Most people voted before hearing the proposal, which was discussed at the August meeting.
Some people complained that the lot would lead to more traffic and a lack of street parking. Opponents also claimed that people were voting without showing identification and stuffing the ballot box.
The LCA ultimately decided to not officially count the ballots.
Judging by a look inside the ballot box and the support Polyakov had in the room, he probably would have won the vote overwhelmingly. He called the meeting “a waste of time” and said the voters were from the neighborhood.
“I brought in people from Lawncrest to back me up,” he said.
In other news from the Sept. 18 meeting:
• The civic association voted to not oppose legalization of a property at 6612–14 Rising Sun Ave. (between Magee Avenue and Fanshawe Street). The three-story building features three apartments and one commercial space. Only one person opposed the project. The owner will have an Oct. 3 hearing in front of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
• Mark Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, provided crime updates. He reported that police believe the murder victim who was shot in the head on the 1900 block of Hartel Ave. was targeted.
• Presentation BVM School will hold Ladies Night Out on Oct. 6 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the church hall, 100 Old Soldiers Road in Cheltenham. Tickets cost $25 each or five for $100 and include a DJ, raffles, finger food, dessert, soda and a glass of wine.
• The Community Council for Northeast Neighborhood Libraries welcomes Friends groups and community members to a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. at Lawncrest Library, 6098 Rising Sun Ave. Participants will build an advocacy plan to address the loss of Saturday library hours and closures due to understaffing and building maintenance issues. Refreshments will be provided. Contact Gaspar Santos at 267–334–5646 or santosg@freelibrary.org
• The Navy Supply Corps Foundation’s Philadelphia chapter will sponsor a craft fair and flea market on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Naval Support Activity base, 700 Robbins Ave. The rain date is Oct. 27. To reserve a space, call 267–736–7643 or email NavyCraftFair@gmail.com
• New Beginnings Adult Day Center, 6423 Rising Sun Ave. (near Levick Street), will hold an open house on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be flu shots, diabetes education and DJ Chally Brown. Refreshments will be served.
• State Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald will hold a town hall meeting on Thursday, Sept. 27, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Lawncrest Recreation Center, 6000 Rising Sun Ave. There will be information on law enforcement and public safety, neighborhood beautification, public health, youth advocacy and senior services.
• Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave. (at Oakland Street), will hold a job fair on Friday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Employers will be recruiting for customer service, sales, education, law enforcement, information technology, production, retail, driving and warehouse.
• The Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. at St. William parish hall, Argyle and Robbins streets. ••
