Zoning Appeals
Updated 6.1.2023
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Pending Appeals
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90 Rochelle Avenue (Multi-Family Building)
Completed Appeals
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559 Righter Street
Update 6/1/2023: On May 31, 2023, the applicant formally withdrew the zoning appeal for variances for the property located at 559 Righter Street.
Update 4/19/2023: The ZBA granted the applicant’s continuance request. The appeal hearing has been continued to 9/13/2023 at 2PM.
Update 4/14/2023: We learned that the developer for 559 Righter has formally requested a continuance for the 4/19 ZBA Appeal Hearing. We will learn at the beginning of Wednesday’s meeting if their request is granted, which it likely will be.
Update 4/10/2023: The applicant provided the following updates to the project:
• Revised zoning plan to eliminate the curb cut and drive aisle on Righter St; that will now be green space. Due to that change, the total parking spots will now be 20, rather than 21.
• Also in the revised zoning plan, moved the dumpster away from the 527 Hermit St property, added precautionary signage to the Hermit St entrance/exit, and moved the fence back an additional 4 feet from their property while adding more trees along it to help with the neighbors view.
The application proposes:
For the erection of a detached structure on the same lot as another existing detached structure (no change to height or area of existing detached structure), size and location as shown on plan/application. For use of business and professional offices within the existing detached structure, for use of multi-family household living (21 dwelling units total) within both the existing and proposed detached structures, with 21 accessory surface parking spaces (including one van-accessible ADA space and one electric vehicle parking space), and seven Class 1A bicycle parking spaces located along an accessible route; no signs on this permit.
Date of ZBA Hearing: September 13, 2023 at 2:00PM (Appeal #ZP-2022-007493)
Date of Original ZBA Hearing: April 19, 2023 at 2:00PM (Appeal #ZP-2022-007493)
Date of RCO Meeting: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 7:00PM via Zoom. Click here for voting results ››
Notice of Refusal: 559 Righter Street >>
90 Rochelle Avenue (Dog Daycare)
Update 5/24/2023: The Zoning Board granted the dog daycare a temporary variance to expire June 1, 2026 with a proviso for commercial trash pickup three times per week.
Update 5/17/2023: At the scheduled hearing, the Zoning Board heard the case and decided to postpone their vote until next week’s session on 5/24/2023 at 2:00PM.
The application proposes:
A canine daycare, boarding, training, sale of dog related good, ancillary office and administrative space.
Date of ZBA Hearing: May 17, 2023 at 2:00pm via Zoom. Click here ››
Date of RCO Meeting: March 2, 2023 at 7:00pm via Zoom. See voting results ››
242 A/B Kalos Street
Update: At the April 19, 2023 appeal hearing, the Zoning Board rejected both applications.
The applications propose:
242A KALOS STREET: FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE WITH FRONT PORCH, MANSARD ROOF, ROOF DECK AND ROOF DECK ACCESS STRUCTURE. FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING. FOR ONE (1) OPEN-AIR ACCESSORY PARKING SPACE.
Amended Notice of Refusal: 242A Kalos Street >>
240 (242A) Kalos Street Zoning Plan Revised >>
240-242 Kalos Street Elevation & Floor Plans Revised >>
242B KALOS STREET: FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE WITH FRONT PORCH, MANSARD ROOF, ROOF DECK AND ROOF DECK ACCESS STRUCTURE. FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING. FOR ONE (1) OPEN-AIR ACCESSORY PARKING SPACE.
Amended Notice of Refusal: 242B Kalos Street Revised >>
242 (242B) Kalos Street Zoning Plan Revised >>
Date of Resumptive ZBA Hearing: April 19, 2020 at 2:00pm via Zoom. (Appeal #ZP-2022-006957 and #ZP-2022-003881)
Date of Second RCO Meeting: April 12, 2023 at 7:00pm via Zoom. Click here for voting results >>
The original applications proposed:
242A KALOS STREET: FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE INCLUDING A ROOF DECK AND ROOF DECK ACCESS STRUCTURE. FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING. FOR ONE INTERIOR ACCESSORY PARKING SPACE.
242B KALOS STREET: FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE, ROOF DECK AND ROOF DECK ACCESS STRUCTURE. FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING. FOR ONE (1) STRUCTURED (GARAGE) ACCESSORY PARKING SPACE.
Date of RCO Meeting: Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 7:00PM via Zoom. Click here for voting results ››
Date of ZBA Hearing: March 15, 2023 at 2:00PM (Appeal #ZP-2022-006957 and #ZP-2022-003881)
311 Righter Street
Update: On December 1, 2021, the Zoning Board approved the application.
The application is for the erection of an addition above the existing attached structure with roof deck and roof deck access structure and a deck at the rear for a single-family household.
Date of Meeting: Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 7PM
Location of Meeting: Held via Zoom. Click here for voting results ››
A summary of the results will be sent to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). The ZBA Hearing is scheduled for 3:30pm, December 1, 2021.
Links
249 Rochelle Avenue
Update: On March 24, 2021, the Zoning Board rejected the application.
The application is for the creation of one (1) accessory parking space access from the front street for an existing single-family household.
| Do you support the creation of one accessory parking space? | Near Neighbors (250 ft + Same Block) | All Meeting Attendees (including Near Neighbors) |
| Support | 7 | 11 |
| Oppose | 13 | 39 |
| Abstain | 0 | 0 |
Date of Meeting: February 23, 2021
Location of Meeting: Held via Zoom
Number of Attendees: 50, including WICA President
Links
5103 Rochelle Avenue
Update: On April 14, 2021, the Zoning Board approved the application.
The application is for 1. use of the first floor for the first 33 feet and basement as a business and professional office and 2. a variance to allow four residential dwelling units rather than the three units allowed byright based on lot area. No addition is proposed.
| 1. First floor as a business/personal office | All Meeting Attendees (including Near Neighbors) |
| Support | 19 |
| Oppose | 2 |
| Abstain | 1 |
| 2. The variance to allow four (4) residential dwelling units, one more than the three (3) allowed by right | All Meeting Attendees (including Near Neighbors) |
| Support | 20 |
| Oppose | 2 |
| Abstain | 0 |
Date of Meeting: January 25, 2021
Location of Meeting: Held via Zoom
Number of Attendees: 22, including WICA President
Links
5261-65 Ridge Avenue
Update: On September 22, 2020, the Zoning Board approved the application.
The application is for a banquet hall for under fifty (50) people. No live entertainment or dancing (assembly and entertainment) (no activities as defined in 14-603 (13) of Philadelphia Zoning Code) and proposed retail sale of prepackaged food and non-alcoholic beverages (retail sale of food, beverages, and groceries) (same tenant) on entire 1st floor with existing 14 family dwelling above as previously approved in an existing structure.
| All Meeting Attendees (including Near Neighbors) | |
| Support | 14 |
| Support with Provisos | 5 |
| Oppose | 2 |
Date of Meeting: August 18, 2020
Location of Meeting: Held via Zoom
Number of Attendees: 21, including WICA President
Links
147 Sumac Street
Update: On February 12, 2020, the Zoning Board approved the developer to build six homes. WICA filed an appeal, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
The application is for the erection of eight townhomes with roof decks, parking garages, and four surface parking spaces on the same lot as the existing duplex, which will remain and be converted back to a single family home. There will be a total of nine dwelling units and twelve parking spaces on lot.
| Near Neighbors (250 feet + Same Block) | All Meeting Attendees (including Near Neighbors) | |
| Support | 8 | 27 |
| Oppose | 34 | 85 |
| Abstain | 0 | 1 |
Date of Meeting: January 15, 2020
Location of Meeting: Wissahickon Church, 5245 Ridge Avenue
Number of Attendees: 113, including WICA President
Links
3563 Retta Street
Update: On January 22, 2020, the Zoning Board approved the application.
The application is for the erection of a rear yard deck accessory to an attached single-family dwelling. The proposed use, rear yard deck with stairs from the ground level to the deck in the case of attached buildings, is prohibited in the zoning district.
Public Meeting Vote Results
| Near Neighbors (250 feet + Same Block) | All Meeting Attendees (including Near Neighbors) | |
| Support | 4 | 12 |
| Non-Opposition with Provisos | 0 | 1 |
| Oppose | 1 | 2 |
| Abstain | 0 | 1 |
Date of Meeting: January 6, 2020
Location of Meeting: Northern Children’s Services, 5301 Ridge Avenue
Number of Attendees: 16, including WICA President and Zoning Chair
200 and 214 Kalos Street
Update: On January 7, 2020, the Zoning Board approved the application with one provision: maximum height of stone retaining wall along Kalos and Righter St on Lot #6 shall be no greater than 4 feet in height at any point.
The Applicant’s revised plans (October 2019) propose to create six new lots from the two existing lots at 200 and 214 Kalos Street. All existing buildings are to be demolished. The development will include six semi-detached dwelling units (three twins), down from the original nine adjoined townhomes.
Application Description
FOR THE LOT ADJUSTMENT TO CREATE SIX (6) LOTS, PARCEL #1, PARCEL #2, PARCEL #3, PARCEL #4, PARCEL #5 AND PARCEL #6, FROM TWO (2) OPA ACCOUNTS (200 KALOS ST AND 214 KALOS ST).
FOR THE COMPLETE DEMOLITION OF EXISTING STRUCTURE; FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE (NTE 39.81 FT (LOT #4); 39.77 FT (LOT #5) AND 41.49 FT HIGH (LOT# 6) FOR A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING FROM LOT #1 THROUGH LOT#6 WITH ACCESSORY PARKING GARAGES FOR ONE (1) CAR ACCESSED FROM A REAR SHARED DRIVE AISLE.
Public Meeting Vote Results (November 2019)
| Near Neighbors (250 feet + Same Block) | All Meeting Attendees (including Near Neighbors) | |
| Support | 3 | 6 |
| Non-Opposition with Provisos | 3 | 18 |
| Oppose | 4 | 11 |
| Abstain | 0 | 0 |
Date of Meeting: November 18, 2019
Location of Meeting: Wissahickon Presbyterian Church, 5245 Ridge Avenue
Number of Attendees: 35, including WICA President and Zoning Chair
Public Meeting Vote Results (May 2019)
| Near Neighbors (250 feet + Same Block) | All Meeting Attendees (including Near Neighbors) | |
| Support | 3 | 6 |
| Non-Opposition with Provisos | 3 | 18 |
| Oppose | 4 | 11 |
| Abstain | 0 | 0 |
Date of Meeting: May 14, 2019
Location of Meeting: Wissahickon Church, 5245 Ridge Avenue
Number of Attendees: 78, including WICA President and Zoning Chair
Links
90 Rochelle Avenue (Dog Daycare)
A canine day care has applied for a use variance to allow for canine services, boarding, and sale of canine products in the existing building.
Public Meeting Vote Results
| Near Neighbors (250 feet) | All Meeting Attendees (including Near Neighbors) | |
| Support | – | 3 |
| Oppose | 1 | 2 |
| Support w/ Provisos | 2 | 9 |
Date of Meeting: January 22, 2019
Location of Meeting: Wissahickon Presbyterian Church, 5245 Ridge Avenue
Number of Attendees: 23, including WICA President and Zoning Chair
Application Description
PERMIT FOR DAYCARE AND GROOMING FOR CANINE ANIMALS (ANIMAL SERVICE), BOARDING AND TRAINING FACILITY (BOARDING AND OTHER SERVICES) AND RETAIL SALE OF PET SUPPLIES IN BUILDING # 1 ON THE SAME LOT WITH EXISTING STORAGE AND ALL OTHER USES AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED IN BUILDING # 2 WITH ALL OTHER USES AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED
