Highlights from the Ridge Park Civic Association's Meeting.

Highlights from the busy agenda of the Ridge Park Civic Association’s quarterly meeting June 2 at the Fifth District Police Headquarters include:

--A follow-up presentation for construction of the 168-unit Umbria Village on a parcel of land behind and beneath the Ivy Ridge Train Station. The developer is seeking a zoning change from industrial to residential. 

Developer Joe Pasquale and attorney Dick Hayden addressed seven primary concerns of the association: preservation of the SEPTA bridge at the bottom of Parker Ave.; the railroad crossing necessary for vehicle traffic entering and leaving the complex; the ratio of parking spaces, 234, to rental units, 168, with 224 total bedrooms; public access to the Manayunk canal; storm water management; State Department of Environmental Protection site review; and target market. Hayden promised members that they would take one last look at improving the parking ratio before meeting with the City Planning Commission. 

--An exploratory discussion with administrators from the Green Woods Charter School regarding the possible purchase of an eight-acre parcel of land known as 201-R Parker Ave. The elementary school’s lease of its present campus at 8480 Hagys Mill Rd. expires in Aug. 2012, and plans to expand from 225 to 675 students over seven years necessitates a larger facility.

The preliminary concept calls for development of 1.3 acres for a new school building and vehicle access. The administrators were urged to talk to the school’s prospective neighbors. RPCA agreed to form a working group headed by Greenspace Coordinator Marlene Schleifer that would meet with administrators in approximately one month.  

--Support of a zoning variance for the CVS at Ridge Ave. and Cinnaminson St. to open a 200-square-foot “Minute Clinic.” Minute Clinics, staffed by nurse practitioners, provide basic non-emergency treatment for minor medical matters such as ear infections and flu shots. Patients pay a $50 fee or an insurance co-pay for services. 

--Support of a zoning variance for new signage at Worldwide Aquarium, 7043 Ridge Ave. 

--Support of a zoning variance for a retail store at Philadelphia Woodworkers, a members’ workshop and woodworking school to be located at the old Furniture Workshop site at Umbria and Lemonte Streets. The retail section of the operation would sell project materials to hobbyists and students utilizing the facility.

--A brief report by Intercommunity Action Senior Vice President Kathy Mandarino on Interac’s application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development  for funds to build a 40-unit senior housing complex at Ridge Ave. and Fairthorne Street. 

--News that the 71 trees planted in April by Tree Tenders are doing well. Seventy more plantings are scheduled for the fall, including 18 trees in the vicinity of Dobson Elementary School. 

--A report by Ellyn Avila of Ivy Ridge Green on that group’s efforts to develop the Cynwyd Trail and to beautify other parts of the 21st Ward. Go to www.ivyridgegreen.org for more information. 

The next RPCA meeting will be held at the Fifth District Police Headquarters, located at the corner of Ridge Ave. and Cinnaminson St., on Thursday, September 8, at 7 p.m.