Variance Sought for Triplexes

A developer wants to develop a property at the corner of Ridge and Martin.

A developer came before the Central Roxborough Civic Association on Thursday with plans to construct to triplexes on a lot located at the corner of Ridge Avenue and Martin Street. Currently, the property is zoned for mixed use residential, with commercial space on the first floor and residential above it. The developer wants a zoning variance so that he can build residential space on all three floors. He argued that first floor residential would be more fitting with the neighborhood, and it would allow him to construct parking garages for the potential tenants. Residents at the meeting argued that the additional rental units would exacerbate an existing parking problem even if garages were constructed for some of the tenants. 

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Zoning Changes Likely for Roxborough

The planning commission has begun work on a new zoning map for central Roxborough slated to go into effect in six months.

Two members of the Philadelphia Planning Commission met with the Central Roxborough Civic Association on Thursday to discuss a possible rezoning of an area bordered by Ridge Avenue, Monastery Street, Manayunk Avenue and Leverington Avenue. “There’s a lot of flexibility under the current zoning map,” said Paula Brumbelow who works for the planning commission.  “We want to look for areas where we can protect the density.” Reidents of central Roxborough approached the planning commission after several historic homes were demolished to make way for tighter development on the lots. “These demolitions were done by right,” said Northwest Community Planner Matt Wysong.  “There are a lot of mismatches in the zoning.” Wysong added, “What you usually…

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Reminder: Zoning Meeting on May 2

A meeting will be held to discuss zoning changes that could preserve Roxborough.

Civic Groups Hold Meetings This Week

A rundown of the Roxborough and Manayunk Civic Groups holding meetings this week.

Central Roxborough Civic Association Meeting Dates: CRCA is a Registered Community Organization (RCO) serving the Central Roxborough community. CRCA meets on the first Thursday of each month, except July and August, at the Leverington Presbyterian Church at Ridge and Hermitage streets at 7:30 p.m. Next Meeting: Thursday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. Manayunk Neighborhood Council Meeting Dates: The first Wednesday of each month At 7:30 P.M. At the Manayunk Development Corporation (MDC) Office at 4312 Main Street at the corner of Main Street and Cotton Street. Island Recreation Center. Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m.

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Roxborough Zoning Topic of May 2 Meeting

A community meeting will discuss potential zoning changes that could be made to help preserve Roxborough.

The Central Roxborough Civic Association will host a community meeting on May 2 that will focus on changes that could be made to the city’s zoning code in order to “preserve the physical character of the neighborhood.” Matt Wysong of the Philadelphia Planning Commission will attend the meeting to provide his expertise on what zoning changes could be made to again “preserve Roxborough.” The press release sent out by the civic association cites Lyceum Avenue and Green Lane as an example. From the press release: For example, many properties on Lyceum Avenue and Green Lane are zoned for twins or row homes but have existed as single-family homes throughout their existence.  If a developer acquired the land, two homes or more could be erected …

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Civic Groups Hold Meetings This Week

A rundown of the Roxborough and Manayunk Civic Groups holding meetings this week.

Here are the schedules for some of the meetings for some of the Roxborough and Manayunk Civic organizations.  Check back on Friday for more meeting schedules. Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association Meeting Dates: They meet at the Pilgrim Church on the first Monday of each month from 7:30pm-9:00pm (with a break for July and August).  The church is located at the corner of Terrace Street and Dawson Street, and off-street parking is available.  The meeting room is accessible from the parking lot. Next Meeting: Monday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. Central Roxborough Civic Association Meeting Dates: CRCA is a Registered Community Organization (RCO) serving the Central Roxborough community. CRCA meets on the first Thursday of each month, except July …

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Several Civic Organizations to Meet Next Week

Several neighborhood civic associations in Roxborough and Manayunk will meet next week.

Here are the schedules for some of the meetings for some of the Roxborough and Manayunk Civic organizations.  Check back on Friday for more meeting schedules. Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association Meeting Dates: They meet at the Pilgrim Church on the first Monday of each month from 7:30pm-9:00pm (with a break for July and August).  The church is located at the corner of Terrace Street and Dawson Street, and off-street parking is available.  The meeting room is accessible from the parking lot. Next Meeting: Monday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. Central Roxborough Civic Association Meeting Dates: CRCA is a Registered Community Organization (RCO) serving the Central Roxborough community. CRCA meets on the first Thursday of each month, except July …

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Patch Editor Says Goodbye

Sam Fran Scavuzzo departs from Patch, but not Roxborough.

Nearly three years ago, I moved into a tiny (probably illegally rented) apartment in Roxborough to continue my career with Patch.com and launch a website for Roxborough and Manayunk—or is it Manayunk and Roxborough. Having graduated from nearby La Salle University, I was familiar with the neighborhood's night-life aspect but knew little-to-nothing of the town's character. Certainly, Manayunk possessed the college-town reputation and I knew Roxborough to be blue collar, but that's about it. Today, as I prepare to depart my position with Patch, I'm happy to report that what was once an assignment for me has become my home, which is also now totally legal. Though I won't be the Patch editor anymore, I'll be a Central Roxborough Civic …

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Bunting Battle Continues Despite Demolition

Civic groups fight for 5901 Ridge Ave. for precedent.

The Bunting House at 5901 Ridge Ave. itself is gone, but local civic associations continue a fight to make sure it didn't go down in vain. An appeal to the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment took place last week, despite the fact that the building in question was demolished, Central Roxborough Civic Association President Ed Hotham said at the group's Jan. 3 meeting. The CRCA—along with the Manayunk Neighborhood Council, Wissahickon Interested Citizens Association, Ridge Park Civic Association and Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association—fought to preserve the Victorian home throughout the fall. In December, a Court of Common Pleas judge ruled against an injunction, and property owners Giovannone Construction exercised their legally …

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Judge Denies Injunction Against Bunting House Demo

Giovannone Construction may proceed with plans to make a vacant lot at 5901-09 Ridge Ave.

After more than two-month layover, a Roxborough developer can begin demolition at 5901 Ridge Ave. In a ruling Tuesday, Motions Court Judge Idee Fox denied neighborhood civic associations' request to halt demolition at the Bunting House, an historical (but not registered) Victorian home, allowing Giovannone Construction to create a vacant lot at the corner of Ridge and Roxborough Avenues. The Central Roxborough Civic Association led a charge by neighborhood groups to preserve the home formerly owned by Dr. Ross Hunting, a noted physician in the early 20th century, who is buried across the street at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. In September, property owners Anthony and Frank Giovannone secured permits to demolish the Bunting House, along …

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rich

6:13 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012

Kevin, your taking this way to personal. I think were all going to see more and more of these historical homes demolished for 300- 400k homes that you seem to think is great for the neighborhood . I feel that our neighborhood is already over developed .I signed the petition to stop the demolition of this building and many other petitions over the years. Fighting development can be exhausting and …   more ›