By Elizabeth Stieber
Times Staff Writer

The back parking lot of the former Crown Cork & Seal property at 9300 Ashton Road remains vacant as the Philadelphia Parking Authority and residents of Ashton Square battle over whether it should house unclaimed motor vehicle auctions.
After unexpected protest in the neighborhood, the parking authority asked for a continuance last Wednesday during a Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing in Center City.
Sant Properties, the potential owner of the property, wants to lease the vacant back parking lot to the parking authority for car auctions.
Sant currently owns 19 buildings, making it the largest landlord in the Northeast.
The lot would hold 680 vehicles and 22 motorcycles; 15 to 22 tow trucks would operate in and out of the parking lot.
Currently, there are three auction sites, but because of an influx of vehicles due to Operation Live Stop — the citywide program aimed at curbing unlicensed, uninsured and unregistered motorists — the city needs a fourth location.
Owners of the impounded cars must pay their outstanding tickets and fees before reclaiming their vehicles. They cannot buy back their cars once they are on the auction block.
Hardeep Chawla, owner of Sant Industries, does not understand why neighbors are so upset over the deal.
“Everything will be lined up in the lot, and it’s not visible from Ashton Road,” Chawla said. He explained that the parking authority would rent the lot but that 75 percent of the building would be occupied by Frankford Candy, whose numerous trucks will be going to and from the property.
Chawla said residents don’t seem have a problem with Frankford Candy’s traffic because the company will bring in 250 to 300 jobs.
‘(The auction) will be an ideal place for the city,” Chawla said.
Members of the Ashton Square Civic Association don’t think the lot is so ideal.
The residents claim they would not have known about the zoning notice had a neighbor who was walking near the lot not noticed the lone zoning sign and notified other neighbors.
“There was only one sign up, and it was out of the way,” said Susan Sheahan, treasurer of the civic association.
An emergency meeting was held Oct. 7 for residents. Chawla, state Rep. Dennis O’Brien (R-169th dist.), an aide to City Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) and representatives from the parking authority also attended.
“We don’t understand why the parking authority would lease it to a private citizen who doesn’t even own the property,” Sheahan said.
Chawla is presently making settlement on the property.
Sheahan said that the members of civic association, which has been active in Ashton Square for more 18 years, do not oppose industrial sites, but don’t want properties “doubling up” usage because it would add to the traffic congestion.
Residents are also worried about possible ecological problems that the vehicles could cause. Sheahan said the cars could affect their water supply.
“Runoff from cars that aren’t picked up and have damage like leaking fuel would, on a rainy day, go right into the Pennypack Watershed,” Sheahan said. “(The lot) butts up against our houses and our drainage. We will take further ecological action if we have to.”
Sheahan said the association will call the Friends of Pennypack and other environmental organizations for further support.
O’Neill has acted as a mediator between Chawla and the neighborhood.
“I recommended to the owner and parking authority that they recognize the community’s concerns and look for an alternative (street) to getting to the site, or go to another site,” he said.
O’Neill said that Operation Live Stop is a good program, and the city needs another lot, but the owner must be sensitive to the neighbors’ concerns.
“We’re trying to find a balance between what’s good for the Northeast, what’s good for the city and what’s good for the neighbors,” he said.
O’Neill has shown his concern over industrial sites in residential areas. A City Council measure allows residents to voice their concern and even oppose a zoning notice involving commercial automobile use.
According to the zoning law, owners are not permitted to do any work outside of the property’s zoning classification. Owners must install a sign to inform neighbors, who have the right to oppose it.
The property on Ashton Road is considered G2 Industrial, a zoning classification for properties with heavy manufacturing.
The law removes any commercial automobile use, such as gas stations, auto shops and parking lots, O’Neill said.
Meanwhile, the zoning hearing will be rescheduled. The Ashton Square Civic Association has not picked a date for its next meeting, but neighbors will be notified via fliers. ••
Reporter Elizabeth Stieber can be reached at 215-354-3036 or estieber@phillynews.com