By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer
Judge Ed Becker has lived on the 900 block of Herbert St. for 68 years, and he doesn’t want a crematory in his back yard.
Becker, a senior judge on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, labeled prospects of a crematory at Greenwood Cemetery as “very disturbing.”
In January 2000, businesswoman Carol Hancock purchased the decaying 43-acre cemetery at 930 Adams Ave. from George DeLong for $1.
In July 2000, with the Northwood community divided, the Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 4-1 to grant Hancock a variance to renovate the place. Her plans include a funeral home, crematory and 60-space parking lot.
A group of cemetery lot holders and others who have relatives buried at the cemetery filed a lawsuit challenging the sale. They contend that DeLong was merely a caretaker and had no right to sell the cemetery.
In March 2003, fed up with fighting with the community, Hancock abandoned her plan.
In June 2003, the courts appointed lot owner Gloria Boyd and attorney Kevin Lynch as co-custodians of the cemetery.
Meanwhile, Hancock renewed her interest in the cemetery.
Last month, there was a settlement in the lawsuit that gave Hancock ownership.
“It’s a long odyssey that has ended unhappily,” is how Becker described the saga.
Hancock, though, won’t be firing up a furnace just yet. Some neighbors have filed an appeal of the zoning board decision to Common Pleas Court.
The neighbors have the high-powered firm of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll on their side.
“That matter is far from over,” Becker said, promising an appeal to the state courts if crematory opponents lose in Common Pleas Court.
Becker, 70, is also involved in two other neighborhood issues.
The judge is questioning the legality of a free-standing sign and the activities of a car repair/sales/wash shop at Castor and Adams avenues.
He also believes the new Kashkashian & Associates law office at Castor Avenue and Fillmore Street violates zoning laws and the neighborhood deed restriction prohibiting anything other than single-family dwellings.
“It’s been a house for many, many, many years,” he said.
In other news from the Feb. 17 meeting:
• City Councilman Darrell Clarke (D-5th dist.) told the group that he has long feared that the city’s financial outlook was uncertain.
“Unfortunately, I was right,” he said.
Clarke noted that the city faces a possible budget shortfall of $154 million. He’s not sure if the city can afford all of the recommended tax cuts proposed by the Tax Reform Commission.
The councilman predicts that the city will cut back on non-essential services. He doesn’t believe police and fire service will be affected, but he can’t make the same guarantees about staffing levels at libraries and recreation centers.
Mayor John Street will give his budget address on March 18, and hearings will follow.
“Get engaged in that and make sure your voices are heard,” Clarke urged residents.
The councilman, who was Street’s chief of staff when he was president of Council, also expects the mayor to soon offer details on his $500 million economic development plan.
He expects some money to be directed toward development of the North Delaware Avenue waterfront.
Clarke began representing part of Northwood following the most recent Council reapportionment. Councilman Rick Mariano, who has strained relations with the civic association, still represents some of the neighborhood. Clarke and Mariano are close allies.
After hearing civic association members mention that they’d like a new wooden sign placed at Northwood Park, Clarke promised to pay for it with city funds.
• Deputy Managing Director Tom Conway told residents that the city requires property owners to shovel their sidewalks or drop rock salt on their pavements within six hours after a snowstorm.
Some neighbors complained that the city fines homeowners but ignores unshoveled city property.
Conway welcomed phone calls from citizens concerned about uncleared sidewalks.
“We want to know where we’re not shoveling,” he said.
Conway, who heads the city’s Community Life Improvement Program, also listened to complaints about standing water at Juniata Golf Club, loud music in cars, portable basketball nets and political signs on the medians along Roosevelt Boulevard.
According to Conway, portable basketball nets are illegal on city streets. He also said it’s PennDOT’s job to remove campaign posters on the Boulevard.
Call 215-683-CLIP with nuisance-related issues.
• Oral arguments are scheduled for April in Common Pleas Court regarding the civic association’s appeal of a zoning board decision granting a variance to a businesswoman seeking to open a water ice stand at 4657 Castor Ave.
Some neighbors complain that Taylor Sweet Treats would, among other things, add to noise and traffic problems in the area.
“We are still fighting it,” said civic association president Jim Howarth.
Residents are looking into whether there are gas tanks underground on the property. The site is the former home of a gas station, and opponents think a possible environmental hazard would help their cause.
• Members unanimously agreed to a change in the civic association bylaws that would allow the group to expel any board member who misses three consecutive meetings.
• The next meeting of the Northwood Civic Association will be on Tuesday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. ••