Synagogue members push
their proposal to victory

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

The Greater Bustleton Civic League has witnessed a surge in membership since January.
Most of the more than 50 new members come from the same place — Beit Harambam Synagogue at 9981 Verree Road.
Part of the impetus for joining the GBCL involved the ongoing debate over the expansion plan for their house of worship. They were ready to show support when the matter came up for a vote at the league’s March 28 meeting.
The synagogue, which practices Orthodox Judaism and whose members walk to worship on the weekend, says it needs more space for its 150 member congregation.
Synagogue officials presented their proposal to tack on a two-story addition at several GBCL meetings and held smaller conferences with surrounding neighbors. The city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment rejected their original plan because of shortage on utility right-of-way and side-yard setbacks.
The plan was met with opposition by neighbors who feared it could bring more traffic and intrusion onto their properties — at its shortest point, the building addition would sit 28 feet from the back property line.
With provisos in place to appease concerned community members, the synagogue and its attorney, Steve Pollock, thought they were covered.
But then a neighbor showed up at last week’s meeting with a petition opposing the plan that had been signed by 27 residents of Chesworth Road, which is behind the synagogue.
Civic league president Bernice Hill expressed surprise over the neighbors’ opposition, saying that she thought they had come to an agreement during their last special meeting.
"We’ve had two (neighborhood) meetings," Hill said. "One meeting we had three people come out. Now, how many times do we have to meet or advise the nearby neighbors on what’s going on?"
Pollock said architects incorporated the suggestions given to them by the neighbors. They included lowering the roofline by six feet, developing a landscaping plan to serve as a buffer for noise and privacy and special lighting designed to shine away from the surrounding yards.
The synagogue also agreed to semi-annual meetings with the community.
After Pollock listed the proviso items point by point, residents still expressed concerns.
"This is a very nice piece of paper," one resident said. "What happens in three or four years if nobody cares (about the provisos)?"
Resident Marlene Markowitz questioned why residents seemed to be scrutinizing the synagogue in particular.
"Maternity BVM (Church) has their carnival once a year and people have to deal with noise, but no one complains about that," she said. "Why is everyone being so picky over (the synagogue)?"
Hill, the president, did not accept the neighbors’ petition after discovering that many of the residents who had signed it were either not civic members or not in attendance.
But since many synagogue congregants in the room had paid dues to become members, their votes counted. The proposal for the addition passed by a 50-23 vote.
Congregant Paul Miller expressed his delight with the approval after the meeting. He thanked the civic group and City Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) for mediating between the synagogue and neighbors.
"With their help we were able to meet multiple times with the immediate neighbors and make multiple changes to our project based on the neighbors’ concerns," Miller said in an e-mail. "As long-term members of this community we look forward to continuing this amicable relationship."
But Chesworth Road resident Ray Areias said he and fellow residents were never in agreement on the synagogue’s plans, even after they were altered.
"The problem now is the size of (the proposed synagogue). It’s going to look like a monster," said Areias, who has lived in his home for 50 years. "I’ve complained before with their lighting because my whole back yard is all lit up."
While the civic group will send a letter of support to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for Beit Harambam’s upcoming hearing, Areias plans to attend and speak out in opposition. The date of the hearing has not been set, but signs will be posted in the neighborhood in advance.
In other news from the civic league meeting:
• The group approved two other zoning matters. One will allow Vince Fletcher to install two laser technology bays at his car wash at 9400 Bustleton Ave. The other matter involved the erection of a two-building, six-unit office complex at 1915 Welsh Road on the site of a dilapidated residence.
• The civic group heard from several candidates for mayor and City Council, including Democratic mayoral candidate Michael Nutter and three Council members who are seeking re-election — Republican Frank Rizzo and Democrat Bill Greenlee, who are both at-large, and Democrat Dan Savage, of the 7th district. ••
The Greater Bustleton Civic League next meets on Wednesday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., at the American Heritage Federal Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road.
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com