E. Torresdale subdivision
permit raises questions

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

Residents of the area around Frankford Avenue and Eden Street have been keeping a close eye on two local residential properties for more than a year after seeing some surveying workers there.
Rumor has it that a commercial builder wants to build five new homes on a tract previously occupied by only two. And the neighbors don’t want them.
Recent developments regarding 9600 and 9606 Frankford Ave. have stoked their suspicions as the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections last month approved a five-way subdivision of the land and demolition of the two existing homes on it.
Neighbors came to the monthly general meeting of the East Torresdale Civic Association on July 9 looking for more answers. An aide to City Councilman Brian O’Neill supplied some.
"When the property was sold last year, I heard they were going to put five homes on two lots," said neighbor Teodozia Pepe. "Then I was looking for (zoning) variance notices, and nothing went up."
Pepe further explained that she recently contacted city officials about the two addresses and learned that a permit "was passed" on June 11. So she made up a bunch of fliers and distributed them to neighbors, advising them to contact the ETCA to voice their opposition.
However, according to O’Neill aide Bill Rapone, the recent city approval involved subdivision and demolition only, not any construction plans or zoning variances. In fact, Rapone said, the property owner has yet to apply for any building permits or submit any building specifications. The new lot lines haven’t even been approved yet.
"It’s been subdivided into five lots. That’s the permit. The size of the lots is not known yet," Rapone said.
City tax records list Tri-Partners Development of Jenkintown as the owner of the former 9600 and 9606, which comprise the northwest corner of Frankford Avenue and Eden Street. The Northeast Times was unable to locate contact information for the firm, which was created in May 2006, according to state records.
Once the new lot lines are submitted, the city’s Bureau of Revision of Taxes would assign new addresses and tax account numbers to each.
"To date, it has not been to the BRT yet, when they give it a number," Rapone said. "When that happens, (the councilman) will be notified, and we will notify Lew (Halas, the ETCA president)."
Until then, neighbors can do little but wait and prepare for a possible zoning hearing.
Regardless of the plans, the builders must adhere to all city zoning regulations, including minimum lot sizes, minimum yard widths and other requirements, if they wish to obtain building permits as a matter of right. Otherwise, Rapone said, they would be forced to make their case for a variance or other relief to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Neighbors, the civic association and the councilman would all have an opportunity to testify before the board, too.
However, considering the existing R-2 zoning, the developer may be able to build five homes as a matter of right.
Combined, the two previous lots have 215 feet of frontage on Frankford Avenue and 173 feet on Eden Street, Rapone said. Meanwhile, the minimum lot size for R-2 is 50 feet by 100 feet, with at least 50 feet of street frontage.
So, the developer appears to have more than enough frontage on Frankford Avenue for four new lots, as well as enough room at the rear of those four properties for a new lot on Eden Street.
Of course, any construction plans must adhere to other zoning requirements. Chiefly, R-2 zoning requires single homes only, no twins or multi-family dwellings. Other requirements include a 25-foot setback from the street and a combined 25 feet of side yard width, neither less than 10 feet wide.
In anticipation of a possible zoning dispute more than a year ago, neighbors of the site successfully petitioned the ETCA to allow them to become members. The civic group’s traditional boundary excludes the west side of Frankford Avenue, but the civic group changed its bylaws last summer.
According to city tax records, Tri-Partners bought 9600 Frankford for $490,000 on May 30, 2006, and 9606 Frankford for $185,000 on the same date. According to neighbors, the former resident of one of the homes passed away, and the resident of the other home moved.
Subdivision of large residential properties into smaller properties has become a common moneymaking strategy for home builders in the Far Northeast, where population continues to increase according to the latest census.
In an effort to protect existing home density and open space, some area civic groups have adopted policies opposing subdivision. O’Neill (R-10th dist.) has helped several groups in these efforts by shepherding new more-restrictive neighborhood zoning maps through Council.
"He doesn’t want it any denser than it is," Rapone said.
In other civic association business, members reported on ongoing efforts to correct several neighborhood problems.
Doris Bell reported seeing a tractor-trailer driving through a no-truck zone in Pleasant Hill on June 13. In recent months, similar trucks have ripped low-hanging utility wires from poles and caused power outages in the section.
Bell said that she got the company name and phone number from the side of the truck. But when she called, the company seemed to have little interest in the complaint.
• Several neighbors complained that individuals were allowing their dogs to run free in Pleasant Hill Park, along the Delaware River, regularly, and that the animals were causing havoc. At least one man has been bitten, neighbors claim. Yet, they have been unable to get anyone from the city to enforce the ban on unleashed dogs.
• Civic group members remain concerned about security in the newly renovated Linden Avenue boat ramp portion of the park.
After-hours loitering, drinking, drug use, loud music and other nuisance problems have plagued the area for years. Neighbor Alice Urbanski reported that she contacted the city’s Department of Recreation to discuss possible solutions. The rec official said she would contact City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski (D-6th dist.) about improved security, according to Urbanski.
• The next East Torresdale Civic Association meeting will be on Monday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m., at Liberty Evangelical Free Church, Linden Avenue and Milnor Street. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com