Land sale
troubles Morrell Civic

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

Members of the Morrell Civic Association want more information about the potential sale of 20 acres of land owned by the Torresdale-Frankford Country Club.
In its June newsletter, the club stated that it was "investigating" the possibility of selling a portion of its 70-acre property. The newsletter was signed by the club’s board president, Northeast contractor Charles Seravalli.
When contacted by the Northeast Times, country club manager Lisa Brauckmann said the club would not confirm or comment on the possible sale of property at this time. No club representative attended the meeting.
Bob Barrilli, legislative aide to City Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.), said the club was examining a sale but had not actually started the process.
"Yes, they are talking about this," he told the group. "We’re not sure if they’re going to go through with it."
Barrilli said the area’s R-3 residential zoning only allows for single family homes to be built. Should potential buyers wish to develop the land in any other way, they must request a variance from the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Civic association president Ed Shonewolf is most concerned that a de-listed access road between Mitchell Playground and John Hancock School — which are located north of the country club site — would need to be restored, presumably to allow access to whatever would be developed on the sold land.
"The only road in there is a road that divides our playground and our grade school," Shonewolf said.
The newsletter stated that the Department of Recreation and the School District of Philadelphia had been "petitioned" to restore the road. A school district spokeswoman knew of no formal requests.
O’Neill said in a phone call after the meeting that he had spoken to Shonewolf about the potential sale a week earlier. O’Neill said he made it clear that the club was only looking into a sale and that a discussion of the matter was premature.
"It’s really a non-issue at this point," O’Neill said. ••
The Morrell Civic Association’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 30, at 7:30 p.m., at Christ the King Church, 3252 Chesterfield Road.
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com