Somerton Civic approves
new business proposals

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

Somerton could soon be the home of a new beer distributorship, as well as a new digital message board in as a result of last week’s general meeting of the Somerton Civic Association.
SCA members approved both business proposals, which are due to be heard by the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment in coming weeks.
Despite concerns about traffic flow and potential accidents, residents backed by a ratio of 2-to-1 a local merchant’s plan to open a beer distributorship on Evans Street, just south of Woodhaven Road.
Gurmeet Patheja already controls half of a commercial building on the aforementioned site, according to his attorney, Sean Ward. There are two existing businesses there, a soft pretzel bakery and store along with a clothing distribution operation.
The proposed beer distributorship would occupy a third, currently vacant space in the building. Patheja needs a zoning variance to conduct retail sales at the location.
Patheja plans to sell beer and malt beverages, snack foods like potato chips and pretzels, lottery tickets and party supplies such as cups, plates and napkins, Ward said.
The hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; 9 to 10, Thursday through Saturday; and noon to 5 on Sunday.
Residents expressed concerns about customers entering and leaving the parking lot along busy Evans Street, which serves as an off-ramp for the Woodhaven Road Expressway and is filled with bumper-to-bumper traffic much of the day.
"If you’re going northbound on Evans, (oncoming motorists) aren’t going to let you in," one meeting-goer warned.
"I’m concerned about traffic coming out of that parking lot," added Mary Jane Hazell, president of the SCA. "There are going to be a lot of accidents."
Ward suggested that most customers would enter the lot from the southbound direction and leave southbound, as well, to avoid crossing a lane of opposing traffic. Also, the attorney said, the business is unlikely to generate additional traffic.
"We believe we’re going to be grabbing the traffic (that’s already there), not generating (more) traffic," Ward said.
Despite the traffic concerns, residents voted 27-14 not to oppose the new business.
Another client of Ward’s, Faulker Mazda of 11500 Roosevelt Blvd., also benefited from a favorable vote by SCA members.
The car dealership wants to replace an existing sign at its south entrance with a digital one that will display various messages in illuminated orange lettering on a black background.
"It doesn’t scroll, doesn’t roll, doesn’t flash and doesn’t blink," Ward said, likening the electronic sign to an updated version of an old message board with manually changeable letters.
Messages on Faulker’s sign would change depending on the time of day, Ward said. It would rise 12 feet above ground, well short of the height of the showroom behind it. The sign would have two panels in a "V" configuration so that both southbound and northbound traffic could view it.
SCA zoning officer Dominic Ragucci argued that the car dealership already has plenty of signage to announce its presence, including another free-standing sign, two flat signs on the façade of the showroom, temporary banners and numerous streamers.
"How many signs does a car dealership need?" Ragucci said.
The SCA officer warned that a digital sign could set a precedent, paving the way for similar message boards throughout the community. He thinks they’re unsightly.
Bruce Jaffe, general sales manager for the 75-year-old business, said that the digital sign would fill the role now served by the temporary banners, which could then be removed.
SCA members voted 36-9 not to oppose the new sign.
In other Somerton Civic Association business:
• An aide to City Councilman Brian O’Neill announced that O’Neill wants to hear from constituents who wish to appeal recent property tax increases. He plans to arrange free transportation so those individuals can testify to the Board of Revision of Taxes. Hearing dates have not been set.
• An aide to state Rep. George Kenney distributed fliers for the legislator’s third annual Senior Citizens’ Expo on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Southampton Room, 2980 Southampton Road. All citizens are invited. Call 215-934-5144 for information.
• The SCA will sponsor its annual bus trip to the American Music Theatre in Lancaster for its popular holiday show on Nov. 1. The trip will include a smorgasbord lunch at the Shady Maple restaurant.
The cost is $65. Funds raised will directly benefit the civic association. Call 215-673-7236 or 215-464-1260 for information.
• The next Somerton Civic Association meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m., at Walker Lodge 306, 1290 Southampton Road. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com