In Bustleton, L&I chief explains
his ‘evolving’ department

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

Prior to taking the podium at the Greater Bustleton Civic League, Robert Solvibile had already taken two complaints to bring back to the Department of Licenses and Inspections.
As commissioner of what many residents and city officials claim is an overloaded and slow-responding department, Solvibile was prepared for discussion at the Oct. 24 meeting.
"We’re responsible basically for everything," he said. "We’re responsible for the occupancy in this room."
L&I, which includes 354 employees, inspects residential and commercial properties, vacant and neglected buildings and illegal construction. It also handles zoning and licensing. A district office operates at 6000 Rising Sun Ave.
While citizens and city officials continually criticize the department — just two weeks ago, City Councilman Daniel Savage (D-7th dist.) conducted a hearing investigating ways to improve it — in Solvibile’s eyes, it’s evolving.
Though it took three years and $3 million, the formerly paper-only system is now computerized. Members of City Council can now log on and check on complaints in their districts.
"I’m really proud of the system," said Solvibile, a Roxborough resident who’s spent 36 years in the department.
He’s also proud of CLIP (Community Life Improvement Program), a blight abatement group headed by Deputy City Managing Director Tom Conway. CLIP cleans up properties containing trash, high weeds and other eyesores throughout the Northeast.
Solvibile, whose department oversees the Zoning Board of Adjustment, supports the revision of the City Zoning Code, an archaic, 650-page guide that still contains a section on horse stables. A Zoning Commission created this year plans to make its recommendations within 18 months.
"As far as I’m concerned, you could throw the whole damn thing out and make it ten pages," he said of the guide. "It needs to be simple and understandable to the average citizen."
Solvibile wants to continue bolstering the department’s online system. Next to go on the Web are developer plans, which any agency or department will then be able to view, along with zoning files and violations. Eventually, applicants may be able to complete zoning applications online as well.
In other news from the civic meeting:
• After an hour of discussion, a homeowner who needs a variance to build a second house at 507 Welsh Road withdrew his application.
The homeowner wants to build a home for his son and the son’s fiancée but lacks the proper street frontage. The group had problems with the plan because it called for the creation of a flag lot, which includes a long driveway leading to a property at the side. Residents said the position of the homes would probably make them hard to sell in the future. Also, the narrow driveway would make it hard for emergency vehicles to get access.
In another zoning matter, the group said that Andonio’s Diner, at 9244 Krewstown Road, continued its zoning hearing to expand its property. The applicant has still not given the board a letter stating what uses will be prevented on the property should it be sold in the future.
• The group heard from Al Taubenberger, Republican candidate for mayor, and Sean McAleer, Democratic candidate for the 10th Councilmanic District seat.
Taubenberger wants to add more jobs, get illegal guns off the street and improve the quality of life for residents. McAleer also wants a better response to the city’s crime, in addition to the hiring of more probation and parole officers to keep track of offenders.
• Firefighter Mark Stewart discussed fire safety with the group.
Of the 94 people that have died in house fires in the last two years, only one had a working smoke detector, Stewart said. He advised residents to: put a smoke alarm on each level of the house, but in rooms other than the kitchen or bathroom; check the batteries monthly; keep bedroom doors closed at night so that smoke can’t get in should a fire start; and feel doors for heat before opening them. ••
The Greater Bustleton Civic League will not have a November meeting due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The group next meets on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the American Heritage Federal Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road. Reach the group at 215-676-6890, or e-mail GBCL@prodigy.net
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com