Oxford Circle discusses
proposed auto business

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

Joe Smith would like to purchase the old Craft Iron Works property. In fact, he has an agreement to purchase the property, at 1000 Comly St., pending a zoning variance.
He presented his plans for an auto repair shop to the Oxford Circle Civic Association members last week hoping to win their support. The property presently is zoned for limited industrial use, which prohibits that type of business.
Also in attendance were Marian Johnson, who handles zoning matters for City Councilwoman Marian Tasco (D-9th dist.); Tasco aide Pat Trinkle; Lisa Borine, an aide to state Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-2nd dist.); and Justin DiBerardinis, an aide to City Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sanchez (D-7th dist.).
Smith, who has been in business for 28 years, operates a similar shop at 4808 Tacony St. He intends to handle body fender work and spray painting at the Comly Street location.
He told the civic group the shop would operate between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. weekdays, a half-day on Saturday and will be closed on Sundays. All cars being worked on would be kept inside of the building.
When noise concerns were raised, Smith said he’d set up the workflow to have noisier work done away from windows and bays.
While a tentative show of hands indicated support from the civic group, president Nancy Hampson said she’d canvass other neighbors in the immediate area before a decision to write a letter of support would be made. Smith has a March 11 hearing date before the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.
In other business, Hampson shared a letter from Anton Hackett, director of external and community affairs for the School District of Philadelphia regarding the new Fels High School project.
Construction began last summer on the 250,000 square-foot building on the site of the old John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, at 5500 Langdon St.
The Dec. 13 letter indicated that steel erection is progressing, along with the gymnasium roof, the school’s pool, mechanical/electrical equipment, underground services, and concrete masonry walls.
Hampson reminded members that if they have any construction issues or concerns to call the school district’s hot line at 215-400-8815. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com