civus

ZBA Hearing - November 4, 2026

Hearing video from Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA), Nov 4, 2026, 4h 49m

I do

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Are you a neighbor?

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I own several properties within the two-block radius.

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Why don't you start your presentation?

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Yeah, so this block hasn't had pretty much almost any development.

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Are there talks of some other developers potentially doing something at some point in the future?

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This developer, I think, has a good plan that the previous person said,

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it's going to help with security, it's going to help with crash problems,

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and somebody that's actually going to have something up, you know, within the next X number of months.

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Not a theoretical project that might happen in a decade or so, right?

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This block has seen almost no development at all, even though there was development around in the area.

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So, you know, I'm very much for the project.

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All right. Counsel, you have any questions?

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No, thank you.

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Anyone else in the virtual audience?

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No hands at this time, Chair.

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Planning Commission.

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Thank you, Chairman, and good morning.

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David Fecto with the city planning commission chairman I'll enter our testimony for both

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properties sure please the comprehensive plan recommends recommends a sorry let me page down

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to the correct one the comprehensive plan recommends a change in zoning this location

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from RSA 5 residential single family to RM1 residential multifamily the city rezoned this

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neighborhood in 2014 in a community requested map change unit counts of homes on this block

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face range from two to seven the average unit count on this block face appears to be three

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and the recommended rm1 zoning would allow four the city planning commission recommends the board

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grant the proposed use variance for unit count with a limit to four dwelling units and grant

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the proposed dimensional variances for roof deck setback and occupied area but deny the proposed

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dimensional variance for front setback. Thank you. We're going to hold this and talk among

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ourselves and see where we stand. We're closed next week, so we'll do the following Wednesday.

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Two Wednesdays from now, right? November 18th. November 18th, we will vote at 930 a.m. Thank

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you both for your testimony. Thank you. All right. Is there anyone else in the audience whose

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case has not been heard or called?

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no hands at this time chair see everybody at two o'clock thank you everybody

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all right good afternoon chair we have 25 attendees in the virtual

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All right. Good afternoon, Chair. We have 25 attendees in the virtual audience. You may begin

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as you wish. Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Bill Bergman, and I will be chairing this

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afternoon's meeting. With me is our Vice Chair, Tanetta Graham. Present, Mr. Chairman. Our Board

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Secretary, Shel L. Gaston. Present, Mr. Chairman. Board members, Michael Johns. Present, Mr. Chairman.

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Ty Wynn. Present, Mr. Chairman. Layla Beebe. Present, Mr. Chairman. Also, here is our attorney,

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Lynn Reuter-Huber, our Executive Director, Ian Haggerty, and our Board Administrator,

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Lakeisha Dandy. This hearing is being recorded and will be posted on the CBA website.

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By participating, you consent to be recorded. This is an in-person meeting with remote participation.

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Whether in person or on Zoom, if you're called to speak, please state and spell your name,

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then wait to be sworn in after that state your name each time before testifying

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to enter an appearance put the property address on your zoom webinar speak with a staff member

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call the zba office by the close of business tomorrow please call 215-686-2429

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and provide your name, email, and the case address.

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For remote participation, raise your virtual hand when directed

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so that we can call on you to speak.

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When we call on you, please click the Join as a Panelist button.

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Check the Q&A for procedural questions only.

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Do not put individual questions about individual cases.

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If you're joining by phone, press star 9 to raise your hand

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in star six to unmute in-person participation if testifying get close to the mic so that everyone

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and the court reporter can hear you no talking eating and drinking during the hearings aggressive

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behavior will not be tolerated in an emergency follow the staff instructions the the main exit

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is the double doors in the rear and the nearest stairwell is to the left if we do evacuate

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wait, go to Love Park, which is directly across the street, and please remain there so we can

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account for you. So let's start looking at our schedule for this afternoon. Number one, MI-2025-003-209-3427

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North 6th Street. That case is continued until 2-3-27 at 2 p.m. Number two, MI 2026-001-030-2707

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to 11 Federal Street. That case is continued until 2-3-27 at 2 p.m. Number three, MI 2026-002

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444

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1814 West

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Erie Avenue

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Dylan

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Best is the listed owner

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James

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Janine

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Hamilton Home

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Improvements is the listed

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applicants. We have no exhibits

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this is the second listing.

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Good afternoon this is

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Doreen and I will be your co-host for the

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afternoon and evening sessions. I see no hands, Chair. Okay, thank you. So MI 2026-002-444-1840

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West Erie Avenue, I vote to dismiss. Michael Johns, my vote is to dismiss. Gerald Gaston,

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my vote is to dismiss. Tanetta Graham, my vote is to dismiss. Taya Nguyen, my vote is to dismiss.

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Laila Beebe, my vote is to dismiss.

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Number four, MI 2026-004-107-1710 South 10th Street.

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That case is continued until 2-3-27 at 2 p.m.

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Number five, MI 2026-004-225-331 East Roosevelt Boulevard.

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That case is continual until 2-3-27 at 2 p.m.

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And number six, MI 2026-004-268-5729 Cedar Avenue.

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That case has been withdrawn.

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We go to number 14 here.

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13.

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MI 2026-002-159-7226 Caster Avenue.

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um caster avenue we have an attorney now for that case am i correct yes we do attorney's name

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We have an attorney now for that case.

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Am I correct?

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okay thank you

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it's it's here

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is your light one it's uh excuse me at lynn reidel huber board council it's attorney george

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costo lapis

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George Castellapis

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He's back here in the audience

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Oh, okay, thank you

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Thank you, by the way

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George, we're not going to call the case

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Please take a seat

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Take a seat, relax

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We're not going to call the case

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We're just trying to make sure that we're prepared

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So could you please state and spell your name for the stenographer

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okay uh certainly it's uh george katsopoulos spelled k-o-t-s-o-p-o-u-l-o-s do you swear

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or affirm to tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth council i do our council

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we got another council here yes we needed to clarify excuse me let me get my paperwork uh

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with regard to proof of mailing we did not have proof of mailing of anything

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so the address of 7226 cashier avenue there was no that wasn't the address provided for

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mailing or no we didn't have proof of mailing that you sent out information concerning this

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concerning the hearing today oh oh you wanted to make sure the address yet the address is

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722 castor avenue correct well dual dynamic associates are the tenants right that is correct

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you want to have them here come on up here just one's fine we're just trying to see if we're ready

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to go.

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You have to press the button.

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Could you

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please state and spell your name for the sonographer?

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Tyesha Mitchell, T-Y-I-S-H-A.

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Let's name Mitchell,

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M-I-T-C-H-E-S. Do you swear or

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affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but

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the truth? Yes.

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Counsel, have you sent out your mailings?

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I did.

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I thought I attached it to the

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exhibits, but I have

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a copy on my computer okay um what mailing did you actually send out we sent letters to the

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residents in the area and we hand delivered also letters to the neighborhood do you have proof that

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you know you know we go to the post office they usually stamp something like that you know did

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you do through the mail office no i just just mailed them and handed them out the taken back

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neighborhood said that that was okay at an rco meeting yeah well i don't no no i don't um

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i think we're going to have to continue this case um even if i have the letter showing that i sent

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out yeah with the date you didn't put it through the mail you didn't put through u.s postal right

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where you have a receipt of all the mailings that were made right no no yeah that's what we need to

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have okay what about signatures of the neighborhood why don't you do this yeah okay all right

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uh thank you i want to give it a date now and we're going to continue this to 2 3 27 at 2 p.m

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council thank you very much for coming in we appreciate no worries thank you and just next

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time with i i understand but you understand i was with him just a few days no problem thank you

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Now we go to our ad ones. Am I correct? Okay. So, um, let's see here.

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number one mi 2025 007 410 310 moore street am i right yeah the vote on this has been moved to

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Well, 1118 at 2 o'clock.

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Number two, MI 2025, 000228, 610 to 40 High Street.

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I will, yes.

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I need to.

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What's that?

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I need to put the planning's recommendation on the record.

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for this one here go ahead yes go ahead take your time one second

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For this one here.

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Go ahead.

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Yes.

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Go ahead.

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Take your time.

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I'm going to hold up one second.

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sorry about that yeah no no i put it on yeah i can put on yeah um planning submitted its

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recommendation the comprehensive plan recommends no change to the existing rsa-5 residential

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single-family zoning at this location this proposal represents an overuse of the site

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The property could be subdivided by right, allowing for the creation of 28 single-family homes under RSA-5.

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There is no unique physical condition or circumstance of the property that would prevent it from being used in conformance with the zoning code.

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Therefore, the City Planning Commission recommends the board deny the requested variances for multiple principal buildings and multifamily household living.

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MI 2026-000-228-610-40 High Street, I vote yes with proviso per amended refusal dated October 27, 2026.

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Michael Johns, my vote is yes with proviso.

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Cheryl Gaston, my vote is yes with proviso.

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Tayo Nguyen, my vote is yes with proviso.

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Okay. Number three, MI 2026-003-714-5100 Lancaster Avenue, I vote no.

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Michael Johns, my vote is no.

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Cheryl Gaston, my vote is no.

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Tynetta Graham, my vote is no.

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Ty Nguyen, my vote is no.

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Layla Beebe, my vote is no.

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Number four, MI 2026-003-736-2119 St. Albans Street.

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I have to make a comment then.

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Okay.

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Go ahead.

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I don't mean to interrupt.

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I don't want to get the start phone.

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No, no, no.

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I have to read something on the record.

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I know.

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I forgot last time.

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Come on.

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Okay.

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I'm going to read into the Planning Commission's recommendation.

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The comprehensive plan recommends no change to the RSA 5 residential single family attached

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zoning at this location.

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The appellant requests a dimensional variance for lot size that is within 4% of what RSA

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5 requires.

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This variance is minor and in keeping with the purpose and spirit of the zoning code.

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The addition of the additional floors and roof deck are substantial modifications from the existing zoning code parameters.

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There was no unique physical condition or circumstance of the property that would prevent it from being used in conformance with the zoning code.

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Therefore, the City Planning Commission recommends the board deny the requested variances for building height and accessory deck and lot coverage.

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All right. For 2119 St. Albans, I vote yes with proviso. Revised plans, one page, stamped by ZBA on

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November 4th, maximum three stories. Excuse me, I think, Chairman, I think that may be incorrect.

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I think you just want to do the maximum. That was in the add-on. You don't want the... The add-on,

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no. Just what the add-on says. So the proviso is maximum three stories? Okay.

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Michael Johns, my vote is yes with Proviso.

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Cheryl Gaston, my vote is yes with Proviso.

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Tanetta Graham, my vote is yes with Proviso.

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Tayah Nguyen, my vote is yes with Proviso.

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Layla Beebe, my vote is yes with Proviso.

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Number five.

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