remember me from last hearing but a lot of a lot of the neighbors want uh something with more space
uh much more comfortable living um and if possible uh to have at least the first unit
on grade so you know elderly people and people with disabilities are able to rent from us so
we're getting feedback from the community and we're trying to
build for what what the community actually needs and is requesting thank you questions from the
board. Yes. I want to applaud you because a lot of times when you're coming with new construction
for looking at that one, like the other homes on the block and trying to match the facades when
you didn't have to. I like to reward good behavior. So I think that's a good thing. And I think that
your plan to try to make the first floor accessible or visitable is noble. But this is a block where
where every other property is raised out of the ground.
And your plans didn't necessarily show a unit
that looked like it was laid out specifically
for wheelchairs or seniors.
And so I just wanna kind of walk through what's driving that.
Cause I think right now for that to be the only two
properties on that entire block that aren't raised three feet
and don't have a porch does feel like it's,
while the brick is there,
it's not really matching the character
and they're going to look very much out of place yeah i can actually address that so um we
the last property we built on that street we added a ramp a handicap ramp to the raised building and
we got a lot of negative feedback from the neighborhood um for that so um in doing this
design if you can look at the first first floor that is actually on grade and easily accessible
for anybody in a wheelchair the door is specifically designed to be a little bit wider
so they're able to enter and exit much more comfortably and i spoke to a lot of the neighbors
and and the people in the community looking to rent and so that was one of the concerns that we
try to answer in this design I mean I would financially it would make more sense for me to
raise it up at another an apartment um I don't know that we're giving you four but I hear you
slow down with that one slow down but um I just like I said I've been I've been talking to
everybody in the neighborhood um and I'm I what what the people are asking for is what we're
aiming for because we are we are good neighbors and we try to do the best in the community we're
at so that's why the design came the way it is and to be on grade with um i know it doesn't match
exactly to the facade of everything else but that's what a lot of people in the community
voicing there is also just the construction benefit of not having to dig a basement and
potentially impact this particular home. So there is a much, much lessened impact given the unusual
fact that there is just one solitary remaining home here. That is also a benefit of not having
that basement. Totally. I get that part. I just... And I apologize. I spoke to Mr. Lloyd and that
was a heavy concern of his because of the state. We did do minor repairs on the left-hand side
when we were doing the construction 4181 so I know he's he's worried about his property
he keeps it in great shape but the property is a little over 100 years old so we we we're trying
to do our best to appease everybody and then for the unit where you've already installed the
wheelchair ramp do you have a have you had a wheelchair panic we have not
Do you have a, have you had a wheelchair panic? We have not. That's not a flack of us trying. It's just we haven't had the opportunity. That's all. Okay. Other questions? Yeah, I had a question. I forgot it. Oh, oh, it's okay. I know. So a question was about outdoor space for the second, for the middle apartment unit. Is there a rear deck for the, in the rear? I didn't see anything. I know the first, the first floor has the rear yard.
The third floor has the roof deck. Is there any outdoor space for the second level in terms of
like a balcony? There is not because there's a bedroom there. It is certainly something that
could possibly be able to render if need, but in our experience, it really hasn't been a crazy need
for it and and we do build a lot of decks uh for other projects but uh we really haven't uh you
typically those units would be rented out and people who rent out the second and all of it has
the interior all of them have trash closets yes yes ma'am thank you all the questions are you
are you aligned with the adjacent property in terms of height yes well in terms of the face
or where are you in terms of yes yeah the so the the setback is 10 feet which is a pretty large
setback but it is it is aligned with that adjoining property next door okay and that was also one of
the concerns of mr lloyd so we we sent it back well i i will i will just say i'm glad to hear
you say that you're listening and talking to the community and listening and talking to the
community and listening and talking to the community and making decisions and changes
based on their um issues and comments so that's that's good to hear thank you all right questions
from our attorney no questions at this time comments from the virtual audience there are no
hands planning commission nina solomonic the planning commission in 2023 the property was
remapped from rm1 residential multifamily to rsa5 residential single family attached
in accord with recommendations from the comprehensive plan proposed use consistent
with the rest of the block face therefore the planning commission recommends the board grant
variance for multi-family use so i'm going to vote them both at the same time so mi 2026 002
354 4177 mantua avenue and mi 2026 002 355 4175 mantua avenue i vote yes to both michael johns i
vote yes to both cheryl gaston i vote yes to both tenetta graham my vote is yes to both ryan mcadams
i vote yes to both hi and when i vote yes to both layla bb my vote is yes to both thank you um
mr sklaroff you're next and come on up and mr mattione you'll be after that you'll have two in a row
so mi2026-002-422-5800 walnut street neil sklaroff is the attorney and mr sklaroff we
do have a letter from um council member gathier a letter of support thank you all right chairman
members of the board my name is neil slara i'm an attorney with billward can't hear you
he didn't he didn't sit down yet somebody else is playing with the microphone here trying to get
it sure make sure i get these i got it we want to get you straight i have a younger much more
experienced helper added to her resume and list of services is that right all right so
good now you you hit control and use the roller ball you can zoom in and out okay yes and then
Thank you.
Mr. Sklaroff, please state your name and spell it for the stenographer.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman.
You might want to get closer. Pull it towards you.
The whole thing will go. There you go.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, members of the board.
It's good to see you all again.
My name is Neal Sklaroff, N-E-I-L-S-K-L-A-R-O-F-F,
and I represent the School District of Philadelphia this afternoon in its project for signs at the
Sarah Morris Recreation Center. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, all truth, nothing but
the truth? Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman. And our vice chair has a few questions for you, sir.
Good afternoon. Have you submitted your documents and exhibits five days in advance of this hearing?
Good afternoon. Have you submitted your documents and exhibits five days in advance of this hearing?
Yes, I have.
And do you waive the reading of your refusal and stipulate to its accuracy?
Yes, I do.
Thank you. You can share your screen and proceed with the case.
Is it not shared as yet?
It is shared. Just go ahead.
It is shared. Very good.
Again, I represent the school district with regard to the Sarah Morris Recreation Center.
We have included in our exhibits a substitute for the tax certification, and that is the excerpts from the OPA.
We have a deed, and the deed is for a large property that extends...
I wish I could get this to go more quickly.
Sorry for the delay.
The property is known as a zoning property as 5800 Walnut Street.
It goes from Walnut to Spruce Street and from 58th to 59th Street.
It was purchased by the school district in 1945.
We've posted the property and show pictures here of the postings as well as the neighborhood across from each of those postings.
Uh, we received a notice of refusal because the property is located in an RM1 residential zoning district. It is, um, and the regulations regarding signs in an RM1 district, uh, makes the maximum square footage 15 square feet.
However, for this property, which is also the home of the William L. Sayre High School, the proposed signage is much larger, almost 800 square feet.
I'll go through the documents that have included the application, and I want to stop for a moment at the existing.
Why is it moving like that?
The existing structure, which is shown here, which has gone out of use, we proposed for some signs as part of a greater project.
Those signs, there are six of them. Three of them are painted on the walls of the building.
The rec sign, identifying the place as a recreation center.
The SARE name, because that's the name of the recreation center.
And there's another one that says pool.
These are three painted signs.
And again, they describe what's inside.
Those were the, I skipped over that, but the three signs.
I don't know if you want to see the details, but they're included.
And this is the three signs that will be made out of aluminum-clad boards that will be affixed directly onto painted walls.
So there are three signs here, and they also measure greater than 15 square feet altogether.
Glatally go through the dimensions of each, but we have about 830 square feet.
We have gotten the approval of the Art Commission.
And as you know, or may not know, we received this only on Monday.
We have a letter of support from the coordinating RCO, the West Philadelphia Economic Development Council, and that's supported by Cobbs Creek residents and another RCO.
So unless you would like some more detail, I really can conclude my comments.
Do you want to bring someone on to adopt your testimony?
I'll go on. Brandon Johnson, who's the project leader, it may be on, but I'm also going to rely on section 14-303E, I believe it is, asking that my comments as attorney for the district be accepted.
You'd have to give me the code. As an officer of the court, we'll accept your testimony.
Okay, very good.
Questions for Mr. Sklarov?
Where are the three locations?
I'm sorry?
Where are the three locations of the new signs?
For the signs that are in metal that are shown here in this.
Oh, sorry, the six signs, the six signs.
These are three.
The metal.
And these are the metal signs that will be adhered to the brick walls, and some of them will be painted behind it.
And that's at the entrance, which is to the left of the building.
The rec center building.
So this is facing Walnut Street.
Walnut Street. You'll see here on this there in the red the lines there that's where the overhang
You'll see here on this, in the red, the lines there.
of the building is in the entrance and that's where those three signs will go. The other three
signs were either seen from the Spruce Street frontage or just off to the north and the south.
Okay thank you. Other questions? Questions from our attorney? None at this time Mr. Chairman.
questions or comments from the virtual audience come on up no oh i'm sorry we have someone here
good afternoon good afternoon hi could you do me get nice and close to that microphone no problem
i had to push it
and then pull up close a little closer i could you hi i could you please state and
spell your name for the stenographer my name is alita burke a-l-e-a-t-a last name burke b-u-r-k-e
do you swear or affirm to tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth i sure do are you a
neighbor i am please proceed yes uh as of on september 29th it will make it 40 years that i
have been in that i was born and raised in that neighborhood i think this is going to be a
beautiful addition to Sierra Recreation Center. I'm very pleased to see that this project is
coming to fruition. I was very pleased to see that I got this letter in the mail to include us
in the process of the planning for this, but I'm about to go down a little rabbit hole with you
all, so I just ask you to bear with me. I do know that the Department of Planning and Development
collaborates on urban planning and large-scale infrastructure that affects local traffic,
but the direct management of traffic patterns and street designs belongs to the Philadelphia
Streets Traffic Department. With that being said, it still has whatever traffic patterns that are
changes that take place still have to go through the DPD, Department of Planning and Development.
it. Just like I got this letter about the signage for this, which really we shouldn't even be here
having a meeting about, honestly, because it's beautifying the building, okay? I went to Sayre
Junior High School before it was changed to a high school. Like I said, I've been in that
neighborhood for 40 years. It would have been nice to get the same consideration when they put the
bike lanes in, the poles, the white poles, and the islands that are now up and down Chestnut and
walnut street those bike lanes have taken chestnut and walnut street from three lanes down to two i
and i would have loved the same consideration as we got with this okay those those islands sit too
far out i'll give you a prime example last night i was coming back home from jim steaks at 62nd
noble got me a nice cheese steak yes i did and as i'm going over chestnut street as i'm going
over chestnut street from 62nd street the car in front of me was blocked was blocking me now had
the island not been sticking out too far i would have been able to go around okay and i do and i
just want to make that i just want to make that i wanted to bring that to somebody's attention
because I saw the changes just happen without any consideration from us.
And I like, and I just want that to know.
And I appreciate that you like the new signs because that's what we're here for today.
And that's what zoning does, but we're not into the streets.
I wanted my voice to be heard on that.
And I finally found somewhere where my voice can be heard and I want it to be heard.
And I want it to be taken into consideration because those traffic pattern lanes that have taken place in West Philly
are ridiculous and horrendous, and they really have disrupted us. Not only that, I do ask all
of you of this as well. I am a proud graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and I have my
master's from Lincoln University as well. A lot of young students, I went through the Philadelphia
public school system. I graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 2004, and like I
said, I also went to Sarah. A lot of students don't understand how city government is run.
I'm asking you all to consider this. With these changes to SARE, please reach out to SARE High School Now and ask for some of the students to come up to see how this is handled because representation matters when it comes to city planning.
okay I asked you to all do that thank you because had I had it had I known about yeah I known about
this when I was younger I might have gone a different way when it came to my city because
this is my city I grew up here go birds I believe green all right I just wanted to say that all
all right i just wanted to say that all right thank you very much thank you may i thank miss
right thank you very much thank you everybody
burke who attended the rco meeting here you go we thank you we sent out 378 invitations
i think about 20 anyone else in the audience to testify virtual audience are here i see no hands
planning commission nina solomonic with the planning commission the comprehensive plan
recommends a change in the existing rm1 residential multifamily to sp civ special purpose civic the
proposed signage is consistent with the prior documented use the planning commission recommends
that the board grant the requested variance from signage mi 2025 to 425 5800 walnut street i vote
yes michael johns my vote is yes cheryl gaston my vote is yes tenetta graham my vote is yes
ryan mcadams my vote is yes kaya win my vote is yes layla beebe my vote is yes thank you sir thank you
i would suggest that the lady that testified reach out to morgan
and Councilwoman Gauthier's office to share her concerns.