Cedar Park Neighbors, among its many activities and responsibilities, convenes neighborhood meetings to gauge how the community views proposed zoning variances. Many of the zoning variances are uncontroversial, straight-forward requests. Others raise more concern or garner more interest. A recent proposal to build a 42-foot tall building at 4812 Baltimore with 5 apartments and a commercial storefront was one of the later.
Cedar Park Neighbors convened a well-attended meeting at Calvary Community Center. In response to the opinions voiced at that meeting, we wrote the attached letter. The Zoning Board of Appeals has taken the request of the builders under advisement and, as of this writing, has not yet issued a decision on the request for a zoning variance.
Do you have questions about zoning? You can learn more by visiting the zoning section of our website. And, as always, please feel free to email us at contact@cedarparkneighbors.org or call us at 267-BALT-AVE.
January 29, 2013
Lynette Brown-Sow, Chair Zoning Board of Adjustment 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 11th Floor Philadelphia, Pa. 19102
Re: 4812 Baltimore Ave Calendar #: 19432
Dear Ms. Brown-Sow: CPN has no position and defers to the judgment of the ZBA regarding the maximum height variance that Diversified Realty Ventures is seeking for their application for the erection of an attached structure 42 ft including 11ft high pilot house with roof deck and cellar for vacant commercial space from cellar thru 1st flr and five(5) family dwelling and for the erection of 6ft high fence on the rear within property lines. Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN) has no objection to the open area, minimum number of parking spaces, and minimum lot area variances that Diversified Realty Ventures is also seeking in their application.
It is the policy of CPN to notify and seek responses from those neighbors most impacted by local zoning issues. CPN held a community meeting to allow the neighbors to talk directly with the developers. While CPN appreciates the meaningful compromises that the developers made to the residents regarding the design of the building, roof deck size and the size of the commercial space, there was no clear consensus among the neighbors. We have received a letter that is signed by neighbors who are opposing the height variance and we have received support from neighbors who feel comfortable with the compromises.
CPN appreciates the opportunity to ask questions of the developers and express their concerns about the proposed building. While all parties involved would like to see the vacant lot developed, there is not a clear vision that all residents can agree on. As a result of this, Cedar Park Neighbors has no position on the maximum height variance.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Cedar Park Neighbors Zoning Committee Shawn Markovich, Karen Allen, Greg Waldman, Suzanne Anderson, Stacey Holiday, Mahari Bailey Jeff Knowles & Lisa Johanningsmeier
Cc: Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell Brian Mays, developer