Dialysis center neighbors file appeal

10 E. Moreland Ave.: proposed dialysis center

Peter and Susan Burke, near neighbors of the proposed dialysis center at 10 E. Moreland Avenue, appealed a July 6  Zoning Board of Adjustments decision to allow the dialysis center to operate until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The appeal was filed by attorney Dan McElhatton on Aug. 3. McElhatton represented neighbors opposed to the zoning variance requests of The Good Food Market last year.

The ZBA had originally approved a variance for the dialysis center with a proviso that it close no later than 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the urging of several neighbors who also presented the ZBA with a petition signed by 72 other nearby residents. After the initial decision, Fresenius Medical Care hired philadelphia zoning lawyer Carl Primavera who asked the ZBA to reconsider the decision, suggesting that the restricted hours would likely prevent the dialysis center from opening.

Primavera told the Local at the time that Fresenius did not want to renovate the property for a center with that kind of restriction. He said Fresenius representatives did not adequately convey that sentiment to the ZBA so he was asking them to reconsider. The ZBA did so, reversing their decision.

The Burkes were clearly unhappy with the decision and decided to appeal it in common pleas court. The one-paragraph notice of appeal calls the decision "arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and contrary to the evidence of record and the Laws of Philadelphia."

In an e-mail to the Local, Burke wrote:  "It is our concern that only politically connected, big business oriented opinions ... were given any weight by the ZBA. 72 neighbors do not appear to count in the ZBA decision process! "

Burke said he has not yet been informed of a hearing date but expects to have a hearing before years' end.

Undemocratic Democrats?

A group of Democratic committeepeople, many from local wards in Chestnut Hill (9th), Mt. Airy (22nd) and Roxborough (21st), sent a letter to City Committee leader, Congressman Bob Brady, to voice their concerns about seemingly undemocratic actions by the City Committee.

The Aug. 6 letter authored by 22nd Ward committeeperson Gloria Gilman was inspired by a City Paper story on the ouster of 40th Ward committeeperson Tracey Gordon. The letter references stories in the Inquirer and the Local, which detailed a fight that erupted during a contested organizational meeting in May that pitted one-time council candidate Cindy Bass against Ron Couser for Ward leader.

From the letter:

Articles about these meetings in the Inquirer and Chestnut Hill Local have reflected poorly on the Democratic Party.  Our concern is that, in a city where many people do not vote, these instances will further alienate the public and erode their trust in the DCC.  An open, transparent review process would help the DCC regain the public's faith and will ultimately strengthen the Party.

Gilman's letter is available here:

Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. says he'll preserve Manatawna farm

Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., whose district contains part of Manatawna farms in upper Roxborough -- wrote to the Roxborough Review this week about his intention to preserve the farm and to, presumably, block Philadelphia's proposal to turn 10 acres of the land into commercial farm plots.

The Local has followed the proposal since it originally came to light earlier this year. Many neighbors -- i Roxborough and in Whitemarsh Township -- are opposed to the plan

Here's Jones' letter:

Merger talks today

Members of the Chestnut Hill Parking Foundation, Business Association and Business Improvement District will meet early this evening to discuss the possibility of merging operations of all three entities.

A memo that was circulated to interested parties -- and that was described as purely a preliminary, work-in-progress starting point to the discussions by Business Association President Greg Welsh -- describes an organization plan that would establish a three-person oversight or supervisory committee composed of one member from each participating organization. That committee would hire and supervise a CEO, who would supervise other staff members of all three organizations.

According to the memo, all three organizations would control their own budgets but pool revenues and other resources in an effort to increase efficiency. Models cited in the memo included Center City and Manayunk, both of which have central business organizations that employ an empowered CEO. Those districts are organized  based on the "Main Street" program model.

The Local will report on these talks as we learn more.