5-7 W Mt Airy Avenue #ZP-2022-012520
5-7 W. Mount. Airy Ave.
Applicant: Kenniah Chestnut, 150 Monument Road-Unit 207, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Owner: L B S Realty Assoc LT, 1424 Heron Way, Chalfont, PA 18914.
Appeal to Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment: Application No. ZP-2022-012520
Zoning Board of Adjustment Calendar No. MI-2022-007450
WMAN RCO MEETING RESCHEDULED FROM 7/5/2023 TO 8/2/2023:
West Mt. Airy Neighbors Zoning Committee Meeting: 8/2/2023 @ 7:00 PM on IN PERSON at the Summit Presbyterian Church, 6757 Greene St., corner of Greene and Westview Streets. The entrance for the meeting is on Greene St.
ZBA Hearing is scheduled for 8/9 at 9:30 AM on ZOOM
The appeal requests to use the property as an event hall which requires a Special Exception under the Assembly and Entertainment category in the Commercial Use provisions of the Philadelphia Zoning Code.
The last approved use for this property on August 23, 2018 was “for a day care center not more than 24 consecutive hours with accessory preparation and serving of food at 2 nd floor in the same building with house of worship at first floor. No sign on the application.”
The Zoning Classification for the property is CMX 2.5 (Neighborhood Commercial Mixed-Use)
This application to the Department of Licenses and Inspections was REFERRED to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a Special Exception Approval on November 17, 2022.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
This appeal involves obtaining a Special Exception to permit use of 5-7 W. Mount Airy Ave. as an “Event Hall.” Under the Philadelphia Zoning Code, this type of use falls under a commercial use category of Assembly and Recreation which requires that the applicant obtain approval from the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment(ZBA) before such use can begin.
Any matter that involves obtaining a Special Exception from the ZBA also requires a community meeting to consider the proposed use occur before the ZBA hearing. WMAN is the designated Registered Community Organization (RCO) to conduct the community meeting on this matter. In advance of the RCO meeting, the applicant has provided an extensive Executive Summary for the event venue which will be called “J’Excellence Event Hall.” A portion of the Executive Summary reads as follows:
J’Excellence Event Hall is a full-service event venue that aims to become the leading brand in the banquet hall rental and event planning business in Philadelphia. With a goal of becoming one of the top ten event venues in the United States within ten years of operation, the company has located its unique venue in the Mount Airy subdivision of Philadelphia….J’Excellence Event Hall is an 8,900 square foot facility that can accommodate events of all sizes and offer personalized event planning services. The venue is located in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, which is an ideal location due to its large residential community. The business will offer event management services for a variety of events, from backyard birthday parties to corporate events. Although J’Excellence Event Hall will initially serve individual clients and small businesses, the company has the potential to grow and compete with leading event planning and banquet hall rental companies in Philadelphia.
Under the Philadelphia Zoning Code, there is a distinction between obtaining approval for a use through a “Variance” as opposed to a “Special Exception.” In the case of a “Special Exception” the proposed use is generally permitted and those who would oppose the use must come forward to express in writing or in person at the community meeting and at the ZBA hearing why the use will have negative effects in the neighborhood. This will be discussed at the WMAN community meeting on August 2, 2023.
5-7 W. Mt. Airy Ave. Appeal Description REV 7-2-23
12.9.22 Application-for-Special-Exception-81-49-A
Parking Lot Property Pic 2 Property Pic 1 Pic 6 Pic 3 Pic 1 Pic 4 Site pictures
136 W Sharpnack #ZP-2021-011393
136 W. Sharpnack Street
Appeal to Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment #ZP-2021-011393, Zoning Board of Adjustment Calendar #MI-2021-004758
WMAN RCO Meeting 3/2/2022, Follow-Up WMAN RCO Meeting 4/6/2022@7:00 PM-ZOOM
Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting 3/23/22@3:30PM-CONTINUED
The appeal involves the erection of a semi-detached building with a covered porch, rear deck, roof deck and roof deck access structure on a property that has an RSA-3 single family residential zoning classification.
The application to the Department of Licenses and Inspections was refused for the following reasons:
1) A deck located between the rear wall of the proposed building and the rear property line must be constructed so that all vertical support elements are located a minimum distance of 18 inches from all lot lines. This application does not meet this requirement.
2) The minimum side yard width for a semi-detached structure in the RSA-3 residential zoning district is 8.0 feet. This application proposes a side yard width of 4.127 feet.
3) A minimum of one (1) accessory parking space is required for a single-family household in the RSA-3 single family residential zoning district. No accessory parking is proposed in this application.
608 W. Phil Ellena St. Unit 1B#ZP-2022-010967
608 W. Phil Ellena St. Unit 1B
West Mt. Airy Neighbors Zoning Committee Meeting: 7/5/2023 @ 7:00 PM on ZOOM
Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment Hearing: August 2, 2023 @3:30 PM on ZOOM
The appeal is for the extension of an existing balcony at the rear of the second floor of an existing structure. This application proposes an extended balcony accessory to existing multi-family Household (8 dwelling units-condominium building). The Zoning Classification for the property is RSD-3 (Single-Family use only)
This application to the Department of Licenses and Inspections was REFUSED for the following reason:
The maximum permitted extension of a balcony from an exterior wall is 4 feet, whereas the proposed balcony extension will be 7 feet, 2 inches. The existing use of the property as a multi-family household was previously granted a variance. The maximum occupied area in the RSD-3 Residential District is 30%. This balcony extension will expand the occupied area from 38.5% (6044.12 Sq. ft.) to 39.5% (6201.11 Sq. Ft.).
Notice of RCO Meeting from Zoning Applicants v1
7211 Cresheim Road #ZP-2022-007050
7211 Cresheim Road
Applicant: Michael Campuzano
Owners: Wayne Batchis and Leah Snyder Batchis, 7211 Cresheim Road, Philadelphia, PA 19119
Appeal to Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment: Application No. ZP-2022-007050
Zoning Board of Adjustment Calendar No. MI-2022-004887
West Mt. Airy Neighbors Zoning Committee Meeting: 1/4/2023 @ 7:00 PM on ZOOM
Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment Hearing: January 25, 2023 @3:30 PM on ZOOM
The appeal is for the erection of a roof deck above an existing single family detached single family home.
The Zoning Classification for the property is RSA-3 (Single-Family use only) with several Overlays and Steep Slope Protection.
This application to the Department of Licenses and Inspections was REFUSED for the following reason: The proposed setback of the roof deck from the extreme front of the house is 0 feet while the required setback is 5 feet.
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Meeting ID: 832 8924 4915
Passcode: 231881
Project Downloads:
ZBA Letter of Support 1-22-2023
58 Gowen Circle #ZP-2022-008887
58 Gowen Circle
The Community Meeting scheduled for January 4, 2023 has been postponed at the request of the applicant while plans are being revised.
Applicant: Leah DiMatteo
Owners: Joel W. Thomas and Leah A. DiMatteo, 58 W. Gowen Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19119
Appeal to Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment: Application No. ZP-2022-008966
Zoning Board of Adjustment Calendar No. MI-2022-005981
Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment Hearing: March 15, 2023 @3:30 PM on ZOOM
The appeal is for the erection of an addition above and at the rear of the existing single-family attached home with roof deck above.
The Zoning Classification for the property is RSA-5 (Single-Family use only)
This application to the Department of Licenses and Inspections was REFUSED for the following reason:
The required minimum rear yard depth is 9 feet and construction of this addition will result in a rear yard with a 3-foot minimum depth.
Project Downloads:
10.04.22 58 W Gowen ZBA Appeal FINAL
09.29.22 58 W Gowen Sunroom L&I Refusal
7323 Bryan Street #ZP-2022-008887
7323 Bryan Street
Applicant: Leah DiMatteo
Owners: Leah DiMatteo and Joel W. Thomas, 58 W. Gowen Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19119
Appeal to Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment: Application No. ZP-2022-008887
Zoning Board of Adjustment Calendar No. MI-2022-005265
West Mt. Airy Neighbors Zoning Committee Meeting: 1/4/2023 @ 7:00 PM on ZOOM
Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment Hearing: February 8, 2023 @9:30 AM on ZOOM
The appeal is for four(4) family household living (multi-family) and for a visitor accommodation in an existing structure. No sign included.
The Zoning Classification for the property is: RSA-3 (Single Family Use only). A Zoning Variance was granted on 9/8/1954 permitting three (3) family household living.
This application to the Department of Licenses and Inspections was REFUSED for the following reasons:
- No more than one principal use allowed in the RSA-3 residential district.
- The proposed use-visitor accommodations is prohibited in the RSA-3 residential district.
- The proposed use-multi-family household living is prohibited in this RSA-3 residential district.
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Meeting ID: 832 8924 4915
Passcode: 231881
Project Downloads:

08.11.22 7323 Bryan L&I Refusal
Bryan Stret (city Cert) PropertyCertificate_PC-2022-021574 (version 1)
Application-for-Appeal-3.28.18-2
133 W. Washington Ave #ZP-2023-000915
133 W Washington Lane
Applicant: Alan Nochumson D.B.A. Nochumson P.C., 123 S. Broad St. Suite 1600, Philadelphia,
PA 19109
Owner: King Olalekan
Appeal to Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment: Application No. ZP-2023-000915
Zoning Board of Adjustment Calendar No. MI-2023-004887
West Mt. Airy Neighbors Zoning Committee Meeting: 5/3/2023 @ 7:00 PM on ZOOM
Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment Hearing: June 28, 2023 @3:30 PM on ZOOM)
The appeal requests to use the property as a four-family dwelling.
The Zoning Classification for the property is RSA-3 (Single Family Residential)
This application to the Department of Licenses and Inspections was REFUSED because:
1. multi-family household living is prohibited in an RSA-3 Zoning District.
2. 4 parking spaces are required and 0 are proposed.
Project Downloads:
Refusal

