Parking lingers as concern for St. Bridget Parish school-site development

As a zoning hearing looms related to the St. Bridget Parish’s shuttered elementary-school property, lingering parking issues and concerns were discussed at Monday night’s East Falls Community Council meeting.

The parish, located between Midvale Ave. and Stanton St., announced in 2012 that it was unable to pay the expenses for the school due to a prolonged drop in enrollment.

The church found a buyer interested in the property late last year — HOW Properties — which hopes to build a 32-apartment complex with nine units reserved for residents aged 55 years and older.

On Wednesday, the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals will hear the developer’s case, likely with the backing of the EFCC zoning and land-use committees.

Plan alterations

However, EFCC Zoning Chair Bill Epstein said Monday night that plans to meet the desired 1:1 parking-to-apartment ratio were nixed as the parish was unwilling to sell 12 parking spots in a Midvale Avenue parking lot to the developer.

Lease and rental options were offered instead.

“In the future, the lease could be lost,” Epstein said. “We’re concerned if that happens.”

Now, the developers are said to be seeking to purchase a series of single-car garages located at 3643 Stanton St, a property features 12 garage doors and a “garage for rent” sign.

All things considered, Epstein said he remains confident that the plan will move forward despite the looming parking shuffle.

Board elections

At Monday night’s meeting, residents also voted for EFCC leadership.

Four candidates recommended by the nominating committee for at-large board membership — Ajeenah Amir, John Gillespie, Alex Keating and Drew Myers — won positions. A fifth candidate without the nominating-committee blessing, Meg Greenfield, did not win a position.

All six EFCC officers — President Barnaby Wittels, First Vice President Bill Epstein, Second Vice President Claire Stilley, Treasurer Joe Leube, Recording Secretary Heather Plastaras and Corresponding Secretary Chris Caporellie — ran unopposed and were re-elected.