Pennsport civic leader to chair zoning board

Jim Moylan, a chiropractor who has been president of the Pennsport Civic Association for the last 12 years, has been selected by Mayor Jim Kenney to lead the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Moylan takes over for Julia Chapman, a former Michael Nutter aide who has chaired the board since 2013.

As president of Pennsport Civic, Moylan helped guide efforts to create the Central Delaware Master Plan and, once the zoning overlay was in place, fought to keep AAA from opening an auto repair station on Columbus Boulevard, where the Master Plan encourages more pedestrian-oriented uses. That fight was ultimately unsuccessful, as AAA opened its facility late last year. Under his leadership, Pennsport Civic Association also fought to preserve the iconic Engine 46 firehouse, and negotiated through a series of proposals for the former Mt. Sinai Hospital, which is currently being demolished for a planned development of single-family houses with off-street parking spaces.

More recently, Moylan has signaled a lukewarm attitude toward developer Bart Blatstein’s suburban-style, car-oriented proposal for the former Foxwoods site on the Delaware Waterfront. To other waterfront advocates, Blatstein’s proposal was odious enough to inspire a petition against it, which has so far been signed by 800 people.

Kenney also appointed Anthony Gallagher, the business manager for Steamfitters Union Local 420, to the zoning board. Gallagher, who served on transition advisory boards for both Mayor Kenney and Governor Tom Wolf, takes the place of Gary Masino, of the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 19.

Moylan and Gallagher join Confesor Plaza, of Laborers Union Local 57, who was appointed to replace board member Greg Pastore last week. Of the former zoning board members, only Carol Tinari will remain. One more appointment is forthcoming.