“Very busy time” for zoning in Tacony, says board member

Lou Iataroloa had less than an hour to zip through a dozen active zoning issues in Tacony at Tuesday’s civic association meeting.

Before 15th District Capt. Frank Bachmayer took the floor at 8 p.m. for his town hall meeting, the association board had an hour to review old business, new business and upcoming meetings.

The zoning issues involved a variety of issues, including illegal duplexes and auto body shops. The rundown Iatarola, a TCA board member, is below. For pending permits and variances, neighbors living within 500 feet of the properties in question will receive a notice prior to the TCA’s meeting and the Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing.

6401 Ditman St. The TCA opposed a variance for a first-floor grocery store and second-floor apartment. The ZBA denied the application.

6432 Edmund St. The TCA opposed an auto body shop’s application for spray and paint work, with Iatarola saying the business is “not a very good neighbor.” The applicant got a continuation for the request.

4701 Knorr St. An existing grocery  store wants to legalize its awning and takeout service. The TCA and ZBA approve the request under the proviso the store be painted a brick red (it’s currently royal blue) to better fit into the neighborhood.

6421 Frankford Ave./4101 Disston St. The TCA is working with the Mayfair Civic Association on this corner property, which has a deed that is not in compliance with the city’s current code. The applicant wants to redraw the property lines according to the deed, creating a third subdivision that would cut across the open space at the corner of Frankford and Disston. The two civic associations want to subdivide the space into two properties, not three, to avoid cutting off the open space.

7039 Algard St. A mechanic shop is seeking an additional variance, for which the TCA will notify neighbors about the meeting.

4925 Princeton Ave. An applicant wants to house an auto body shop at the former beverage distributor site. Meeting notices will go out to neighbors.

6736 Torresdale Ave. The owner of a building already converted to a duplex wants to make the units legal. Meeting notices will go out to neighbors.

4823 Longshore Ave./6921 Edmund St. The applicant wants to make this vacant furniture warehouse a mixed-use property with commercial businesses in the front and residences in the back. Meeting notices will go out to neighbors.

7165 Hegerman St. The applicant wants a variance to make legal the existing use of a duplex. Meeting notices for later this fall will be sent to neighbors.

A-Plus at Cottman and Torresdale The TCA plans to approve the variance the gas station/convenience store needs for its new sign. The old sign fell victim to I-95 construction.

4119 Longshore Ave. The applicant has been granted a continuance for an application for food takeout an at existing grocery store. Neighbors will receive a meeting notice.