7-story mixed-use building proposed for corner of 6th and Washington Ave.
The Queen Village Neighborhood Association will discuss the proposed demolition of three existing structures at 541 and 542 Washington Ave. and 1043 S. 6th St. in favor of a 7-story mixed-use building.
The project needs a zoning variance and the public meeting will take place on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weccacoe Playground building.
According to notice sent by QVNA, the proposal calls for a 7-story structure to replace the current grouping of three houses. A retail space will be housed on the ground floor and be accompanied by 12 apartments on floors two through seven.
Potential uses for the retail space include “financial services (bank) or business and professional office (realty office, law firm or accounting firm.)”
No as in N O.
Why do you care so much? More people in the neighborhood is a good thing.
Yes as in Y.E.S.
It’s Washington Ave, it needs development, not another one-story cell phone store.
Totally agree with Anthony – Washington Ave is a major thoroughfare. No need to keep it low-density. And please….i don’t want to hear about parking.
That’s exactly why Philadelphia will never be a great city, just a playground for older folks who has never been anywhere and don’t want to go anywhere.
Yikes, CityDude. That’s a bleak assessment
CityDude – I understand the pessimism, but think these changes will just happen in spite of people like Merilyn, and not because of them. She’s the same type of person that doesn’t believe in fixing up Bok because it will harm her precious street parking. *rolls eyes*
The story say that they need a variance. What variance do they need?
Good question, Mike. The QVNA says this: “the relocation of lot lines to create one (1) lot from three (3) existing lots [541 & 543 Washington Avenue and 1043 S. 6th St].” Also, the zoning district is RM-1, which only allows residential multifamily as opposed to commercial mixed use, and a maximum height of 38 feet. Any planning experts out there, please correct me if I’ve interpreted this guide incorrectly: http://philadelphiaplaneto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Quick-Reference-Guide_reduced.pdf
Good for washington Ave. Hopefully they have the ability to set back from their rear neighbors though, or they’re never going to see the sun again.
Albert, thats a pretty good interpretation. They’re trying to put a building that would more approriately fit in the CMX zoning. That is why they need a variance.
That being said, this is a pretty poorly zoned stretch. As wide and busy as washington avenue is, there really shouldn’t be any R-zoned parcels. This is a good example of why the city needs to now set about re-zoning certain areas of the city. South District plan is in early works and I’m sure washington avenue will be a big part of the discussion.
I believe the public meetings on rezoning Washington Ave will start in December. The rezoning is badly needed as is the restriping of the avenue.
As of now it seems like they will have several L&I refusals to deal with…commercial, height, and possibly parking.
@Mike
Agreed. And yeah its total crap that they’ll have to go through the process just put a building that by practicality belongs there.
Let’s get this up! We need density and activity in this neighborhood. Improves safety and appearance of streets.
Marilyn, lighten up, you ol’ parade rainer onner change hater.