Updated plans for 1245 Point Breeze Ave. still not a crowd-pleaser for residents
The last time we told you about the development of 1245 Point Breeze Ave., it was in regards to a food co-op that was proposed for the location. That idea was shot down by the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment, forcing Ori Feibush to rethink his plans for the location.
The new concept for the Point Breeze Avenue property includes four stories with twelve apartments that would each be roughly 500 sq. ft. According to Metro, despite these altered plans, residents attending last week’s South Philadelphia HOMES meeting in regards to the development were still not pleased.
From Metro:
Still, some residents weren’t happy that the project hasn’t’ been designed to accommodate families. One resident asked whether the project would create local construction jobs and not handled by an outside contractor.
Dr. Andre Ford, Vice President of the South Philadelphia HOMES RCO Zoning Committee, had to ask for quiet several times throughout the hour-long meeting.
In order to add the residential space, two additional floors would be added to the building while still preserving the character of the existing building, Toner said.
Why anyone would invest a dime in Point Breeze is beyond me. Just spittin’ in the wind….
Not that I give a damn about this proposal, but why is everybody and their brother part of the approval process for something that gets built? I understand not wanting a whorehouse, a nuclear power plant, a noise-making factory, or a human trafficking operation located in the neighborhood. But why does Philly allow people to overrule a project from community groups that are not qualified to make these decisions for things that are right up its alley.
Here’s a great excerpt:
“Still, some residents weren’t happy that the project hasn’t’ been designed to accommodate families. One resident asked whether the project would create local construction jobs and not handled by an outside contractor.”
Why is this in the official minutes of this meeting? What does this project have to do with families? Is Comcast’s new tower downtown accommodate families? What does that even mean? Elevators? If it’s not required via current code/disabilities acts, and it’s not critical to the design, the developer isn’t going to include it.
Couldn’t agree more with Anthony above**
How many families are living above the current retail operation? How many families live about stores period? I;m sure the number is very low when compared the rest of the population in America…
If we’re concerned about creating family-friendly units on what is supposed to be a business corridor, then maybe the developer should change the design of the first floor to accommodate a parking garage that would take away “cherished parking spaces” for residents… City residents, specifically, should not have the FINAL say in what is built in these neighborhoods unless they are footing the bill themselves…
You lost me at “city residents, specifically, should have no say”… You ruined whatever convincing you might have achieved when ya trotted that line out. A key insight into how you view everyone here as ignorant know nothings. If thats how you feel, then why are you moving/investing here in the first place?
I even liked your suggestion that the developer include a parking garage. You made good points then you basically state that nobody else should have an opinion. LoL. Let us all just bask in your brilliance then..
interestingly, according to the official letter opposing this, the vote count from the meeting was 20 to 17 in favor of the development. yet a letter was sent from the rco’s saying that the neighbors did not support the project. it makes no sense.
Philly in a nutshell
The real reason is plain as day, everyone knows it and you’re not allowed to mention it.