Community Zoning Meeting

Thursday March 29, 2018 - 7:30PM
Calvary Community Center - 48th and Baltimore

Entrance is on Baltimore Ave, small side door.

We will be reviewing 2 projects on Baltimore Avenue
At 7:30 PM – 5042 Baltimore Avenue
The event space Petite Fete is requesting a use certificate for the following:
PROPOSED BANQUET HALL FOR MAXIMUM FORTY NINE (49) PEOPLE (ASSEMBLY AND ENTERTAINMENT) (NO ACTIVITIES AS DEFINED IN 14-603 (13) OF PHILADELPHIA ZONING CODE) ON 1 ST FLOOR IN THE SAME BUILDING WITH EXISTING TWO (2) FAMILY DWELLING ABOVE IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE.
This site is currently zoned CMX-2, Commercial use. The proposed use, Assembly and Entertainment, requires a special exception approval in this zoning district.

At 8:00 PM – 4829 Baltimore Avenue
The owner is requesting a variance as follows:
FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE WITH TWO (2) ROOF ACCESS STRUCTURES FOR USE AS MULTI-FAMILY (FIVE(5) UNIT) HOUSEHOLD LIVING WITH ROOF TWO (2) ROOF DECKS ACCESSED BY PILOT HOUSES AND REAR DECK ACCESSED THROUGH SECOND FLOOR (SIZE AND LOCATIONS AS SHOWN ON THE PLAN, NO SIGN ON THIS PERMIT)
This site is currently zoned RSA-3, which would allow a single-family structure by rights. The application was refused for use, and for lot coverage. This appeal to the ZBA is to request a use variance for a five-unit building in a single-family zone, and to request that 22% of the lot be open area, as opposed to the 50% open area required by zoning.

Please come out to see the proposed plans and elevations for the new building at 4829, to hear the discussion about the Petite Fete site, and to voice your opinions on these issues. If you cannot make this meeting and wish to comment, please contact CPN.
Please come out and be informed!

Cedar Park Neighbors, 
Calvary Community Center,
4740 Baltimore Avenue, Phila., PA 19143
267-BALT-AVE (267-225-8283) 
www.cedarparkneighbors.org

Cedar Park Neighbors 2018 Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship Fundraiser

Several current scholarship recipients and committee members during the award ceremony last July. 

Join us on Sunday, April 22, 2018 from 4-6pm for Cedar Park Neighbors' annual Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship fundraiser to support local West Philadelphia young adults pursuing higher education and socialize with your community. We will have live music, food, and drink at the event at Dock Street Brewery.

Tickets: $50 per person aged 13 and up; $10 per person aged 6-12; littlest ones free! Sponsorship opportunities are also available!

Over the last 29 years, the scholarship program has awarded 169 scholarships to 81 of our young neighbors. CPN is very proud of this program, which is unique in that it is available for  multiple years and includes support, encouragement, and mentorship throughout the school year. The 2017 annual scholarship event raised more than $12,000 to provide scholarships for 9 neighborhood students who are now attending college.

The Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship Fund is named in honor of our visionary neighbor who founded the CPN Scholarship Committee in 1988. We named the fund after Gary to pay tribute to his vision, leadership and ongoing legacy. 

Kayla Lewis is one of our current scholars.  Kayla enrolled at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania in the Fall. She has already taken remarkable strides and made it her new home. Last semester, she joined the Black Student Union and became an active member of the university’s PRIDE Mentoring program, which helps students forge social and cultural ties essential for academic success while strengthening identities. In January, Kayla was invited by Widener's Assistant Dean for Student Life to attend the 2018 Inclusive Leadership Conference at Temple University and she enjoyed it greatly. Kayla also applied to and was selected to become a Resident Hall Assistant for the coming Fall semester – she will be cultivating the minds of the incoming Class of 2022!

Kayla’s story is but one of the many stories that testify to the value of the CPN scholarship fund. Please consider supporting this important community effort!

Please contact scholarships@cedarparkneighbors.org with any questions.

2017 Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship Fundraiser

CPN to mount new window display about neighborhood history

Proposed CPN Window Display at 4926 Baltimore Avenue

Cedar Park Neighbors is mounting a display in the window at 4926 Baltimore Avenue.  We are aiming to showcase the history of our neighborhood, with a special emphasis on the history of our beloved Cedar Park.  The space has graciously been provided by our friends at the RHD Cedar Park Women's Shelter, and the University City District is generously providing design help and funding for the project.  Stay tuned for an anticipated Summer 2018 launch!

1910 Cedar Park Map

Fall 2017 Newsletter

The Fall 2017 Newsletter is here! 

In this issue, you will find: 

• introductions to the nine Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship Fund recipients 
• updates on the care for and improvements of Cedar Park 
• Cedar Park Neighbors Communication improvements 
• Holiday Basket Food Drive (donate here!) 
• the history and preservation of Cedar Park 
• and more! 

Cedar Park Neighbors' Holiday Basket Drive 2017

Dear Friends and Neighbors of Cedar Park,

Once again, Cedar Park Neighbors, in cooperation with area churches and other nonprofit organizations, will prepare and distribute food baskets for those in need during the holiday season.

In 2016, we were able to reach over 150 local families. As a continuation of this successful event, we need your financial help and support! 

Please consider a suggested donation in the amount of $36. Support at this amount will help us feed two families and foster our commitment to “neighbors helping neighbors.” For your convenience, we have also included payment options to join or renew your annual membership with Cedar Park Neighbors as well as an “any amount” option.

https://www.memberplanet.com/campaign/cedarparkneighbors/holidaybasketdrive2017

We will be packing and distributing the baskets on Saturday, December 16, 2017 from 8:30am -10:30am at Renewal Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of 47th and Cedar Avenue. All volunteers are most welcome! Please feel free to contact us at mlewis1071@gmail.com if you have any questions. We thank you in advance for your support!

If you are interested in donating bulk items, please contact Michelle Lewis at mlewis1071@gmail.com

Sincerely,
Michelle Lewis and Beverly Rouse

Back to School for the Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship Recipients!

Nine young Cedar Park residents’ return to school will be a little bit easier this fall thanks to the Cedar Park Neighbors’ Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship Fund. In addition to scholarships for educational expenses, the students will also receive mentoring, care packages, and networking opportunities from the fund throughout the school year.

New to the Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship Fund are two incoming college freshmen.

Khadijah Yadulla is a 2016 graduate of Hardy Williams Mastery Charter High School attending Drexel University. Kayla Lewis is a 2016 graduate of Oldfields School, attending Widener University.

Returning scholarship recipients include:

Ruby Anderson, who is in her third  year studying at Oberlin College where she is double major in Sociology and Comparative American Studies with an education minor.

Mable Bakali, who is completing her Engineering degree at Temple University.

Abdoulaye Dia, who is in his third year at Denison University where he studies Global Commerce.

Ainye Clarke, who is in her fourth year studying Psychology at Rosemont College.

Andrew Kulasegram-Wilson, who is completing his Mechanical Engineering degree at Drexel University. Danielle Little, who is completing her Communication degree at DePaul University.

Robin Siddall, who is in her second year at Wellesley College.

These scholarships are possible through the generous support of the donors to the Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship Fundraiser.  Sponsors of the April 2017 event included:

Sustaining Neighbor Sponsor

Fleming Family Fund

Benefactor Neighbor Sponsor

Fred Wolfe, Jr.

Philadelphia Federal Credit Union 

Patron Neighbor Sponsor

Amara Rockar & Mustapha Berkshan

Ana Lisa Yoder & G. Anthony Lapp

Claudia B. Hamilton-Ruffin

Duwayne Terry & Julia Katz Terry

Jacques-Jean Tiziou

Jesse Fuchs-Simon

Lisa Mitchell

Melani Lamond, Urban & Bye, Realtor

Susan Kay Weiler

Zachary Spence 

Friendly Neighbor Sponsor

Alfred C. Airone & Carolyn J. Kelly

Brad Wayland

Brandon Alcorn

Camden Segal

Darryl Bundrige

David Hincher & Mara Hincher

David Wengert

Debra L. Detweiler & L. George Detweiler

Elizabeth K. Sands

Jeff Lutzner

Jessica Lowenthal & Ryan Godfrey

Joyce A. Brock

Kelly J. Ryan

Lewis Baum

Linford D. Martin & Marcella J. Zimmerman

Louis N. Tannen & Catherine C. Carr

Margaret Dowling

Mark McGuire & Jo-Ann M. Verrier

Maureen Tate & Gerald McHugh

Michael Froehlich

Michael W. Jennings & Alfred A. Giosa

Patricia J. Lavelle

Patricia Warner

Scott Geryk & Nancy Geryk

Sharon Smith & James Smith

Suzanne Banning Anderson & Kelvyn Anderson

We thank those sponsors and all who contributed to making the event a huge success! Cedar Park Neighbors is extremely proud of these active and dynamic students and their accomplishments. Please join us in congratulating these young members of our Cedar Park community, and wishing them the best in their studies.

Interested in becoming a member of Cedar Park Neighbors? Click here to join. To support Cedar Park Neighbors and its initiatives such as Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship Fund make a donation here.

[Cover photo L-R: David Hincher, CPN President, Suzanne B. Anderson, Chair, Scholarship Committee, Whitney Martinko, Scholarship Committee, Ainye Clarke, Khadijah Yadulla, Kayla Lewis, Fred Martin Wolfe Jr., Scholarship Committee, Mable Bakali, Darryl Bundridge, Scholarship Committee, Robin Siddall.]

Preservation Alliance Presentation

On Monday, October 16th, we welcomed the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia to host their "Neighborhood Preservation Workshop" at our October Board Meeting. 

They presented an overview of historic preservation policies and the current extent of preservation protections in Cedar Park, highlighting some of the unprotected historic buildings found in our initial survey. They also listened to our neighbor's thoughts and concerns about preservation and development in the neighborhood.

Here is the link to resources as mentioned during the presentation: http://www.preservationalliance.com/what-we-do/nomination-and-report-library/

Here are the slides used during the presentation. 

If you would like to get involved, email us at contact@cedarparkneighbors.org and we will connect you with other interested neighbors. 

ABOUT: The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the appreciation, protection, and appropriate re-use of our region’s historic buildings, communities, and landscapes. This year, the Alliance is undertaking a project to identify and inventory historic buildings in Philadelphia neighborhoods that are facing heightened development pressure.  For it to be truly successful, the project must be a collaboration of the Alliance, community-based organizations, and individual residents. We hope to get community input and feedback from the outset about those historic assets most prized by neighbors, those often overlooked, and those most threatened by demolition.