13 01 n . 2 n d s t re e t philadelphia pa 19122 t e l 2 1 5 . 4 2 7. 3 4 6 3 i n f o @ s o u t h k e n s i n g t o n c o m m u n i t y. o r g w w w . s o u t h k e n s i n g t o n c o m m u n i t y. o r g
IN THIS ISSUE... SKCP Calendar + Events F l o o d i n g I ss u e s
FA L L 2 0 1 3
REMOVE IT O R LOSE IT
Greening L O V E Yo u r P a r k : Fall Edition Mercado Merriment at Benson Park La Finquita F a r m e r s i n Tr a i n i n g Fall Fiesta Planning + Zoning Community Zoning Recap Safety Welcome Back Cap’t Cram!
MORE ON NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY FROM THE 26TH DISTRICT PG 6-7 1
SOUTH KENSINGTON COMMUNITY PARTNERS
FALL 2013
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR... CALENDAR All meetings held at SKCP’s office unless otherwise indicated.
OCTOBER 14 Columbus Day (Office Closed) 16 Community Zoning Meeting 6:30pm
29 2035 District Plan
Meeting 6:30pm Columbia North YMCA l400 N. Broad St
NOVEMBER 9
Finquita’s Fall Fiesta 9pm-1am La Finquita, 436 W. Master St
LOVE YOUR PARKS:
FALL EDITION
The Fall edition of LOVE Your Park is coming on Saturday, November 16th! Join your neighbors and the Friends of Hart Park and/ or the Friends of Benson Park as they clean and tend to planting beds, getting the park ready for the coming cool weather and planning for next year. Tools, gloves, and refreshments will be provided. Bring the kids. Check the SKCP website and weekly emails for information about additional activities. Hart Park and Playground is located at 1315-21 North 4th St; Benson Park is at 1445 N Lawrence St. 10am-12pm: cleanup, etc. 12:30pm: lunch at Hart Park
THANK YOU TO THE FRIENDS OF HART PARK!
Friends of Hart Park (Photo above, starting from the left) Vernice Blaylock, Pat and Gene Sweeney, Suzanne Riesman, and Florence Johnson who keep Hart Park clean, safe, and in working order throughout the year. Lend them a hand on November 16th!
MERCADO MERRIMENT AT BENSON
16 LOVE Your Park: Fall Edition 10am-1pm Benson Park + Hart Park & Playground
The Mercado saw a steady stream of shoppers throughout the day, some of whom were visiting the park for the very first time, some of whom were longtime neighbors. Many vendors agreed to take Equal Dollars as compensation for the goods they were selling, helping to circulate the community currency throughout the neighborhood.
18 Service Briefing: Understanding Changes in Health Care 6:30 pm Location TBA
20 Community Zoning Meeting 6:30 pm
The Friends of Benson Park teamed up with SKCP and the Neighborhood Advisory Committee to host a community flea market called the “Benson Park Mercado” on Saturday, September 14th, in Benson Park. Over 30 vendors sold their wares at the market, which was a colorful array
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of children’s clothing and toys, vintage clothing, house wares, appliances, books, movies, homemade jewelry, crafts and even some locally-grown produce.
The event raised a total of $750 which will be split equally between the Friends of Benson Park and the NAC. Thank you to The Friends of Benson Park, South Kensington Neighborhood Advisory Committee, Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sanchez, and Equal Dollars for contributing to a fantastic event.
SOUTH KENSINGTON COMMUNITY PARTNERS
FALL 2013
FALL GREENING
FINQUITA FIESTA.
This past April-July, eight neighborhood students between the ages of 8 and 12 participated in the first session of Finquita’s Farmers in Training program. Students attended class biweekly and learned the basics of sustainable Saturday, November 9th, agriculture in an experimental 25x60 foot dirt “classroom” which was 9pm-1am collectively planned, planted, cared for and harvested. Topics covered included: -Soil ecosystems -Plant anatomy and physiology -Seed germination -Crop management (pest management, crop rotation, companion planting, weed ID and control) -Harvesting and post-harvest handling -Meals and nutrition Interested students will have the opportunity to continue their involvement by assisting with the seasonal "Little Farm Stand" run on-site next spring. Additionally, they will demonstrate their newly acquired skills by assisting with future workshops offered for adults interested in home and community gardening. Stay tuned for more information about upcoming workshops! FALL 2013
at La Finquita, 436 W. Master Street
Live music. Dancing. Fires. Drinks and homegrown snacks. Beer provided by Philadelphia Homebrew Club, St. Benjamin’s and Yards. Help us raise fondos for the Farmers in Training.. $20/in advance, $25 at the door
SOUTH KENSINGTON COMMUNITY PARTNERS
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FLOODING ISSUES
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n September, South Kensington Community Partners’ Neighborhood Advisory Subcommittee held a service briefing to address flooding issues that plague parts of our neighborhoods, particularly during storms like those experienced this summer. Neighbors heard from Philadelphia Water Department staff including Joanne Dahme, General Manager of Public Affairs, who presented information on PWD’s plans and programs for short term and long term protections for home and business owners. Below are some of the takeaways from the meeting. Information from this meeting is available on SKCP’s website: http://www.southkensingtoncommunity.org/floodingissues
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A R d r a
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SHORT TERM PROTECTIONS Basement Back-Up Protection
Rain Check
The program eligibility guidelines are:
Rain Check provides stormwater tools at a reduced cost to Philadelphia residents who live in the combined sewer area. These tools are landscape improvements that can beautify your home and will improve the water quality of our rivers and streams.
• Property must be in the following zip codes: 19107, 19122, 19123, 19145, 19146, 19147, 19148
• The property’s water bill must be current. Money owed cannot 1. Sign up for a free stormwater exceed $75.00. If there is an property assessment. arrearage the payment agreement http://www.philwatersheds.org/ with the Water Revenue Bureau whats_in_it_for_you/residents/ (WRB) must be current for at least raincheck/signup six (6) months. A specially trained assessor will evaluate the outside of your • All plumbing systems must be home to see what stormwater accessible. tools could work on your property. • Property must be subject to water from the City’s sewer backing 2. Choose a stormwater tool that up into your basement through works for your home. basement fixtures, toilets or floor drains that is connected to the Rain Check participants can choose from four stormwater city’s sewer. tools plus one yard tree. Based on the assessor's • All participants in the BPP are recommendations, you choose required to sign the Basement what you want on your property. Back- flow Prevention Agreement. • All violations issued by PWD or other City Agencies must be abated prior to participating.
LONG TERM Infrastructure PWD is working on long term protections that will ease the flooding issues in Northern Liberties, Old/South Kensington, and surrounding areas. Work has begun on the construction of relief systems installing approximately 5,300 feet of various size conduit (see SKCP website for map) that begins at the Delaware river, travels up Germantown Avenue through Northern Liberties and into the Old/South Kensington neighborhood and turning onto Master Street to Randolph. Work will be completed in 6 phases, with the 5th and 6th phases, Northern Liberties and Old/South Kensington respectively, slated for 2015 and 2016.
HELP IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. TAKE THE FLOOD SURVEY! If you or a neighbor are experiencing flooding
3. Install your tool at a fraction of the issues, please fill out this survey to help total cost. the Water Department better understand
the flooding problems specific to your neighborhood. Understanding the nature of specific problems in neighborhoods is an important first step for the City to develop solutions. The survey can be found at the Water Department website: http://www. http://www.phillywatersheds.org/ phillywatersheds.org/watershed_issues/ whats_in_it_for_you/residents/ flooding_survey The SKCP office also has raincheck/stormwatertools paper copies and we are happy to assist you in filling out the form.
The PWD will help pay for the cost installing your tool. Learn more For further information, you may call of about the tools and approximate 215-685-6069. Applications can be costs on downloaded via the PWD’s website: page. the Stormwater Tools http://www.phila.gov/water/pdfs/ BPPA_form.
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SOUTH KENSINGTON COMMUNITY PARTNERS
FALL 2013
ZONING + PLANNING
ZONING
VOTES ON PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION IN OUR AREA
1853 N 2nd St 8 YES ✔ 0 NO
1320-22 Palethorp St
120 W OXFORD [VOTE]
7 YES (accept the project as is) 8 NO ✔
25 YES ✔ (with provisos) 0 NO
(return to zoning next month) General Variance Reiview: Adaptive reuse of existing garage structure for a single family home with garage. Residents, business owners, and property owners within 1/4 mile are eligible to vote.
High Impact Process: New construction of ten residential townhomes on a currently vacant lot. This is a preliminary meeting-residents, business owners, and property owners within 1/2 mile will be eligible to vote.
201 Germantown Ave
TAJDEED (Majority of block bounded by Oxford, Jefferson, Bodine, and Cadwallader) [VOTE]
33 YES ✔ (with provisos) 11 NO High Impact Process: New construction of a mixed-use development in three 6-story buildings, including 247 residential units, 20,750 square feet of commercial and livework space, and 158 parking spaces in an underground garage. Residents, business owners, and property owners within 1/2 mile will be eligible to vote.
28 YES ✔ (with provisos) 12 NO High Impact Process: New construction of 42 affordable rental units. This is a preliminary meeting-residents, business owners, and property owners within 1/2 mile will be eligible to vote on this project.
Legalization Of Use Without Alterations Variance Review: Addition of check cashing services to existing multiservice business. Residents, business owners, and property owners within 1/4 mile are eligible to vote. 1208 N 5th St 20 YES ✔ 1 NO General Variance Review: New construction of a single family residence on a currently vacant lot. Residents, business owners, and property owners within 1/4 mile are eligible to vote. FALL 2013
SOUTH KENSINGTON COMMUNITY PARTNERS
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CRIME & SAFETY
, K C A B E M O C L WE CAPT AIN C R A M! Left to right: Officer James Coughlin (13 years with the 26th District), Captain Cram (20 years with Philadelphia Police Department and four years with the 26th District), Officer Eddie Correa (16 years with the Philadelphia Police Department)
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cars - even for a short period of time.
The Captain is happy to be back. He says one of the best things about the district is the number of involved community groups, “Community groups are invaluable to the 26th District. Their connections within the neighborhoods help us do our job more effectively. The diversity of the district is another asset; we really enjoy working with community members.”
To report a confidential tip or other nonemergency information, Captain Cram says that an email directly to the 26th District has proven to be the most effective method of communication. These emails allow the department to follow up and gather more information, and allow the sender to remain anonymous.
aptain Michael Cram has returned to the 26th Police District after serving a fourth deployment as a Military Police Captain in the US Army Reserves in Afghanistan. SKCP caught up with him and Officers James Coughlin and Eddie Correa to get an update on the 26th District and advice for community members concerned about neighborhood safety.
As for area trends, violent crime in the district has gone down, but there is an increase in car breakins and burglaries, especially at construction sites. The officers say that if you observe people working at a construction site at night, call 911. And to help curtail the frequent number of car break-ins, people need to make an effort to stop leaving anything valuable or anything that looks like it might be valuable, in their 6
As always, the Officers say, if you see a crime being committed, get to a safe location and call 911. Be sure to describe as much detail as possible and to follow-up the next day by email or phone. Be aware that email is only accessible by police officers from 9:00am-5:00pm on most days.
However, if you do not have access to the internet, you can call the city-wide Tip Line at 215.686.TIPS (8477) or submit a tip via text message, text short code PPDTIP (773847). Overall, the Captain says, neighbors can be the eyes and ears on their block, reporting any suspicious activity and “Trust your instincts. If you observe anything that is out of the ordinary, report it with as much detail as possible."
SOUTH KENSINGTON COMMUNITY PARTNERS
FALL 2013
RESOURCES FROM THE NAC
//////// FOR YOUR SAFTEY //////// BIKE REGISTRY
OPERATION IDENTIFICATION
SAFE CAM
Register your bikes’ serial number, make, model, and description with the 26th District. When registering, a police officer can also engrave the bike with a permanent ID number, making a stolen bike difficult to sell and easy to trace. To participate, citizens should contact the Philadelphia Police Department at
Operation ID is a citizen’s burglary-deterrent program for homes, apartments, and businesses. The program involves labeling personal property with your State Driver’s License or State Identification Card number and recording serial numbers for those items. A police representative form the 26th District is available to assist with this task. To participate, citizens should contact the Philadelphia Police Department at
Register your surveillance cameras. It is important to note that, once registered, participants will only be contacted by the Philadelphia Police Department in the future if there is a criminal incident in the vicinity of his/her security camera. Police personnel, may request a copy of any video captured by a participant’s camera, which may assist in the investigation of a crime. The Police Department cannot operate or access the camera.
police.co_26@phila.gov or 215-686-3260
police.co_26@phila.gov or 215-686-3260
https://safecam.phillypolice. com/
PHILLY 311 REQUESTS SKCP would like to remind neighbors that we the office functions as a Neighborhood Liaison with 3-1-1. If you have submitted a request that hasn’t been resolved, please let us know. Make sure you have your ticket number. There is a form on our website, or you can call the office, and we will follow-up with your request. Upcoming Neighborhood Liaison Program Training Dates: Oct 16, 2013 Nov 20, 2013 Dec 18, 2013 For more information call: 215.683.8686
FALL 2013
SOUTH KENSINGTON COMMUNITY PARTNERS
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13 01 n . 2 n d s t re e t philadelphia pa 19122 t e l 2 1 5 . 4 2 7. 3 4 6 3 i n f o @ s o u t h k e n s i n g t o n c o m m u n i t y. o r g w w w . s o u t h k e n s i n g t o n c o m m u n i t y. o r g
The mission of the South Kensington Community Partners (SKCP) is to connect our community to resources and opportunities, the land, and each other. We act as, and encourage others to become, engaged stewards of the neighborhood. We advocate for responsible development that builds upon the physical, social, and economic fabric of the neighborhood. SKCP’s neighborhood boundaries are West Berks Street to the north, North Front Street to the east, North Sixth Street to the west, and West Girard Avenue to the south. The South Kensington Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) Service Area encompasses census tracts 127, 128, 129,130, 131, 132, 141, 142, 144, 156, and 157.