WCGN

WCGN – West Central Germantown Neighbors

Welcome to West Central Germantown, a neighborhood situated within one of the oldest settlements in Pennsylvania and located in the northwest section of Philadelphia.

West Central Germantown Neighbors (WCGN) is an all-volunteer association dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life in a diverse neighborhood. WCGN works to limit expansion of institutional uses and supports historic preservation. Members initiate and encourage group projects to maintain a safe and beautiful place to live, including a garden on the grounds of the Tulpehocken Train Station. We are proud of the creativity and inclusiveness of the neighborhood culture, and sponsor social events to strengthen community bonds.

Help Needed! WCGN Newsletter, Website, Facebook
We need you to help us keep our communication systems fresh and relevant! Please step up and  ask Fairleigh Barnes, our Communications Committee Chair, how you can help.

Bring Anou Home-Update

As you see Anou Vongbandith, with a smile on his face from the back seat of his wife’s car, is returning home after posting bond on October 29.
Read Raheed Ajamu’s article with more information about his ordeal and what lays ahead.
Please see past newsletters linked below for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Community

Lingelbach Firewood Fundraiser

Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion: “Spirits of Historic Germantown”
November 6-15
Read the Chestnut Hill Local article to learn more about the show.
Buy tickets and check out other EMM events here.

Nov. 9 Deadline for Arts Opportunity
Mural Arts Philadelphia is inviting young local artists interested in adapting their skills to community-based mural making to attend their Mural Training Workshop.
Learn more and complete application.

Wyck House & Garden
Visit Wyck’s website for upcoming events.

Zoning

28-30 W. Haines St. RCO Meeting Voting Results/Next Steps
The October 1st meeting gave the 4 neighbors who attended, the opportunity to consider allowing the entire property – the 3-story main twin house as well as the freestanding 1-story building – to have Visitor Accommodation (AirBnB) zoning.
Near Neighbors 1 Supported 1 Opposed
“Not Near” Neighbors 1 Supported 1 Opposed
WCGN will report the voting results to the ZBA along with a proviso requesting that, if the variance is granted, it be limited to 2 years.

This case will be heard by the ZBA on 10/29 at 9:30AM. Use this link to register and attend the hearing via Zoom. You may also write an email to the ZBA expressing your support or opposition. Be sure to include the property address and the appeal #ZP-2025-004094.

226 Harvey Street Variance Voted Down
Nov 19, 9:30
The Community meeting held on September 3 focused on a zoning variance to convert a single-family home into 6-units. Over 35 neighbors expressed concerns about parking, building capacity, work done without permits, and general lack of trust in owner/contractor given past experiences. The 29 votes cast were unanimously opposed. This was based on voting by 20 near neighbors and 9 “not near” neighbors.
The ZBA is scheduled to hear the case on 11/19 at 9:30. As that date approaches, we will instruct all neighbors on how to attend the hearing and/or where to write letters concerning the case.

5900 Pulaski Street ZBA Hearing Continued Again…
ZBA Chairman William Bergman once again continued the hearing at the request of the property owner’s attorney for 5900 Pulaski – this time until January 14, 2025 at 9:30AM.
WCGN’s letter of opposition has been filed with the ZBA.
As they continue to operate illegally, you may file an online 311 report here.

History & Heritage

Tulpehocken Station Historic District Events House & Garden Tour 
To celebrate the anticipated naming of the Historic District to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, plans are underway for an Historic House & Garden Tour this coming spring. 
If you would like to volunteer your House &/or Garden for the tour please let us know. 
If you would like to volunteer as a guide or in any other way to help us make this a success, please contact us now.
Other events are being considered as well so watch for details in the coming months.

Green Space

Grab Your Gardening Gloves
Sunday, November 2nd, 1:30pm
Tulpehocken Station Orchard
If you can’t make, but you like to get your hands in the soil, let us add you to our Green Space list of gardeners by letting us know here.

Wissahickon Germantown Connection Project: Trail Improvement
Friends of the Wissahickon are working on a project to update trails in parts of the Germantown section of the Wissahickon. To learn more readhere

Wednesday January 28th at 6pm
Annual Public Projects Meeting at the Waldorf School
Come join us to discuss:
*What should we know about you and your community?
*Questions/Concerns?
*Other folks we should reach out to?

Phil Kane Needs Our Help!
Every Tuesday evening and early Wednesday Morning, with his trusty red pickup, Phil goes around the neighborhood and picks up bagged leaves that furnish mulch for our Tulpehocken Station Orchard. It’s a mu(l)ch easier job with an assistant. If you are available any one of those times, please let Phil know by giving him a call at 215-680-1131. If he doesn’t answer don’t leave a message, instead call me at 215-720-0809 and I will let him know.

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