REZONING
As many of you know, Philadelphia is reaching the conclusion of its project to make changes in the city’s zoning, and WCGN learned during the winter that part of the proposal for our neighborhood included rezoning Germantown Avenue to allow for larger buildings on certain properties.
At the end of June the WCGN the board sent a letter to the NW Philadelphia city planner requesting that Germantown Ave be rezoned CMX-2 rather than CMX-2.5 (3 story buildings rather than 5), with the exception of 6122 Germantown Ave (the parcel known as “the berm” that is adjacent to Settlement Music), which we would like to keep zoned residential. He replied that he would take our wishes into consideration when drafting his plan.
DEVELOPMENT IN THE WORKS
Meanwhile, we have learned that Settlement Music School is selling off the land at the corner of Tulpehocken Street and Germantown Avenue, which is currently being used as the parking lot for the school. WCGN’s understanding is that this project does not require any variance or formal requirement to engage with the community through the RCO process. Nonetheless, WCGN intends to seek additional information as to the developer’s plans, and to request an opportunity for near neighbors to provide feedback. Please reply directly to the board if you’d like to be added to a list to receive updates on that outreach. We will also report back to the listserv to
CHANGES IN PLANS FOR GERMANTOWN HIGH SCHOOL PROPERTY
Contrary to what we were told earlier in the year, it appears that the developers for this project are no longer participating in meetings with the community to try to put together a Community Benefits Agreement, as city legislation enacted in November makes it easier for them to proceed without further community consultation. For details, see this article in “The Philadelphia Tribune.
GERMANTOWN MUTUAL AID FUND
Germantown Mutual Aid Fund continues to support our neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s hard to know the true impact that our efforts are having but we feel strongly that now is not the time to stop. So far, we have raised over $50K, thanks to the generosity of people like you. We are now in the 7th round of requests. We have gifted $28k to 38 families with 79 children.
Please share with your neighbors in Germantown who may need some support: www.greatgtown.org. And if you are able to make a gift (either a one-time contribution or as a monthly sustainer) so we can continue to meet the need, it would be appreciated. It has been an honor to work alongside 7 amazing, strong, smart and caring women to create this Culture of Caring.
We are also looking to grow the committee that volunteers to review requests for support. If you have any interest in joining us please feel free to reach out to me, Jill Saul .
To read more information about this fund, see the article in the August Weavers Way Shuttle: https://tinyurl.com/yxk6xnxv
Jill Saul
City Plan for Financial Help with Home Repairs
The city has launched a plan to help qualifying homeowners with emergency home repairs to heating, electrical, or plumbing systems, or to alleviate structural or roofing emergencies. These are grants, not loans. For more information, click HERE.
