Zoning Issues/Zoom Meetings/Past Zoning Issues

Below are current open Zoning cases which have been referred to the Rhawnhurst Civic Association because the Philadelphia Department of License & Inspection has issued a Refusal of their project. Before the owners of these properties can appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustments, they must first have a meeting with their neighbors. Your Rhawnhurst Civic Association facilitates that meeting. Our zoning meetings are held using the ZOOM electronic meeting platform unless otherwise noted. See the bottom of this page for listings of past Zoning issues.

Voting at Zoning Meetings: In accordance with the By-Laws of the Association, Article III, Section 2, "Only members in good standing are eligible to vote at Association meetings. Each member is entitled to one vote and may not vote by proxy for a member absent from a meeting at which a vote is taking place". Additionally, any zoning meeting attendee who received a letter from the representative of the zoning project will be allowed to vote. If you would like to vote, but are not a member of the association, please see the "Membership Application" page of our website and sign-up to become a member.

If you are about to start a project at any property in Philadelphia you must learn what steps to take to "protect your investment by making sure your project has the proper permits, licenses, plans and professionals in place". Please read the City of Philadelphia, Department of License & Inspections free booklet "START RIGHT - A Guide to L&I Services".

Please come to a regular meeting or contact the Association to discuss zoning issues in greater detail! If you have trouble joining our web-based meeting, or you are unable to join, please contact us and we will help you make other arrangements.

Ongoing Zoning Issue:

8014 Castor Ave: Seeking variance for use as a NIGHT CLUB on the ground and second floor, lounge and sit-down restaurant at the third floor and smoking lounge throughout. There has been no public meeting on this issue to date. This remains an Open Zoning Issue,

Zoning Refusals:

• 2100 Benson St: Relocate lot lines to create 22 lots (A-V) for single family homes and a parking lot
• 1624 Napfle Ave: To correct their standing from Single Family Unit to Two Family Unit.
• 8021 Castor Ave: seeking variance for store selling wearing apparel and accessories.
• 7312-16 Castor Ave: For office space business and professional use on the second floor of an existing structure.
• 8200-08 Castor Ave:  for the erection of a one-story rear addition attached to an existing detached structure on a lot for use as a religious assembly with 18 accessory off-street surface parking spaces, 2 ADA parking spaces and 1 Van accessible parking space and 3 accessory class 1A bicycle parking spaces.
• 8541 Bustleton Ave: for the proposed use as a Two-Family household living within an existing structure.

2100 Benson has applied for a Permit for the relocation of lot lines to create twenty-two lots (Parcels A-V) from one lot (deeded 2100 Benson St) Sizes and location per plans. On Parcels A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, & T: For the erection of a three-story semi-detached structure that includes a full basement and a roof deck at the second-floor front, accessed from the interior. For the use as Single Family Household Living. Size and locations per plans. On Parcel Q: For the erection of a three-story detached structure that includes a full basement and a roof deck at the second-floor front, accessed from the interior. For the use as Single Family Household Living. Size and locations per plans. On Parcel U: For the erection of a three-story attached structure that includes a full basement and a roof deck at the second-floor front, accessed from the interior. For the use as Single Family Household Living. Size and locations per plans. On Parcel V: For the creation of a surface parking lot with twenty-one spaces (including one accessible space. Size and location per plans. For the proposed use as Non-Accessory Parking. 

A plot plan, survey and zoning plan have been provided by the project attorney and are presented below.

A representative of the project will attend our October 16th meeting, 7:00pm, at Pelbano Playground for Q&A. 

The in-person Zoning meeting had been scheduled for Thursday, November 14th, 6:30 PM, at Pelbano Playground (Solly and Bustleton Avenues) has been CANCELLED! The owner is renewing their plans to include more parking per house built. Once more information is available it will be posted below.

8014 Castor Avenue has applied for a variance "for use as a NIGHT CLUB on the first and second floor, lounge and sit-down restaurant on the third floor and smoking lounge throughout". The representatives of this project have requested a continuance without withdrawing their request for a Night Club! No public meetings have been held nor have any been scheduled to date for this project.

1624 Napfle Avenue has applied for a variance "for Two (2) family household living in an existing structure". The City's records improperly indicate that they have a Single-Family Unit when in fact the property is a Duplex. No Zoom meeting has been scheduled at this time.

8021 Castor Avenue has applied for a variance "for sales of wearing apparel and accessories. No Zoning meeting has been scheduled at this time.

7312-16 Castor Avenue has applied for a variance "for office space business and professional use on the second floor of an existing structure". No Zoning meeting has been scheduled at this time.

8200-08 Cator Avenue has applied for a variance for the erection of a one-story rear addition attached to an existing detached structure on a lot for use as a religious assembly with 18 accessory off-street surface parking spaces, 2 ADA parking spaces and 1 Van accessible parking space and 3 accessory class 1A bicycle parking spaces. No public meeting has been scheduled at this time. We expect plans and architectural drawings to be available soon.

8541 Bustleton Avenue has applied for a variance for the proposed use    of a Tow-Family household living within an existing structure.  No public meeting has been scheduled at this time. 

Click the file below to read information regarding older zoning issues. These have already had community zoom meetings.