South of South Neighborhood Association (SOSNA) and Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC)
General Public Meeting
Wednesday, May 14, 2003, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Marian Anderson Recreation Center - 17th and Fitzwater

A sign-in book with a list of those people attending is maintained at the SOSNA office at 1711 South Street.

Vice-chair Doerte Smith opened the meeting at 7:38 p.m. She explained that this was one of a series of special neighborhood planning meetings, this one concerning open space, zoning and land use, and transportation. She introduced City Planning Commission staffers Brian Forschner and Walker Gilmore, who would be leading the neighborhood planning component.

Minutes of April meeting. The minutes of the April 9, 2003 general meeting were approved as circulated.

Neighborhood Planning

Brian Forschner gave an overview of the planning process (set goals, develop plan, make recommendations and cite alternatives, and then create a final plan.)

Some Trends:

• Current population 10,264 -- population decline of 1980s and early 1990s has slowed down and has almost stopped, the result of spillover from Center City
• Vacancies still high -- 17.4% of properties vs 10.9% citywide -- but going down
• Homeownership still lower (approx. 35% vs 50%-plus citywide) but going up
• Public investments in recent years have included streetscape improvements on the Avenue of the Arts, South Street and Washington Avenue; affordable housing (St. Anthony's, Artists' Village, Doctors Row I and II, Bancroft Court, Universal Courts I and II, and the forthcoming affordable housing centered on 17th and Carpenter)

Attendees then participated in a vision exercise for each topic, during which they were shown slides of various neighborhood scenes, from SOSNA area and from outside, and encouraged to write down what they liked and what they didn't like. After that, Forschner provided an overview of some issues related to that topic, followed by committee chairs' reports on their committee's concerns. Participants were then encouraged to talk about things they'd like to see changed (or see more of), which Walker Gilmore wrote down on flip charts. Finally, participants voted for their most important issues by placing three colored stickers by the issue.

Other open space concerns included: Lighting/safety/security of open spaces, more parking, better planned open space, playgrounds and tot lots, a rational tire disposal system, litter cans, better enforcement of trash/litter laws, better planning for utility lines so that street trees aren't topped off.

Forschner commented that safety and trash are "overlay issues" affecting all three topics. Gary Spahn commented that the neighborhood could benefit from a comprehensive development plan to even out the pace of development.

Condemnation of Area Properties. Universal Community Homes has requested condemnation of an undetermined number of properties in the area bordered by Fifteenth Street, Seventeenth Street, Bainbridge Street, and Christian Street. Because some of these properties have been sold or have begun a rehab process since Universal prepared its list, these properties are being reconsidered and will not be condemned as long as the owners/developers continue to make progress. Anyone knowing a property owner within those areas should encourage that owner to contact the SOSNA office or look on the SOSNA website to see if their property is on the condemnation list. SOSNA can counsel affected owners as to their rights and remedies if they receive a letter from the Redevelopment Authority concerning condemnation.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Laura Blanchard, secretary

HOME | WHAT IS SOSNA? | HOUSING COUNSELING | THRIFT SHOP | SIGN UP | PLANNING | NEWS

SOSNA is the Neighborhood Advisory Committee for the area from South Street to Washington Avenue, Broad Street West to the Schuylkill River, funded by the Office of Housing and Community Development to provide citizen input into their redevelopment process in our community. SOSNA is a registered nonprofit corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Site contents copyright SOSNA except where indicated.