April 26, 2022 Minutes
Merion Civic Association Board Meeting
Agenda
April 26, 2022 7:30PM
1. Co-President Eileen Bruckman welcomed attendees.
2. Directors attending in person: Li Halpern, Brian Gordon, Melanie Schafmeister, Les Greenberg, Scott Fueur, Susan Guthrie, Orsi Lazar, Eileen Bruckman. Suzanne Saltzberg. Directors attending via Zoom: Kevin Murphy, Bruce Eisenberg, Dave Rutzel, Carol Lavoritano
3. Beth Yount, a Penn State Extension Educator/ Water Team and Master Watershed Steward for Philadelphia County discussed composting. The possibility of putting the presentation slides on the website or distributing them with the minutes next month was discussed.
4. Alan Joffe, Executive Director of Kohelet Yeshiva High School discussed Kohelet’s pending Conditional Use Application, No. 3896C for 223 N Highland Avenue and addressed questions raised by the audience.
Kohelet sits on a 6-acre campus. It’s a modern orthodox k-12 school with 320 students. They have 81 parking spaces.
Kohelet want to modify the zoning code to allow for shabat services from 8am -1:30pm every Saturday for up to 90 people; adult basketball twice/week; and hold special events (bar/bat mitzvahs, brises, and weddings) for 150 ppl (which will require security and custodial staff).
Mr Joffe shared that Planning Commissioner Mathews asked for 3 conditions resulting from Kohelet’s appearance before the planning commission:
· Shabat services 8-1:30pm, max 90 people, weekly.
· Max of 5 bar/bat mitzvahs (and no other events) for current students only, to end by 7pm, entirely indoors, 100 people max, no alcohol, no bands/DJ.
· Basketball twice/week, end by 10pm, entirely indoors, adult game, 30 ppl limit.
Mr. Joffe said he would be the person who enforces the conditions.
Local neighbor comments about issues/problems that have occurred since 2016 when Kohelet purchased two residences and incorporated them into their institution – legally at the time. She believes Kohelet is not proactive about problems/issues. All the corrective actions noted by Mr. Joffe – trees, gates, netting, etc -- were taken only after neighbors complained. She doesn’t believe they communicate with the general community. She notes that the things Kohelet is asking for now were already debated and rejected in 2016 when they incorporated the two residential properties into their campus.
Another neighbor whose children attend Kohelet spoke in favor of changes and expressed hope it can work out.
5. The minutes from the March 2022 MCA Board Meeting were approved.
6. Eileen Bruckman, on behalf of Dave Rutzel, presented the March 2022 Treasure’s report since it was difficult for the audience to hear Dave who attended via Zoom. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. Motion passed by the Board.
7. Commissioner’s Report -Todd Sinai
a. St. Charles will be deconsecrating the site before they depart. They have requested to remove all iconography (anything with religious underpinnings), including Latin writing, stained glass windows, arms of crosses, and chiseling out stone religious images. Their request will come before the Board of Commissioners on May 11.
b. 123 Bala development project continues. This development will provide new office space (our office parks are in decline). It should include public gathering space with retail around it. Permits for development were obtained before the zoning code was rewritten. The new development will contain the equivalent of four Cira Centres of new office space and 750 apartments.
c. There is another development on Presidential – across from the 123 Bala development – that will have 425 apartments.
d. He addressed what the BOC is doing proactively. The commissioners are trying to provide direction to Township staff regarding priorities. The various BOC committees are coming up with priorities, which will be presented to the full Board for consideration. Those that are approved will be worked into the next budget.
e. Commissioner Sinai answered questions regarding St. Joe’s proposed underpass.
8. Township and Land Development
a) Federation of Civics- Kevin Murphy and Les Greenberg.
a. Les noted that the lighting ordinance underway in the Township was discussed at the most recent Federation of Civics meeting.
b. Les noted the SALDO code will be voted on by the Board of Commissioners this month.
b) St Joe’s and City Ave-Barbara Sylk
a. Joe Kender will speak at our May meeting.
c) St Charles Seminary-Susan Guthrie – nothing to report
9. LMSD School Board- Melanie Schafmeister.
a. The school directors voted to approve the new Principal for LMHS, replacing Sean Hughes.
b. The school directors voted to hire a new director of diversity and inclusion.
c. The district is seeking an occupancy permit from the Township for Black Rock Middle School.
d. The district is considering all day Kindergarten
10. Fire and Public Safety – no report
11. Streets – no report
12. Station and Grounds - Scott Feuer and Carol Lavoritano
a. Scott noted the station cleanup is two weeks away and will take place on Saturday, May 7, from 9:30 – 11:30am, rain or shine.
Old Business
Cars and Trucks and Things that Go! Kids Public Safety Event. The Event was a success with 75 attendees.
New Business
History of Merion Walk with Kathleen Abplanalp is Sunday, May 1st at 1PM
Merion Train Station Spring Flowerbox Planting is Saturday, May 7th from 9:30AM-12PM
Flag Day Celebration at the Tribute House Tuesday, June 14th 5:30-8:30PM – Eileen and Susan. Eileen outlined the entertainment costs we are committing to and noted they are all covered in the budget. Additionally, we will have a food truck and we have guaranteed a minimum of $750 in sales. We are considering purchasing special event insurance – currently we are evaluating whether it is necessary. We’ll need volunteers for the event which will be rain or shine.
Our next Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, May 24th at 7:30PM. The speaker will be Joe Kender from St. Joes.
The meeting was adjourned around 9:30pm.