The Greater Bustleton Civic League last week heard a proposal to legalize an existing, oversized shed in the back yard of a house at 123 Alburger Ave.
The owner said he was young when his parents bought the house in 2000, and the shed was already on site.
Zoning allows the shed to be no more than 130 square feet. The shed that the family inherited is 387 square feet.
The owner applied to build a home addition, and that’s when the city noticed the size of the shed.
GBCL members approved legalization of the shed, 38-0.
A Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting will take place on June 18.
In other news from the April 22 meeting:
• Capt. Steven O’Brien, commander of the 7th Police District, said there were two residential burglaries in the district in the last month, on the 9800 block of Verree Road and the 500 block of Byberry Road. O’Brien said, of the 16 thefts from autos, eight of them occurred in vehicles that were unlocked.
Community relations office Al Fiorentino said faraday bags are available at the district, 1701 Bowler St. Faraday bags are made with materials that, among other things, help prevent car thefts by blocking the signal from your key fob so that thieves can’t pick it up. Car owners place their keys in the bags at home so thieves cannot take advantage of the push-button start option to steal the vehicle.
• State Sen. Joe Picozzi, who turned 30 on the night of the meeting, addressed the crowd. He was joined by his district director, Sean Roche.
Picozzi said he is working with Sen. Frank Farry on mandatory minimum jail sentences for people who commit quality-of-life crimes. He is also seeking remedies to homeless encampments near Franklin Mall and in Pennypack Park.
Since taking office in January, Picozzi has brought Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman to Philadelphia to meet with Mayor Cherelle Parker.
In response to a question, Picozzi said he is disappointed no Republican filed to run for district attorney. DA Larry Krasner is being challenged by Pat Dugan in the Democratic primary. Picozzi said he believes the local GOP will write in Dugan’s name for the Republican primary. If Dugan receives 1,000 write-ins and agrees to the nomination, his name will appear on the Republican ballot in the general election, whether or not he wins the Democratic primary.
“We really need a change in that office,” Picozzi said.
Picozzi is the first Republican to represent the 5th Senatorial District since Hank Salvatore, who left office in 2000. His office is at 12361 Academy Road in Parkwood.
• Viktor Kagan, chief of staff for state Rep. Sean Dougherty, said Dougherty will hold a senior expo on May 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at CORA Services, 8540 Verree Road. There will be community resources and dozens of vendors. Call 215-331-2600.
• Alice Udovich, chief of staff/zoning specialist for City Councilman Brian O’Neill, said O’Neill will hold three events on upcoming Saturdays at his offices, all from 9-11 a.m. There will be an e-cycling event on May 3 at Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street. A recycling bucket giveaway will take place on May 17 at 432 Rhawn St. A free shredding event, sponsored by Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, is set for June 7 at 11630 Caroline Road.
• Other lawmakers’ offices represented at the meeting were Register of Wills John Sabatina, District Attorney Larry Krasner and City Councilman Isaiah Thomas. Also in attendance were Charlie Kueny, president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and Tom Campion, manager of the city Neighborhood Community Action Center for the 10th Councilmanic District. ••
