The Fox Chase Civic Association and Town Watch last week considered a zoning proposal at 7488 Oxford Ave.
Attorney Henry Clinton represented the property owners, who want to legalize a rancher operating as a duplex.
Residents voted against the plan, 18-2.
A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is set for Oct. 28.
In other news from the Sept. 9 meeting:
• Providing crime updates were Lt. Justin Morris, of the 2nd Police District, and community relations officers Mark Mroz and Al Fiorentino, of the 2nd and 7th police districts.
• Steve Phillips, president of the Town Watch, said the 7-Eleven at 8101 Oxford Ave. was robbed at gunpoint on Aug. 10, The gunmen wanted the money from the skill games.
Phillips is also concerned about fast-moving e-bikes.
Phillips thanked Mroz for securing 23 bicycles for a raffle at National Night Out.
Phillips also thanked City Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Crystal Jacobs Shipman, commissioner of the city Department of Sanitation, for securing a trash can at Rhawn Street and Verree Road.
• State Sen. Joe Picozzi told the group that his Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act to help law enforcement agencies solve more homicides and violent crimes was included in the 2026-27 state budget. The legislation also creates a grant program through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency that will provide local law enforcement agencies with resources to hire and retain detectives and investigators, modernize investigative technology and strengthen violent crime investigations.
Picozzi also said his bill to strengthen protections for motorists and crack down on predatory towing has become law. The legislation strengthens enforcement of Pennsylvania’s towing law by creating criminal penalties for those who knowingly violate consumer protection requirements.
Picozzi has introduced legislation to establish stronger penalties for individuals who interfere with or attack public transit operators.
The lawmaker will soon open a second office on the 8400 block of Bustleton Ave.
• Members signed a petition in favor of a four-way stop sign at Pine and Susquehanna roads. City Councilman Brian O’Neill supports the proposal.
• Councilman Brian O’Neill will hold three events at his district offices on upcoming Saturdays, all from 9-11 a.m. A recycle bucket giveaway will take place on Sept. 19 at FOP Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road. A shredding event, sponsored by American Heritage Credit Union, is scheduled for Oct. 17 at 432 Rhawn St. An e-cycle event is set for Oct. 24 at 1701 Bowler St. (at Bustleton Avenue).
• State Reps. Sean Dougherty, Anthony Bellmon and Jared Solomon will sponsor a shredding and e-cycling event on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at Roosevelt Mall, 2329 Cottman Ave.
• Rep. Sean Dougherty and Councilman Jim Harrity will sponsor Future Pathways, a jobs and college fair, on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roosevelt Mall. Meet with employers, universities and organizations from a variety of fields. Snacks will be provided. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, email RepDougherty@pahouse.net or call 215-331-2600 or 215-686-8295.
• Civic association president Kate Friend said the Medical Mission Sisters property at 8400 Pine Road could be developed into 90 to 100 large single-family homes, ranging from 2,600 to 3,500 square feet.
• The group praised Jimmy’s Landscaping, 7801 Oxford Ave., for installing new sidewalks and agreeing to remove tree stumps in Lions Park. Also earning props was Quig’s Pizza for supplying pizza on National Night Out and for firefighters at Engine 56, at Rhawn and Verree, on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
• Twin homes will be built on the site of the former Otto Schmidt Florist shop, 700 Solly Ave.
• The Philadelphia Parking Authority Neighborhood Enforcement Unit accepts information on nuisance vehicles or illegally parked trucks or tractor trailers. Call 215-683-9620.
• Fox Chase Civic Association and Town Watch will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Loudenslager Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. ••
