The Fox Chase Town Watch and Civic Association on Wednesday welcomed representatives of the city Office of Multimodal Planning and the City Planning Commission.
The officials discussed the Fox Chase-Burholme Active Transportation Plan. The goals of the plan are to make safer, more convenient connections between neighborhoods, schools, parks and transit and to identify safety and infrastructure improvements.
Possible priorities for future investment include a new crossing to Fox Chase Train Station, along with safety improvements to portions of Oxford Avenue, Cottman Avenue, Verree Road and Rhawn Street and creation of bicycle lanes, a shared-use path and a bikeway.
Residents filled out surveys to help guide future decision making.
State Rep. Sean Dougherty approved of the work being considered.
For more information, call 215-MU6-5552 or visit bit.ly/fox-chase-burholme
In other news from the Oct. 14 meeting:
• The group observed a moment of silence in memory of Police Officer Shane Seiber, who lived on Hartel Avenue in Fox Chase before moving to Bensalem.
• Lt. Justin Morris, of the 2nd Police District, mentioned a recent shooting in which two gunmen fired on a rental property at 313 Chandler St. The suspects are described as two black males wearing all black clothing and ski masks.
Morris also asked people who see illegal skill games to call 311, whether or not they are plugged in.
Morris talked about the incident at the SEPTA loop on Oxford Avenue, where a double murderer from Mount Airy remained on the bus. A 2nd district officer entered the bus, but exited when the man pointed a gun at him. The officer waited for SWAT and negotiators to arrive on the scene. After a lengthy barricade, the man shot himself and died later at Abington Hospital.
• Community relations officer Al Fiorentino provided a crime update for the 7th Police District. Fiorentino said the district will hand out candy on Halloween, starting at 5:30 p.m.
• Town Watch president Steve Phillips attended a news conference held by City Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson, who introduced legislation to establish a specific definition for tobacco retailing and codify setback requirements from locations like schools and daycares. Under the current Zoning Code, businesses that sell tobacco products are treated as any other retail business. The bill would require a 750-foot setback between a tobacco retailer and uses such as schools, playgrounds and childcare centers.
Phillips offered this statement: “Even though we’re fortunate to have a small commercial footprint, we are unfortunate to have all these shops come up here. I’ve seen firsthand how devastating it can be to our children and how close they are to our recreation centers and our schools. With all the legislation that’s being proposed and some that’s been passed, I really want to tip my hat to Councilmember Gilmore Richardson and her staff.”
• The Philadelphia Parking Authority’s Neighborhood Enforcement Unit accepts information on nuisance vehicles or illegally parked trucks or tractor trailers. Call 215-683-9620 or visit PhilaPark.org/Enforcement/
• Fox Chase Town Watch and Civic Association will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Loudenslager Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. ••
