Oasis Manor Senior Housing, a proposed age-restricted 49-unit apartment building at 7040-52 Oxford Ave., appeared to have smooth sailing to construction after the 35th Democratic Ward approved the plan at a June meeting of the Lawncrest Community Association.
But there was a stumbling block at the Aug. 12 Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing, when the ZBA postponed a vote to allow the Burholme Civic Association to hear the case. Burholme residents were not happy at the Oct. 8 meeting.
“This facility is in Burholme,” one woman told the applicant and attorney Alan Nochumson.
In fact, Burholme Civic president Aizaz Gill noted that the group used to meet at the site when it was known as Wesley Enhance Living.
The plan is supported by City Councilman Anthony Phillips, who assigned the case to 35th Ward Democrats, and state Rep. Anthony Bellmon.
A variance is needed because the property is zoned for single family housing.
The new 4-story building would complement an existing 57-unit independent living apartment building for people 62 and older that is operated by Oasis Manor. A superintendent lives on site.
The new building would be mostly one-bedroom apartments, with monthly rents of $1,450 to $1,800, and a few studios, with rents of $950 to $1,200, including utilities. There is no entrance fee or subsidies.
All apartments would have a kitchen and extra-wide hallways, and there would be two elevators.
The number of parking spots will remain at 29. Nochumson said only 13 of those spots are used right now.
“The lot, at most, is half filled up at any time,” he said.
The property has offered senior living for decades. It’s the former home of the German Baptist Home for the Aged, North American Baptist Home, Pilgrim Gardens and Wesley Enhanced Living Burholme.
Only two people opposed the plan at the Lawncrest meeting.
However, people in Burholme had various concerns, particularly about parking and traffic.
Nochumson said he does not expect residents to park on the street, since the distance would be more than a football field from the building.
Some older members believe Oasis Manor is suggesting that people 62 and older do not drive.
“I’m 80 years old. I drive every day,” one woman said.
Burholme residents said people in Lawncrest don’t live near the proposed building and should not have a say. They also pointed out that Oasis Manor’s plan that was distributed at the meeting listed the address as in the 19115 ZIP code when it is, in fact, in 19111.
Burholme Civic voted 28-2 against the plan.
The ZBA will have the final say at a Nov., 17 meeting.
In other news from the Oct. 8 meeting:
• Lt. Eric Brooks delivered a crime update from the 2nd Police District.
• Councilman Anthony Phillips, who attended Kennedy Crossan Elementary School in Burholme, said he believes the School District of Philadelphia can provide nutritious and quality breakfast and lunch for students. Phillips said he has tasted the food, and that it is “awful.” He added that some students get teased by others for eating the food.
One woman complained to Phillips about the high number of speed bumps on roads, calling it “outrageous.”
Phillips, who succeeded Cherelle Parker in Council, encouraged people to call his office at 215-686-3454 or visit Bushrod Library during his office hours.
• Rep. Anthony Bellmon said his office has made a short move from 7215 Rising Sun Ave. to 7256 Rising Sun, former home of Goodman Family Chiropractic, which moved to Rockledge. Bellmon is hopeful SEPTA can benefit if and when the legislature regulates and taxes skill games. ••
