Devon Update - Continuance Granted

We prepared, along with the attorney for the Kingdom Life Christian Center,  the following proviso letter to the ZBA but asked for a continuance, which was granted, because still had not receive the parking agreements in writing as was agreed upon by the parties at our meeting.  There was also other requests by the Church to exchange Board seats with the civic Association which was denied as it goes against our Democratic process and was not discussed at our meeting.  We are currently waiting on a new date.

June 22, 2015

Via Regular Mail and Email

Julia Chapman, Chairwoman and Members

Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment

1515 Arch Street, 18^th Floor

Philadelphia PA 19102

Re:      6325 Frankford Avenue, Calendar Number 24607; Hearing Date June 23, 2015 9:30am.

Dear Chairwoman Chapman and Members of the Board:

            Please allow this letter to form a proviso agreement for the above referenced Zoning Board matter.  The applicant, Kingdom Life Christian Center (hereinafter referred to as “Applicant”), and the coordinating RCO, the Mayfair Civic Association (hereinafter referred to as “MCA”), have agreed to the following terms as laid out below.  If at all possible, we ask that the Zoning Board incorporate the below provisos into its decision in the above case.  However, the parties intend to be legally bound to these provisions, and agree that these agreements are enforceable in a court of law. 

            The provisos are listed below.

1.                          Parking: The Applicant has oral commitments with the Rite Aid Parking Lot (at least 14 spaces) and the STS Lot (at least 30 spaces) and is in the process of working on a written agreement with the Ethan Allen School.  Within 30 days of the date of this letter, Applicant will attempt to obtain written verification of these agreements and provide them to MCA. We asked for them in advance.

2.                          After School Program:  Applicant agrees that the After School Program will run from 3pm-6pm September through June, and the Summer Camp will run from July 4th through August 20^th.  The number of participants will be capped at 21 individuals.  However, the Applicant may seek additional campers with written consent of MCA, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. 

3.                          Food Bank:  The Food Bank will convert to a Food Delivery Service, where the Applicant will deliver food to no more than 30 families.  Volunteers for the delivery will be provided through Councilman Bobby Henon’s office.  The Applicant may seek in increase this number after one year upon written consent of MCA, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

4.                          Applicant agrees to allow free community usage of the building for community meeting purposes at least 4 times for at least one year, on a reasonable basis.  For rental, the building is also available, schedule permitting, and subject to appropriate terms and conditions.  After one year, the Applicant will allow free community usage for meeting purposes on a reasonable basis as schedule permits.

5.                          Applicant agrees not to rent to the following uses within the Devon storefronts during their ownership/involvement with the Devon Theater.  The following businesses are prohibited:

                                  (.a)  Barbers, Hair and Nail Salons;

(.b)  Car Wash;

(.c)  Consignment or Thrift Shops;

(.d)  Distributor of Malt or Brewed Beverages;

(.e)  Fortune Telling Service;

          (.f)  Group day care and daycare centers

(g.)  Laundromat, hand laundry, self-service dry cleaning, or dry cleaning pick-up agency;

(.h)  Personal Credit Establishments;

(.i)  Private Clubs;

(.j)  Retail Sales of Beauty Products and/or Wigs;

(.k)  Retail Sales of Telecommunications Equipment as a main use;

(.l)  Retail Sales or rental of Used Appliances or Furniture;

           (.m)  Retail Sales of Variety/General Store Merchandise, when located in a space with less than 7,500 sq.ft;

(.n)  Tobacco or Pipe Sales as a main use; and,

(.o)  Vehicle and Vehicular Equipment Sales and Services.

6.                          The Devon facade will remain intact and unchanged.  Any changes must receive written approval from the MCA.

7.                          Businesses renting the storefronts will be informed of their duty to pay into the local Business Improvement District (BID) at a prorated amount, and Applicant will not rent to any business that refuse to pay into the BID.

  

8.                          It is the intent of the parties, and the parties agree, that the Special Exception for the Church will sunset upon the Applicant leaving the Devon Theater, including if the Applicant defaults on their mortgage or sells the property.

9.                      The Applicant will plan a time where the community can visit the theater within 90 days of the granting of Zoning Relief by the Zoning Board.

These provisions are not enforceable and void if the Zoning Board fails to grant the requested zoning relief.

            These provisions may be modified only by written agreement.  These agreement may be executed in counterparts.

If any party is compelled to enforce this agreement in any court, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees.  The parties intend to be legally bound, and their seal and signature is written below.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Richard C. DeMarco

RCDM

Agreed to by:

_____________________________              _____________________________

Danette Bolden Ray, on behalf                                                                      , President

Of the Kingdom Life Christian Center          Mayfair Civic Association