Tis the Season Mayfair!!

It's time once again for the Mayfair Civic Association's "Mayfair Christmas Decoration Contest"!

Working in conjunction with the Mayfair Business Association, the Mayfair Civic Association will be giving away prizes and the coveted "2019 Mayfair Christmas Decoration Contest Winner" lawn signs (beautifully created by Aztec Signs) to the Best Decorated Homes and Businesses in Mayfair!

Prizes will be awarded in the following Three (3) Categories:

• Category 1 : Top 3 Best Decorated Corners, Singles or Twin Homes in Mayfair

• Category 2 : Top 3 Best Decorated Rowhomes in Mayfair

• Category 3 : Top 3 Best Decorated Businesses in Mayfair

How it works:

Starting on Thanksgiving Day, you can nominate your home or business, or a neighbor's home or business that you feel best captures the Spirit of Christmas. Feel free to nominate as many as you wish - The more the merrier!

Nominations can be submitted via Facebook on the Mayfair Civic Association Facebook page, or you can email the nomination to MayfairCivicAssociation@yahoo.com

Nominations will be added to our "2019 Mayfair Christmas Decoration Contest Google Map" so that you can grab the kids, some hot chocolate, and take a tour of Mayfair to see the beautiful entries for themselves. The Map will be posted shortly after the entries begin to come in, and it will updated daily on Facebook as well as the MayfairCivicAssociation.com website.

As a courtesy to our surrounding neighbors who live outside of the Mayfair Civic Association borders and are ineligible to win the contest, we will be more than happy to include your home on the Contest Map so that visitors to Mayfair can stop by and enjoy your decorations as well.

In keeping with the Twelve Days of Christmas theme, each entry will be scored by our Judges on a 1-12 scale with a 1 being the equivalent of a window cling, and a 12 being the equivalent of a Clark Griswold full blown Christmas extravaganza!

Dress up the outside of your home with all things Christmas, and from December 18th - 22nd, our Judges will be cruising around looking for the Best Decorated homes and businesses in Mayfair!

On Monday December 23rd, our Contest winners will be announced, and prizes generously donated by our Mayfair Business Association Members will be delivered that evening to the 6 homes and 3 businesses in Mayfair that best capture the Spirit of Christmas!

The Rules

1. All entries must reside within the Mayfair Civic Association boundaries (found on MayfairCivicAssociation.com)

2. All addresses and displays must be CLEARLY VISIBLE from the street! If your address isn't easily visible from the street, your home may be overlooked by our judges.

3. All nominations must include an address number and street name. Also, please indicate if your nomination is a Single, Twin, Corner, Row, or Business

4. Since the Judges have several homes to score, all entries MUST remain lit until 11pm.

5. The DEADLINE to submit a nomination for the contest is at 12am (midnight) on Tuesday December 17th

PROPS

This contest is a team effort, and without the hard work of the Mayfair Civic Association, the Mayfair Business Association, and our neighbors in Mayfair who go all out during the Christmas Season, it would not be possible - PROPS to you all! Together we can ensure that Mayfair continues to be a great place to visit, and an awesome place to live!

To join the Mayfair Civic Association, please visit http://www.mayfaircivicassociation.com/p/membership.html

To join the Mayfair Business Association, please visit http://mayfairbiz.blogspot.com/

Good Luck!

Donny Smith
Mayfair Civic Association
President
"Mayfair - A Great Place to Visit - An Awesome Place to Live!"

Philadelphia Water Department Presentation Update

For those of you who were unable to attend the Mayfair Civic Association (MCA) meeting on Monday night, we had a detailed presentation from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) explaining the construction projects currently happening along Crispin St., and to give us updates as to what is coming to Mayfair with respect to water management.

If you recall, about a year ago the PWD came before the MCA to introduce us to their "Green City, Clean Waters" project, and at the time it was presumed that the project was merely going to entail bumpouts and tree trenches along Rowland Avenue, however the project has expanded.

The bottom photo shows the entire project that the PWD has planned for our area, and the top photo is the focus primarily on Mayfair. There is a public meeting scheduled to take place on December 11th from 6PM to 8PM at the Philadelphia Ghana Church, 7501 Frankford Ave, regarding the Oakmont Street project.

The Mayfair Civic Association has obtained a copy of the PWD presentation that was shared during our meeting, and if anyone would like a copy, please email us at MayfairCivicAssociation@yahoo.com

After our meeting, I was asked several followup questions by community members to which I followed up with the PWD. Below are the Q and A's.  If anyone has additional questions, please feel free to email us, or follow up with the PWD directly at 215.683.3506

Q: Is some sort of median definitely coming to Oakmont street, or is that still up for discussion?  Will this include all three blocks (3300-3500)?

A: The Oakmont St. project will be discussed at the meeting on 12/11 and as presented, there are alternatives for this project to either do a subsurface trench in the street (returning the street to its current condition) or a green median, with or without trees. This project would include all three blocks (3300-3500 Oakmont). We’ll be collecting feedback from residents on the three blocks to see what they prefer. I’ve attached the meeting flyer for your reference and I hope you can attend the meeting.

Q:  Is the Water Department going to maintain all of the trees in the tree trenches and other locations?

A: PWD will maintain trees in the tree trenches, as well as all of our green infrastructure. Once a project is built we offer a Soak it Up Adoption grant to support community groups and help with routine things like trash pickup and light weeding.

Q: Is the Water Department going to accept all responsibility for any damage that may be done as a result of placing trees in trenches and elsewhere (buckling sidewalks / damage to homes / damage to vehicles / damage to pipes / etc)?

A: If there is an impact on a property resulting from PWD’s work, the Water Department will accept responsibility. Furthermore, residents have the ability to file a claim with the City. If needed, the process is as simple as contacting the PWD call center at 215-685-6300 and conducting the claim investigation process with the representative over the phone. Hopefully, this won’t be necessary, but I want to make sure you have the information, if needed.

Q:  Can a homeowner "opt out" of having a tree trench or tree placed in front of their homes?

A: The other projects on the map outside of the Rowland Ave. and Crispin St. projects are still in design so we can evaluate those locations if a resident is concerned about a project (like a tree trench) in front of their property. PWD is required to build green infrastructure projects across the city, but most of the other projects in the Mayfair Civic boundaries are tree trenches, so if a residents is opposed to a tree I’m happy to discuss the matter further with them and work with our engineers to see if we can change the design accordingly.

Q:  Can the bumpouts currently planned for Crispin be moved to Rowland?

A: The projects on Rowland Ave. and Crispin St. are already in construction so there can’t be any changes made to this time.  We evaluated Rowland Ave. and the current projects are where we could manage stormwater, the other blocks it was not feasible. The Rowland Ave. and Crispin St. projects will continue construction as scheduled, but if there are any issues with construction don’t hesitate to contact me or the PWD inspector on site to address concerns.

Donny Smith
Mayfair Civic Association
President
"Mayfair -  An Awesome Place to Live!"

Reminder - THIS WEEKEND!!!

The 43rd Annual Mayfair / Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade is THIS Sunday starting at 12:00 noon, and will run from Rhawn street to Knorr, with a performance area at Knorr.

There are PLENTY of excellent places to watch the Parade, and we would like to ask everyone to PLEASE remain along the curb lines at all times, and to PLEASE stay out of the street. 

Just as a heads up, Silly String is prohibited at the Parade as it stains uniforms, ruins paint, and is difficult to remove from the street.

We'd also like to remind everyone to bring your letters to Santa, and to be as generous as possible when you see the collection jugs. The Parade is funded through your donations and through our generous sponsors - Please show them your support!

For more information and last minute updates, please visit ThanksgivingParade.org, and "LIKE" Mayfair Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade on Facebook for the most recent updates and photos.

https://www.facebook.com/MHPARADE/

Please share this with your family and friends!

We Thank You in advance for your cooperation, and we'll see you on Sunday.

Have FUN!

Donny Smith
Mayfair Civic Association
President
"Mayfair -  An Awesome Place to Live!"

Mayfair Civic Association Meeting
Monday November 18th, 2019 • 7pm • Mayfair Community Center

As a sign of respect to your neighbors, we kindly ask you to please refrain from conversing among yourselves during our meeting. If you feel as though you need to hold a private conversation, please step into the lobby area before doing so.

Thank you!

Agenda

• Pledge of Allegiance - (Please silence all cell phones)
• Officers Present

President: Donny Smith 

Vice President: Kevin Leonard

Secretary / Zoning Chair: Michael Serverson 

Treasurer / Membership Chair: Christina Loughrin

Sgt. at Arms: Joe Valecce 

Mayfair Business Assoc.: Lisa Greco

Mayfair Memorial Playground Co. Chairs:  Dana Lambie, Mia Hylan, & 

Melinda Mulvenna

Announcements and Updates

• Treasurers Report: Christina Loughrin 

• American Flag Project: Please donate here, or visit our website to make a donation via Paypal to keep these flags flying in 2019. Thank you!

• Membership: 

•  $10 per year  • $40 for 5 years  • $100 Lifetime 

Applications available at the rear or online at MayfairCivicAssociation.com 

(Must reside within Civic boundaries)

Please renew now for 2019!

Mayfair Tee Shirts : Available at Bellalisa Hair Studio at 3530 Cottman Ave, 19149

• Small to 2XL tees are $12 each or 2 for $20 

They make GREAT Christmas gifts!!

• Mayfair Christmas Village & Tree Lighting : Cottman & Frankford on Sunday December 8th from 2pm to 6pm

Vendors, live music, Toys for Tots drop off center (new and unwrapped toys), SANTA, and more!

Our Parade Grand Marshal Michael LeCompt will light the tree at dusk!

• Mayfair Christmas Decoration Contest : Nominate homes and businesses that you think best capture the Spirit of Christmas on our Mayfair Civic Association Facebook page, or via email. Details and updates on our Mayfair Civic Association Facebook page.

Prizes donated by our Mayfair Business Association Members will be awarded to the three best-decorated row-homes, the three best-decorated singles/corners and twins, and the three best decorated businesses in Mayfair on Wednesday December 18th.

This contest has been duplicated by other neighborhoods, and has been featured by more than one news station. 

The competition is FIERCE for this one - Good luck!

• Mayfair Business Improvement District & MCDC Updates: Marc Collazzo 

“LIKE” Mayfair Business Improvement District and Mayfair Community Development Corporation on Facebook for daily updates.

Presentations

1. Philadelphia Water Department (PWD): Hailey Stern - To discuss Green City / Clean Waters projects planned for Mayfair including the projects currently taking place on Rowland avenue and Crispin street.

Zoning in Mayfair

Applicants were instructed to provide the Mayfair Civic Association with a Certificate of Mailing via U.S. Mail to residents and businesses within 250 feet of the property, and properties located on the same block as the project (as per Philadelphia Planning Commission) prior to our meeting.

Applicants were also asked to bring the same exact presentation to our meeting as what will be presented during the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing including photographs, descriptions, and drawings.

Applicants will be called in the order that they were received.

1. 3200 Fanshawe St. • Commercial

Applicant : Edward Quinoz Luna (tenant)

Application # : 997549

Appeal # : 38367

ZBA Hearing Date : 12/4/19 • Time 4:30pm • Zoning Board of Adjustment 1515 Arch st, 18th floor Room 18-002

Application for: MULTI-SERVICE BUSINESS CENTER (BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE) (NO ACTIVITIES AS DEFINED IN 14-603 (13) OF PHILADELPHIA ZONING CODE) ON 1ST FLOOR WITH EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING ON 2ND FLOOR IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE.

2. 6501-95 Roosevelt Blvd (ATM) • Commercial

Applicant : Thomas Chapman Esq.

Application # : 1010287

Appeal # : 38711

ZBA Hearing Date : 12/4/19 • Time 2:00pm • Zoning Board of Adjustment 1515 Arch st, 18th floor Room 18-002

Application for: PERMIT FOR REMOVAL OF THREE OFF STREET PARKING SPACES FOR ERECTION OF A DETACHED STRUCTURE FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES ATM MACHINE IN AN EXISTING SHOPPING CENTER. SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN IN THE APPLICATION. (NO CHANGES TO ALL OTHER STRUCTURES ON THE LOT). USES: ATM MACHINE ACCESSORY TO FINANCIAL SERVICES IN AN EXISTING SHOPPING CENTER WITH TOTAL TWO HUNDRED-EIGHT (208) EXISTING ACCESSORY OFF STREET PARKING SPACES INCLUDING NINE (9) ADA / VAN ACCESSIBLE ( AFTER REDUCTION OF THREE (3) PARKING SPACES) AND ALL USES AND SIGNAGE AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.

3. 6501-95 Roosevelt Blvd (Batteries To Go) • Commercial

Applicant : Dorann Matthews

Application # : 1010453

Appeal # : 

ZBA Hearing Date : 12/15/19 • Time 2:00pm • Zoning Board of Adjustment 1515 Arch st, 18th floor Room 18-002

Application for: THE ERECTION OF ONE (1) ACCESSORY FLAT WALL SIGN INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED STATIC ON AN EXISTING STRUCTURE (SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON THE PLAN), SIGN ACCESSORY TO A RETAIL STORE FOR BULBS AND BATTERIES FOR AUTOMOBILES, ELECTRONIC AND TOOLS (VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES SALES AND RENTAL) AND REPAIR OF PERSONAL ELECTRONICS AND COMPUTERS (MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF CONSUMER GOODS) IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE AS PART OF A SHOPPING CENTER WITH OTHER EXISTING USES AS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED

Voting

Current Members of the Mayfair Civic Association have the following three (3) voting options 

1.     Opposed - The Mayfair Civic Association will send a letter to the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment recommending that the applicant be DENIED from getting zoning approval

2.     Not Opposed with Provisos – The Mayfair Civic Association will send a letter to the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment recommending that the applicant be GRANTED zoning approval WITH PROVISOS (detailed below)

3.     Not Opposed – The Mayfair Civic Association will send a letter to the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment recommending that the applicant be GRANTED zoning approval WITHOUT PROVISOS (detailed below)

Provisos

Residential Provisos  

1.  The outside of your establishment must be kept clean, maintained, graffiti free, and swept at all times

2.     Snow removal to be done within 6 hours of the storm

3.     Contact information (Name - Phone Number - Email) to be provided to the Mayfair Civic Association for the owner, as well as property manager

Business / Commercial Provisos

1.       The outside of your establishment must be kept clean, maintained, graffiti free, and swept at all times

2.       Signage to be kept to a minimum  

• No nailing of banners to the walls
• No excessive signage in the windows (all windows should be easily seen through at all times) 
• Grand Opening signs, flags, garland, streamers etc to be removed within 30 days of store opening

3.       Add and maintain an outdoor trashcan

4.       Participation in the Safe Cam Program

5.       Snow removal to be done within 6 hours of the storm, and during business hours

6.       Contact information (Name - Phone Number - Email) to be provided to the Mayfair Civic Association for the tenant, as well as the property owner / landlord, and property manager

7.       Notify the MCA and Mayfair Business Association that you are seeking new hires and hire within the community if possible

Open Discussion

• Wrap Up : If anyone would like to get more involved with the Civic, we could use volunteers! Please introduce yourself after the meeting or via email (MayfairCivicAssociation@yahoo.com)

• Facebook : "LIKE" Mayfair Civic Association on Facebook to stay current on all things happening in Mayfair!
• Pennypack Music Festival: “LIKE” Pennypack Music Festival on Facebook for updates. If you would like to become a 2019 PPMF Sponsor, please email info@Pennypack.org. Thank you!

• Friends of Pennypack Park Update: Nance Kerns – “LIKE” Friends of Pennypack Park on Facebook for updates. 

• Mayfair Memorial Playground Update: “LIKE” Mayfair Memorial Playground on Facebook for updates. 

• PDAC: “LIKE” 15th_PDAC on Facebook for updates. 

• Next Meeting : Our next regularly Civic Meeting will be held on Monday January 27th 2020 at 7pm. Check Civic Facebook page and or Civic Website for notices of possible Special Zoning Meetings before then. 

Please fold your chairs and place them along the wall before you leave 

Thank You!