Melani,
I said "Every affected party should be heard whether their objections
are religion-based or not." Are you saying they *don't* deserve to be
heard?
There are many churches in Philadelphia who create parking problems
during services. Have you ever tried to find a parking spot in
Rittenhouse on a Sunday?
I'm the last person to defend a church but they *are* a neighbor.
Frank
On Mar 19, 2007, at 08:56 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Frank, your point does sound simple and fair at first glance, but
things are rarely this simple. I've not heard of anyone objecting
to the mosque being heard - but how is a decision made afterwards?
First, as Vincent's earlier question pointed out, when the mosque
moved in, they didn't have to go through this process - so, no
"affected parties" had the opportunity to be heard.
Second, the mosque has turned out to be a somewhat challenging
neighbor, based on parking issues. On Fridays when their members
come from "far and near," as their spokesman says, there are cars
everywhere and people crossing the street everywhere. Here is a
quote from a letter written about this situation:
<<There is a large safety hazard on Fridays after services at the
mosque that needs to be addressed separately. Walnut St. is
particularly congested at that time of day and that location is
made very unsafe by many double parked cars and worse, many
members who cross the street not at the light but near the end of
the block. Several times members have stood in the road blocking
traffic so members may cross at that location. >>
Mosque attendees have regularly parked in the Rite Aid's lot
without permission. When the landlords attempted to prevent this,
they were shouted at and called names, which included disparaging
comments about another religious group (of which they did not
happen to be members, but which they did not take as an insult
though the shouters had meant it that way).
The parking problems and "bad blood" over them seem to make the
situation a little more complex.
Further, there is that mosque spokesman's quote about members
coming from "far and near." This echoes back to last summer's
controversy at 50th & Baltimore, when non-local church members
there wanted to stop the opening of a brew pub, despite the fact
that the neighbors who resided in close proximity to the location
wanted it there. The question then, which seems to be repeated
now, was, how can a decision be made, given these two opposing
ideologies? Should the ZBA decision favor the folks who come only
to worship, or the folks who live in the location every day and
would patronize the business? At 50th & Baltimore, the ZBA
eventually allowed the brew pub.
So, the question of residents vs. "far and near" worshipers also
makes the situation more complex.
-Melani Lamond
--------------------------------
On Mar 18, 2007, at 09:04 PM, SKnight wrote:
Would someone please explain to me why the new State Store
location is a problem if there is already a beer distributor right
across the street from this mosque? Is the mosque worried about
having more than one retail outlet for alcohol so closeby? What
is the reasoning against locating the store in that lot if there
is a beer distributor already there?
Sande Knight
----------------------------
In a message dated 3/18/07 9:53:06 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Was the beer distributor already there when the mosque moved in?
Frank
---------------------------
On Mar 18, 2007, at 09:56 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
In a message dated 3/18/07 9:53:06 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
Was the beer distributor already there when the mosque moved in?
Frank
YES, the beer distributor, UC Beverages, was already there, and so
was a bar - then, Walsh's Tavern; now, Pasqually's Pizza & Beer.
Also, the Restaurant School with its bar & liquor license was
already across the street, just up from the Rite Aid. This is a
commercial corridor, not a religious corridor.
- Melani Lamond
-------------------------------------
In a message dated 3/18/07 11:44:54 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
My point is that they had no control over what was already there
but they *can* state their position at future zoning board
hearings. If you had included the message I was responding to, I
think that would be clear.
As I said before, I don't care if the liquor store stays where it
is, moves, or closes completely. What I do have an opinion about
is this: Every affected party should be heard whether their
objections are religion-based or not.
Frank
--------------------------
Melani Lamond, Associate Broker
Urban & Bye, Realtor
3529 Lancaster Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
cell phone 215-356-7266
office phone 215-222-4800, ext. 113
office fax 215-222-1101
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