IN THIS ISSUE...C o m m u n i t y L a n d C a r e

M e e t t h e C r e w

S K C P C a L e n d a r

M a r k e t s + M e r c a d o s P L a n n i n g a n d Z o n i n g

C o m m u n i t y Z o n i n g R e c a p P l a n 2 0 3 5 U p d a t e g r e e n i n g

Y a r d T r e e s

S t e w a r d S o f S o u t h K e n S i n g t o n

V a c a n t L o t C l e a n - U p

E q u a l D o l l a r s U p d a t e

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S O U T H K E N S I N G T O N C O M M U N I T Y P A R T N E R S

Need a recycling bin? Our office still has plenty available.

Stop in M-F, 9am-5:30pm, to grab one!

HERE’S not much movement in the late-afternoon June air as Thomas Harrison, South Kensington’s

Community LandCare Crew Supervisor, and Cliff Brown, CLC Manager, take a well-deserved break in the shade. They’ve just finished clearing approximately 60 of the 125 vacant parcels on their list, and, though tired, they’re still enthusiastic about the work they’re doing.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:[Thomas Harrison] I think it’s really good that the city is partnering with the community to do this. Some parts of town where nobody is maintaining the lots are a mess! And then you go over to University City, and it’s a different story. Since I’ve been maintaining the lots in South Kensington, I’ve seen a big improvement...

[con’t on page 4]

MEET THE

COMMUNITY LANDCARE CREW SK

{COMING SOON TO A LOT NEAR YOU}

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M A R K Y O U R C A L E N D A R F O R . . .

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C A L E N D A RAll meetings held at SKCP’s

office unless otherwise indicated.

J U LY 24 Community Zoning

Meeting6:30pm

26 Market at the MosqueAl-Aqsa Islamic Society12-3:30pmMore info on page 2

28 La Finquita Farmstand Sundays from10am-2pm

A U G U S T

10 Volunteer Vacant Lot Cleanup

21 Community Zoning Meeting6:30pm

27 Service Briefing: Managing Vacant Land in South Kensington and Beyond(More details to be announced)

S E P T E M B E R

2 Labor Day

14 Benson Park Mercado Flea Market Fundraiser!

18 Community Zoning Meeting6:30pm

M A R K E T S + M E R C A D O S

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BENSON PARK MERCADOWHAT: A Flea Market Fundraiser

WHY: To support Friends of Benson Park & South Kensington Neighborhood Advisory Committee

WHERE: Benson Park, located @ 4th + Lawrence; Harlan + Jefferson Streets

DATE: Saturday, September 14, 2013[RAIN DATE: Sunday, September 15, 2013]

TIME: 12 pm – 4 pm

WHAT TO SELL: Come sell your used goods, artwork, crafts, clothes, provide information/flyers, etc. (If you’re unsure about whether your item is permitted, just ask!)

COST:Early Bird Registration until August 19 $15 w/ a table / $10 w/o a tableSign-Up Deadline September 2 $20 w/ a table/ $15 w/o a table

CONTACT: For more information/vendor form/volunteer, visit: www.southkensingtoncommunity.org, email: bensonparkmercado@gmail.com, call: 215-427-3463 or stop by the SKCP office, 1301 N. 2nd Street.

THE LITTLE FARM STAND OPEN WEEKLY!

438 W. Master St (@ Lawrence)Sundays, 10am-2pm

Stop by La Finquita on Sundays, where the Little Farmstand is brimming with 100% organic produce grown on-site. It’s the freshest, healthiest,cheapest you’ll find for miles - everything is harvested day-of!

CURRENTLY HARVESTING: Tomatoes! Peppers! String Beans! Italian Summer Squash! Garlic! Leaks!

UP NEXT: Corn! Eggplant!

For more information, visit: www.southkensingtoncommunity.org/greening/gardens/lafinquita

HANCOCK SUMMER BASKETBALL LEAGUE Third week of July-End of AugustAges 17 and under

It’s not too late to register your child (both boys and girls welcome) for the annual summer Basketball League, which culminates in the popular All-Star Back to School Tournament! To register your child and get more information, please call Coach Larry or Coach Don at215-685-9886 or hancockhoops2@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY CURRENCY SUPPORTS LOCAL BUSINESS & BLIGHT REDUCTION

On June 15th, South Kensington volunteers teamed up with our Community LandCare crew to mow and clean the vacant lot at 1333 N 5th Street. Nearly twenty bags of trash were removed.

As a thank you, participants earned 25 Equal Dollars which they were able to spend at local businesses two weeks later, on June 30th (see list of participating businesses below).

It’s all part of two ongoing SKCP initiatives: Community LandCare (see front page) and Keepin’ It Local. Through a partnership with Resources for Human Development (RHD), which prints Equal Dollars (=$), volunteer efforts to keep the neighborhood clean and safe translate directly to a robust local economy when volunteers use their Equal Dollars to shop locally.

Clean-ups and shopping days will continue on a regular basis - The next clean-up is scheduled for August 10th. To get involved, contact Dan at danharvesterskcp@gmail.com or 215-427-3463.

…Every Day:

Quince Fine Foods, 209 W Girard Ave

Las Cazuelas,426 W Girard Ave

Al Amana Grocery Store, 1501 Germantown Ave

Wag the Dog,wagthedogpa.com

…on Shop Local Days:

The Fire, 412 W. Girard AveLange's Coffee House,

113 W. Girard Ave Everybody Hits, 529 W Girard Ave Poochie's Place, 341 W Girard Ave

Little Shop of Dresses, 219 W Girard Ave Kiddie Kouture, 217 W Girard Ave Philly Kid Grafix, 513 W Girard Ave

Spot's Spot and Spa, 123 W Girard Ave George's Pizza, 201 W Girard Ave

Buzz Cafe, 1800 N Howard St M London Furniture, 500 W Girard Ave

Trio’s Trattoria, 342 W. Girard Ave Philadelphia Homebrew Outlet,

1447 N American St

NOW ACCEPTING=$...

M E E T T H E C O M M U N I T Y L A N D C A R E C R E W

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Upcoming lot clean-up:Saturday,

August 10th[More details TBA]

Community LandCare Crew Supervisor Thomas Harrison, (Right) with Crew Manager Cliff Brown.

[con’t from front page]

I see the neighbors pitching in and there are less short-dumping incidents once we’ve cleared the lots.[Cliff Brown] It’s great to see the transformation of the neighborhood from what it looked like this time last year to now. We have a really good group of guys on the crew, they’re lots of fun to work with –today there were eight of us out there. We see a huge improvement as a result of our work –and we’re able to make some money doing it.

THE WORK IS NOT WITHOUT ITS HURDLES...

[CB] The dump-sites are really gross –there are some lots where people have just been dumping trash for years, so the initial clean-up is a ton of work. Still, it’s gratifying to see all that junk cleared and disposed of. And a clean parcel goes a long way, because then people think twice about throwing their trash there.

[TH] Once they see that the lot’s been cleaned they think somebody’s watching so they’ll be more hesitant about dumping there.

...BUT TEAMWORK GETS THEM THROUGH.In addition to the technical training Thomas provides his crew thanks to his years and diversity of experience – his skills and interests range from carpentry and landscaping to fishing and flea-market vending – he also serves as a mentor and friend.

[TH] I believe in everyone I work with, that they can do the same thing I do, they just need some guidance. And I show them what to do, and a lot of times once they get it, they got it. For example, today I showed one of the guys how to rewire the weed-whacker because I can’t do it every time the string runs out, and now he can do it while I’m on another site down the block. It’s important to keep the machines running at all times, we can work more efficiently that way.

AND NOW, IN MY OWN WORDS:

In the short time I have had the pleasure of working with Thomas, I have come to know a man who is one of the most hard-working, trust-worthy, patient and kind that I have ever known. Thomas is invested in his work far beyond his paycheck; he hires individuals who will benefit from his expertise and patiently trains them, and he constantly goes out of his way to be generous and kind. Thank you, Thomas, for inspiring me and motivating me to work harder.

HOW DOES HE DO IT?[TH] You just gotta put a little love in what you do. A lot of times you don’t have to worry about all the money, the money’s gonna come, it’s gonna be there.

AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

South Kensington is lucky to have such a dedicated supervisor and crew on their streets. If you see them out there this summer, say hello, and lend a hand!

A list of parcels will be posted on SKCP’s website and copies are available in the office upon request. We will be keeping you updated about opportunities to volunteer with the Crew, so stay posted!

-Natania Schaumburg, Director of Programs

MEET THE CREW IN PERSON! MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Vacant Land Management in SK and Beyond

Tuesday, August 27th, 6:30pm1301 N. 2nd Street

Homestead Exemption Deadline Extended:September 13, 2013If you are a homeowner, be sure to apply for thehomestead exemption for tax year 2014. The exemption reduces the taxable portion of your property value by $30,000. To apply call 215-686-9200 or apply online. Gentrification Protection FAQCity Council’s recently passed AVI legislation includes a “Gentrification Protection” provision.

• Who does it protect? Long-term homeowners.

• What does is actually do? Instead of taxing your property based on your full new AVI assessment, it taxes your property based on an assessment that’s three times your old, pre-AVI assessment. Based on current tax rates, this effectively limits the tax-bill increase to 29% for those who qualify.

• How long does it last? Ten years: tax years 2014-2023.

• How can I tell if I qualify? You qualify if you can answer Yes to these two questions:

(1) Have you owned & lived in your house since July 1, ‘03? (2) Is your annual household income below the following?

How do I sign up? The City will create a form and a process soon. Because it is income-based, you’ll have to re-apply each year.

• Can you give me an example of the tax savings?A house has had a pre-AVI “market value” of $50,000. Under AVI, the assessed market value has gone way up, to $400,000.

- The 2013, pre-AVI tax bill for that house, baseon the $50k assessment: $1,565.- The 2014 AVI tax bill, WITHOUT gentrification

protection:$4,958 - an increase of 217% from 2013.

- The 2014 AVI tax bill WITH Gentrification Protection:$2,010 - an increase of 29% from 2013.

It’s so much less because Gentrification Protection limits the taxable assessment to 3X the old assessment ($50,000 x 3 = $150k), rather than the full new AVI assessment ($400k). Source: Northern Liberties Neighbors Association

P L A N N I N G A N D Z O N I N G

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Community Zoning meeting ReCapapRil - June

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Lower North District Plan Public Input SessionCruz Recreation Center(5th and Master Streets)Tuesday, July 30th, 6:30pm

The Planning Commission’s Philadelphia 2035 planning process will result in land use policies that will be used to inform the zoning remapping of our entire neighborhood.

Give your input on what neighborhood issues and assets matter most to you at the upcoming Public Input Session.

Topics you will be able to weigh in on include:

• Zoning remapping [appropriate residential density, the future of underutilized commercial corridors, the character and scale of future commercial developments]

• Vacant land management• Affordable housing development • Rehabilitation Assistance

Programs• Public Infrastructure

The format for this public engagement session is an open house – you will have an opportunity to voice your thoughts, concerns and opinions through individual conversations rather than a group Q&A.

Spread the word to your neighbors and local businesses, and encourage them to join you in shaping the future of your neighborhood.

R E S O U R C E S F R O M T H E N A C

Wednesday, April 17

1436 CADWALLADER[10-YES, 0-NO] GENERAL VARIANCE REVIEW: New construction of 3-unit residential property on a currently vacant lot

113 MASTER [10-YES, 0-NO]GENERAL VARIANCE REVIEW: New construction of a 3-unit residential property on a currently vacant lot.

1300 - 54 N 2ND [30- YES DEPENDANT ON PROVISOS, 8- NO]HIGH IMPACT PROCESS: New construction of a 311-unit residential rental development with one commercial space on a currently vacant lot.

Wednesday, April 24

1640 HANCOCK [9-YES, 1- NO]USE VARIANCE REVIEW: Application to make currently temporary horse stable use variance permanent.

237-9 W THOMPSON[8-YES, 0-NO] GENERAL VARIANCE REVIEW: New construction of a single family residence on a currently vacant lot.

Wednesday, May 15 1300-04 N AMERICAN [13-YES. 0-NO]GENERAL VARIANCE REVIEW: New construction of a single familiy home and separate condo duplex on three currently vacant lots.

1239 N HOWARD [9- YES DEPENDANT ON PROVISOS, 0- NO] LEGALIZATION OF USE WITHOUT ALTERATIONS VARIANCE REVIEW: Permit for three unrelated people with rotating staff to provide 24 hour care in an existing single family dwelling.

Wednesday, June 19th

1201 GERMANTOWN [NO VOTE]*GENERAL VARIANCE REVIEW: New construction of a mixed-use development in three 6-story buildings, including 247 residential units, 20,750 square feet of commercial and live-work space, and 158 parking spaces in an underground garage.

*Vote will take place at CZM on July 24th.

aCtual Value initiatiVe (aVi) update

Household of 1 person: $83,160Household of 2: $95,040Of 3: $106,9204: $118,8005: $128,3006: $137,810

Free and reduced cost internet access and cell phone service

Keyspot Internet Over 40% of Philadelphians lack internet access. This disadvantage makes it harder to find a job, pursue an education, pay bills and access public benefits. Formed to tackle this problem, the Freedom Rings Partnership is comprised of grassroots organizations, government, and universities bringing internet access, training and technology to communities citywide via the newly launched KEYSPOT initiative. To find a location call 311 or the Freedom Rings Partnership Hotline at 215-851-1990.

Q Link Wireless- Lifeline Program This program allows for low-income households to receive telecommunication services at affordable rates, making sure these households will not be cut off from basic communication services that everyone depends on to live a safe, productive life.You may qualify for Lifeline if you participate in any of the following government programs:

-Food Stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-Medicaid-Supplemental Security Income (SSI)- National School Lunch Program (Free Lunch Program Only)- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)- Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

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The mission of the South Kensington Community Partners (SKCP) is to connect our community to resources and opportunities, the land, and each other. We act as, and encourage others to become, engaged stewards of the neighborhood. We advocate for responsible development that builds upon the physical, social, and economic fabricof the neighborhood.

SKCP’s neighborhood boundaries are West Berks Street to the north, North Front Street to the east, North Sixth Street to the west, and West Girard Avenue to the south.

The South Kensington Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) Service Area encompasses census tracts 127, 128, 129,130, 131, 132, 141, 142, 144, 156, and 157.

Want your ad here?

2,000 newsletter copies printedquarterly and delivered throughout South Kensington - and beyond! And you’ll be supporting SKCP, your favorite community organization! Contact 215-427-3463;info@southkensingtoncommunity.org

Free Trees for the fall!

PPR’s Tree Philly is partnering with PHS and Tree Tenders to offer FREE yard trees for planting this Fall.

Applications available in SKCP office or by contacting greening@southkensingtoncommunity.org or calling 215-370-0099. Applications due to SKTT by August 12th