Opposition from Council President Anna Verna, Councilman Frank DiCicco, state Sen. Vince Fumo and a couple hundred residents was not enough to stop the zoning board from approving another drugstore on South Broad Street.
A Radnor-based developer, RealMarq Corp., has the city’s permission to build a 10,000-square-foot Eckerd at Broad and Wolf streets — a space now occupied by Leonetti Funeral Home.
The ruling came last month. Verna has asked the board for another hearing, and is awaiting a decision, said her spokesperson, Bob Previdi.
Verna has argued that another national chain store threatens the survival of the corner mom-and-pop shops.
"In the interest of taking care of everybody in South Philly, we think it is more prudent not to be changing the zoning to encourage another Eckerd drugstore," said Previdi.
DiCicco is concerned about spreading the problems associated with two similar stores on the street. The area around the Rite Aid and Walgreen’s two blocks away near Broad and Snyder has become notorious for prostitution and drug activity.
"We believe the zoning board erred in their judgment," DiCicco said. "Maybe it is because … they didn’t get a full understanding of why we didn’t think Eckerd Drug would be an appropriate use at that site."
Both the councilman and Verna sent letters to the zoning board explaining their positions prior to the decision. If the zoning board denies the request for a rehearing, DiCicco said he will appeal to Common Pleas Court.
"We will fight this for as long as it takes to make sure this never happens at Broad and Wolf," he said.
Kenney meets with US Airways
Councilman-at-Large James Kenney’s bill that would limit the number of gates at Philadelphia International Airport available to US Airways has garnered some attention from the airline’s brass.
Earlier this month US Airways president and CEO David Siegel met with Mayor John Street to discuss the issue, and last Wednesday’s scheduled hearing on the bill was postponed so Kenney could meet with other representatives from the airline.
The councilman welcomed the talks. He said he would rather the two sides agree upon an "amicable resolution than force a legislative one."
"We did discuss a few things that I can’t make public right now," Kenney said. "There is definitely a spirit of cooperation and we are trying to work together."
Kenney introduced a bill in June, partly in response to a U.S. Department of Transportation study released in April that reported travelers departing from Philadelphia International pay 23-percent-higher fares than the national average.
The legislation called for City Council to hold hearings to consider limiting the number of gates available to US Airways — or any other single airline — in hopes of attracting new carriers and increasing competition. Since 1986, Philadelphia has been a hub for US Airways flights. The airline currently leases 60 percent of the gates and its planes account for 74 percent of the airport’s daily departures.
Kenney stressed that US Airways is a vital business to the city and wants the carrier to keep Philadelphia as one of its hubs, but he also believes its dominance in the market prevents other airlines from accessing Philadelphia.
"I want to make sure we get the best value and use of our economic resources at the airport," Kenney said.
Hearings have been rescheduled for the end of the month, but the councilman said they could be delayed to allow time for further negotiations.
Tax board on Council hit list
Another piece of legislation was added to the mountainous pile of property-tax reforms being considered by City Council.
Third District Councilman Michael Nutter introduced a bill a week ago that could eliminate the Board of Revision of Taxes as we know it.
The BRT would be replaced by three new city agencies: the Board of Property Assessment, Appeals and Review; the Property Assessment Oversight Board; and the Office of Property Assessment. The mayor and City Council would appoint members of the first two. The managing director would appoint the head of the third.
A board of judges from Common Pleas Court now selects the BRT members.
Ultimately, any changes would be up to residents. If the bill passes through Council and Mayor Street, the public would have the chance to vote on it.
Councilmembers Verna, DiCicco and Kenney co-signed the bill.
"Everyone agrees it is long overdue," DiCicco said. "We need to change the system. It is flawed."
Kenney said the current tax setup is penalizing people for improving their homes. He suggested the latest bill is a good step toward correcting that situation.
"There is no single magic solution to this problem," he said.
Council will hold off voting on any of the tax legislation until it receives a report from the BRT outlining the impact of the various bills on the city budget, according to Verna’s spokesperson Bob Previdi.
Additionally, Ninth District Councilwoman Marian Tasco has asked Street to create a task force — similar to the one that addressed the wage tax — to consolidate some of the property-tax legislation on the docket.
Civic leader takes job with pol
Former Bella Vista United Civic Association president Vernon Anastasio has become the chief of staff for state Rep. Babette Josephs.
Anastasio, previously a human-relations supervisor for the city, said the representative for the 182nd District, which includes Bella Vista and parts of Grays Ferry and Center City, recruited him a few months ago. The Review asked Anastasio if this step up the political ladder was an indication of any future aspirations, noting that several politicians have followed similar paths.
"Taking this job helps the neighborhoods of the 182nd District," he replied. "That is all I’m concerned with."
