Please note that not all articles for this newsletter are on line.

Meanwhile, Back at the ZBA

On September 20 Realen Properties was given a reconsideration hearing by the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). The reconsideration was to increase the number of apartments that was granted by the ZBA from 153 to 270 units.

Mr. Sklaroff was the. We were represented in opposition to the increase by Robert Sugarman. Councilman David Cohen was represented by Robert Jaffe.

Mr. Sklaroff, attorney for Realen Properties, had three basic arguments for the increase in the number of apartments. They are:

• The VI rezoning ordinance was not in effect when they first filed so density restrictions don't apply
• 270 is a moderate number of apartments
• There will be no increase in traffic congestion

Mr. Boles, traffic engineer for Realen and author of the 1997 Boles Smythe Traffic and Parking Study, testified and submitted a "Highway Capacity Analysis" of Cotton and Main Streets. Mr. Boles said the development of 270 apartment units will not increase traffic.and it will not affect traffic at Green Lane and Main Street. He said the development will add 183 public parking spaces and will relieve congestion on Main Street.

Robert Jaffe pointed out Boles' comments in the 1997 Traffic and Parking Study that indicated the current parking and access infrastructure in Manayunk are inadequate for the increasing demands. Jaffe asked if this was still the case. Boles responded that parking was improved. He methodically avoided responding to concerns about the access infrastructure.

When Mr. Boles was through dismissing the traffic problems along Main Street, the board asked Mr. Sugarman if he had anyone to testify. He called Kevin Smith, much to Kevin's surprise. Kevin spoke of the length and delays involved in the morning backups at Green Lane and Main Street. He also described three photos he had taken of the intersection at 8:30 am on a weekday. Needless to say they showed a backup of cars.

Mr. Sugarman's summary asserted that the analysis of Cotton and Main Streets did not address impacts outside the intersection and that our traffic concerns do not dismiss other concerns about flooding, evacuation, etc. Mr. Jaffe's presented testimony from the rules along with Councilman Nutter's letter of March 13, 2000. He pointed out that Sklaroff had brought up the 270 units at the city council hearings and that city council had approved the lower density, explicitly rejecting the proposed density.

Once again, we wait for the decision of the ZBA. On another note, Realen's plans call for a two level parking garage. This would require excavation that would place the lower level below the current ground level. A very big no-no for FEMA. It is likely they will never be built. There may not even be room for the 382 resident spaces.

Friends of the Manayunk Canal Fall Fundraiser

All proceeds go towards the Venice Island Floodway Defense Fund

Burger, Beer and Boogie (veggie, turkey and beef burgers)

LIVE music (The Don Jones Band)

Good food and drinks, Great people

Beautiful river and historic boat house

Place: Philadelphia Canoe Club (HARD TO FIND!!!)

4900 Ridge Ave., (behind Wissahickon SEPTA Transfer station, near Kelly drive entrance off of Ridge Ave.)

Date: Saturday, Oct 20

Cost: @ door $20.00 (advance tickets $15.00 before Oct 10)

Time: 6:30-10:30

For more info contact FMC members /PENN Graduate students

Kelly Uranich 215 930-0142; Erin McCool 215 482-1230; Lori Pfaff - 610 623-2618

Or address email to them at: fmc@manayunkcanal.org

MANAYUNK GARDEN CLUB

The Friends of Pretzel Park presented their grant proposal to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) on October 16. The grant is for a fence around the play area and the design of a butterfly garden in Pretzel

Park. The presentation was given by Ann Sholly, Kay Smith, Karen Smith, Jane Glenn, and Tim Downey. They were permitted fifteen minutes for the presentation. In that time they defined the coalition groups in the Friends of Pretzel Park, reviewed last years PHS grant project of a master plan for the park and plans for a dog run, and explained this years grant proposal. Other grants and projects were also reported. The panel had only a few questions for the group concerning the dog run and group meetings.

The Manayunk Garden Club meetings include the Friends of Pretzel Park and the Manayunk Tree Tenders. The Club met at Smith & Hawken on October 18. A brief review of the grant proposal was given and new members were updated on the construction projects for Pretzel Park that still have not begun. Rebecca Levin, PHS Parks Coordinator, provided ballots for Parks Volunteer of the Year. A Party for the Parks will be held on December 7 at City Hall.

Chaddsford Winery lead a wine tasting for the Club. Proprietors Reserve Red and White, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Sunset Blush were tasted. All were enjoyable but the Cabernet Franc was selected as the favorite. A trip to the vineyards and winery were discussed and may be planned for next year.

Angela Walls of Smith & Hawken produced many informative and enjoyable events specifically for the Garden Club, including the wine tasting. We appreciate her efforts. Thank you Angela!

At our next meeting we will select plant varieties for spring planting in the park. A grant for $10,000 was received by the Friends of Pretzel Park for plants. Some of that money was approved to complete the dog run but most will go for plants.

Winter and spring meeting dates and times will be scheduled at the next meeting. We will also plan events for our meetings and community events for Pretzel Park. If you are interested and cannot attend the meeting, please let us know. Your interests and concerns are important to us.

Our meeting will be followed by a workshop. Bulbs for indoor bloom over the winter will be planted in pots. Bulbs and pots will be available from Smith & Hawken for a fee of $15. Please RSVP to Jane at 215/482-5528 or jane@manayunkcouncil.org.

Public presentation on Hazard Mitigation

Presented by Ron Killins Sr.State Hazard Mitigation Officer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)

Sponsored by Friends of the Manayunk Canal and Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

Can the Costs of a Flooding Disaster be Prevented?

Come out and hear what PEMA has to say about Hazard Mitigation.

FREE open to the public

Date: Wednesday, Oct 18, 2000

Place: Roxborough Hospital, 5800 Ridge Ave, Cafeteria-Lower level

Time: 7:00 9:00

Hazard mitigation is defined as an action taken to eliminate or reduce the long-term risk to human life and property from natural and technological hazards.

Mitigation is one of four phases of emergency management, the other three being preparedness, response and recovery. What makes mitigation unique is that it can occur before, during or after a disaster.

Mitigation is the only phase of emergency management that can break the cycle of preventable disaster. The cycle being damage occurring, rebuilding, and damage repeating itself. Manayunk and its neighboring suburbs know the risks of a flooding disaster are real. In order to reduce the repeated vulnerability of people and property from preventable disaster, mitigation must be pursued by all levels of government and citizens should insist on a Mitigation program for our region (to include Philadelphia and surrounding counties).

Mitigation has grown increasingly more important to state and local governments that bear the costs of disaster. When federal disaster assistance is not available or inadequate to recovery the costs of disaster, state and local government, as well as individuals, must bear the FULL financial burden for recovery.

Manayunk and neighboring counties suffered through an unprecedented number of flood-related disasters during the past decade. The consequences of these events- injuries, deaths, property damage, and economic disruption- are well documented. While elected officials and their constituents know that there is a need to take action to reduce such losses in the future, there has been uncertainty as to who is responsible for the development and execution of mitigation strategies.

Additionally, analysis indicates that there exist certain barriers to making the investment of time, money, and planning to develop mitigation strategies prior to the inevitable occurrence of natural disasters. These impediments are to be found at all levels of government as well as in the private sector and include a lack of political and public support of natural hazards mitigation, a lack of knowledge by the general public and their elected officials, and a lack of financial incentives to make necessary changes.

Through a comprehensive, bottom-up public education effort by mitigation professionals, like Ron Killins, Sr., mitigation awareness aimed at individual citizens, elected official and business leaders, responsibility for risk reduction can be determined, and plans and strategies can be developed. This activity will result in substantial savings (both in human and financial terms) and go a long way toward reducing the future impact of natural hazards.

For more information contact: Darlene Messina 215 483-9238 or fmc@manayunkcanal.org