PRESENT:  Matt Ruben, President; Claire Adler, Vice-President; Steve Richman, Treasurer; Kristen Ainscoe; Avery Amaya;  Michael Coyne; Jacek Ghosh; Joe Mikuliak;  Amy Sweeney; Renya Wasson; Kevin Wilkins.

ABSENT: Janet Finegar, Secretary; Don Phillips; Barbara Saverino; 

PRESENT BY PHONE:         Melanie Coffman

Minutes recorded by Renya Wasson.

Motion: “To approve the minutes of the February Board meeting as presented.” – Passed 

President’s Report: Matt Ruben written report attached and reviewed.

Motion: “To ratify any and all Board polls taken in the previous month. In particular, to ratify the Board poll regarding 501 Spring Garden Street, i.e.: 'To notify the Planning Commission Civic Design Review Committee of the  NLNA's opinion on 501 Spring Garden Street: This project combines high-density residential with significant first-floor commercial space, and has several positive aspects:  - It holds the street frontage on Spring Garden, 5th and 6th Streets, enhancing walkability and marking a significant improvement over the current condition at the site. - It provides a variety of different types and sizes of retail space, including medium-size retail near 6th Street and smaller retail on 5th Street, each of which seems well-suited to that particular location on the site. - It provides parking well in excess of the city requirement, and it does so in the form of concealed underground parking.  - It combines automobile egress with delivery truck egress, and incorporates all loading zones in the building envelope, shielded from public view. - It provides significant bicycle parking . - The use and basic concept are appropriate for such a large parcel along such a wide roadway as Spring Garden Street. At the same time, members of the community raised concerns about the following items: 1. The massing and shadows of the building - and in particular its negative impact on nearby residences - could be reduced if the Spring Garden tower were made taller and the 5th Street tower shorter. This would also enhance the project's appearance, while enabling the applicant to retain all of their proposed FAR. 2. The rear egress on the former Green Street has the potential to negatively impact the surrounding community and traffic safety if it is made two-way. The applicant should examine making it one-way westbound. 3. The ground level retail on Spring Garden presents a nearly blank brick wall to 6th. It should have windows. 4. The plaza with restaurants on 5th Street will transmit noise to homes and apartments across the street. This should be minimized with some type of screening or landscaping. 5. There is no ground level, outdoor area for residents to sit or to walk their dogs. The project should incorporate this. 6. The northernmost roof deck is close to existing single-family homes. This deck should be reduced in size or eliminated. If retained, it should be set back from the northern facade and designed and programmed so as to prohibit large parties and discourage noisy, nuisance activities.” – Passed

Treasurer's Report: Steve Richman: written report distributed and reviewed.

Motion: “To accept the Treasurer's report as presented.” – Passed 

Communications & Marketing Committees Report: Kristen Ainscoe

Fundraising and Membership Committees Report: Michael Coyne: written report attached and reviewed.

Liberty Lands Committee Report: Janet Finegar: written report attached.

Operations Committee Report: Barbara Saverino: written report attached and reviewed.

Zoning Committee Report: Joe Mikuliak; written report attached and reviewed.

Motion: By , seconded by. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 701 N. 2nd St., i.e.: 'To support a liquor license at 701 N. 2nd Street as presented at our February 24, 2020 meeting.'” – Passed

Motion: By , seconded by. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 613 N. Front St., i.e.: 'We continue to oppose any project for 613 Spring Garden Street that includes gas pumps.'” – Passed

501 Spring Garden St.: See ratified board poll, above.  

Motion: By , seconded by. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 107 Callowhill St., i.e.: 'To support the project as presented tonight, February 24, 2020.'” – Passed

Motion: By , seconded by. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee in the matter of 1150-54 N. 4th St., i.e.: 'Please return with plans for no more than 5 units with 3 parking spaces and a 1st floor commercial use that will not worsen traffic congestion and the already existing difficult parking situation. Any commercial use should be presented to the community. Please do not enlarge the width of the existing curb cut.'” – Passed

Motion: By , seconded by. “To ratify the recommendations of the Zoning Committee to reappoint the following people to the zoning committee for another year: Abby Specter, Charlie Abdo, Christine Furman, Ira Upin, Jonathan Sher, Joe Mikuliak, Kenny Grono, Larry Freedman, Melissa Magness, Scott Sperri, and Sharon Richman.” – Passed

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