October 26, 2006 Issue                                       

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©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Bowman signs cited by L&I
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

Bowman Properties of Chestnut Hill has been cited by the Department of Licenses and Inspections for the red and white signs that hang on 10 of the firm’s properties along Germantown Avenue.

Bowman Properties has until Nov. 16 to comply with the city’s zoning and planning code by obtaining permits for the signs or removing them. Properties are a mix of C-1 and C-2 zoning, so depending upon the individual building’s zoning, some of the signs may be permitted, others may not.

However, the law firm representing Bowman Properties, Sirlin, Gallogly & Lesser PC, said it believes the signs are permitted. Jon C. Sirlin, managing attorney, said both firms (Bowman and Sirlin, Gallogly & Lesser) have received notice of the violations but said no specific code was mentioned on the violations.

“Our opinion is that the signs are not improper or illegal, and we’re cooperating with the city to determine if there is any violation.”

According to information from Robert Solvibile, L&I commissioner, the properties at 7924, 7926, 8042-44, 8138, 8401-03, 8409, 8428 and 8513-15 Germantown Ave. were cited Oct. 17 for not having a permit for “one large flat wall sign, non electric.”

The property at 7908 Germantown Ave. was cited for its two signs and 8001-07 Germantown Ave. for four signs. One of the properties cited still houses a business, the Catherine Starr Gallery at 8401 Germantown Ave., which has a sign on it announcing “potential clearing.”

All of the properties were cited for not having a Business Privilege License, according to Solvibile. Maureen Blaney, an L&I code administrator, said businesses are responsible for attaining their own BPL.

John Haak, co-chair of the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Land Use Planning and Zoning committee, said a BPL is “step one” in starting a business.

“No business should operate without a BPL – it’s one of the most elementary things businesses should do to comply with the tax regime,” Haak said, adding that the BPL helps the city keep track of a business’ tax and possibly zoning activity.

Why the properties — most of which are vacant — need a BPL without an active business is unclear.

Along with the sign and BPL citation, the property at 8513-15 Germantown Ave. was issued another violation for “operating a coffee shop without zoning,” according to an email from Solvibile. However, the property housing the coffee shop is zoned C-2, which allows the use of a café on that property.

The 8513-15 Germantown Ave. property hosts three spaces — A Taste of Philly pretzel bakery at 8513 Germantown Ave., Starbucks Coffee Co. at 8515 Germantown Ave. and a vacant space below Starbucks with the address 8515-1/2 Germantown Ave. The latter has a red and white sign hanging with reference to its availability.

Blaney said Starbucks was responsible for obtaining a BPL, which Ioana Chiorean, Starbucks’ Chestnut Hill manager, is looking into, but Bowman is responsible for the zoning violation regarding the coffee shop.

Contact staff writer Kristin Pazulski at 215-248-8819 or Kristin@chestnuthilllocal.com.