U.D. reserves judgment on group homes

UPPER DARBY >> Four of the five applications for group homes or day cares heard by the zoning board recently were held for further study.

Andre Clayton sought permission to use a former convent, now an apartment building, for a veterans personal care boarding home with off-street parking at 454-460 Shadeland Ave., Drexel Hill.

Lamont Purcell, Clayton’s stepfather, testified he would obtain a Pennsylvania license for a boarding home once he receives zoning approval.

“We’re not making any changes to the property,” Purcell said. “We’re keeping it exactly the way it is. We’re offering housing for disabled vets, case management and some medical services for vets and service guys who need to get back on their feet.”

According to Purcell, the building has 18 bedrooms, an enclosed porch and space for 24 vehicles in the parking lot. Plans are to install a commercial kitchen.

A tenant who resides in the property opposed because he would not have a place to live if the zoning variance is granted.

Three residents of Shadeland Avenue and nearby Penn Avenue had questions and concerns.

“My concern is veterans on drugs would be outside hanging out,” Bob Raysik, of Penn Avenue, said.

Purcell assured residents the veterans would not be “hanging out in the front.”

“The house has an enclosed porch all the way around,” Purcell said. “They would get their care from the VA (Veterans Administration). The house would be staffed 24/7, with three staff on at all times with support staff.”

Tiffany Murphy, of Brighter Beginnings Learning Center Inc., asked for a variance for relief of a loading and unloading space for a daycare center at 3706 Garrett Road, Drexel Hill.

Murphy proposed parents could use the meter parking spaces on Garrett or the municipal lot nearby to drop off their children. Township councilmen Bob Gwin and Jacob Bierling, a former member of the zoning hearing board, expressed concern due to the heavy traffic and lack of dedicated space for dropoffs and pickups.

“This isn’t a good location for this type of activity,” Gwin said.

Bierling counted 11 other businesses on the block and concern for dropping off children on the busy street.

“What about in December and January when there is snow and the (municipal) lot is not clear yet?” Bierling said. “My big concern is parking. There is no parking.”