Save Shackamaxon Street

Shackamaxon Neighbors Legal Fund

The families living on the 1200 block of Shackamaxon Street in Fishtown have struggled with the noise, traffic and careless behavior of patrons visiting the huge number of bar/restaurants along Frankford Avenue for many years. We have cleaned up the trash, planted trees and flowers, and attempted to create an ambience that is good for families and welcoming to visitors. Our homes and street is one of the most photographed places in Fishtown. We were dismayed to learn, despite our opposition, that a bar/restaurant with outside seating and a takeout window has received a zoning variance. This will allow developers to open a hard seltzer and burger place directly across the street from our homes at 1222 Shackamaxon Street, on a parcel of land that has provided a buffer from street noise and traffic. Please help us raise funds for legal services to appeal this zoning variance that is permitting this hard seltzer bar to open.

We, the neighbors, need about $3000 to hire a lawyer to fight what we saw as an unfair zoning hearing on August 25, 2021.

Mind you, the zoning law only permits a bar/restaurant to exist here if the neighbors agree to it. It’s called a Zoning Overlay.

Well, 50 neighbors signed a petition opposing this bar and burger joint. The local Fishtown Neighbors Association opposed this bar. And our local councilman, Darrell Clarke, opposed this bar. However, the bar’s lawyer and Zoning Board chairman shut down any opposition during the hearing. They allowed the bar owners, lawyers and Business Improvement District representatives to go on about the “benefits” of this bar and burger place. When it came time for the 19 neighbors who registered for the meeting to make their statements, Frank DiCicco, the ZBA Chairman took a bogus vote that showed 2 opposing votes and would not allow anyone else to speak. The 19 neighbors had been waiting hours to speak were denied their right to a fair hearing. That is why we are appealing the decision. Even the councilman’s zoning lawyer spoke out against this bar and was soon involved in a verbal argument with the bar’s lawyer. We are appealing this decision that was brought about by an unfair process.