[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6556371,"mediaKeyId","3321842-420fd5ab9f1033bb5a1f32adcbdd0ddc","parentId",3321842,"title","Residents oppose alcohol sales at Highland Deli Market near Scholars Academy; council takes public comment","audioSeconds",768,"startMs",10808000,"endMs",11576000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3321842-420fd5ab9f1033bb5a1f32adcbdd0ddc&start=10808&end=11576","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3321842-420fd5ab9f1033bb5a1f32adcbdd0ddc/thumbnail_10808000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6556371/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-oppose-alcohol-sales-at-Highland-Deli-Market-near-Scholars-Academy-council-takes-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556371-f0783766cc77d7cdc9ce2c8406cdbe58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110643&Signature=i1B7IZ9fwdzAhIw2Xsa-hU7QL2U0dKpHwHI01hG4UsbDTo9KzoAT1VftJ~wEGVplJ8YymsSe2PGQzgJE2iv~pDNRPuy1YmPjsN0iOy0Gd3ulhlbA9MhK~Cf9BTGylvRx1COkWvvwybsrK5m9QqdrjQu65XoFxXv03s0n5hirgzcLMAb6NNH0YOw2YZZB0Kkw9aw7w~VycEY71lDxdvJKkfplYS~PbKasVKF~qXVl~HJ~8ZlIvN3lYMU7PQEPnw30YRd~WyF46gthOc9jtNmA1are9QDnBMth7rDNHZ~PjbVtqdyWtA3aa4AcXMsXDOCOW3HsnO43n7HN~guTm29dnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Chester, PA","date","2025-05-15T15:35:27Z","article","Highland Deli Market (operator: Highland Deli/De Jesus & Gonzales) requested city approval on May 14 for a transfer or authorization permitting beer sales at its Highland Avenue location. The hearing drew multiple residents from adjacent neighborhoods who testified in opposition, citing loitering, litter, proximity to Scholars Academy and other schools, and limited parking.

The city’s planning and zoning director explained that the property sits in an R-3 medium-density residential district and is an existing nonconforming commercial use. The planner noted that convenience-store uses that include beer sales may require a restaurant license and seating, and that any changes could raise zoning questions because restaurants are not permitted in that zoning district without applicable relief.

Business representatives said they have operated the deli for about three years, offer prepared foods and hot meals, and are seeking to respond to customer demand for beer. They told council they clean the storefront and that they intend to add refrigeration and make interior adjustments if the license is approved. The owner/manager said they plan to continue employing staff and to add equipment needed to hold and sell beer.

Residents described persistent problems at the site and in surrounding blocks: trash and cardboard piled near the building and alley, loitering and gatherings of adults in front of the store, and entrances used by students from nearby schools. Several speakers noted that children from the nearby middle/school attendance zone regularly use the store before and after school and said adding alcohol sales would increase risks. Others called for improved policing, more frequent trash pickup or a larger dumpster and said the city must enforce existing codes.

Council received written petitions and neighborhood signatures offered by the applicant but heard widespread resident opposition. The council kept the hearing record open for required exhibits (parcel map, deed, proof of notice/publication) and for the transcript from the court reporter; no council decision was made at the meeting. Council also requested the planning department and solicitor examine the zoning/nonconformity issues and advise on next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chester City Council Meeting | May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Highland Deli Market sought authorization to sell beer at its Highland Avenue convenience-store location on May 14; dozens of nearby residents testified in opposition citing loitering, trash and the store’s proximity to school facilities.","taxTitle","Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania","taxId",64857,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6556376,"Hearing held for Wolf Lounge liquor-license transfer; owner presents high-end restaurant plan",0,8773000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3321842-420fd5ab9f1033bb5a1f32adcbdd0ddc&start=8773&end=8773","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3321842-420fd5ab9f1033bb5a1f32adcbdd0ddc/thumbnail_8773000.jpg","/articles/6556376/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Hearing-held-for-Wolf-Lounge-liquor-license-transfer-owner-presents-high-end-restaurant-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556376-cd40c27d15be49a3741a7e83cebd97b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110643&Signature=XgT3lkXdRtAHXDaLO9UDkEpuzxfFg9Hs31ObCn0hzjR2WIEF0JrCk8x7xay80LWymadH8cIwfsUFUwHH5iKRE6Of~k4El9N-hTbpKLY2vj3HFTNKRb44p4UxwR50Cfa1uuC42Xzgx36F6VF7UOlKTGeG04hziUQFjy~TJG9Q~hJQeKQ4YuZqYOPZ4I4M377j8k4zxJVfV7WbGRs0o8c3xkF4PHJc-M5FFDKbVFUy~sQOUITrjWessvZkpK9cbN5iVxTFTPMP~x1ZJSVw1xGCw6-B5S7uBtVy4gDkokbb1TUIGXizEQ0ndWKoJrBnR6oUA3hliidWFI2B9p0inP5MsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An intermunicipal liquor-license-transfer hearing for Wolf Lounge LLC took place following the City Council meeting on May 14. The applicant, Samfa Kamara, testified that Wolf Lounge seeks to transfer restaurant liquor license R7363 from Clifton Heights (351 S. Springfield Road) to 1 W. Third St. in Chester and to convert the large, historic Wolf building into a high-end restaurant.

Kamara described the proposed facility as a multilevel restaurant with a mezzanine and bar area, seating capacity the applicant estimated in the range of roughly 175 patrons when fully configured, and approximately 7,800 square feet of interior space. He said the primary business would be food-focused, with approximately an 80/20 ratio of food-to-alcohol sales, and that the establishment would serve lunch and dinner and include music (recorded) as ambiance; the applicant said the operation would obtain any required amusement and permitting approvals.

Kamara said the project has received earlier zoning approvals (a zoning permit issued in June 2022 after relief for a parking reduction) and that the scheme will comply with fire code and ADA requirements prior to opening. He told the council the applicant plans to hire locally and estimated 24–30 full-time employees and additional part-time staff; he said the majority of hires would come from the local area and that he intends to collaborate with local workforce groups on hiring.

During public comment, attendees expressed general support for the project’s concept and employment potential; speakers asked that the applicant commit to local hiring and community safety measures. The applicant responded that the team will work with local organizations on hiring plans and intends to coordinate security, cameras and lighting around the site to support public safety.

The council kept the record open and said it will deliberate and render a decision at a later date after receiving required documents and the court-reporter transcript.","An intermunicipal transfer hearing was held for Wolf Lounge LLC to move a restaurant liquor license to 1 W. Third St.; applicant presented renderings, menu and hiring plans and said the primary business will be food service. Council took testimony and deferred a decision for later deliberation.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6556381,"Main Line Health, partners launch 'Together for Chester' ambassador model to connect residents to care",283,1569000,1852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3321842-420fd5ab9f1033bb5a1f32adcbdd0ddc&start=1569&end=1852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3321842-420fd5ab9f1033bb5a1f32adcbdd0ddc/thumbnail_1569000.jpg","/articles/6556381/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Main-Line-Health-partners-launch-Together-for-Chester-ambassador-model-to-connect-residents-to-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556381-ac775c661321ac1bcad38a126ba052f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110643&Signature=EGYaECrPb38-H-GMhlHnbkMdKzsLNAIvN~JAplgkeDZp5OVS0v3Sq1WD21zg3VmN1iyjA0La8f20j~mciurDQiwD3n9JjpDe3yC8~AeFjPkL8mYcz3VRSQzSyyoXVY6I8rOyxoWT1U6VYTL8qhXNAQrYfU1PipprmVlQlsVdVpl1BzJir5Fzegemwze~qYrUdakRlAe4YRcV~c8Me2YTwXm4gTHOWYouuEl5bbMQM0uZ9drB3NBhboIoAvdd3x2LbSfKbM3gUtW8PFnFbb8fBrV96ZORtZqzWqEMjmoX~EicboEVZ~ENh8zSeRVPj-41PQFBO6OdLI~jIJltbNl5Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from Main Line Health and local partners presented a community-health access model they are piloting in Chester called “Together for Chester.” The model, which organizers said was adapted from Main Line Health’s West Philadelphia collaboration, trains trusted local ambassadors who connect residents to a centralized program manager and then to community health workers at participating health systems and federally qualified health centers.

Dr. Kristen Motley introduced the project and the partners; Vanessa Sailor, identified in the meeting as director of health equity at Main Line Health, described the operational approach and early results. Sailor said organizers trained more than 15 health ambassadors two weeks before the meeting and had already processed five referrals for services including mammograms and primary-care appointments.

Sailor summarized the model: ambassadors work at “trusted venues” (faith institutions, community sites, schools) and send referrals to a central program manager who assigns a community health worker based on geography and patient needs and coordinates care across participating systems. Mercy Fitzgerald and other health systems named in the presentation are participating partners, according to the presenters.

The city’s council and staff welcomed the initiative and encouraged continued engagement with local community groups and the city’s Community and Economic Development department to ensure alignment with resident needs.","Main Line Health and partners described a pilot to train community health ambassadors and a referral pipeline to connect Chester residents to primary, specialty and social services; organizers reported over 15 ambassadors trained and five referrals made in the initial weeks.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6556386,"New EMS provider VMSC reports response times, plans blood transfusion capability in Chester",300,1992000,2292000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3321842-420fd5ab9f1033bb5a1f32adcbdd0ddc&start=1992&end=2292","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3321842-420fd5ab9f1033bb5a1f32adcbdd0ddc/thumbnail_1992000.jpg","/articles/6556386/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/New-EMS-provider-VMSC-reports-response-times-plans-blood-transfusion-capability-in-Chester","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556386-c5b105409630cfdc271a658e735887ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110643&Signature=m197seS7U--fs9ZY8sbB2KuFgAQBPCA34yzDtkagzt4TWn0YIXhl3dSmb3y3DCUn4OFXUGCQZ9sFhKoAr71aFOAND5Yd72V9dCLKGgLqAYlWdNWz0c6kKjuKVUz6MZiiOVNu72-rVPXBgCmRSCZENK4IpeODaq~AaxHXRkICIdpUGJxSDhhZ3ryC89CHo38-OGXbJ-e5i4VjDF90HDUkq-uwjPUJKzePjo9NsHTdyZgciM5EcmKw62~ZZ-8BZyZessPqe0o3fbMhHjDJiwj8GDYqZB3xfddyr1zXlp9~cD8KCFU7QOUv3M9VUbSk5eGzdgrXEO~xE8fEZ9cSOZKuIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","VMSC, the emergency medical services provider newly serving Chester and parts of Delaware County, presented operational data and service plans at the May 14 Chester City Council meeting.

Chief Shane Wheeler told the council that VMSC responded to 235 EMS calls over the 10-day reporting period and that the organization’s “shot time” (from alert to truck en route) averaged 49 seconds. He reported an average response time of 6 minutes 12 seconds and an average total on-scene-to-clear time of 56 minutes.

Wheeler said the provider currently staffs the contract at a higher level than required by the agreement — “currently our agreement specifies for two and a half ambulances and a chase paramedic; we actually have three and a half ambulances and a chase” — and described call types and proportions: breathing problems (29%), traffic accidents (15%), chest pain (12%) and falls (10%). The service recorded 15 cardiac incidents, three strokes, 34 trauma incidents, 13 behavioral-crisis calls and nine overdoses during the period.

Wheeler described two near-term clinical and operational changes being readied for Chester:
- Field blood transfusion capability: VMSC is procuring equipment and additional blood supplies from the American Red Cross and expects to begin administering blood prehospital in the coming weeks. Wheeler said the service will be among a small number of EMS providers in Pennsylvania offering that capability.
- Helicopter landing coordination: VMSC has identified seven potential landing zones across the city and is coordinating expedited processes with fire and law-enforcement partners to shorten aircraft response times when appropriate, subject to weather and helipad availability.

Wheeler emphasized concerns about prolonged hospital waits and diversion: he noted that recent prolonged emergency-department hold times at area hospitals can increase risk in the field and drive VMSC’s emphasis on advanced prehospital care.

The council asked for continued monthly reporting of operational statistics and for public announcements when training flights or activation of landing zones are planned.
","VMSC, Chester's new EMS provider, reported first-10-day operational metrics including average response time of approximately 6 minutes 12 seconds and announced upcoming capabilities — including field blood transfusion capability and expanded helicopter landing coordination.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6556391,"Council approves street renaming, parking fees, DEP monitoring and other resolutions",398,450000,848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3321842-420fd5ab9f1033bb5a1f32adcbdd0ddc&start=450&end=848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3321842-420fd5ab9f1033bb5a1f32adcbdd0ddc/thumbnail_450000.jpg","/articles/6556391/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-street-renaming-parking-fees-DEP-monitoring-and-other-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556391-addf8e1190d5e768db98da6f9573fa14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110643&Signature=YK6o5W0cZo3KWjegjuiMAOE9--~pvYHiy0XR5pinqdVwCVlu2y0Spzs5~akQIl9mJF8zC4P3aD-p~sx~1tI7gF~G53VE0lFHjo7ClZHNx7JguwYFXufwhBMMzPAjFsBiQEwAoqfgT4-fu0cTLhBdDTXlWeSnucGeS1tIK7nSzTBVMbhpdVfriovHVQIrWseFMk4T7yocjIBDhl8z3~IJZzo09fe7SC0OtfT5hIM1iC6WEfAuqnD24t9k7-t~spjq83qZNObDiFnDCt0hAf7IN9XqJZBg13Cc430dPqNkFXp5hGaeWgEnxwUSmlyHDtgt2uEfCQPYvOBpSM9ZouQgwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chester City Council adopted several resolutions during its regular meeting on May 14, approving an honorary street sign for Reverend William B. Starks, adopting a new parking-fee schedule, ratifying contract extensions for grant-funded projects and authorizing a state agency to install an air-monitoring station in a city park.

The council voted to install an honorary street sign recognizing the longtime pastor and community leader William B. Starks (designated “William B. Starks Way”) and amended the resolution to locate the sign at Fulton Street and West Seventh Street. The amended resolution passed on roll call.

Council also voted to adopt the City of Chester Parking System Review and Enhancement Plan fee schedule (identified in the meeting materials as Attachment A) with an implementation date of July 1, 2025. The measure enacts new parking fees and violation rates for the commercial business district and the city’s residential permit parking areas as recommended by THA Consulting’s January 30, 2025 report.

Other business approved by the council included:
- A license agreement allowing the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to install and operate one air monitoring station in the city park system for an 18-month term, contingent on the city solicitor’s final review.
- Ratification of a second amendment to contract C000086620 with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to extend the Keystone Communities camera initiative Phase 2 project expiration date to June 30, 2026.
- Authorization of change order #1 for the Route 291 and Route 322 off-ramp (Jeffrey Street) traffic-light project adding $9,039 to address pin-dot inspection deficiencies and road markings.
- Establishment of the City of Chester International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) Appeals Board and appointment of three members to staggered terms.

All resolutions on the agenda were approved by roll call votes recorded as affirmative by the council members present. Motions and seconds for the listed resolutions were called from the floor; the meeting record logs the votes as affirmative by the council members called during each roll call.

The council adjourned before the scheduled intermunicipal liquor-license hearings, which followed as separate record hearings.","Chester City Council on May 14 adopted several resolutions including a street renaming honoring Reverend William B. Starks, a parking-fee schedule effective July 1, a license for DEP to install an air-monitoring station, and amendments to state and project contracts; all measures passed by roll call.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents oppose alcohol sales at Highland Deli Market near Scholars Academy; council takes public comment

Hearing held for Wolf Lounge liquor-license transfer; owner presents high-end restaurant plan

Main Line Health, partners launch 'Together for Chester' ambassador model to connect residents to care

New EMS provider VMSC reports response times, plans blood transfusion capability in Chester

Council approves street renaming, parking fees, DEP monitoring and other resolutions