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Upper Darby Zoning Board approves most agenda items; one driveway variance denied
Summary
At its June 23 hearing the Upper Darby Zoning Hearing Board approved signage for a new arts center, expanded daycare space (conditioned on fire-code approvals), several after-the-fact and minor variances and a triplex recognition; it denied one driveway variance and continued one application to July 28.
The Upper Darby Township Zoning Hearing Board on June 23 voted on a full agenda of land‑use requests, approving most items with conditions and denying one application.
Solicitor Bryce McGuigan opened the hearing and said the three‑member board requires two affirmative votes for relief. The board granted a continuance for an application by Benson Ta (739 Sequin Avenue) to the July 28 meeting after the township lacked required square‑foot breakdowns to calculate parking requirements.
The board approved signage for the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation’s new Spark arts center at 1500 Garrett Road. Justin Heinbecker, executive director, said the center will open in mid‑July and that window graphics would be perforated vinyl rotated seasonally; the permanent logo sign will be timer‑controlled for illumination.
The board approved a series of residential requests: a rear patio at 732 Thorndale Road (after‑the‑fact 10-by‑16 patio) was approved with conditions restricting motor‑vehicle parking and forbidding expansion of impervious area beyond the approved footprint. An application to convert a garage/basement space at 240 Hampton Road was approved after the owner confirmed the work would not create a separate dwelling unit.
A notable approval allowed Kwawaku Daycare to expand into the mezzanine and upper floors of 141 Long Lane, subject to obtaining required Upper Darby fire‑code, building‑code and any necessary state approvals before occupying the additional floors, the board said. Attorney Peter Mylonis and owner Violet Kisamo told members the daycare has operated at nearby properties for roughly 20 years and described a pick‑up/drop‑off plan that relies in part on nearby public parking.
The board denied a dimensional variance for 337 Cheswold Road. Asfak (Asfa) Hussain, who had already begun some work to create a short front‑yard driveway and EV charging access, was told by the board that remaining questions about curb cuts, drainage and retaining walls weighed against relief; a motion to deny carried after an executive session.
The board approved RAV Realty LLC’s request for recognition/relief to continue use of 5 Ardmore Avenue as a triplex, finding long‑standing use and noting three electric meters and other evidence in the record. Counsel Nick Keneglia and representative Vikram Sharma provided leases and a 2002 health‑department record as part of the submission.
The board also approved a homeowner’s request at 16 Gulf Road to enclose a front porch on the condition that impervious front‑yard coverage not increase and that all work be permitted.
All applicants were told they would receive formal written decisions from the solicitor’s office within 45 days. The board adjourned after completing the agenda.
Votes at a glance (actions recorded at hearing): - Continuance granted: Benson Ta, 739 Sequin Ave — continued to July 28, 2026 (motion accepted). — mover: Board member (Speaker 12); second: Board member (Speaker 3). - Approved: Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation signage — mover: Board member (Speaker 12); second: Board member (Speaker 3). - Approved: Mohammed Azad, 240 Hampton Rd (garage/basement conversion; no separate unit) — mover: Board member (Speaker 12); second: Board member (Speaker 14). - Approved (condition): Kwawaku Daycare (Violet Kisamo), expansion at 141 Long Lane — conditioned on required Upper Darby fire/building and state approvals before occupancy — mover: Board member (Speaker 3); second: Board member (Speaker 2). - Approved (condition): Neri Reyes, 732 Thorndale Rd — after‑the‑fact patio approved with conditions (no motor vehicles/trailers parked on rear patio; no expansion of impervious surface) — mover: Board member (Speaker 12); amended conditions seconded by Speaker 3. - Denied: Asfa Hussain, 337 Cheswold Rd (driveway/retaining wall request) — board voted to deny following executive session (mover: Speaker 14; second: Speaker 17). - Approved: RAV Realty LLC, 5 Ardmore Ave (recognize triplex use) — mover: Speaker 12; second: Speaker 2. - Approved (condition): Ian Barredo, 16 Gulf Rd—porch enclosure allowed; no increase in front impervious surface and all work permitted — mover: Speaker 12; second: Speaker 3.
The board said written decisions will issue within 45 days for each approved or denied application. The continuation for Benson Ta was scheduled for the July 28, 2026 meeting.
