A development project proposed for a highly visible and heavily trafficked stretch of Frankford Avenue has elicited mixed feelings from its nearby neighbors. A new vision for 1850 through 1862 Frankford Ave., situated between Berks and Norris Streets, in the heart of the burgeoning commercial corridor, was presented to a full room during a Fishtown Neighbors Association (FNA) zoning meeting this past Tuesday.

Architect Rustin Ohler of Harman Deutsch Architecture and developer Frank Mazzio illustrated how four contiguous lots currently paved over with a concrete slab could be transformed into a fourteen home mixed-use development with certified green features. Seven four-story homes on Frankford Avenue would include first-floor commercial spaces, with another seven four-story homes behind them on Blair Street having first-floor garages.

The land was acquired by Mazzio back in November from developers Miles & Generalis, who proposed a similar project for the same site several years ago. “Frankford Flats”, which included almost twice as many residential units, ultimately failed – one of many casualties of the recession. With a recovering housing market working to his advantage, Mazzio is eager to see his concept for the site succeed. Despite his attempt to enhance both a bustling commercial thoroughfare and a quiet residential side street, some neighbors felt the idea missed the mark.

Support for commercial space on Frankford Avenue appeared unanimous, with neighbors eager to see businesses continue to locate to the area. “The Frankford Ave portion of this project is consistent with our community-input-driven Frankford Avenue Plan,” explains Henry Pyatt, Commercial Corridor Manager for NKCDC. “It would provide much-needed, small-scale commercial space that would help us in our efforts to revitalize Frankford Avenue and return it to its historic function as a bustling commercial and light industrial corridor, often with proprietors living above their places of business.”

“We’re interested in a mix of retail or office space, maybe a coffee shop,” said Ohler, ruling out high impact businesses such as bars and restaurants. While the developer can’t officially seek tenants without the necessary zoning, many businesses have already been expressing interest. One potential tenant could be MindTV, a nonprofit video production agency which has apparently contacted Mazzio about the project.

“We’re certainly open to accepting a list of businesses which neighbors do and don’t want to see,” said Ohler. “We’re willing to work with you to generate a proviso of accepted uses.”

The seven commercial spaces could potentially be combined, with walls capable of being breached easily to accommodate tenants who desire more square footage. Converting the residential floors into condos would be an option for homebuyers not interested in owning the first-floor commercial spaces below them. Streetscape elements such as trees and bike racks would also be included. Much like its “Frankford Flats” predecessor, green roofs and grass backyards would eliminate any stormwater run-off. Opposition to the project was mostly limited to its proposed height, which at four stories would be six feet taller than what the new zoning code allows.

“A row of seven buildings this size and this height is out of character,” said Arthur Meckler of Fishtown, expressing the primary concern of most neighbors at the meeting. “The height sets a bad precedent for Frankford Avenue.”

“Everything in the neighborhood is three stories,” said Ryan Kozar, who along with his wife Melissa Colosi recently opened Catch and Release Merchants just a few doors down at 1832 Frankford Ave. “Right now I can stand on my third story roof and see for miles,” says Kozar. “Neighbors across the street from this will stand on their roofs and be able to see 50 feet.”

Opposition to the height was especially strong in regards to the Blair Street properties, where existing homes are half that size.

“We live in a two-story house, and we’re going to have two stories above us,” said Sandy Pride, who lives on Blair Street next to the vacant lot. “We’re going to be dwarfed!”

Sandy’s husband John nodded in agreement. “We don’t mind them building,” he explains. “It will bring business to the neighborhood. But it does block our view.”

“Four stories! What’s next? Six? Eight?” added a Sepviva Street neighbor who wished to remain anonymous.

The homes on Blair Street did have some selling points which pleased neighbors, including private off-street parking on a block which currently offers no parking whatsoever. Large concrete ballards currently line the pavement along Shissler Rec Center. “This would be the first time parking of any kind would be available on that block,” said Ohler.

Another positive element would be third floor front roof decks (accessible from the recessed fourth floors) included on all fourteen homes. With ongoing concerns about illegal activity taking place on Blair and adjoining Hewson Street, this project could potentially result in additional eyes on an area often susceptible to prostitution and illegal dumping.

Prices for the Blair Street homes have tentatively been set at $350,000. No prices have been set yet for the properties on Frankford.

While the community at large supported the project (16 in favor and nine opposed), local neighbors living within 500 feet of the site were largely against it (two in favor and eight opposed). With a total vote count of 18 to 17, and with local votes holding more weight, FNA’s letter to the Zoning Board of Adjustment will clearly outline the community’s hesitations.

“FNA will write a letter of support – but the vote was definitely not overwhelming,” explained Matt Karp of FNA’s Zoning Committee. “If they make changes that address the concerns of the neighbors FNA can put that in the letter too.”

Mazzio was accepting of the outcome, expressing his willingness to have the plans revised in order to gain more community support. “I guess we’re going back to the drawing board to see how we can tweak it,” he said.