The city granted a variance to allow a woman to open an antiques business in a house in the historic district on Holland Avenue.
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen on June 16 granted a five-year variance at 506 Holland Ave., which is zoned residential.
The request was made by Bobbie Hitt who said she plans to purchase a house, which is now the Evans property.
Hitt and Realtor Mike Tinsley told aldermen that she planned to open an antiques shop inside the house.
They presented aldermen with a petition signed by Darlene Cheatham of 508 Holland Ave. and Laney Wilkerson of 512 Holland Ave. saying they have no objections to the variance.
They also said that Laura Bailey and David Bailey, who live across the street, did not object.
"I told her it was a cute idea but I did not think the Historic District would allow it," Laura Bailey said when contacted by the Democrat on Tuesday.
Board Attorney Robert Thomas said the matter was not presented to the Philadel-
phia Historic Preservation Commission because the exterior of the house would not be changed.
In other action last week, aldermen:
• Named Shareeka Gray to the auxiliary police unit.
• Authorized Sgt. Dan Refre to travel to Rayville, La. to receive crime system software training at no cost to the city other than travel expenses.
• Authorized a professional service agreement with Waggoner Engineering on the road improvements with stimulus money and authorized the mayor to sign.
• Approved a road bore for KDL on man hole at 322 Main St. along South Cherry Ave, South King Avenue and Mayo Street to TVA Substation.
• Made the following payments in conjunction with the depot project:
East Central Planning and Development District, $8445.18; Singleton Architects, $480; and Construction Services, $23,905.80.
• Made a $5,000 contribution to help fund a sign honoring native son Marty Stewart subject to the Attorney General's approval of the expenditure as an advertisement for Philadelphia. The county and Tourism Council also contributed $5,000 each toward the project.
• Allowed the deputy city clerk to attend a one-day class in Jackson for program update and to pay the fee of $150 and travel expenses.
• Amended the FY 2009 budget to reflect true expenditures and revenues to close out the year.
• Granted a $60 a month salary increase to Patsy McWilliams, a cemetery employee.
• Rescheduled the swearing-in of city officials to Friday, July 3 at 10 a.m. at the courthouse on the south side of the square.
