Yogurt Shop and Neighbors Work Out Issues

On one hand, Chill on the Hill no longer needs any variances to open. The owners, Leslie Newbold and Alison Shoemaker, reapplied for their permits under the new Philadelphia zoning code and did not need variances.

On the other hand, the two wanted to . So Newbold and Shoemaker attended Thursday night’s Land Use, Planning and Zoning committee (LUPZ) and the Traffic, Transportation and Parking (TTP) committee held just before it.

Several neighbors from East Highland Avenue and Ardleigh Street came out to discuss what problems they felt the frozen yogurt shop could bring. Namely, parking shortages, loitering, noise and trash.

Newbold and Shoemaker did their best to address these issues at what became an informal public forum. Because there was no longer any actionable items on the agenda because there were no variances needed, the discussion mainly took place between the owners and the residents.

A few agreements were reached: Newbold promised to put the shop operating hours- from noon until 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays- in writing.

She also stated that the containers for the frozen yogurt would be compostable or recyclable, but also that there would be ample trash bins available. As for the loitering, neighbors said the owners had stated they would discourage it, and request police to stop by regularly.

Parking was the topic of the evening that did not result in answers or solutions. There are a few metered spots on East Highland, and a parking lot directly across the street from the shop as well. But neighbors say that drivers avoid going into the lots since the pay kiosks were installed.