Noted in the Northwest

A brief look at news in Chestnut Hill and surrounding neighborhoods

Developer, residents to meet over Cresheim project

A Bala Cynwyd-based development firm will detail its plans for Wissahickon East, a six-acre site along Cresheim Creek in East Mt. Airy, at a community meeting on June 30.

The meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Grace Epiphany Church, will mark the first formal presentation of a project that first stirred controversy last October when a group of neighbors mobilized in response to rumors of a large-scale apartment complex.

Developer DeSouza Brown has since said it intends to build 23 single-family homes on the property, located near the intersection of Anderson Street and Woodbrook Lane. Part of the development would lie in the Wissahickon watershed.

The plan has drawn criticism from both East Mt. Airy Neighbors and West Mt. Airy Neighbors. Another nonprofit, the Wissahickon East Project, formed last November to oppose any encroachment on the land, which it deemed “the last surviving piece of wild Cresheim Creek.” According to Howard Coale, the group’s director, neighbors would like to see the site donated to either the Friends of the Wissahickon or the Fairmount Park Commission.

In an interview last year, Bernard Brown, of DeSouza Brown, said the development would be consistent with surrounding housing stock. At the time, he said his firm would work with the community to address concerns.

— Michael J. Mishak

Hirshorn project approved

The Hirshorn Company’s planned expansion on W. Highland Avenue, which includes demolition of the building currently housing Cardonick Chiropractic and moving of a Chestnut Hill Parking Foundation lot driveway, has been approved by the Philadelphia Zoning Board, company representatives told the CHCA board of directors last week.

A zoning variance request, needed to allow for the continued existing use of a portion of the property as a parking lot and for the new building’s proposed setback, was endorsed by the CHCA executive committee on June 16. The zoning board approved the variance at a hearing on June 22.

Company representative George Connelly told the board that Hirshorn would continue to work closely with neighbors to resolve issues raised at community meetings.

— James Sturdivant