Noted in the Northwest
A brief look at news in Chestnut Hill and surrounding neighborhoods
Woodmere neighbors appeal zoning decision
The North Chestnut Hill Neighbors, a group opposing Woodmere Art Museum’s expansion plans, have appealed the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment’s (ZBA) decision to grant the institution a variance.
The grounds for the appeal, which was filed in Common Pleas Court on July 12, remain unclear. Repeated calls to David Fineman, a lawyer representing the neighborhood opposition group, went unreturned at press time.
Woodmere’s plans to build a two-story, modern-style wing have been mired in controversy for the last year. The North Chestnut Hill Neighbors, a group of about 20 nearby households, argued their case before the ZBA at five public hearings, contending that the addition would harm neighbors’ qualify of life .
Last month, the board, unconvinced of the group’s hardship, granted Woodmere a zoning variance, paving the way for construction.
According to the Philadelphia Code, court reviews of zoning cases are limited to determining whether the ZBA abused its discretion or committed an error of law. No new evidence or testimony will be considered.
“We’re very disappointed,” said Peter Kelsen, a lawyer representing Woodmere. “We had hoped the matter would be resolved before the ZBA. But we’re optimistic the court will reaffirm the board’s decision.”
—Michael J. Mishak
Plans for Commerce Bank branch move forward
Commerce Bank, which is in the process of purchasing the former Gap building at 8600 Germantown Ave., came before the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s land use planning and zoning and aesthetics committees earlier this month to discuss signage and other matters related to the building’s location in the historic district.
“They came to us out of respect for the community, though they were not required to,” CHCA physical division vice president Sanjiv Jain told the Local.
The bank’s use of the building does not require zoning variances, Jain said.
Jain said that the bank was “very responsive to comments from the [CHCA] team,” but could provide no specifics on updated plans for the building. Chestnut Hill Historical Society representative Bill Washburn had expressed concerns at last month’s development review committee meeting about the scale of renovations to the building, located at the corner of Germantown and Evergreen avenues.
Commerce Bank spokesperson David Flaherty said the bank plans to have the Chestnut Hill branch open by the end of the year.
“Our stores always have a large [inside] mural that focuses on a historic site in the community. We tend to move into communities and be there for the long haul … we’re interested in becoming an active partner in the communities and certainly in Chestnut Hill,” Flaherty said.
Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., Commerce Bank operates more than 325 branches in five states and the District of Columbia.
— James Sturdivant
