January 26, 2006 Issue                                               

©2005 The Chestnut Hill Local

Eyesore may linger while Commerce Bank construction remains halted
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

DUE TO THE AMOUNT of demolition done, construction on the Commerce Bank at Germantown and Evergreen avenues has been halted since the fall. When work will recommence is still unknown.

Since Commerce Bank was required to stop construction this past fall, the blue-tarped, fenced-in framework that is to be the future Chestnut Hill branch has remained an eye sore on the corner of Germantown and Evergreen Avenues.

The Department of Licenses and Inspections brought construction to a standstill in response to Chestnut Hill Community Association concern that the work being done exceeded what was allowed in the permit, according to speculation from various sources. The commissioner and deputy commissioners with the department failed to return calls to the Local by press time.

Sanjiv K. Jain, CHCA board member and vice president of the physical division, contacted Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller’s (8th District) office when the construction began, concerned about the amount of demolition that was taken place. “We felt as if it was affectively new construction,” said Jain, and with the design plans CHCA had seen, the committee was under the impression that it would be less destructive.

Jain said the two groups —Commerce Bank and CHCA’s Physical Division — have been working together, although neither is required to do so. As a result of this cooperation, Commerce Bank has made “major modifications” to their original plan at CHCA’s request. The association wanted to see the design cater more to the character of Chestnut Hill.

“We were coming to an agreement and working together,” said Jain.

But the CHCA has not received a final agreement from Commerce Bank. Jain said they would take a phone call or a public statement — just an acknowledgement that the plans are approved on both sides.

Commerce Bank Vice President of Development, Daniel J. Wallace, had no comment and marketing representatives were not aware of the delay in construction, per conversation with the Local last Thursday, and failed to respond back by press time.

The only design details left up in the air after their last discussion were based on the glass doors and the use of the Wissahickon schist stone, often called the “Chestnut Hill Stone,” on the back of the building.

“The committee said (the glass door design) wasn’t such a high priority to hold things up,” so they told Commerce Bank to dismiss that modification, Jain said. But the association wanted to see the stone used on the back of the building, in place of the planned dryvit material.

Jain said not only would this be more aesthetically appealing, but would lessen the likelihood of graffiti. Plus, the committee was presented with photos of another Commerce Bank branch that was surrounded with the signature “Chestnut Hill Stone.”

“If it’s good enough for another town, it’s good enough for us,” Jain said.

Mark Lorenzon, owner of the Chestnut Hill Stone quarry who is providing the schist stones for the project, said that the stone for the original Commerce Bank plan – what he believes is the amount needed to complete the project before CHCA’s request for additional stone in the back of the building — is already cut and has been picked up by Builders Inc., Commerce Bank’s contractor. This is not to say that additional pieces will not be ordered later.

In regards to the construction, Jain said that the association believes there is need for a variance, but this can only happen if the Commerce Bank permit is denied by L&I. Michael Moore, Public Relations/Special Assistant to Councilwoman, Miller, believes that the bank has filed for the department look into their permit, but he has not been updated on the status.

A representative of Builders Inc. said they are “real anxious to get going again” and that Commerce Bank is waiting for an “amended permit” from the department.

If the permit is denied, the bank could, and most likely would, appeal the denial to be granted with a variance. The company, in this case Commerce Bank, would then have to approach the neighbors of the property, the civic organization (CHCA) and district council to gain approval for the building plans. The company then takes these letters of compliance to the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustments, who makes the final decision.

Jain said that CHCA has a “very organized” process when it comes to variances, including an application process and meeting with the Development and Review Committee.

He also said it is important to note that although he cannot say if plans have been made to take this action, in the case that L&I does grant a permit to the company without a variance, CHCA has the option to appeal this decision.

As of now, construction is at a halt and the ball is in the court of L&I and Commerce Bank as to when construction could recommence.