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Hilltop lot to be office, apartment space
A two-story building is scheduled to fill the empty lot at 18 Hilltop Road, property owner Mark Haber said. The lot has been vacant for as long as near neighbors can remember, but Haber has received the permits and plans to begin construction on an office and apartment space, to be completed in about six months. Approximately three years ago, Haber approached the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Development and Review Committee with plans to build a row of townhouses on the 9,300-square-foot property. The project would not have fallen within the property’s zoning code. The committee dictated that he speak with the near neighbors, but after two meetings, neighbors couldn’t decide whether to support the project, said Haber’s attorney, Carl Primavera of Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers in Philadelphia. “[Townhouses] were so overwhelming for that space,” said Ronna Tyndall, who has lived at 36 Hilltop Road for 26 years and attended the meetings about the townhouses. Haber decided that “building anything that required variances from the zoning board would be problematic,” said Primavera, and instead now plans to build within the C-1 zoning code. The two-story building, with a footprint of about 2,000 square feet, would house office space on the bottom floor and a one-floor apartment on the second. The plans include a three- or four-space parking lot and landscaping, Haber said. Tyndall said that if Haber is now building within code – which, according to his building and zoning permits, he is – “he can do whatever he wants … we just want to know about things that would change the quality of life here.” Her concerns are with the size of the building and its architecture, the landscaping and the storm-water runoff. “We can’t say yes or no [on its effect on the neighborhood] until we see it,” Tyndall said. In response to those concerns, Haber said that to get his permits he had to have a storm-water/erosion plan in place, and that the building’s exterior will be stone and stucco to fit into Chestnut Hill’s aesthetics. Ed Murphy, who has lived at 34 Hilltop Road for 53 years, agreed that as long as Haber is within the zoning code, he has no arguments against the development. “We can’t have an open plot like that stay forever,” Murphy said. Caroline McCloskey, at 32 Hilltop Road, said she’s just interested in knowing how the plans would affect the community in general. “Being in the dark is always an uncomfortable place for anybody,” Tyndall added. Rumors were circulating that Haber was avoiding the CHCA with these plans, in light of previous experiences with its business development process. But Haber and attorney Primavera said Haber has no hard feelings towards the CHCA; he just decided to build within the zoning code. About four or five years ago, Haber communicated with neighbors through the CHCA, trying to change his mother’s gift shop to a bagel shop at 8624 Germantown Ave. (currently Cosimo’s Pizza Café). There were people for and against the food store, and current CHCA Vice President of the Physical Division Susan Pizzano, who was on the CHCA board at the time, said she “can understand why he’s not running to the association with open arms,” though Primavera said the experience had nothing to do with this new development. Haber is not required to meet with near neighbors and said he isn’t planning to, though he would be willing to meet with the CHCA if board members requested him to, which would be open to the public. He also said the plans for the building are public information, available at city offices, and interested people can contact the city to see them. Primavera said Haber has been discussing plans with one neighbor “as a courtesy” and believes that if neighbors insisted his client would eventually meet with them. Contact staff writer Kristin Pazulski at 215-248-8819 or kristin@chestnuthilllocal.com. |
