©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local News

Gun lost on Gravers Lane in midday bust
by JENNIFER KATZ

A black handgun remains lost in East Chestnut Hill somewhere along Gravers Lane between Stenton Avenue and Ardleigh Street after a 17-year-old male from Norristown led police on a chase through the neighborhood on July 13. Police would not release the young man’s name because he is a minor.

City Zoning Board directs Commerce Bank, community leaders to meet
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

On Monday, July 24, John Palladino was the only workman to be found at the Commerce Bank sight on Germantown Avenue, despite the fact that the bank received the permits required to begin construction. (Photos by David Soffa)

The Zoning Board of Adjustments, at the Tuesday appeal hearing, directed the Chestnut Hill Community Association and Commerce bank to meet and discuss the specific designs for the building at 8600 Germantown Ave. Another hearing date is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the matter.

In the meantime, the bank’s contractors, Builders, Inc. will work on the building that was partially demolished last October, much of it n excess of the bank’s initial permits.

The bank received its most recent building permit on July 18.

Tuesday’s appeal hearing was an attempt by the CHCA to have the city invalidate the Department of Licenses and Inspections decision to issue Commerce Bank a zoning permit on May 1.

Friends of the Wissahickon name new executive director
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

Maura McCarthy

The Friends of the Wissahickon’s development director, Maura McCarthy, was named executive director of the park’s non-profit organization at the FOW board of director’s meeting on Wednesday, June 19.

McCarthy joined FOW last fall, previously serving as an associate at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility in New York.

“I’ve grown to really know and love the program FOW coordinates,” said McCarthy. “It’s great to be part of an organization that has such a focus on improving the quality of life for every park user and every community adjacent to the park.”

McCarthy graduated from New York University, and earned her doctorate in social anthropology at Oxford University in England. She has worked with numerous non-profits, including the PEN American Center in New York, the El Paso Coalition for the Homeless in Texas and African Medical Relief in Oxford.

A Facelift for 300-year-old Beggarstown Schoolhouse
by Devon Grieb

Beggarstown Schoolhouse located in Germantown. (Photo by Devon Grieb)

The oldest school in Germantown, a small, one room, stone building that has been closed and boarded up for several decades despite the fact that it is listed on the National Historic Register, will soon reopen its doors once again if a pair of local developers can find the right tenant.

Brinton Housing Partners, LP reached an agreement to lease the 300-year-old building from its owner, St. Michael’s Church, 6671 Germantown Ave. Brinton’s principals, Ken Weinstein and Bob Kaufman, have been actively working on the restoration of the school at 6669 Germantown Ave. for the last three months and are only four weeks away from completing all the necessary updates to restore the property but make it suitable for a contemporary use.

One-way bridge draws criticism, concern
by JENNIFER KATZ

Several near misses and many more sightings of cars driving the wrong way on the now reopened Willow Grove Avenue Bridge have residents and community leaders concerned for the safety of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike.