Letters: Is Chestnut Hill planning to fail?

Posted 3/24/21

I am writing to call on the Chestnut Hill community to demand and form a community-centric property development vision, plan and process. One that is inclusive, instead of exclusive. One that can be referenced for decisions, and that makes the entire community successful.

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Letters: Is Chestnut Hill planning to fail?

Posted

I am writing to call on the Chestnut Hill community to demand and form a community-centric property development vision, plan and process. One that is inclusive, instead of exclusive. One that can be referenced for decisions, and that makes the entire community successful. All stakeholders—developers, architects, designers, construction and the community could work cooperatively from the very start. Further, I am calling for this to get started right now.

Residents of Chestnut Hill are the beneficiaries of the progressive and unified vision of people who faced issues, but didn’t let those issues prevent them from achieving that vision. The neighborhood was designated in 1985 as the Chestnut Hill Historic District with the National Register of Historic Places. Citing its natural resources, architectural character, and thoughtful planning, the American Planning Association has recognized it among its “Great Places in America.” The characteristics of Chestnut Hill that residents and visitors love and admire were planned. They didn’t just happen by chance or haphazardly.

What is currently referred to as “development” seems to be a series of haphazard, disparate decisions about individual and seemingly unconnected properties and projects. We are developing, alright. But are we developing into what we as a community, want to be? It doesn’t look or feel as though we are.

The current process can be described as one in which plans are drawn up shrouded in secrecy, blessed by the few and understandably resisted by an angry, excluded community. Am I the only person in Chestnut Hill who finds this “process” to be regressive, tired and dysfunctional?

We are fortunate to have the talent, expertise, experience, humanity and commitment in our community to form an inclusive vision, plan and process. And if you want to make a better future, there is no time like the present. Shall we get started?

Stephen Megargee
Chestnut Hill

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