We are requesting the help of the Chestnut Hill Community Association and the community at large to assist East Mermaid Lane neighbors in maintaining the character and peace of our neighborhood.

Our homes, families and property values are in jeopardy due to a tone‐deaf development proposed by the Goldenberg Group. The unprecedented proposed 250 apartment development dwarfs all of the individual houses across the street and would add 250‐500 cars to our small, 50-foot wide street.

To date our experience with the Goldenberg Group has been an unhappy one.

In one of two brief meetings with the near Mermaid Lane neighbors, the Goldenberg Group reassured us that they were not going to demolish the existing meeting house. However, they have pulled a permit for complete demolition of all buildings on the site. The permit specifically states "Complete Demolition of a former 1 -story meeting house.” In our initial meeting with the Goldenberg group, they expressed an interest in working with the neighborhood to provide us with a development that is compatible with the character and quality of our neighborhood. They then presented us with a 4 to 5 story, 250‐unit apartment block. They met with the LUPZ to discuss rezoning and, having met opposition, they chose to go directly to City Council for spot rezoning.

They have lost all credibility and goodwill.

We have to look at the unvarnished truth about what the Goldenberg Group intends to do and their methods of accomplishing their goal of getting the most profit from our community regardless of zoning and regardless of the neighbors’ disapproval. We need community support to defend ourselves from this egregious plot to destroy our neighborhood.

Again, our requests have been clearly stated:

• Do not demolish the historically significant original Chestnut Hill Meeting House
• Work within the existing RSA‐3 Zoning – match other successful Woodward developments that currently make Chestnut Hill a distinctive place to live
• Maintain the existing trees and plantings that line the street on the existing 100‐102 Mermaid Lane Site
• Embrace the quality and character of houses on our street and generally in Chestnut Hill, which makes our village one of the most desirable places to live in the city.

We have had a very long and happy relationship with our neighbors from the Blossom group (UCP) and the Chestnut Hill Meeting. We respect the Chestnut Hill Meeting for their thoughtfulness and graciousness during their design process, which rendered a beautiful asset to the street.

We request the Goldenberg afford us the same respect.

This is our home. We have wonderful neighbors who have lived on this street for generations. We cannot allow a corporation to destroy our community.

Camille Peluso
Chestnut Hill