CHCA board addresses beer garden, fence issues

Posted 8/3/17

by Brendan Sample

After initially agreeing to act as a mediator between neighbors concerned about the beer garden outside the Chestnut Hill Hotel and the hotel’s ownership, the Chestnut Hill …

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CHCA board addresses beer garden, fence issues

Posted

by Brendan Sample

After initially agreeing to act as a mediator between neighbors concerned about the beer garden outside the Chestnut Hill Hotel and the hotel’s ownership, the Chestnut Hill Community Association confirmed that those plans are being put on hold.

At its monthly board meeting, the CHCA verified that after meeting with both groups separately, the neighbors ultimately decided to hold off on any future negotiations for the time being. Until they potentially decide to re-engage with the hotel, discussions between the two sides will be limited to lawyers working out details amongst themselves.

Despite this break in negotiations, neighbors remain dedicated to finding a way to address their concerns. As a result of recent discussions, one of the neighbors and an advising attorney wrote up a letter outlining their concerns regarding breaches to the 1981 covenant and other ways in which the beer garden is causing them problems. Though the letter was sent to Ron Pete, owner of the hotel, his family and lawyer, the neighbors have not received any response thus far.

“We have been busy pursuing the issue and have no intention of dropping our concern,” said Jan LeSeur, an Ardleigh Street resident who has been one of the leading forces for the neighbors. “We would dearly love to have any response from the Petes. The ball is in their court now. The silence is very disturbing.”

The board also welcomed five newly elected members to the group: Susan Bray, Cathy Clayton, Jenny McHugh, Lindsey D’Angelo and Lucie Daigle –  all of whom were attending the meeting as board members for the first time. They expressed their enthusiasm toward working with the board on many different issues and just getting involved with the community more than they had before.

Carrying over from the last Land Use Planning and Zoning meeting, the board discussed a proposed fence along the side of a house on East Gravers Lane. Given that the resident in question wants the fence for privacy purposes and that the proposed 8-foot fence will not interfere with the view of the house, both the LUPZ and Development Review Committee recommended that the CHCA approve the measure. After putting the motion to a vote, the board quickly approved the fence and will support the construction going forward.

The board also confirmed that the next Engine 37 firehouse update is set to come during the next DRC meeting on Aug.15. Cecil Baker + Partners, the architectural firm leading the renovation project, is currently planning to apply to the Zoning Board of Adjustment to get the variances it needs to complete it. The firm currently has a refusal notice from the Department of Licenses and Inspections, which is necessary to get a variance from the ZBA, but it has not been received by the CHCA at the time of publication. Since the board members need the refusal to understand on what grounds the firm is being refused, the CHCA could end up pushing the update back if it is not received by the date of the proposed meeting.

Another event that the CHCA set for August is the start of the Residential Parking Study. Officially getting underway, the study will look to collect information regarding congestion and other parking concerns in the community. As with the Residential Conservation, Preservation and Development Study conducted earlier this year, the data gathered will ultimately be handed off to another group that use the study to form and execute specific plans to improve parking.

The next CHCA Board of Directors meeting is set to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, in Blossom Philadelphia, 102 E. Mermaid Lane.

 

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