by Brendan Sample

After going nearly a year without any major updates, Craig Hosay and Keith Kunz, of the Water Tower Recreation Center, presented the next steps in the plans for long-term renovations of the Water Tower to the board of the Chestnut Hill Community Association.

Although renovations are not expected to be completed for another 10 to 15 years, the Water Tower Advisory Council has made significant progress on its master plan while also holding the final meetings of its first step in this process.

Both Hosay and Kunz are set to become CHCA board members when the CHCA’s new term begins in July, but their focus during the recent meeting was set on the Water Tower. Hosay recounted how they had brought in seven design professionals to help produce a conceptual plan, which will ultimately become the master plan. While changes can still be made, the Water Tower is now shifting its focus to funding, as this renovation is still separate from the Philadelphia Rebuild initiative.

Hosay confirmed that the Water Tower will need about $6 million to complete the entire project. Facing the probability of a lack of city funding, the WTAC has looked to other potential sources, including talking to 200th District Representative Chris Rabb about possible state funding for the project. Hosay expressed his hope that the CHCA will be a partner in this effort, also admitting that it has been probably the main reason why he is joining the board.

When finished, the master plan will likely prioritize renovations to the exterior fields and courts over those to the building itself. While the main building does need improvements, it did also pass its most recent city inspection, which led the WTAC to decide that it could put more emphasis on external fixes.

In financial updates, Kathi Clayton and Susan Bray provided a final count of the Annual Fund Appeal, which was $57,230. Although this total fell short of the $100,000 goal, it did still meet the CHCA’s budget, which gives the organization options going forward as opposed to having to make some difficult choices concerning the budget.

Additionally, Executive Director Anne McNiff and Treasurer Karl Martin provided a general financial update as the end of the fiscal year approaches. Because this fiscal year is ending on June 30, it was difficult for McNiff and Martin to provide any comparisons to previous years, which ended on April 30. With both of them making preparations for the next 12 months of the budget, they were able to say that there have been no new surprises, good or bad, as far as the current budget is concerned.

Joyce Lenhardt, vice president of the Physical Division, brought up a conflicting issue regarding the upcoming meetings for the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee and Development Review Committee, both of which will be hearing about a property on 601 West Gravers Lane in the coming month. While further details about the proposed renovation will be discussed at the meetings, the property owners are set to go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment before the CHCA’s next meeting. The CHCA normally hears a recommendation from the Physical Division on how to move forward with a proposed project and then votes on what it will recommend to the ZBA, but the schedules will conflict this time around.

With this in mind, Lenhardt asked the CHCA to give the DRC the authority to make an official recommendation on the board’s behalf. While the board normally agrees with whatever recommendation comes from the Physical Division, some members expressed concern over giving the DRC a “blank check” without formally knowing what they would or would not be approving. With the deepest technical review of the renovation set to come during the next LUPZ meeting on June 7, the board passed a motion to have the LUPZ provide it with information after that meeting and then take an email vote on whether or not to empower the DRC.

From the Social Division, Vice President Marilyn Paucker offered an update on the Great Houses Tour on May 20, which drew about 300 people. Paucker considered that a successful turnout, which was especially good considering the poor weather and the Garden Festival being held on the same day. She also relayed that the stage for the Pastorius Park Concert Series has been set up and is ready to go for June 9.

The next CHCA Board of Directors meeting will be held as part of the Annual Meeting on June 21 at the Venetian Club. The first meeting of the new term will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Blossom Philadelphia.