Commerce Bank project still halted
by Kristin Pazulski
The permit to allow Commerce Bank to continue the construction begun
this fall at 8600 Germantown Ave. was refused by the Department of Licenses
and Inspections on Monday, Feb. 13. The application refused would have
allowed the “legalization of the partial demolition and re-erection”
of parts of the property, according to the notice of refusal from L&I.
Construction at the intersection of Evergreen and Germantown Avenues
was halted this fall because the CHCA believed the construction was leaning
more towards demolition and was concerned the work exceeded the zoning
allowances. CHCA contacted L&I, who stopped the construction to review
the project and permit. The site has remained a blue-tarped eye sore since
then, and information regarding Commerce Bank’s process has been
difficult to attain as officials from the bank have been mainly silent
to the community and the Local.
After this official refusal, Commerce Bank’s next step would be
either: to continue redesigning their plan and submitting it for approval
under the current zoning, or applying for a variance with the city’s
Zoning Board of Adjustments.
An application for a variance would require Commerce Bank to meet with
the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Development and Review
Committee. The bank would be looking for DRC’s recommendation of
support to the board, and a subsequent board vote of support.
Sanjiv Jain, head of CHCA’s Physical Division, said this process
should go through very quickly because the bank has already been working
with the physical committees for months on the design of the property.
“Our committees have already worked with Commerce Bank, so we believe
we already have agreement” regarding the design and plan of the
building. Jain added, “We just need to formalize an agreement so
we can make a proposal to the whole board.”
Commerce Bank was unavailable for comment on their next move as of Local
press time.
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