©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Commerce Bank applies for a building permit
A building permit would allow the bank to resume construction
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

It’s been a while since anything has happened at 8600 Germantown Avenue. The boarded and tarp-wrapped frame of the future Chestnut Hill branch of Commerce Bank has been kept vacant by a dispute between bank officials the Chestnut Hill Community Association regarding the scale of the bank’s plans for the site.

Last October, construction at the site was halted and its zoning permit revoked by Department of Licenses and Inspection officials when the bank’s demolition work was discovered to exceed what was allowed by its initial permits. A subsequent permit issued in May was appealed by the Chestnut Hill Community Association, and work continues to be halted pending a zoning appeal hearing before the Zoning Board of Adjustments on Tuesday, July 25.

Despite the fact that its zoning permit is in dispute, L&I spokesperson Gail Johns confirmed that Commerce Bank has applied for a building permit, which if issued, will allow the bank to begin construction before the hearing.

According to Johns, Commerce Bank applied for the permit on June 16. However, CHCA board member Jim Foster believes it is unlikely Commerce will begin work before the appeal hearing because if the CHCA wins the appeal, Commerce may have to tear down or re-do any work done previous.

Foster said the CHCA does not want to see the “bank arbitrarily issued a building permit, just as they were issued a zoning permit, which directly conflicted with their commitment to discuss all plans with the community first.” The CHCA plans to host a community meeting to “gather signatures and support in opposition to Commerce Bank,” Foster said. He added that the CHCA will also be “soliciting community response” at the Pastorius Park Concerts beginning Wednesday, July 5.

Bank officials, who were working closely with the CHCA on the branch’s design before construction began in September, have avoided communication with the Association on the design and construction, said Foster. At a meeting coordinated by Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, the CHCA and bank officials discussed the communication issue and “a commitment was made … to discuss any future plans with the CHCA, prior to requesting any permits, but in typical Commerce fashion, they disregarded that commitment,” Foster said.

Commerce Bank officials did not return numerous calls by press time

Contact staff writer Kristin Pazulski at 215-248-8819 or kristin@chestnuthilllocal.com.