July 27, 2006 Issue

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

City Zoning Board directs Commerce Bank, community leaders to meet
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

The Zoning Board of Adjustments, at the Tuesday appeal hearing, directed the Chestnut Hill Community Association and Commerce bank to meet and discuss the specific designs for the building at 8600 Germantown Ave. Another hearing date is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the matter.

In the meantime, the bank’s contractors, Builders, Inc. will work on the building that was partially demolished last October, much of it n excess of the bank’s initial permits.

The bank received its most recent building permit on July 18.

Tuesday’s appeal hearing was an attempt by the CHCA to have the city invalidate the Department of Licenses and Inspections decision to issue Commerce Bank a zoning permit on May 1.

During war, Hiller reports on life in Damascus
by BETSY O’NEIL

Ed. Note: Betsy O’Neil is a Chestnut Hill native and former teacher at the William Penn Charter School who has been living and teaching English in Damascus, Syria, for more than a year. She filed this report with the Local after war began recently between Israel and the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon.

Obviously people think I am in a danger zone. I do not feel it. Perhaps in my naiveté I think Israel won’t bomb Syria. But I cannot imagine it. Then again, people in Beirut probably couldn’t imagine it either a week ago.

.

Avenue Updates …