October 19, 2006 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Online Editor Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or ©2006 Chestnut Hill Local Winner of One |
Land Use Planning and Zoning recommends action on zoning
violations The Land Use and Planning committee of the Chestnut Hill Community Association has recommended that the CHCA take a more active role in ensuring that residents and businesses in Chestnut Hill comply with the city’s zoning code. Ned Mitinger, committee member and treasurer of the CHCA, said part of the association’s job is to report code violations to the Department of Licenses and Inspections, the city agency that enforces the code. “We don’t have to change our current practice, but we have to follow it,” Mitinger said. “Currently we don’t.” Mitinger said he used to do this as a community manager in the late 1990s, but he noted that recently the CHCA has instead suggested that neighbors call L&I themselves. He added that the recent Commerce Bank controversy was a well-publicized exception. The motion made at the Oct. 5 meeting came about as the result of illegal fences brought to the CHCA’s attention recently. It did not suggest that the CHCA go out seeking code violations. Jean McCoubrey, LUPZ committee member, supported the motion, which was passed unanimously by the five members present. She said the present system was not fair to developers, who go through the CHCA’s long and strict development process, that others are able to skirt it and build without a variance. The recommendation was scheduled to be presented to the Development Review Committee for discussion before going to the board. Contact staff writer Kristin Pazulski at 215-248-8819 or Kristin@chestnuthilllocal.com. |
