Developers plan to demolish 7000-7002 Cresheim Road to make way for an apartment building. Neighbors on the block say the building will harm the fabric of their neighborhood. (Photo by Brendan Sample)

by Brendan Sample

The near neighbors of the 7000 block of Cresheim Road are coming together to voice their opposition of both the demolition of two rowhomes on the block and the proposed construction of an apartment complex. Although the developers, Tester Construction and Cresheim Capital, have received a demolition permit for 7000 and 7002 Cresheim Road, neighbors are still hoping to preserve their block as much as possible.

“These rowhomes are almost 100 years old and they all need work on the inside due to age,” said Ginny Barnwell, a resident of the block since 1995 and one of the neighbors spearheading this opposition. “The houses are also all connected by the walls, so we’re worried about a potential domino effect if these ones are torn down.”

The residents have already had some success in their fight against the new construction, as they were able to get the first building permit revoked by the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment in March. The area is zoned for multi-family housing and contains setback for distance from the sidewalk and next-door homes that would have been encroached. Because plans called for building up to the sidewalk, the city revoked the permits when neighbors pointed it out.

After the initial ZBA ruling, the developers adjusted the plan to provide setbacks that were lacking the first time around, but residents are continuing to fight it. They have another ZBA hearing scheduled for September 25, and their argument this time around will focus on the slope of the proposed complex, which they feel was not fully taken into consideration and will negatively affect the allowable height.

Aside from not sticking to zoning regulations, neighbors worry the new complex would cause further parking constraints on their block, as this would be the third apartment building on or next to the 7000 block of Cresheim. This could also lead to safety issues in the winter, as SEPTA uses Cresheim as an emergency route during extreme weather situations.

While the neighbors have considerable time to push back against the new construction, the demolition of the properties may still happen regardless of whatever the ZBA rules. The developers have already been given a demolition permit by the Department of Licenses and Inspections which allows them to tear down the two houses on August 29 at the earliest. Karen Guss, L&I Communications Director, also confirmed that the pending ZBA hearing would not prevent the developers from demolishing the properties.

Attempts by the Local to reach the developer were not successful

The neighbors were able to secure a face-to-face meeting with the developers for August 28 after repeated attempts to get in touch with them. Eighth District Councilwoman Cindy Bass will also be attending the meeting in support of the neighbors. Although they have had success in fighting the permits before, Barnwell fears that their continued appeal efforts will ultimately lead to the developers creating a plan that meets zoning code.

“Some of my neighbors have been living here since the ‘60s and ‘70s,” Barnwell said. “Parking in this area is already ridiculous because of the apartments, and this would just make that worse … We just want to keep our block intact.”

Brendan Sample can be reached at brendan@chestnuthilllocal.com