by Brendan Sample

A proposal to extend the Germantown Overlay, an update on the signage for the proposed escape room coming to Chestnut Hill and potential changes to membership and bylaws were the topics of discussion at the latest Chestnut Hill Community Association Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee meeting.

Hoping to make progress on a potential extension of the Germantown Overlay, John Landis, LUPZ chair, and Celeste Hardester, CHCA development review facilitator, have sought out the assistance of 8th District Councilwoman Cindy Bass. Though Bass has not yet examined the extension plan, the LUPZ will continue to seek out her office’s help. The committee feels that City Council will go along with a potential decision from Bass on whether or not to support it, which would mean that it is just a matter of whether she wants to or not.

One of the proposed changes to the overlay would also involve not allowing a demolition permit in the area without a valid reason. While the LUPZ is not seeking to prevent any demolition in the region, the committee members do hope to understand the reasoning behind every planned demolition before it happens.

“Let’s do this now so that we don’t get more buildings demolished,” said Joyce Lenhardt, vice president of CHCA’s Physical Division.

In regards to the upcoming Chestnut Hill Escape Room at 8217 Germantown Ave., several LUPZ members have taken issue with the escape room putting up a sign on the building before getting official approval on the necessary special exception. Both the LUPZ and CHCA boards have voted to support the exception, but the escape room needs official approval from the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment before it is allowed to begin operation. Landis, on the other hand, argued that there may not have been any real harm done, as the sign is an appropriate size and no one outside the committee has raised any complaints.

Although formal actions on changing bylaws could not be taken without a majority of the committee present, those LUPZ members that were in attendance did begin discussions on changes that could be implemented in the near future. It was noted that several members would need to be considered inactive, as they had not met the requirements of attending six of the 12 meetings in one year, and there is consideration for increasing the number of attended meetings needed to remain an active member.

The committee remains interested in recruiting new members, since it is thinking of increasing the group’s size to 14 members, 12 of whom would be professionals in a relevant field.

The next LUPZ meeting is set for Thursday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. at the Chestnut Hill Hospital.

Brendan Sample can be reached at brendan@chestnuthilllocal.com