The Goldenberg Group on March 5 presented its plans for the 4.4-acre property at 100-102 Mermaid Lane to the Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Historic District Advisory Committee (HDAC).

The presentation was part of the zoning process ahead of the developer’s eventual hearing with the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment for requested variances. The HDAC reviews projects involving historic structures and properties within the Chestnut Hill National Register Historic District.

The lot formerly housed the Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting and headquarters for the defunct Blossom Philadelphia organization, which helped people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

“This committee focuses on both renovation or alterations to existing historic buildings as well as new construction for sort of compatibility with the historic district,” David Gest, executive director of the Conservancy, said at the meeting. “The meeting house here, I believe, was constructed in 1931 and is a significant property within the National Register Historic District.”

The Goldenberg Group’s design calls for 28 owner-occupied residences, including 12 twin houses, three single houses, and a restored and renovated former meeting house.

Instead of subdividing the property into individual parcels, the homes would be for sale on a condominium parcel. A private road would be built connecting to the existing curb cuts on Mermaid Lane.

The homes would be accessed from an interior private street, rather than having individual curb cuts on Mermaid Lane.

James Rice, one of the HDAC members, said, “I really appreciate the fact that they didn’t try to make 12 curb cuts along Mermaid, which would have been a nightmare.”

Through this zoning process, the developers seek several variances. The lot is currently zoned RSA-3 for single-family homes, requiring the developers to receive variances to build multiple structures on the lot.

For the project, they also would need variances for construction due to the slope of the land and height variances for the buildings.

HDAC praised the Goldenberg Group’s new design in contrast with its original proposal in 2021.

“HDAC supports the request for variances based on the scope of the project as presented this evening,” Gest said at the end of the meeting, “including its design and use of materials, and would encourage the applicant to ensure that future architectural guidelines connected with the property match this evening’s presentation.”

HDAC wanted clarification on what the guidelines will be under the future homeowners’ association for the development. The developer’s team responded that the guidelines likely will be clarified before the city zoning hearing.

How we got here

In 2021, the Goldenberg Group proposed construction of 285 housing units on the property, drawing criticism from a group of near neighbors. They opposed the scale of the project, feeling that a five-story apartment building did not match the surrounding neighborhood.

After residents raised concerns, Councilmember Cindy Bass introduced a bill, which the City Council approved in June 2024, that formed the Chestnut Hill Lower East Neighborhood Conservation Overlay. The overlay restricted the developer’s original plan and covered the southern portion of Chestnut Hill bordering the SEPTA Chestnut Hill East rail line, Cresheim Valley Drive, Germantown Avenue, Winston Road, Moreland Avenue, Devon Street, Ardleigh Street, and Springfield Avenue.

While members of the group opposed the developer’s original plans for the property, at a meeting in May, they expressed support for the current design.

Moving ahead

Following the HDAC meeting, the developer met with the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Land Use Planning and Zoning committee.

The committee recommended support for the project ahead of a meeting with the community association, scheduled for March 17 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

Following the meeting, the developer would then meet with the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.