After two years’ silence, the East Mermaid Lane Neighbors (Neighbors) called a meeting with the Goldenberg Group (Goldenberg) to discuss their posted demolition permit for 100 E. Mermaid Lane, the Meeting House, and their lack of communications and transparency with the Neighbors.  Goldenberg discussed bumbling the posting of the permit at the rear of the property, not visible to the public, and poor communications with us Neighbors. 

They then “revealed” their proposed approach to the 100 & 102 E. Mermaid Lane properties formerly Blossom/UCP/Chestnut Hill Meeting - a multi- family, 250 apartment unit 4 story block building.  This proposal largely ignored the Neighbors’ concerns expressed at an earlier meeting with Goldenberg just two weeks prior, again convened at the Neighbor’s request.  The entire property is currently zoned RSA-1, as is the rest of our neighborhood.  This zoning use by right allows single family and duplex residences with prescribed setbacks, minimum property area, and 38’ height restriction reflective of the historic Victorian Era houses on the block.

Goldenberg's proposal is a shameless disregard for the integrity of our historic neighborhood and of Chestnut Hill at large.  Goldenberg used the travesty of the Morgan Estate’s 1970s development as the context and justification for their development approach.  The Morgan Estate development destroyed the northeast section of Chestnut Hill and was integral in CHCA's establishment of the development review process that now exists.  Goldenberg's proposed development of the former Yarnall estate will repeat the sins of the 1970s and destroy the unique qualities of our collection of early-mid Victorian houses along Mermaid Lane.  It is a lane, not a street, avenue, or boulevard, and the scale of development should respect its character and present zoning prescribed to do so. 

I vehemently oppose Goldenberg's proposed development approach to the former Blossom/UCP site. 

Cynthia Brey, AIA, 
Chestnut Hill