Herbiary Withdraws Variance Request

Herbiary operator Andrew Celwyn told the Chestnut Hill Community Association Board on Thursday night that he would not continue to seek a zoning variance for his business located at 133 East Mermaid Lane.

Celwyn added that classes will no longer be taught at that location starting in June.

Neighbors on either side of the property strongly objected to the property’s use as a classroom.

The Chestnut Hill Board voted unanimously to reject a zoning variance that would allow the business to continue operating, but president Brien Tilley said that the board would be willing to work with the residents to find an acceptable use.

“It was not our intention to be contentious,” Tilley said.  “And we are sorry to hear that this is the course of action you now have to take.”

The board offered to form a subcommittee as part of the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee as a way to broker an agreement offer what would be an acceptable use between the property owner and the neighbors.

Several neighbors were on-hand at Thursday’s meeting and expressed concerns over the process.

Kristopher Jacobson, who owns the property located at 131 East Mermaid Lane, said that the process has cost his family a lot of money and should have never happened in the first place.

Another neighbor, Douglas Martenson, said that he had no problem with the business, he just didn’t want to see a business in the middle of a residential area.

“I hope whatever happens next with this property it goes back to square one,” Jacobson said.  “That why we can go back and do this process right.”