City Council Committees Poised to Make Recommendations on Bowman Development

Public hearings for two zoning ordinances will come up at City Council’s Committee on Rules Wednesday relating to the development of 8200 Germantown Ave.

The hearing will allow testimony on two of the

The bills would change the zoning of the former Magarity Ford dealership to allow a higher density and height in the commercial zoning and higher density in a portion of the residential zoning.

The proposed development went before the City Planning Commission Nov. 15, and was .

According to William Nesheiwat, director of legislation for Miller, Council only needs the commission’s opinion in time for the final decision.

“The Planning Commission has requested to hold off on final passage, and we are working with them on that,” Nesheiwat said.

The zoning would allow Bowman Properties’ proposed development to continue as is, with a six-story commercial space on Germantown Avenue, and townhomes and condominiums facing Pastorius Park. The proposal is still being discussed with the Chestnut Hill Community Association and is the main agenda item on a December special meeting of the board.

The hearing at the Committee on Rules Wednesday will allow testimony from the public, and Glenn Bergman, general manager of Weavers Way Co-op, is hoping the

In a recent letter to the co-op’s membership, Bergman wrote, “In order to get all this built, Bowman wants to ignore the concerns of the community, sidestep the processes that are in place, and circumvent the zoning commission and the variance process, going straight to City Council to have that parcel rezoned.”

Bergman objected to Bowman head start on bringing the issue to City Council, before CHCA negotiations have settled.

“In other words, using politics to get what they want instead of negotiating with the neighbors and the Community Association to create something the entire community can support,” Bergman wrote. “And I do have a problem with that. I hope you do, too. So I am asking you to support the neighbors who are trying to preserve their right to have a say in how their community is developed.”

Matt McClure, attorney for Bowman Properties, said in a live telecast of a hearing of the Streets and Services Committee of City Council, that the CHCA will have a meeting in December to give a final recommendation before final passage of the zoning bills.

The meeting, which is scheduled for Dec. 12, is a special meeting of the CHCA board, which was set to discuss the proposal before the next planning commission meeting.

The third bill introduced to Council on the development would reverse the direction of West Hartwell Lane to run eastbound toward Germantown Avenue. That bill was discussed at a public hearing Tuesday before the Streets and Services Committee, and a vote will occur at the committee’s meeting, also scheduled for Tuesday.

Check back with Chestnut Hill Patch for the results of the Streets and Services hearing, and coverage of the Committee on Rules hearing on Wednesday.