Council Committee Hears Heated Debate Over Bowman Development

After testimony both in favor and against ., City Council’s Committee on Rules voted to give the bills a favorable recommendation.

The bills, which would rezone the former Magarity Ford dealership to allow the proposed mixed-use development by Bowman Properties, will be considered with a by a City Council meeting in December.

The public hearing on the zoning bills was met with mixed testimony from Chestnut Hill residents, near neighbors, Community Association members, and representatives from .

“We are not opposed to a mixed-use development. We oppose the ordinances because we see the plan as over-development,” said Terry Halpert, a near neighbor and one of the organizers of a petition against the development.

Others opposed the committee and City Council voting on the bills until the development process with the

Jane Piotrowski, President of the CHCA, testified that, contrary to speculation, the association was not being railroaded by the developers.

“I’m hear to tell you that the allegation could not be further from the truth. The developer has presented at no less than seven public meetings,” Piotrowski said, adding that the developer has also worked “countless hours” with a subcommittee formed to negotiate the development.

Still, concerns were presented that Bowman Properties is taking measures to avoid compromise on its plans for the property.

“I would prefer that the developer goes through the community process and they can work it out with the developer,” testified Glen Bergman, General Manager of .

Others spoke against Bergman’s testimony and efforts to rally neighbors to oppose the development.

“I am alarmed that Glen Bergman, who does not live in Chestnut Hill, is using his platform to block the proposed development of a business that would compete with his own,” said Jennifer Zoega, a Chestnut Hill resident.

Greg Welsh, president of the Chestnut Hill Business Association, also testified in favor of the development, stating that the association has twice voted in favor of it.

“We look forward to this quality project,” Welsh said.

While the Committee on Rules has given the bills a favorable recommendation, the development still has several phases to complete. The Chestnut Hill Community Association will hold a Dec. 12 meeting to give a final vote on the proposal, and the City Planning Commission will also hear the proposal and give a recommendation at its December meeting.

While concerns about the mass and bulk of the project have been a focal point of the discussion, one potential compromise is in the works. Attorney for Bowman Properties Matthew McClure testified at the hearing that the plans for a six-story building could be reduced to five stories.

“We are very close to going forward with five story plan, which would be 55 feet, and in scale with across the street,” McClure said.