Fresh Market Design Sees Minor Revisions, Gets Timeline

The building could continue to see small revisions during the negotiating process.

Richard Snowden spoke about the negotiating process between Bowman properties and the neighbors of the development at 8200 Germantown Avenue at a Chestnut Hill Community Association meeting last week. "There are a number of tweaks around the building. The original declaration anticipated that there would be negotiations back and forth," Snowden said at the board of directors meeting. The board of directors voted to allow minor revisions to be handled by the negotiating committee, the technical review committee and the executive committee in charge fo the project, without needing to report to the board of directors. The motion was made and passed to save time on passing minor revisions. More recently, according to a Newsworks article, …

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Legal Action Dropped Against Magarity Zoning

The neighbors who were challenging the zoning dropped the lawsuit.

Richard Snowden announced last week at the Chestnut Hill Community Association board of directors meeting that the neighbors who were challenging the legality of the zoning at 8200 Germantown Avenue have dropped the action. According to a Newsworks article, an agreement to help make the development fit in better with its surroundings helped dissuade the neighbors from taking legal action. See the full story here.  

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Lawsuit to Challenge Magarity Zoning

An attorney for a group of near neighbors called the zoning ordinances spot zoning.

CHCA Board Supports Bowman Development

The board voted unanimously Monday to support the project at 8200 Germantown Ave.

At the end of Monday’s special meeting of the Chestnut Hill Community Association Board, the mood took a turn towards celebratory as the Bowman Development for 8200 Germantown Ave. was approved. With a few board members absent or excluded by conflict of interest, the proposal that has been through subcommittees and development review was given unanimous approval by the board. Once contingency of the approval was that the developer continues to go through design review with the association as the project moves forward. The zoning changes sought by Bowman properties, however, will move forward through City Council with the CHCA’s backing. The round of applause that followed the final vote was not joined by everyone, however, as some …

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Development Review Votes for Bowman Development

The committee met Wednesday to hear changes made to the 8200 Germantown Avenue development proposal.

A crowd was gathered at Chestnut Hill Hospital Wednesday night to hear what most likely will be one of the final presentations from Bowman Properties on 8200 Germantown Ave. before the next phase of the development. Over the last several weeks, the Chestnut Hill Community Association subcommittee formed to discuss the matter has been working with the developers to negotiate some key aspects of the project. Bowman presented the altered plans to the Development Review Committee Wednesday. Some changes have been made to the proposal for the mixed-use building that will be built on the former Magarity Ford dealership lot. The building will sit back an additional three feet from Hartwell Lane, creating more landscaped space between the property…

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Bowman Developer Donated to Donna Reed Miller's Campaign

According to finance records, Richard Snowden donated to Friends of Donna Reed Miller in May 2008.

In 2008, Richard Snowden, managing partner of Bowman Properties, donated $1,250 to Friends of Donna Reed Miller, according to campaign finance reports. The councilwoman (D- 8th District) recently introduced three bills that will allow that would rezone the lot at 8200 Germantown Ave., and reverse West Hartwell Lane, all three of which would benefit Bowman Properties’ proposed mixed-use development. The bill recently came before City Council’s Committee on Rules and Streets and Services Committee, and all were given a favorable recommendation for full council. According to campaign finance records from the Philadelphia Controller’s website, Snowden donated the money to Miller’s campaign group May 5, 2008. Under the finance records, Snowden …

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Council Committee Hears Heated Debate Over Bowman Development

In a public hearing of the Committee on Rules, Chestnut Hill residents came out to testify for and against the development.

After testimony both in favor and against two zoning bills relating to the proposed development of 8200 Germantown Ave., 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 bill to reverse the direction of West Hartwell Lane 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 Bowman Properties. “We are not opposed to a mixed-use development. We oppose the ordinances because we see the plan as over…

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City Council Committees Poised to Make Recommendations on Bowman Development

Public hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday will garner committee recommendations on three bills on zoning and traffic for the proposed 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 three bills introduced by Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller (D-8th District) Oct. 27. 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 tabled for the commission’s December meeting. According to William Nesheiwat, director of legislation for Miller, Council only needs the commission’s opinion in time for the final decision…

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Mary Gulivindala

3:13 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011

To The Powers That Be, I live on West Hartwell. I look at Magarity Ford. I don't want the street traffic to change. The access to Shawnee to go up to Highland is a necessary corridor. It eases trafic. If this change happens you will have to drive up Germantown Avenue. Not good. Traffic lights and congestions. Why doesn't the entrance open on Hartwell and Exit on Germantown Avenue??? I believe I …   more ›

Business Association, Neighbors Share Views on Fresh Market Development

The six-story proposed development has stirred up controversy in Chestnut Hill.