10 Bethlehem Pike is a 11,113 sq. ft. lot at the corner of Bethlehem Pike, Summit Street, and Germantown Avenue. This lot housed a Sunoco gas station for many years. A new, five-story, multi-family apartment building will be developed here with a 9-foot setback from the historical Baptist Church of Chestnut Hill, built in 1835 and its adjacent graveyard and across the street from the historic homes on Summit Avenue.

What you need to know:

The developer submitted “by right” plans to the city zoning board (claiming they didn’t need a variance to build) and they were granted a zoning permit. The apartment building will include slightly below grade retail space, a residential lobby and 33 one and two bedroom apartments.  There will only be 8 parking spaces for both the apartments and the 3,00 foot commercial space.

Concerned neighbors and the Chestnut Hill Community Association are opposed to the building in its current form. Their top concerns are:

1)The massive building has no setbacks from the street or set backs on the upper stories.

2) The historical Baptist church may sustain damage during the construction process and will be overshadowed by the building.

3) Existing nearby homes also will be overshadowed by the new building, depriving them of sunlight and sky.

4) The building will result in Increased traffic congestion, lack of parking, and increased pressure on already strained water and sewer systems.

5) The building is out of character for an historic neighborhood.

The CHCA and the neighbors have proposed fixes to address many of these concerns, but the developers have rejected compromise thus far.  For this reason, the CHCA are appealing the current zoning, which we do not believe complies with the set back requirements in the zoning regulations.   Therefore, the developers should have requested a variance for this project, which they did not do.

Project Details

Developer - Max Frankel and Zachary Frankel of Frankel Enterprises doing business as TPM, LLC.
Architect -  Coscia and Moos http://www.Cosciamoos.com
Building Height - 46’ 9-1/2”
Basement - 1st floor: Retail sales of food and drink, residential lobby and mechanical
2nd. Floor - 5th floor: 33 one and two bedroom apartments
Roof - green roof
Parking - cars: 8;  bicycles: 12

View the developers presentation here: https://www.chestnuthill.org/docs/2021_02_12-Bethlehem_Pike_RCO_Presentation.pdf