Neighbors Reject New Germany Hill Plan

The battle of Germany Hill continues. Ridge Park Civic Association members rejected a new plan from developers to construct 32 townhomes on the currently rural area.

Objecting to what members called insufficient plans regarding traffic, stormwater maintenance, and where an access road is created, Ridge Park opposed the third development plan for the area bounded by Parker, Smick, Lemonte and Cinnaminson streets.

Property owner Greg Ventresca presented a plan for 32 townhomes, which included:

• Four blocks of eight homes, each with three bedrooms (96 bedrooms total);
• One-car garages with off-street parking for at least one car and guest parking provided;
• Giving 3.5 to 4 acres of space to Ridge Park or city;
• Creating road access from Parker Avenue through Smick Street.

"We think this is the middle ground of all the plans to date," he said. Previously, Ventresca proposed 48 twins, 78 condos and to serve as the site of the Green Woods Charter School. Each failed due to different reasons, including market interest and neighborhood concerns.

An overall concern on the property is developing Germany Hill, a wooded and slopped area tucked into Roxborough. About 12 acres in the area are city-owned. In February, to remove the "paper" street of Cinnaminson from city maps, thus severely limiting, if not barring, development on the other eight acres. The City Planning Commission recommended City Council not pass the bill, and although Jones pledged to push the legislation, no movement occurred.

On Thursday, that paper street was part of a source of contention. The new plan opens connects an unopend porition of Smick Street to Parker Avenue, without connecting it to the other side of Smick. This links to a winding driveway to Cinnaminson.

Residents said the new plans move the development's access street through the city-owned property. Project attorney Darwin Beauvais said he wanted to work with residents to find the best route in. The civic rejected that idea. 

"We don't have to create a task force. We don't need help you cut through a part of Fairmount Park," civic member Patti Brennan said.

Residents doubted whether development was feasible on the hill, and how much stormwater runoff would the project create.

"We will build retention basins that we believe will help the area as a whole," Beauvis said.

Civic member Marlene Schleifer, who also volunteers with environmental group Ivy Ridge Green, questioned the project's entire scope.

"This is about the integrity of the parkland and the integrity of the residents," she said.

Other residents felt the building chokes an already busy traffic area—some speculated another 100 cars converging on the Green Lane bridge every day.

City Planning representative Matt Wysong said the new zoning code, which goes into effect this August, would add further restrictions. The builders may need a variance to remove dirt if steep slopes are greater than 25 percent. In addition, certain heritage trees may have to be replanted on site.

In short, residents requested more detailed survey information, reports from the water department and info from other city agencies.

They voted against the plan as is Thursday night.

Joshua Cohen, a staff member from Councilman Jones' office, said the councilman has yet to see the plans and issued a no comment statement.