Neighbors want alternatives to proposal
A luxury condominium proposed for Stenton Avenue will clash with the character of the neighborhood and attract more traffic than the area can handle, Erdenheim residents said this week.
Meanwhile, Flourtown real estate agent Dan Helwig, one of four principals of the company developing the site, repeated his offer to meet with the neighbors before the Zoning Hearing Board considers the company's application for a variance.
"We definitely have concerns," Stephen Steinbrook, a resident of Whitemarsh Avenue and a spokesman for the opposition, said in an interview. "We'd like to see the property be redeveloped, but we want something that's in concert with the surrounding neighborhood."
The development company, known as 9425 Stenton LLP, is proposing to replace an apartment building and carriage house on Stenton Avenue with multilevel building containing condominium building. The carriage contains medical offices.
Neighbors of the property turned out in force at a zoning hearing in May to oppose the company's application for variances to permit the construction of the condominium.
Helwig and his partners asked the zoning board to postpone the hearing so that they and the neighbors could meet and discuss their differences.
No such meeting has taken place, though both sides have expressed a desire for it.
"We are trying to get something set up for August," Steinbrook said. "I think what we'll try to do is nominate some spokespeople".
Ann Iula, another resident of Whitemarsh Avenue, said both her husband, Steve, and Steinbrook received a letter this week from Helwig, dated Aug. 1, stating that the company's partners had attempted to address their concerns at the zoning hearing.
"I don't agree with that," Iula said.
Both Steinbrook and Iula said a 35-unit condominium would violate the character of their neighborhood, which consists largely of single homes, with some twins.
In addition, she said, the existing building has only 12 apartments, compared with the 35 that 9425 Stenton LLP is proposing.
"You are more than quadrupling the number of people in this neighborhood," she said.
Iula said she actually prefers the current combination offices and apartments, because the offices bring in traffic only during between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., whereas vehicles would be entering and leaving the condominium at all hours. The building will also extend nearly to the neighboring property line, she said.
"It's ridiculous," she said. "He's not in any way thinking about the people in this neighborhood at all."
Helwig countered that the hours of traffic would depend on the kinds of businesses that rent space in the building. Previous tenants included a restaurant that kept evening hours and a gym that was open until midnight, he said.
"Some of [the residents] don't remember that," he said.
Iula also disputed Helwig's contention that the condominiums, which will sell for about $400,000 apiece, would raise property values in the neighborhood. Homes along and around Stenton Avenue are already selling for $300,000 and more, she said.
Helwig stood by his statement, however, saying $400,000 is higher than the neighborhood average, and while some homes around Stenton may sell for $300,000 or more, others are selling for less.
"I think $400,000 condos are generally speaking above the average price in that neighborhood," he said.
Steinbrook said he hoped 9425 Stenton LLP would consider an alternative plan for about a dozen town homes, which he could support.
"The residents aren't opposed to change," he said. "We'd love to see the building change."