Chestnut Hill residents divided on dialysis center plan

Philadelphia City Council’s Rules Committee has approved zoning for a kidney dialysis center in Chestnut Hill.  Residents have divided opinions on the facility, especially because of its hours.A representative of the company that wants to replace a portable toilet storage and cleaning facility with a multimillion-dollar dialysis center said it needs the flexibility to stay open until 9 p.m.Rob Remus of the Chestnut Hill Community Association said the building has been crumbling for years.”I would very much like to see that entire block be turned into beautiful homes, but that’s not in the cards,” he said. “I am happy to see that building converted into the dialysis use.”But the late closing time has angered some area residents.  Ron Recko, head of the Chestnut Hill Residents Association, said the ambulance noise could be a nuisance to neighbors.”The residents association wanted to negotiate the hours from the beginning, he said. “But no, they went before the community association. They were very disingenuous in their speech.”Several other council members offered the business opportunities in their districts if the Chestnut Hill location falls through.  The rules committee unanimously approved the zoning, but the bill still must be approved by the full council and signed by Mayor Michael Nutter.