Balance Chestnut Hill wins approval from Philadelphia zoning board

The Philadelphia zoning board has approved a needed variance to allow the Balance Chestnut Hill yoga studio to move to 18 W. Willow Grove Ave., property owner Andrew Eisenstein confirmed.

However, Eisenstein said it is unclear yet when the new gym would open, as he continues negotiations with neighbor Richard Snowden on how to address property-damage issues caused by SEPTA mini-buses that enter a different part of the large property. The building fronts both Willow Grove and Germantown avenues, with an adult day-care center occupying much of the rear of the building.

Snowden also told NewsWorks in a recent interview that he and Eisenstein were continuing to talk, and he felt confident they’d work out an agreement. Snowden had asked Eisenstein for an $18,000 payment to cover past damages, and proposed a method for handling future damages, and sent a lawyer to the April 18 zoning hearing to testify against the variance.

Balance, currently located at 5 E. Highland Ave., would expand to provide personal training and some other services, its owners have said.

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NewsWorks has partnered with independent news gatherer PlanPhilly to provide regular, in-depth, timely coverage of planning, zoning and development news. Contact Amy Z. Quinn at azquinn@planphilly.com