Chestnut Hill College plans to double in size
A small Catholic college in Chestnut Hill is presenting to the surrounding community its plans to nearly double in size. The student body at Chestnut Hill College has grown almost 3 times its size six years ago.
A small Catholic college in Chestnut Hill is presenting to the surrounding community its plans to nearly double in size. The student body at Chestnut Hill College has grown almost 3 times its size six years ago.
Listen: [audio: 090915pcchestnut.mp3]
In 2003, Chestnut Hill College had less than 350 students, it now boasts 900 and wants to grow to 1500. To do that the school recently bought a nearby estate called Sugar Loaf. A 25-year master plan calls for 12 new buildings and a 600-space underground parking garage.
A key part of the plan is to change the zoning of Sugar Loaf from residential to institutional. College president Sister Carol Jean Vale.
Vale: It becomes possible to request that when you have a master plan, so that we don’t continually have to go back to the zoning board for use variances when we wish to build. It saves time and, obviously, finances.
The Chestnut Hill Development Committee is composed of a number of sub-committees. It is expected to take a few months for all to review the plan.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.