Greene Street Consignment building expansion now before the Philadelphia Zoning Board

The zoning board is considering variance applications that would allow an expansion at Greene Street Consignment in Chestnut Hill.

Gary Smith, attorney for building owner Sanjiv Jain, appeared before the board Tuesday seeking variances to expand the first floor of the building at 8524-26 Germantown Ave., and to put a roof deck on that new portion. With the 1,000 square foot expansion, the building would take up about 90 percent of the total property, and Jain also seeks a variance to allow that.

ZBA members didn’t vote on the application because a needed document hadn’t yet been turned in, but the plans’ prospects are good. The project has the support of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, Smith submitted letters of support from some neighbors. Also, Robert Bembry, an aide to Councilwoman Cindy Bass, appeared at the meeting to put her support on the record.

The building expansion will eradicate a few parking spots behind the building now used by other tenants, Smith said. However, a 200-space Chestnut Hill Parking Foundation lot is close by and under an agreement, those cars will move there.

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Original plans called for a slightly larger expansion that would have covered 100 percent of the building lot, but negotiations between Jain and the CHCA resulted in the modifications. Jain also owns the building nearby where Penzey’s Spices is located, which covers 100 percent of its lot. His attorney expects a decision next week

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.

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