Planning Commission approves Nicetown II project

By Amy Z. Quinn
For NewsWorks
After a brief hearing, the city Planning Commission approved the planned Nicetown Court II development on Germantown Avenue, near Wayne Junction.  More »

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.

Planning Commission approves Nicetown II project

After a brief hearing, the city Planning Commission approved the planned Nicetown Court II development on Germantown Avenue, near Wayne Junction.

The commissioners on Tuesday reviewed a redevelopment agreement approved last week between the city and co-developers Nicetown Community Development Corporation and Kenneth Gamble’s Universal Companies.

Plans are for 50 units of affordable rental housing, and three retail tenant areas, in a partner project to the earlier Nicetown Court I that was completed late last year.

With the redevelopment agreement, Nicetown CDC and Universal Companies gain ownership, and the right to develop according to their approved plan, 4428-70 Germantown Ave., 4413-51 Germantown Ave. and 4428 Uber St., near the Wayne Junction SEPTA station.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Transit development plan

Nicetown Court II would be a combination of two-, three- and four-bedroom units, with about 5,200 feet of commercial space located near the transit station.

Nicetown Court I and II are both cited in the Germantown and Nicetown Transit Oriented Development Plan, and also sit adjacent to the newly designated Wayne Junction Industrial Historic District.

“We think that Nicetown Court I and II are good examples of plan implementation,” and also fulfill desired components of the city’s Philadelphia 2035 plan, said planning commission staffer Richard Redding.

Commission members agreed, giving Nicetown Court II their unanimous approval. Nicetown Court II also won zoning board approval for needed variances last 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.

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.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal