Will Callowhill Reading Viaduct NID stick?, backing for zoning changes at 8200 Germantown Ave and 2400 South St, feds green-light signal funding

Opponents of the proposed Callowhill Reading Viaduct Neighborhood Improvement District had until Sunday to submit letters of opposition to the additional property assessment. The Daily News reports that the NID opponents believe they have submitted enough letters of opposition to stop the NID. But others are hopeful. Gary Reuben, a pro-NID property owner, told the Daily News “Nobody wants to pay additional taxes, but this is a tax where we can determine how to allocate the funds raised by the tax as we see fit.”

Despite controversy about height and density, and legislative zoning changes, the Chestnut Hill Community Association voted to support a mixed-use development proposal for the former Magarity Ford site on Germantown Ave. Amy Z. Quinn reports for PlanPhilly/NewsWorks, that the vote was contingent on a community development agreement with the developers. More than that, neighbors believe that because the developer lives and works in Chestnut Hill, he’ll do right by them.

At Tuesday’s meeting the Planning Commission backed requested zoning changes to enable the mixed-use development at 8200 Germantown Avenue and those proposed by Toll Brothers for a development at 2400 South Street, reports PlanPhilly’s Kellie Patrick Gates. Toll Brothers will be continuing its Naval Square build-out, developing of 68 townhouses and 59 condos at 2400 South Street. South of South Neighborhood Association thought that although Toll’s proposal had improved, there should be commercial space at 24th and South.

Philly is getting $10 million in federal stimulus money to install extended green light traffic signals to keep SEPTA busses and trolleys moving through intersections. Anthony Campisi reports that grant is $6 million shy of the amount requested, but that SEPTA, PennDOT and the city also intend to help fund the project.

The Buzz is Eyes on the Street’s morning news digest.