Dan and Barry, Thank you for posting the explanation.
Barry, I am extremely troubled by aspects of your explanation. I will be in touch with the Board and will address the problems in a civil tone. No need for tranquilizers. "I ask that everyone now consider where we are, for that is more important at the moment then how we got here." No, you are quite incorrect. The path from where we came from is very important! "Additionally, the architect for the project, Sam Olshen, assumed when he appeared twice before the zoning committee that the meetings were open and public. They were open and public, but they were not advertised in public print." This is complete nonsense, Barry. You were present when the comments were recorded as official testimony and said nothing. But Barry, Mr Olshen heard my testimony that his claims were false. The false claims were repeated again Nov. 9th by the same Mr Olshen! Mr. Olshen again heard my contradictory testimony and again ignored it. You passed on your opportunity to correct the architects misinformation the first time. Apparently, you failed to inform Mr. Olshen that he needed to make a retraction November 9th rather than repeat false testimony as truth. Additionally, Mr Lussenhop monitors the listserv where I published a report of the Olshen comments immediately after the Architectural hearing. My report was confirmed by another neighbor publicly and I sent a request for an explanation to the SHCA web address copied to the public list and got no response. All of this was done prior to Nov. 9th! Barry the truth is that the developers have given false information to the PHC repeatedly Here is where we are today. The development team must withdraw its application from the PHC and acknowledge that it willfully provided false information to gain approval while ignoring enormous feedback that its statements were false. Now, as to the committee, your explanation confirms that the developers attempted the earlier de-listing attempt by asserting that the building was dilapidated, without even notifying the committee or the SHCA association!! "A recent discovery had revealed that the mansion on the site was listed on the local historic register, and the committee encouraged the developer to find a way to incorporate the original portion of the mansion into any plans." Barry this is completely not true. The PHC recorded a hearing June 10th with a presentation from the developer. In complete secrecy, the developers tried to clear a path for demolition. Since July, the developers, not the community, knew that they would be forced to incorporate the mansion after the secret de-listing attempt failed. The developers comments, now, about "first and foremost" (from DP) restoring the mansion are so obviously disingenuous that they deserve a flat out rejection! This misleading or false misinformation is obviously intentional and consistent! The developers have shown contempt not only for our entire community but to your SHCA members by that secret attempt to de-list the mansion. Your duty is to the members of SHCA and more generally to the residents of the Spruce Hill community. You have now revealed and confirmed enough about this project to warrant a flat out rejection to this development team. Please consider these comments dashed off in haste. Together, we must draft a letter to the PHC and report the false testimony. We must also draft a letter to the University of Pennsylvania that the residents of Spruce Hill expect future developers of the site to conduct themselves responsibly and to provide honest and accurate information. Barry, the SHCA leadership needs to decide if its loyalties and responsibilities are indeed to your members and this community. Thanks again for your late explanation. I look forward to working with SHCA to correct the problems caused in the past. That is where we are today. Sincerely, Glenn Moyer ----- Original Message ----- From: Dan Morton To: [email protected] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 3:30 PM Subject: [UC] Regarding the proposed hotel project This letter is being posted in anticipation of the Feb. 13 meeting about the proposed hotel project at 40th and Pine Sts. It is being submitted on behalf of Barry Grossbach, the Spruce Hill Zoning Committee chairman. Questions have been raised about what meetings have taken place before the Spruce Hill Zoning Committee regarding the proposed hotel project at 40th and Pine Streets. Here are the facts: Tom Lussenhop asked to speak with the committee about a concept for a proposed project on the abandoned nursing home site. He was added to our meeting agenda on August 1, 2007, and neighbors immediately adjacent to the site were informed and invited to attend. This was simply a preliminary discussion to consider the viability of a hotel project at that location. A recent discovery had revealed that the mansion on the site was listed on the local historic register, and the committee encouraged the developer to find a way to incorporate the original portion of the mansion into any plans. Tom Lussenhop and his architect asked to appear before the committee in September to share some conceptual drawings. Our September 26th meeting placed them last on a crowded agenda. Based on that meeting, the committee gave some limited feedback (concern about the height and about parking), but decided to suspend any further consideration of the project pending the outcome of discussions before the Historical Commission. That was the last time that the zoning committee of Spruce Hill discussed this project. I asked that the hotel proposal be put on the agenda for the annual meeting in November in order to have a broader forum for information and discussion. A mailing about the meeting went to all Spruce Hill members, but without any attached agenda. The omission was Spruce Hill's, not the developers. Additionally, the architect for the project, Sam Olshen, assumed when he appeared twice before the zoning committee that the meetings were open and public. They were open and public, but they were not advertised in public print. The bottom line-no one was operating deceptively or in bad faith. Any mistakes or omissions were made unintentionally. Members of the Spruce Hill Zoning Committee last saw the hotel proposal at the November annual meeting (those who were able to attend), and have not discussed the project at any subsequent zoning meetings. The meeting on Feb.13th will enable all interested parties to see the current state of the proposal and to ask questions and offer comments for the committee's consideration. This, for the zoning committee, is an interim step in the process. Some project opponents have secured legal counsel and are in discussions with attorneys for the applicants, and the committee will reserve any judgment until we see what, if any, points of agreement are reached. In the meantime we will continue to take the pulse of the immediate neighbors and the surrounding communities as the discussions move forward. So, here is where we are: The Spruce Hill Zoning Committee will continue to seek feedback on this project. We will do our best to address concerns on all sides. We will not preempt ongoing discussions between the parties, but will await the outcome to see what, if anything the parties can resolve. Whatever decision we as a zoning committee ultimately reach will be brought to the full board of Spruce Hill for ratification. Whatever the board decides will then become the official position of Spruce Hill for presentation to the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment. I ask that everyone now consider where we are, for that is more important at the moment then how we got here. The important point is what we do with what we have learned. A healthy discussion and debate can enrich a community as long as it is civil in tone and respectful of differences of opinion. I'm confident that our community is up to the task. Barry Grossbach, Chair Spruce Hill Zoning Committee ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.4/1276 - Release Date: 2/13/2008 9:41 AM
