Herky-jerky is one way to describe the Zoning Board's
decision making on Bart Blatstein's proposed 32-story South Broad Street
development.
After clearing the project last week, the Board vacated its vote
and said it would take the matter up the following week. But on Wednesday a
lack of board members in attendance led to another postponement, according to the Inquirer.
The mixed-use project has been caught in a battle between
neighbors and the developer for several months as community members say the
$400 million project is too tall for the site.
Blatstein defended the design of the residential and
retail complex in an exclusive interview with the
Business Journal, saying: "If you can’t put a bold tower on
Broad Street where can you put it?"
The Zoning Board first considered the project at an April
26 meeting but decided to postpone the vote for two weeks. One week later, the
board awarded Blatstein the waivers needed in a vote but quickly reversed
course when members realized they hadn't waited the full two weeks.
The next Zoning Board meeting is scheduled for May 17.
Even if the vote goes Blatstein's way, he may still have
to hold off on construction. Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, whose district
includes the South Broad Street site, recently introduced a bill
l that would put a moratorium on building at the site for at least a year.
Source: Philadelphia
Business Journal
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