Orens Brothers discussing their plans for the 4400 block of Chestnut in 2015 (archived photo).

It appears that local developers, Orens Brothers, are ready to move forward with their plans for a major redevelopment of a portion of the 4400 block of Chestnut Street and South 44th Street between Chestnut and Market that were first presented in 2015.

The Spruce Hill Community Association’s Zoning Committee will hold a public zoning meeting tonight at 7 p.m. where the proposal to create a six-story apartment building with commercial ground floor spaces, a fitness center, a meeting room for residents and a garage will be discussed. The proposal involves relocating lot lines to create one lot from several lots. The project has been on hold while title was secured for some key properties. 

The developers have submitted two separate, but related zoning applications: one for 4411 Chestnut St., currently zoned as CMX-2 and CMX-2.5, and the other one for 18 S. 44th St. and 4415-23 Ludlow St., zoned as CMX-2 and CMX-4.

Zoning issues involved with the proposal are dwelling unit numbers (165 units are being proposed, and 117 units are permitted according to current zoning), required open area, side yard depth, building height (78.4 feet is proposed and 38 ft. maximum allowed), and ADA van accessible parking spaces (0 proposed, one required).

In addition to these proposals, the zoning committee will discuss a redevelopment proposal for Stoneleigh Court Apartments at 4524-38 Walnut St. A zoning application has been submitted for an additional six apartments, a daycare facility, and office. Property developers will present their plans in order to get zoning committee and neighborhood feedback and response.

All interested and concerned neighbors and residents are invited to attend the meeting, which will be held at Spruce Hill Center (257 S. 45th St), to hear the presentations and ask questions and offer comments.