Builder, Neighbors Clash Over Shawmont Construction Project

While residents scramble to stop a development project in rural Shawmont, one landowner asserts his property rights and continues a plan to build eight townhouses.

Dennis R. Williams of DRW Builders began excavation and tree clearing August 14 at 200 Shawmont Ave., referred to as phase II of the Blair Meadow Project. With zoning in line, city permits and approval from the Philadelphia Water Department, Williams seeks to erect the eight attached single-family homes behind the current six at Blair Meadow I.

However, Shawmont neighbors and City Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. feel Williams should have notified them of the project's beginning, and, furthermore, the construction will negatively impact the area's floodplain at Green Tree Run.

Twenty Years in the Making

Shawmont Avenue exists as both a setting for the rural neighborhood and gateway between Roxborough and Manayunk. A major condo complex, also called Green Tree Run, lies south of the stream, but the six Blair Meadow townhouses are the only departure from long-established detached housing. 

Phase I was constructed in 1989 and the civic association opposed it. However, the key difference between the two projects is proximity to the stream. Green Tree Run, a tributary to the Schuylkill River, cuts through most properties, including Blair Meadow. Phase II will be built on the stream's other side and uphill—which neigbors say will cause increased flooding in the sensitive valley.

Sheila D’Ambrosio lives next store to Blair Meadows and is a 50-year Shawmont Avenue resident. As founding president of the Residents of Shawmont Valley Civic Association, she opposed the initial townhomes proposal nearly 25 years ago.

"They are going to change the Valley of Shawmont into a mud pile with no trees and eventually constructions like this will destroy this whole valley," she said.

D’Ambrosio said the city, focused on greening, should preserve the natural areas it has left.

Another long-time resident, who declined to give her name, said each development in the area makes flooding worse and worse. The bridge to her house, over Green Tree Run, has been damaged several times since homes were built—something unheard of in the past.

Lisa Baron, a condo owner within Blair Meadow I, opposes the new homes, as well.

"There was no heads up. It really is the responsibility of a developer to notify neighbors of something that impacts us so much. We've worked so hard to keep this out," she said.

Building By Right

However, Williams asserts the neighbors were well aware this project would occur. After he purchased the property two years ago, he secured zoning approval.

He said there's no obligation for him to notify anyone of the precise building date.

"We worked very closely with the water department over the past two years. We have all the permits. You don't have to put up a notice or hold public hearings. All the neighbors are aware of what's going on," he said.

Philadelphia Water Department spokesperson Joanne Dahme said the developer fulfilled all his obligations, including approval of concept and technical stormwater management plans; infiltration testing to show that the designed practice will work; obtaining outfall structures, utility line stream crossing; and road crossings permits from the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

She said the water department, generally, only informs the public of its own projects—like directly in front of Blair Meadows—but said it attempted to keep everyone in the loop on this one.

"But in the end, PWD can only require that a development meets the regulatory requirements. We cannot stand in the way of private development that achieves this," she said in an email Wednesday.

Additionally, Williams said Blair Meadows' homeowners association approved the project.

Councilman Steps In

Representing Shawmont in City Hall, Councilman Jones requested, in an August 20 letter to PWD Commissioner Howard Neukrug, that an injunction halt construction. 

"I am once again requesting an independent third party review of the stormwater management plans... Without this independent assessment many remain skeptical of the approved plans," he said.

For one, the councilman said his office was unaware the project had begun. After construction started, Jones said initial excavation violated a fencing policy—calling into question the entire project.

Neukrug wrote back to Jones, saying a water department inspector reported Blair Meadow to be in compliance and that PWD would followup with regular inspections.

Jones' larger concern lies in what he calls "continued environmental degradation of this area...Given the many serious rainstorms in the past several years, I question the wisdom of any further development," he wrote August 14.

The developer, Williams, said he was unaware of the councilman's request.

"This is the first I'm hearing of this, so I don't know what to tell you. We're working within the process," he said.

D’Ambrosio said current civic association president David Cellini is putting together a community meeting so neighbors can form an action plan. Michelle Wilson, spokesperson for Jones, said the councilman's office would work to be in attendance at any meeting.

"We're a group of determined people. We will try to this beautiful area from destruction," D'Ambrosio said.