A hearing scheduled over challenges to the proposed graduate student housing at 40th and Pine streets that was scheduled to take place today has been postponed until January.
At issue is a number of exceptions to zoning laws — known as “variances” — granted to Penn and developer Jonathan Weiss in a controversial plan to demolish the mansion currently at 400 S. 40th St. The University hopes to build a five-story, 122-unit apartment building for graduate students in its place. The plan would require the Zoning Board of Adjustment to grant a change in the property zoning, which currently allows only two units — a decision that was granted in November 2012.
Neighborhood residents challenged zoning decision in the Court of Common Pleas. Separately, they are also challenging the decision of the Philadelphia Historical Commission to allow Penn to demolish the building.
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