At last night’s SOSNA zoning meeting, developer Harvey Ostroff presented plans for a new three story home at 1418 Pemberton St., a currently vacant lot on one of the less desirable blocks in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood.

The lot

The southern side of this block not ideal, with (present and future) Artisan garages occupying the western end of the block, and a landscaped driveway to other Artisan homes taking up the rest of the block. The north side is problematic in a different way, with vacant land, stalled construction, and some haphazardly maintained row homes.

Across the street from the lot isn't so bad

And next door should improve, eventually

Ostroff presented plans for a new construction, three story home with a garage. Things got a little testy at the meeting when a SOSNA zoning committee member asked for a six-foot setback on the third floor because of the too-small rear yard space. The developer wasn’t interested in changing the plans, citing an impact on the salability of the property, the fact that the incomplete homes next door didn’t have setbacks, and the fact that he is developing the parcels immediately to the south (which we told you about back in January and are beginning framing as we speak). The project went to a vote without the setback.

Fitzwater lots, right behind 1418 Pemberton St.

Hopefully, this project will get through zoning in one fashion or another, and this block can pick up a little momentum moving forward. The Artisan home that’s under construction on the corner could also bring a little more interest here, calling attention to developers driving down 15th Street.

The framed out building beckons potential developers...