Now, however, the hospital and its development partner, locally based InterPark, are seeking approval for several variances from the city's zoning requirements. The plan exceeds a 500-car limit, a 50-foot height limit, and a 100-foot width limit and also calls for a curb cut on Chestnut Street.

DAG is urging its members to attend the July 16 meeting of the zoning board of adjustment and argue against granting the variances. The DAG position paper calls "the opportunity to design an entire city block 'the chance of a lifetime' in the course of urban development," and cautions against squandering this opportunity.

DAG specifically objects to the "concentration of too many vehicles," interruption in the flow of pedestrian traffic, and undermining efforts already underway to preserve adjacent "outstanding historic buildings" and revitalize Chestnut Street as a retail venue. The zoning board's height provision, DAG also notes, "is there to preserve some sunlight on this important retail street."