[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6586634,"mediaKeyId","5456405-78db6aa1572f082a2a8ecc93fb07d4d8","parentId",5456405,"title","Planning commission backs RACC Student Union design, agrees to staff letter as zoning hearing board considers floodplain variance","audioSeconds",2196,"startMs",7140000,"endMs",9336000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456405-78db6aa1572f082a2a8ecc93fb07d4d8&start=7140&end=9336","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456405-78db6aa1572f082a2a8ecc93fb07d4d8/thumbnail_7140000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586634/Reading/Berks-County/Pennsylvania/Planning-commission-backs-RACC-Student-Union-design-agrees-to-staff-letter-as-zoning-hearing-board-considers-floodplain-variance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586634-fcc1d3637307453cb25386236036bed7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775993333&Signature=ib4BhNUkFimxWSrSdjlL0ut33lGAAJLvqa5leeNh27f2ERt1UpA9zV0vdKDe-u6~KIzf4dYaukLqQg0BMiAQ3XD4g4IQwueXJDnqpfzlesFwor39G4ONE7AgZs3BTJ0JwjmhktetFpxVgvFOHY9CJGqvvpTSOixlwfpg0rcT7pGBsQuR8EZnereExfKO1F~ISGF6K2VQIa5WCtefzHv4vuMApaSImNltA6cxVpbEyX-DGyFQkefGooFLBzLqXdqp~GXuDxSnldA8IX23F22GSfiszj0E8Xihy1LXCm13dhibPxgTJQQtYYPMw5e4NIwFMiD8Ci812rNMzkg-5xpT3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Reading, PA","date","2025-07-23T18:06:05.497Z","article","The City of Vernon Planning Commission on July 22 agreed to support the Reading Area Community College (RACC) Student Union annexation and land‑development plan and to allow additional time while the Zoning Hearing Board considers a floodplain variance.

Why it matters: The project sits in a mapped floodplain. Applicants asked the local zoning body for relief from strict dry‑floodproofing requirements so they can proceed with a design that moves vulnerable equipment and critical systems to higher floors while allowing certain occupiable uses on the first floor under engineered safeguards. Staff and the applicant described the plan as a risk‑management approach that reduces exposure compared with the existing condition.

What the commission did: The commission granted a waiver to use the rational method rather than the Soil Conservation Service method for certain stormwater calculations (chapter reference in the Hawk Valley review), approved a 120‑day time extension to allow the Zoning Hearing Board to hold its hearing and issue a decision, and asked staff to draft a letter of support for the project to be delivered to the Zoning Hearing Board.

Key technical and procedural points

- Floodplain variance timetable: The applicant submitted an addendum to an earlier zoning‑hearing application; the Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled to hear that addendum on Aug. 13, 2025; the applicant expected a decision around Sept. 10, 2025. The Planning Commission’s extension will carry the RACC application through the hearing and decision window so city staff can act after the board’s ruling.

- Design measures: City staff and the applicant described multiple design changes intended to reduce risk. Director of Community Development David Barr told the commission, “we see the technical features of the proposed design, adding a second floor and moving vulnerable infrastructure out of harm’s way…is a positive risk management measure.” The applicant’s materials and the addendum describe raising electrical/mechanical service and providing an exterior shutoff to isolate building power above the base‑flood elevation.

- Regulatory context: The applicant cited 44 CFR 60.6 (FEMA variance guidance) in the application addendum and asked the local board to exercise variance authority where appropriate. City staff said the legal question of what the Zoning Hearing Board may authorize is separate from the Planning Commission’s advisory role; the commission limited its action to supporting the project and not opining on the board’s jurisdiction.

- Stormwater and county review: Berks County Conservation District issued a letter of adequacy (dated in July 2025) on erosion/sedimentation control; the commission accepted staff’s recommendation to allow a rational method for certain calculations and asked staff to add the waiver to the plan set.

Public safety and insurance considerations

Commissioners and staff discussed the potential consequences of deviating from FEMA/Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance. Public‑works staff and the city’s planning counsel noted that FEMA can raise compliance concerns that affect participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, so any variance must be well‑documented and justified. Planning staff requested the legal review be available to the Zoning Hearing Board; the commission’s role was limited to an advisory letter of support for the proposed risk‑reduction design.

What’s next

- Zoning Hearing Board hearing on the RACC addendum: Aug. 13, 2025. Decision anticipated in the following 30 days.

- Planning staff will draft and send a letter of support for the RACC design to the Zoning Hearing Board in advance of the hearing and will return the land‑development plan to the commission after the board issues its decision.

- The Planning Commission’s next meeting is Aug. 26, 2025; the RACC plan will return after the zoning decision and pending any additional technical items the commission identifies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission agreed July 22 to a staff letter of support for the RACC Student Union annexation while the Zoning Hearing Board considers a requested floodplain variance and granted a 120‑day extension so the case can proceed through the hearing and decision window.","taxTitle","Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania","taxId",2971,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586639,"Planning Commission approves multiple site plans, tables several projects; waivers granted",3551,6575000,10126000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5456405-78db6aa1572f082a2a8ecc93fb07d4d8&start=6575&end=10126","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5456405-78db6aa1572f082a2a8ecc93fb07d4d8/thumbnail_6575000.jpg","/articles/6586639/Reading/Berks-County/Pennsylvania/Planning-Commission-approves-multiple-site-plans-tables-several-projects-waivers-granted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586639-7925e50a80f3350e72251f4272606fee/orig.mp4?Expires=1775993333&Signature=D-Czw7DUQyAK9z0cofIxHKIgWeLFYM4sKHCSksnkOxIjrTpduN-yHOxvWXahLlQajcF6A6eN2LHKgWvJArwgE1FS947FD~to5dXm9Jzr4m3ZtGrGYhenRQBUykXz3DCykmR177eQun4SVnhhWteDB9h~fQ~AWDAjfMRLJIQWMjjtK0iKPkZC4CZ3by7MvMyV5HOI~TXJcbj74z~eHkdmfOQhVbkOLZ1sr~f9rQM3IywlVmSrPWgm6Yfj397ZsmbyGEK8OOZQHn2hFzoSdRFYERHoUiZ27aQFOWKu6cde1LHHXECkgeZVLp-U2yqkpjaClQXXbsh8tnEBgAL4p42PiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Vernon Planning Commission on July 22 approved a series of land development decisions, granted waivers for impact studies in several cases and tabled multiple items pending follow-up work.

In a single meeting the commission took formal action on more than a dozen agenda items: it approved final inspection/conditions approvals for FirstEnergy Stadium, Supernatural Produce 3, Lishti’s (Lishte’s) Mennonite Church and Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Parcel D; granted conditional approvals for Albright College Learning Commons; approved a two‑lot subdivision at 1212 Perkumen Avenue; and granted waivers and limited land‑development exemptions for 1501 Mineral Spring Road and 1140 Luzerne Street. The commission also granted stormwater and other technical waivers where staff recommended them. Several projects were tabled for more information, including the McDonald’s rebuild, the Carpenter (Parker) Technology plan, the TMC lot consolidation, and phase work on the 601 South Ninth Street parking facility.

Key outcomes and deadlines

- FirstEnergy Stadium: Commission approved the final site inspection and conditions and directed that a stormwater management agreement be established between the city and the Redding Phillies. The approval is rescinded if the final land development and as‑built plan are not recorded by Sept. 19, 2025.

- Supernatural Produce 3: Final site inspection and conditions approved; approval rescinded if the final plan/as‑built is not recorded by Oct. 20, 2025.

- Lishti’s (Kenherst) Mennonite Church: The commission reaffirmed prior approvals and accepted final site inspection/conditions; the approval is rescinded if not recorded by Oct. 20, 2025.

- Albright College Learning Commons (Gingrich Library renovation): The commission granted two plan waivers (solid‑waste management plan and showing full tract meets‑and‑bounds where impractical), granted conditional approval of the revised plan of record subject to the items in the Hawk Valley Associates review letter dated July 19, 2025, and authorized the chair to execute municipal improvements and stormwater maintenance agreements as applicable.

- Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (Parcel D): The commission granted requested waivers for multiple impact studies (environmental, fiscal, traffic, parking/loading, recreation) because the project is an application exempted from standard procedures, and granted conditional preliminary/final plan approval subject to items in the Hawk Valley Associates 07/22/2025 review letter. The chair was authorized to execute municipal improvements and stormwater maintenance agreements when applicable.

- 1212 Perkumen Avenue subdivision: The commission granted preliminary/final minor subdivision approval for a two‑lot split (existing apartment building configuration) subject to resolving items in the Hawk Valley Associates review dated 07/16/2025.

Waivers and land‑development exceptions

- 1501 Mineral Spring Road: The commission approved a waiver of filing a minor land development plan for conversion of the property (former care home) to luxury apartments.

- 1140 Luzerne Street (Devour Catering): The commission approved a waiver of land development to allow conversion and interior fit‑out for a commercial food preparation facility; staff reported the paved/gravel area was an existing condition and no net new impervious surface was being added per the applicant’s materials.

Tablings and continuations

The commission tabled several applications that require further technical review or outstanding county/conservation district comments, including the McDonald’s rebuild (HOP/utility coordination outstanding), Carpenter/Parker Technology building (county review outstanding), TMC lot consolidation (additional site, retaining wall and parking‑access questions), and the 601 South Ninth Street parking facility (phasing and a nearby road subsidence require coordination with city street‑repair scheduling). In several of those cases staff and applicants agreed to schedule site inspections and provide clarifying documents before the items return.

Process notes and follow-up

- Where recording deadlines were established (several approvals), the commission stated approvals would be rescinded if required recording or as‑built plans were not filed by the dates stated in each motion.

- For items that change on‑site stormwater facilities or create new stormwater infrastructure, the commission required a stormwater management maintenance agreement and a municipal improvements agreement where applicable.

- Several waivers were justified by the projects’ status as preliminary/final plans exempted from standard procedures; for others (e.g., stormwater methodology) staff recommended acceptance of the applicant’s technical approach.

The commission scheduled its next workshop for Aug. 19, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. and the next regular meeting for Aug. 26, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.","At its July 22 meeting the City of Vernon Planning Commission approved final inspections and conditional approvals for several land development plans, granted multiple waivers, and tabled a number of projects pending additional technical review or county comments.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commission backs RACC Student Union design, agrees to staff letter as zoning hearing board considers floodplain variance

Planning Commission approves multiple site plans, tables several projects; waivers granted