[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6462609,"mediaKeyId","5799271-c4ded90144f4a29d44ddf6d4c0203312","parentId",5799271,"title","Planning staff briefs commission on parking and loading draft, Redding Parking Authority given 30 days to comment","audioSeconds",44,"startMs",3454000,"endMs",3498000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5799271-c4ded90144f4a29d44ddf6d4c0203312&start=3454&end=3498","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5799271-c4ded90144f4a29d44ddf6d4c0203312/thumbnail_3454000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462609/Reading/Berks-County/Pennsylvania/Planning-staff-briefs-commission-on-parking-and-loading-draft-Redding-Parking-Authority-given-30-days-to-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462609-692301b1eb7111eb28b000e7ba027412/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833454&Signature=SGL1PS9e8ISVCaiMFlS8BC5WiTURIKR0Dboi5o6AAvENJ4KCpidef6A6~caQaVjVK7HX84QChdJCW5xMzzReato4xr4uC8tyWIEJ8JGTiG-Jaq5mm~27QcaLiUXYZkeKU86KgBsAO8fZbPzre6lonB72MpJY4Se5wK8HOR8Ejx2P6wuqopevPURCRQlZ084B3y8z5gLbfY65SIkGAefMIxwL5VWZUSjf~tXwBXa5HUKVwKeFa6H7Khmc5vzudMZT6uZ0R8UVEJFCZiNYw~T0dmruDoaliuZ7gRqwVIS9NS9wpQo6-2qcdrWC3ilWgbbfGfcUFbntSEP3NWAUDVcWNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Reading, PA","date","2025-09-19T15:11:31Z","article","City planning staff told the Sept. 16 Planning Commission workshop that the city is circulating an updated parking-and-loading ordinance draft for stakeholder review, that the Redding Parking Authority was asked to comment within 30 days, and that the commission will reconvene comments before re‑submitting to Berks County Planning Commission.

Staff said members of the commission already had a copy of the draft (dated in city materials as 05/24/2024), and that recent staffing and board turnover at the Redding Parking Authority and council changes meant they needed to re-brief those agencies. The staff presentation said the city intends to update the draft with any RPA comments, then move to county review and eventual council action.

Why it matters: changes to parking and loading standards can affect downtown businesses, private development projects and the design constraints developers must meet during land-development review; the city flagged the need to place the latest draft on a shared FTP site so all reviewers use the same version.

Key points
- The Planning Division met with the Redding Parking Authority the morning of Sept. 16 and gave the Authority 30 days to submit comments on the draft parking-and-loading amendments. If the RPA submits comments earlier, staff said they will incorporate them sooner.
- Planning staff asked for a shared repository for the ordinance drafts so reviewers and new council members can find the latest version rather than relying on email attachments.
- After a review cycle with the RPA and any internal edits, staff plans to re-file the draft with the Berks County Planning Commission for their review and comment.

No vote was taken at the workshop; staff said it will continue stakeholder outreach and will indicate how any RPA comments have been addressed when the draft is returned to the commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - September 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City planning staff told the Sept. 16 Planning Commission workshop that the city is circulating an updated parking-and-loading ordinance draft for stakeholder review, that the Redding Parking Authority was asked to comment within 30 days, and that the commission will reconvene comments before re‑submitting to Berks County Planning Commission.","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},6462614,"Reading planners report short-term rental ordinance moving to council; registration, inspections and business-license rules highlighted",192,3426000,3618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5799271-c4ded90144f4a29d44ddf6d4c0203312&start=3426&end=3618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5799271-c4ded90144f4a29d44ddf6d4c0203312/thumbnail_3426000.jpg","/articles/6462614/Reading/Berks-County/Pennsylvania/Reading-planners-report-short-term-rental-ordinance-moving-to-council-registration-inspections-and-business-license-rules-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462614-1055f971cedb6994885318767a57649b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833454&Signature=DsVZdZylPYzVXFVNFbPeQd5BKBXz5FdYO61rWvscoHc2SJlsxNlgDF209ThD5IczxdD2kdQNRez0YSOgyA276-9hMmyHL9cg6rhXs9fak-VAg6vf1qBdMh7UNNDv7lIvhlzIjh19UD5mEtXre1BYn6~nZwjsO6GdVM095e~8u~KI-MFmeYF~npW24lEFszJixQm125xkMYTthf1d5ZoYFzgM9s4z~wPIiKfrnX4fUCyShlV8LkUFB6IgrXKIdj2s3PMcfYWGBPCAFphw5FODniNiaKsqAUJAI7s2AT1wAe~nPY7w9J2c~MsQYoUFwPRGRDVkhAubkJqpwZhwAF7LLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff told the Reading Planning Commission on Sept. 16 that the city’s draft short-term rental ordinance has advanced to City Council and will face a hearing in the coming week, and staff summarized how the ordinance will change registration and enforcement procedures.

The ordinance update expands beyond the earlier one- and two-family framing and applies to a broader set of residential and commercial uses, requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and to register with the city’s housing-registration process, and adds inspection and enforcement mechanisms tied to zoning, building, property-maintenance and police reports.

At the workshop, planning staff said the short-term rental draft (last circulated in staff materials as 05/24/2024) had been presented to City Council and that a hearing was scheduled for the coming Monday. Staff and council discussion focused on definitions, enforcement steps and how preexisting nonconforming operations would be treated under the new rules.

Why it matters: the ordinance provides a pathway for many existing short-term rentals to formalize operations through a business-licensing and registration process, and it introduces enforcement levers for zoning, building-permit and nuisance complaints. That will affect property owners who currently operate short-term rentals and neighboring residents in districts where such use is newly permitted.

Key points from staff and commissioners
- Coverage and definitions: the draft expands the ordinance beyond one- and two-family dwellings to \"residential uses\" and to certain commercial districts; staff said the ordinance text specifies allowable locations and spacing rules, including a 1,000-foot separation in some districts. The change was described as a technical clarification to ensure the ordinance applies to a range of residential arrangements and to townhouses and apartments where allowed.
- Registration and licensing: short-term rental operators will be added to the city’s housing-registration roster and will need a business license; staff said the registration will feed into periodic property inspections, which staff said typically occur every two years for registered rental properties.
- Enforcement coordination: police, code enforcement and building-permits staff will be able to share incident reports as triggers for zoning or licensing reviews; staff described an existing practice of police providing a report and an assignment number that the zoning office can reference during enforcement.
- Nonconforming properties: the ordinance will create a route for existing short-term rentals to become legal where permitted; staff noted that preexisting, legally established nonconforming uses retain rights so long as they were lawfully established at the time. Properties that are not currently legal will be notified and given a process to pursue compliance or permits.

Clarifying details and next steps
The Planning Commission has prepared a resolution recommending City Council approve the ordinance; planning staff said they will provide a resolution number and finalize blanks in the draft resolution for the clerk’s office. Staff also noted an associated housing-registration form will need edits to collect short-term rental type and to place units into inspection cycles.

No formal Planning Commission vote was recorded at the workshop. City Council had been briefed and the ordinance was scheduled for a council hearing in the week following the Sept. 16 workshop.

Ending: Planning staff advised the commission that enforcement will rely on interdepartmental coordination among zoning, property maintenance, building/trades, the business-license office and police, and that the ordinance’s permitting and business-license requirements are intended to create multiple avenues to bring unregistered short-term rentals into compliance.","City planning staff told the Reading Planning Commission on Sept. 16 that the city’s draft short-term rental ordinance has advanced to City Council and will face a hearing in the coming week, and staff summarized how the ordinance will change registration and enforcement procedures.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6462618,"Berks IDA outlines remediation, traffic and stormwater constraints for Third Street shopping-center sketch plan",3113,122000,3235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5799271-c4ded90144f4a29d44ddf6d4c0203312&start=122&end=3235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5799271-c4ded90144f4a29d44ddf6d4c0203312/thumbnail_122000.jpg","/articles/6462618/Reading/Berks-County/Pennsylvania/Berks-IDA-outlines-remediation-traffic-and-stormwater-constraints-for-Third-Street-shopping-center-sketch-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462618-a6d72aecc9dc93f2bd364e534bcd0d0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833454&Signature=BtcP-gH4zDp5OLDzKbea9pQ7W9922vcymeZNuc-mMSGpJ2c79QYS05ZPuh8ug6QkZhh74C-y686m~kaLdgfq2oGC01ixQB9wHDK-BUaNveIPvT8Xqrz6YkUVXguMb5HEEvOxd3IFZgzecU2Q71CxLbSAN0ginNpE6GqjkyxLe-EUfSHZxKm9ze3ILBgxMDjz6hTq-~iBsPRgr2i5XD76~S0uiRJaLPIolhApY3~5txTcxrTeKdBRegn9pjkefI339Ii4dqg37KdrfU7qUVzZKL5B3kwOKCSkG9f2aOypBxsoM3L52JVWVkYUslxfd2AByRrOth-oWuCWmv~qrSksMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Berks County Industrial Development Authority representatives told the City of Reading Planning Commission on Sept. 16 that a sketch plan for a shopping-center-led reuse of the former Glidden paint site at 1853 North Third Street will proceed under stringent environmental controls and requires multiple municipal reviews before final approval.

The presentation to the Planning Commission laid out the site history, the parcels north and south of the Norfolk Southern tracks, the Department of Environmental Protection \"buy-sell\" indemnification arrangement tied to a remedial plan, and early design constraints including a near–full impermeable cap and stormwater-management measures that will influence landscaping, parking and loading layouts.

Jeremy, a representative of the Berks County Industrial Development Authority (Berks IDA), told commissioners the IDA contracted for the Clinton/Glidden property nearly three years ago and partnered with Schumann Development Group to divide the site for reuse. He said the IDA will take the southern roughly 14–15 acres and Schumann would develop the northern portion alongside potential industrial tenants on the north side of the tracks. He said the north parcel had been remediated earlier to commercial/industrial standards and now holds a PPG warehouse; the remaining parcel is the subject of the current sketch plan.

Why it matters: the site’s industrial past requires the redevelopment to follow a remedial-investigation and cleanup plan approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the DEP buy-sell arrangement provides indemnification for the seller, buyer and future developers who comply with the plan. That remediation requirement drives major design constraints on stormwater infiltration and surface landscaping, and will determine which waiver requests the Planning Commission must consider during the land-development review.

Key facts and constraints
- Site history and parcels: Berks IDA described the site as roughly 20 acres in total, with the south side “just under 15” acres and the north side roughly 5.7–5.8 acres, separated for planning because a railroad easement crosses the property. The sketch plan presented places retail/restaurant buildings on the south parcel and industrial or spec manufacturing space on the north parcel. The IDA representative said the developer envisions six retail buildings with square-footages that could range widely by pad, and an independent potential 40,000–50,000-square-foot industrial user on the north side if a tenant signs.
- Environmental controls: the DEP \"buy-sell\" pathway required the applicant to complete Phase I/II studies, a remedial investigation and submit a cleanup plan; the plan calls for capping contaminated soils and limiting infiltration so that stormwater does not percolate through remediated soils. The buyer, seller and developers who follow the DEP-approved cleanup plan will receive indemnification from the DEP, the presenter said. Ongoing groundwater/soil monitoring wells and reporting will remain active on the property.
- Stormwater, landscaping and parking: because the site must be largely impervious under the remediation approach, typical infiltration strategies are limited. The city staff said limited green-space treatment is possible if the developer demonstrates a lined basin or other barriers and monitoring; tree selection will be limited to species and planting details that will not compromise liners or monitoring infrastructure. The sketch plan assumes a 50% parking reduction already granted through zoning relief; staff advised that the developer must still show how loading and service access will be arranged at the site.
- Regulatory and review steps: staff reminded the applicant the Planning Commission is the approval body for land development in the city (City Council involvement is only required when a street vacation or other council-level action is sought). The applicant was advised to submit preliminary-plan materials including architectural elevations, floor plans, a traffic-impact study, sanitary sewer/wastewater narrative (planning module), a lighting plan consistent with the city’s night-friendly policy and an erosion and sedimentation control plan likely subject to NPDES/NPS permitting requirements referenced in the meeting.

What the presentation left unresolved
- Precise acreage and parcel counts: speakers noted different acreage figures in various submittals; the IDA repeatedly restated the south parcel is roughly 14–15 acres and the north side roughly 5–6 acres but acknowledged their sketch-plan documents showed other numbers. Staff said the applicant must clarify boundaries and submit a subdivision or combined subdivision/preliminary plan for review.
- Parking, loading and ingress/egress: staff and consultants flagged four potential access points and noted two rear connections to state routes 222 and 61 that might function as emergency access only. The Planning Division asked that the applicant confirm whether those rear points are intended as emergency access and work with adjacent property owners if encroachments are needed.
- Timing and municipal improvements: the Planning Division reviewed options for municipal improvements agreements (post, bond or up-front construction) and said quasi‑public applicants like the Berks IDA have sometimes received special treatment in prior projects; the applicant requested guidance on timing and bonding options.

Next steps and staff direction
The applicant and co-developer should submit the sketch-plan follow-up materials and preliminary-plan packet, including the remediation design documents submitted to DEP; a traffic-impact study; sanitary sewer planning module narrative; structural and architectural elevations; and an erosion/sediment control plan. Staff said the Planning Commission will then review waiver requests (for permeable surface, parking reductions and loading) separately during preliminary-plan review and the developer should coordinate with Public Works, Fire/Rescue and utility providers prior to submission.

No formal vote was taken at the workshop. Planning staff and the applicant agreed to continue to the Planning Commission’s regular meeting schedule for any required formal land-development submission and to address outstanding clarification items in subsequent materials.

Ending: The applicant indicated intent to submit a coordinated subdivision and preliminary-plan package. Staff reiterated deadlines for packet submission (first Tuesday of the month for initial review cycles) and requested that the applicant provide the DEP remedial-plan documents and architectural renderings with the preliminary packet to expedite review.","Berks County Industrial Development Authority representatives told the City of Reading Planning Commission on Sept. 16 that a sketch plan for a shopping-center-led reuse of the former Glidden paint site at 1853 North Third Street will proceed under stringent environmental controls and requires multiple municipal reviews before final approval.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6462604,"Zoning hearing board grants relief for RACC Student Union; staff to draft required flood‑plain letter",81,3252000,3333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5799271-c4ded90144f4a29d44ddf6d4c0203312&start=3252&end=3333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5799271-c4ded90144f4a29d44ddf6d4c0203312/thumbnail_3252000.jpg","/articles/6462604/Reading/Berks-County/Pennsylvania/Zoning-hearing-board-grants-relief-for-RACC-Student-Union-staff-to-draft-required-floodplain-letter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462604-1b330db95a47aecc8237080cff7b2cb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833454&Signature=bMRlblqpbcK7MzUXR0hBF1AKeJrLDCCYKdpbRzzjWbk9yzkitv-yh6mOygx4tF64LxUupDv0t-GG15fRuSgX8BUELD0Bo9EPWbABz-Sk3iC2QgnS0-p-Zf~oka3PpTbmSRqHMDLv8OXd5SDnukflz8lGUiWztbWoniCu3FiOfvCI7K-sM1sXOgQflPVEEezjX-sCono1hTop-Dx9xjF7VEksOQjN9OaCicpqRk8GsR2i-qbqi36tlZ3979UDXLtwKQMZbOm3qsfTMMcqOf5XBQpUDezwP9Pr4bh4kAz~aW6RrKyQu0-9fhM1mtviSvw-14TYgcdwn9wUqYiMj-RbHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Commission workshop on Sept. 16 heard a brief update that the Zoning Hearing Board granted the variances and special relief sought by Reading Area Community College (RACC) for the Student Union Hall project. Planning staff said the board’s decision resolved the primary zoning issues and that the city solicitor will draft a follow-up letter documenting floodplain-related conditions the applicant needs to address.

Planning staff said the Zoning Hearing Board decision included conditions related to floodplain requirements and that city solicitor Steve Chris had been asked to draft the formal letter to be provided to the applicant that documents those conditions and any next steps. Staff indicated the revised plan set will appear on the Planning Commission agenda for final land‑development review following submission of those items.

Why it matters: the Zoning Hearing Board’s approval clears a major zoning hurdle for a higher‑education campus project and allows the applicant to proceed with remaining land‑development steps, subject to the city’s floodplain conditions and any outstanding plan revisions.

Clarifying detail: staff said the board’s relief was recorded on the record and that the applicant will receive a formal city letter outlining floodplain points and the items that remain to be satisfied for final land‑development approval.

Ending: staff said the revised plan is expected on the Planning Commission’s next regular agenda for final review and that the solicitor’s letter will follow the hearing record.","The Zoning Hearing Board granted the relief RACC needed for its Student Union Hall project, and city staff and the solicitor said they will provide a letter detailing floodplain and other conditions required for final approvals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning staff briefs commission on parking and loading draft, Redding Parking Authority given 30 days to comment

Reading planners report short-term rental ordinance moving to council; registration, inspections and business-license rules highlighted

Berks IDA outlines remediation, traffic and stormwater constraints for Third Street shopping-center sketch plan

Zoning hearing board grants relief for RACC Student Union; staff to draft required flood‑plain letter