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Reading planning commission reaffirms several land-development plans, tables Goggle Works 2 residential phases
Summary
At its March 25 meeting the City of Reading Planning Commission reaffirmed multiple previously approved land-development plans and granted waivers for two small projects, while tabling the Goggle Works 2 phases 3–5 preliminary plan until the applicant obtains zoning relief for the proposed apartments.
Reading — The City of Reading Planning Commission on March 25 reaffirmed a series of previously approved land-development plans and approved two limited waivers for building alterations, while tabling further action on the Goggle Works 2 phases 3, 4 and 5 preliminary land-development plan so the applicant can seek zoning relief for the residential component.
Why it matters: Most items on the agenda were procedural "housekeeping" items — reaffirmations that a plan should remain on the record after construction delays or missed recording deadlines — but several actions carry implementation conditions (for example, the Goggle Works residential units need zoning hearing board approval and a sewage planning module; a Franklin Street restaurant conversion was approved subject to right-of-way and planning-module clarifications). The meeting consolidated multiple short agenda votes into a single session of approvals and a small number of conditions that departments must resolve before recording.
The commission voted to table the preliminary land-development plan for Goggle Works 2 phases 3–5, which includes upper-floor residential units and artist studios, after staff said the apartment portion requires adaptive-reuse zoning relief and review by the zoning hearing board. Commissioners and staff discussed technical requirements: the project will require a sewage-facilities planning module for the phases and the planning office noted previously submitted items (sidewalks, curb ramps, lighting, solid-waste areas and playground location) that must be resolved with Public Works and Fire & Rescue as part of later permit reviews. Jerome (staff) told the commission the applicant must receive zoning hearing board approval before the commission can grant conditional approval for the apartments.
The commission reaffirmed these previously approved projects (motions carried without extended debate): Habitat for Humanity Buttonwood Gateway; Reading School District Reservoir/Field plan; Reading School District STEM High School (Ninth and Windsor); Duca Properties 1125 Moss Street; the related 1144 Moss Street municipal improvements (added to the agenda and reaffirmed); Parker Technology (B-76); Mitsubishi Chemical land-development plan; and Helping/Healthy Harvest at Goggle Works 2 (phases 1–2). Castlewood Homeowners Association reaffirmation was tabled pending additional legal steps and city-council action on an ordinance for dedication of roads and stormwater facilities.
The commission approved two land-development waivers: an expansion of an existing laundromat at 839 North 10th Street (zoning hearing board relief already granted; staff recommended approval because the site is already fully impervious and parking remains compliant) and a conversion at 726 Franklin Street to add a restaurant and one apartment. The Franklin Street waiver carried conditions: resolution of right-of-way/sidewalk encroachment, any required planning modules, and compliance with building- and fire-code requirements before permits are issued.
Votes at a glance (procedural outcomes recorded at the meeting): - Goggle Works 2 (phases 3–5) preliminary land-development plan: Motion to table to allow zoning relief process; mover: Nelson; second: James Harris; outcome: tabled. - Habitat for Humanity Buttonwood Gateway: reaffirmation — motion carried (approved). - Reading School District Reservoir/Field: reaffirmation — motion carried (approved). - Reading School District STEM High School (Ninth & Windsor): reaffirmation — motion carried (approved). - Duca Properties — 1125 Moss Street: reaffirmation — motion carried (approved). - 1144 Moss Street (parking/municipal improvements): added to agenda and reaffirmed — motion carried (approved). - Parker Technology (B-76): reaffirmation — motion carried (approved). - Mitsubishi Chemical land-development plan: reaffirmation — motion carried (approved). - Helping/Healthy Harvest at Goggle Works 2 (phases 1–2): reaffirmation — motion carried (approved). - Castlewood Homeowners Association reaffirmation: motion to table pending legal/council actions — motion carried (tabled). - Waiver — 839 North 10th Street (laundromat expansion): approved (waiver granted). - Waiver — 726 Franklin Street (restaurant + 1 apartment): approved with conditions (right-of-way/sidewalk resolution; planning modules as required; building and fire code compliance).
What remains: The Goggle Works phases 3–5 cannot receive conditional approval from the planning commission until the applicant secures the zoning hearing board relief for the residential units and submits the required sewage-planning materials. Staff also noted the commission should coordinate with Public Works on curb/sidewalk design, utilities, and accessibility where former driveway aprons and utility access exist. Staff said one correction to the sewer allocation tables will be made before the Chapter 94 packet is finalized (see separate report on the Chapter 94 update at the meeting).
The meeting was largely routine and described by commissioners as "housekeeping" to bring long-running projects into proper recorded status; several items will return to the commission after the applicant or city departments resolve outstanding legal, zoning or utility questions.
