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Applicant seeks variance to convert 21 S. Ninth St. to two units; board requests parking and inspection records
Summary
Limitless Mindsets LLC requested a variance to convert a single-family dwelling at 21 South Ninth Street into two dwelling units. The applicant submitted supplemental parking sketches but the board asked for clearer parking plans, permit/inspection records and utility meter dates; decision deferred to next meeting.
Limitless Mindsets LLC asked the City of Reading Zoning Hearing Board in March 2025 for a variance to convert a single-family dwelling at 21 South Ninth Street into two dwelling units and for any other relief necessary to permit two units.
Alex Alfieri, counsel for Limitless Mindsets LLC, presented exhibits including notice, proof of publication and posting, the application and the city zoning ordinance; the applicant also submitted a supplemental exhibit the day of the hearing showing a parcel in the rear that the applicant’s representative said could be divided into three parking spaces. The applicant argued the building is laid out with separate kitchens, plumbing and entrances on two floors and that the owner purchased the property about a year ago.
Emily Diaz, zoning officer, told the board she had not inspected the interior and that city records do not list the property as a two-family dwelling. Board members asked the applicant to provide additional documentation before the board issues a written decision: completed inspection and permit records from the Building Division showing recent work and code compliance, and documentation from utilities (Met-Ed or UGI) that would indicate when separate meters were placed. The board also asked for a more detailed parking plan showing the entire lot with parking-space orientation and dimensions; Diaz said the parking exhibit submitted that day did not provide sufficient detail to determine compliance with zoning standards. The applicant said the contractor holds the inspection records and agreed to provide them and the utility documentation to Diaz.
The board closed the hearing and said it will issue a written decision at next month’s meeting; the decision will be mailed to the applicant.
Why it matters: Converting single-family homes to legal multi-unit housing changes occupancy, parking demand and inspection requirements; the board requested documentary evidence to confirm the property’s physical layout, permitting history and off-street parking before issuing a ruling.
