Commission tables South Ninth Street parking-facility plan pending site visit and revisions

The Reading Planning Commission on Feb. 25 tabled review of a preliminary/final land‑development plan for a proposed South Ninth Street parking facility and adjacent flex building, citing outstanding stormwater, paving and curb issues and the need for a site visit.

Planning staff described the project as a proposed development on a roughly 32,230‑square‑foot parcel bounded by South Ninth Street and East Laurel Street that would include approximately 6,400 square feet of “flex” building space, an automobile rental/display area and about 64 off‑street parking spaces. Jerome, a planning staff member, summarized the materials submitted and recommended additional notes and safeguards on the recorded plan to limit future uses that could become salvage or junk yards.

Commissioners and Public Works staff flagged several unresolved items: an abbreviated stormwater management plan that uses assumptions staff want verified; missing plan details requested in county comments; unclear site accessibility confirmation from Fire & Rescue; and the condition of curbs and sidewalks on South Street. Public Works staff Tim said the city plans to pave South Street this summer and noted that the curbing on the south side is “very poor, almost to nonexistent,” which could affect the contractor’s ability to pave without curb work first.

The developer’s representative, Dan, told the commission the owner envisions a speculative (“spec”) flex building of small units that may house low‑occupancy commercial tenants (for example, plumbers), and that water/sewer demand would be minimal at buildout unless specific tenants with higher demand locate there. Planning staff asked for a written narrative justifying the assumed water use and EDU estimate so it can screen the zoning permit and future reviews. Jerome also recommended a phased approach to the project and said a municipal improvements agreement and a stormwater maintenance agreement will be necessary.

Commissioners asked whether two side‑by‑side driveway aprons and temporary fencing for phased parking areas would be allowed; staff said temporary fencing and phased security conditions could be considered with appropriate financial security for longer phasing. Multiple participants encouraged a joint site visit to inspect curbing condition, the gravel surface, and the proposed catchbasin locations; staff said a site visit would likely lead to plan revisions to address the stormwater and curb issues.

The commission voted to table the item pending a site visit and submission of revised plans and responses to county and public‑works comments. Staff and the applicant were instructed to coordinate dates for a site meeting, to provide a narrative on assumed water use and employee counts for zoning and sewer planning, and to resolve standard stormwater maintenance and municipal improvements agreement language prior to returning.

The action preserves the commission’s ability to act within the 90‑day review period; staff said the statutory 90‑day clock began with the applicant’s filing and that an extension was not required at this time.

Votes at a glance - South Ninth Street parking-facility plan (preliminary/final land‑development plan): Motion to table pending site visit and revised submittal — outcome: tabled.