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Commission reviews Luzerne Place sketch plan proposing eight townhouses on Luzerne Street parcels
Summary
The Planning Commission reviewed a sketch plan April 22 for an eight‑unit townhouse development on five parcels between Luzerne, Lackawanna and nearby streets. Commissioners and staff flagged access, alley improvements, a required fire hydrant, sewer planning‑module review and curb/sidewalk upgrades as issues to resolve in the preliminary plan.
The City of Reading Planning Commission reviewed a sketch plan April 22 for an eight‑unit townhouse project on five parcels listed between 1414 and 1422 Luzerne Street. The applicant proposes eight single‑family attached townhouse units, parking accessed from a 15‑foot alley, and associated site improvements.
Jerome Skrinkowski described the submission as a sketch plan: “The applicant is proposing to utilize those properties to construct 8… townhouses.” He told the commission the site will require a full stormwater management plan, erosion and sedimentation controls, a municipal improvements agreement, a sanitary connection and planning‑module review, and a landscaping, street‑tree and exterior‑lighting plan.
Applicant representatives Joel Avada and Tom Ludgate explained the concept and responded to technical questions. Avada told the commission the units “will be sold as individual homes” (not held in an HOA) and that parking would be provided behind the townhouses along the alley. He said the project is still checking whether a direct connection to Luzerne is permitted or whether access will be via Lackawanna; if direct access is not available the design would show the alley improved to Lackawanna.
Staff and commissioners focused on access and alley conditions. Skrinkowski said the alley interconnects to Lackawanna and New Zerrand and that a portion crossing the applicant’s property ties into a PennDOT right‑of‑way by Water Street Bypass; he said the applicant must verify whether a point of ingress/egress is permitted. The fire and rescue department’s initial review requires a fire hydrant along that segment of Zern Street.
Commissioner Will asked whether the plan will consolidate and then subdivide the lots; Tom and Joel said consolidation and return as eight individual lots is one of the likely approaches. Staff suggested the applicant consider 20‑foot parking stall depth (rather than 18 feet) because the alley is only 15 feet wide and larger pickup trucks could overhang.
No formal action was taken at this sketch stage. Staff and the applicant said they will resolve access and utility questions and return with a preliminary plan.
