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Commission reaffirms Berkshire building plan; seeks solicitor clarification on parking relief tied to student occupancy
Summary
The commission reaffirmed the Berkshire building land‑development plan and asked staff to confirm with the zoning‑hearing‑board solicitor whether references to student tenants in the decision limit occupancy or affect parking relief; the board required clarification as a condition of reaffirmation.
The Planning Commission reaffirmed the land‑development plan for the Berkshire building after staff and the applicant discussed a potential change in occupancy from student housing to a broader market and the implications for parking relief granted by the Zoning Hearing Board.
Planning staff explained the Zoning Hearing Board decision referenced testimony that the project was geared toward Alvernia University and foreign exchange students, and staff asked whether that focus limits who may occupy the building or whether the parking relief granted depends on that advertised tenant profile. The commission asked the solicitor (Steve Price) to clarify whether the decision’s references to student tenants impose a limitation on occupancy or trigger a need to revisit parking relief.
Daniel Pritzker, the applicant’s representative, said the owner is near completion of construction and anticipating leasing; he reported discussions to secure approximately 80 parking spaces at a nearby lot (Chiarelli lot) to serve tenants. Staff said the Zoning Hearing Board relief does not automatically change if tenants differ, but the commission requested solicitor confirmation.
Motion and vote: The commission reaffirmed the plan conditioned on the applicant obtaining clarification from the zoning hearing board solicitor regarding the parking‑relief interpretation (specifically, whether advertised student tenancy affects the relief). The motion passed (voice vote recorded as in favor). Staff will contact the zoning solicitor and report back.
