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Planning office outlines downtown strategic plan implementation, MAP grant push and pending zoning amendments
Summary
Planning staff described a matrix approach to implement the 2022 downtown strategic plan, said the city is preparing a MAP grant application for a comprehensive-plan update and reported that phase 1 and 2 zoning amendments (including SALDO changes) are moving toward a city‑council public hearing.
Planning staff updated the Planning Commission on Jan. 21 about implementation of the downtown strategic plan, the city’s push for a MAP grant to fund a comprehensive plan update, and the status of zoning and subdivision amendments.
Jerome, a planning office lead, said staff has developed a matrix to prioritize and assign responsibilities for the 139 recommendations in the downtown strategic plan. “This will enable us to prioritize all of the 139 recommendations that are contained within the plan,” Jerome said, describing interviews with city departments planned for February to identify owners, costs and timing.
The nut graf: staff is packaging recommendations into an actionable implementation matrix, pursuing a Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) grant to update the comprehensive plan and expects phase‑1 and phase‑2 zoning amendments to proceed to a public hearing scheduled by city council.
On the comprehensive plan, staff said the city is still assembling materials and letters of support to submit a MAP grant application. Jerome said letters from county planning and other partners are being collected before formal submission.
On zoning work, staff reported that phases 1 and 2 of zoning and SALDO amendments are in final preparation and that a city‑council public hearing is tentatively scheduled in mid‑February. The planning office is coordinating with counsel and expects to begin subsequent phases to avoid confusion and to integrate public feedback.
Several procedural and operational items were raised in discussion. Staff confirmed the beekeeping zoning item has been adjusted after Berks County Planning Commission comments and will return to the commission for a vote; staff said edits were minor and intended to ensure enforceability. The commission also received updates on pending conditional‑use matters and private development submissions, including a revised sketch for a South Ninth Street site and a resolved fee situation for a Barn Street property sale that may require reaffirmation of conditions.
Members asked for clarity about public meeting schedules and document availability; staff said recordings and slide materials would be posted and offered to forward presentations to commission members.
Ending: Staff requested commission support for scheduling and departmental interviews needed to complete the implementation matrix; no formal commission action was taken at the workshop.
