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Reading zoning board approves three appeals, denies one; six other appeals heard and deferred
Summary
The City of Reading Zoning Hearing Board approved three variance appeals, denied one and heard six other appeals on Feb. 12, 2025. Several contested matters were continued for decisions to be issued at next month’s meeting.
The City of Reading Zoning Hearing Board, meeting Feb. 12, 2025, approved three appeals, denied one and took testimony on six additional appeals that the board said it will decide at its March meeting.
The quick votes came near the start of the evening: the board approved relief for 213 South 11th Street and for a combined set of properties at 730 North Third Street/743 Thorn Street/220 Douglas Street; it approved relief for 353 North Fourth Street subject to the applicant pursuing a conditional-use approval from City Council; and it denied the appeal for 1506 North Thirteenth Street.
Why it matters: zoning board rulings change what property owners may lawfully do and can affect housing supply, neighborhood character and future land use. The later hearings included appeals over a property remanded from the county court, a proposed catering use in a residential district, a laundromat expansion, a pregnancy‑center expansion to include limited medical services, and a floodplain variance request from Reading Area Community College. The board took testimony on those later items and said written decisions will be mailed after it completes deliberations.
Votes at a glance
- Appeal 2411-0032 (213 South 11th Street): Motion to approve relief “subject to the conditions set forth in the written decision” carried; board recorded ayes and announced the motion carried. The meeting transcript does not record a roll‑call vote or the mover’s full name on the record; the decision and conditions are in the written decision the board referenced.
- Appeal 2411-0033 (730 North Third Street / 743 Thorn Street / 220 Douglas Street): Motion to approve relief “subject to the condition set forth in the written decision” carried; the board announced ayes and that the motion passed.
- Appeal 2411-0034 (353 North Fourth Street): Motion to approve relief carried with an explicit note that the applicant must pursue a conditional‑use approval from City Council. The board recorded ayes.
- Appeal 2411-0035 (1506 North Thirteenth Street): Motion to deny the requested approvals carried; the board announced ayes and that the appeal was denied.
Other business
After the initial votes the board heard testimony or offers of proof on six matters: a remanded case involving 1900 Hill Road; a request to permit a catering business at Luzerne Street; a variance to expand a nonconforming laundromat on North Tenth Street; a request from Mercy Community Crisis Pregnancy Center to add limited medical services at 921 Walnut Street and to modify a prior employee‑limit condition; and a multi‑part floodplain variance for Reading Area Community College’s Student Union at 25 South Front Street. In each of those matters the board accepted exhibits and testimony and said it will issue written decisions next month and mail them to the applicants.
What the board said about next steps
Board members and staff asked applicants for clarifying documents in some cases (for example, the board suggested obtaining meter‑installation history for the 1900 Hill Road property). The board repeatedly noted that the city engineer has final technical review authority in the RACC floodplain matter and that obtaining additional records or clarifications from applicants or third parties may be required before the board renders written decisions.
The board’s written decisions will be mailed to the parties; the transcript shows the board did not take further public comment on the deferred items. The board closed the Feb. 12 hearing and said decisions would be issued at the March meeting.
