Commission grants waiver for carriage‑house at 1207 Orchard Road; staff require erosion controls and as‑built plans

The Reading Planning Commission granted a waiver from land‑development requirements for a proposed carriage‑house/garage at 1207 Orchard Road at its May 27 meeting. The waiver passed with one abstention recorded.

Why it matters: The carriage house would sit largely over an existing motor court and is part of a conservation‑minded approach to the property’s reuse. Staff said the total new impervious coverage is minimal (about +24 square feet) and the applicant is proposing to remove a tennis court and return that area to turf, producing an overall reduction in impervious surface. Because disturbance exceeds de‑minimis thresholds for erosion, the commission required an erosion and sedimentation control plan and an as‑built submission before final administrative closure.

What the commission heard: Applicant Ben Curry of Berkey described the project as a 3.5‑acre historic property improvement intended to keep equipment on site in a carriage‑house designed to match the Bowman‑era Tudor main house. Jerome Skrinkowski and Tim Kroll reviewed the technical analysis and recommended treating the submission as a redevelopment with no further stormwater management required given the net impervious reduction and turf replacement; however, an erosion and sedimentation control plan and final as‑built plans were required. Commissioners voted to grant the waiver; the recorded vote included an abstention resulting in a 4‑0‑1 outcome.

Next steps: Applicant to submit an erosion and sedimentation control plan and as‑built drawings; staff will attach those requirements to the zoning permit file and verify compliance before final administrative sign‑off.