Reading Planning Commission tables Albright Learning Commons vote and delays Exeter Hall escrow release after inspection finds landscaping, accessibility and en

The Reading Planning Commission on May 27 delayed final approval of Albright College’s revised Learning Commons plan and held off on releasing maintenance escrow for the related Exeter Hall project after staff reported multiple outstanding site problems.

Planning consultant Jerome Skrinkowski told commissioners the revised Learning Commons submission — described to the commission as a “revised plan of record” for the project formerly called the Gingrich Library — has been scaled back from prior approvals and still requires review comments from the Berks County Planning Commission, fire and rescue, and other city departments. Jerome said the plan needs additional plan notes, a stormwater narrative and confirmation of sanitary-sewer planning assumptions before the commission can vote; commissioners voted to table the Learning Commons item to the June meeting to allow staff and outside reviewers time to complete those checks.

Separately, Jerome presented the results of a final maintenance inspection for Exeter Hall, where the city holds a maintenance bond. The inspection found 18 dead trees confirmed by the city arborist, several damaged shrubs, bent traffic-control signs, a handicap ramp that lacks paint and detectable warning strips, a driveway apron that has not been converted to a curb segment, and a trash-enclosure pad without its security gate. Jerome recommended withholding the escrow release until those items are corrected.

Developer Jeffrey Goldstein, the site owner, attended and said he has already asked his construction manager and Albright College facilities staff to address the items and obtain quotes for tree replacement and turf work. Goldstein proposed options to resolve the matter before the next meeting, including coordinating planting in the appropriate season and offering a reduced cash escrow in lieu of continuing a letter of credit. “We will look to have the trees replanted,” Goldstein said, and said he would supply costs, timelines and any vendor warranties once arranged.

City staff and commissioners discussed practical next steps: Jerome and Public Works’ Tim Kroll said certain physical items (curb conversion, trash-enclosure gate, repainting and detectable warnings) can be completed quickly, while tree replacements are season-dependent and may best be planted in the fall. Staff confirmed the maintenance bond amount on file as $120,695.71 and proposed reducing the outstanding letter-of-credit exposure in exchange for a smaller cash escrow to cover tree warranty and inspection fees. Jerome suggested a possible retained amount in the mid‑$20,000s (including inspection fees) until warranties and seasonal survivability could be confirmed.

Commissioners and staff agreed on a practical approach: resolve immediate construction/curb/gate/ramp corrections promptly; provide cost and warranty documentation for tree replacement; and consider a reduced cash escrow to replace the existing letter of credit so long as staff (planning finance and counsel) approve the procedure. The commission voted to table the escrow-release decision to the June meeting to allow the developer and college to submit fixes and the agreed documentation.

The commission’s action preserves the city’s ability to ensure long-term site maintenance while allowing a workable path toward reducing developer financial security once corrections and warranty documentation are in hand.

Next steps: the developer will coordinate directly with Planning Manager Simon Wingolo and copy Jerome and Tim with the schedule, cost estimates and any vendor warranties; staff will verify completed repairs and then present the escrow-release request at the June meeting.