Planning Commission accepts annual report, hears Chapter 94 sewer update and approves time extensions and officer slate

At its April 22 meeting the City of Reading Planning Commission accepted the draft 2024 annual report, subject to additions and corrections, and heard a detailed Chapter 94 sewer report from Public Works staff.

Deb Hogue of Public Works described the Chapter 94 report as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s five‑year look‑back/forward report used to project wastewater flows and identify capacity issues. “The chapter 94 report is an annual PA DEP requirement,” Hogue said, and she explained that the city’s role includes gathering information from contributing municipalities, reviewing planning module submissions and ensuring capacity through upgrades and municipal agreements.

Commissioners asked about metering, overflow history and which areas lack sanitary service; staff noted that portions of Riverdale currently lack sanitary sewer service and that a planning‑module review and possible pump station would be required if the area is connected. The report also reviewed recent pump‑station upgrades and noted that there had been no overflow events since rework of the sixth‑ward pump station.

On actions, the commission voted to grant a 120‑day time extension for the Galware (listed in the record as "Gobble Works") land development phases 3–5 to allow planning module and zoning work to proceed, and granted a time extension for 630 South 9th Street (parking) through July 31 with a staff condition that vehicles be removed from the lot. The commission also approved a stormwater management modification for the Burn Street Car Wash that staff recommended.

Under reorganization, members nominated and approved the slate to continue the current leadership for the 2025–26 year; the transcript records a motion to nominate Wayne (name spelled variously in the record) as chair and a subsequent vote to approve the slate by voice vote. The commission adjourned following those votes.