The Reading Zoning Hearing Board recently voted in favor of granting zoning relief for developer Alan Shuman’s proposed 156,000-square-foot shopping center in the city. The site of the development is located at 1853 N. Third St., which was previously home to the Glidden paint factory that closed its doors in 2007. Since then, the factory buildings have been demolished, leaving a vacant 19.3-acre lot bounded by Bern Street, Richmond Street, and Rockland Street.
The property, owned by Anoread LLC and under agreement of sale to Glidden Development LP, is situated in the M-C Manufacturing Commercial zoning district. This zoning designation permits the proposed use of a shopping center through a special exception. The zoning relief granted also includes variances from off-street parking requirements and loading dock requirements.
Developer Alan Shuman, who has successfully developed three other neighborhood shopping centers in the city over the past 15 years, is looking to establish his fourth shopping center on the southern 13 acres of the property. While the city zoning ordinance mandates 800 parking spaces for a development of this size, Shuman’s plans only call for 500 spaces. Shuman explained that he has previously received a 50% reduction waiver for parking requirements at his other shopping centers due to similar tenant uses.
Another zoning issue addressed during the hearing was the designation of loading spaces on the site plan. Shuman pointed out that the loading areas were located in the upper left-hand corner of the plan because the tenant configuration had not been finalized. He requested zoning approval with the condition that when the land development plan is completed, there would be a requirement for several loading spaces in that area.
Although the project has received zoning approval, it will still need to undergo a comprehensive land development plan review by the city planning commission before moving forward with construction. In addition to the shopping center development, the board also made decisions on two requests from the Reading Parking Authority for variances related to proposed residential parking lots on Mulberry Street and North Ninth Street.
The board denied the appeal for the lots on Mulberry Street but approved the appeal for the lots on North Ninth Street. The reasons for the differing decisions were not provided. Additionally, the board heard new appeals from Harnoor Properties LLC for a special exception to expand the use of a non-conforming gas station/convenience store to include a crispy chicken franchise at 1014 North 13th St. The applicant argued that the addition of the franchise would have no impact on the existing business. A decision on this appeal is expected to be made on September 11.
Overall, the recent zoning decisions made by the Reading Zoning Hearing Board have significant implications for the development and growth of the city. With the approval of Shuman’s shopping center project and the variances granted for residential parking lots, the city is poised for further economic and commercial expansion.