READING, Pa. –The Reading Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday heard a request for zoning relief from Alexander Heredia to use an existing building at 1215 N. 11th St. for a content creation studio and a personal and private barber salon.

Heredia is seeking a special exception and any other relief needed to use the space for the intended use.

The building, which has previously been used for commercial uses, is located in an R-3 Residential zone.

Heredia said he produces social media podcasts and plans to use the various rooms in the building as studios with varied backgrounds.

He also testified that the use of a barber shop is more of a private studio for personalized appointment-based services.

Reading’s managing director Jack Gombach said he was attending the hearing on behalf of Mayor Eddie Moran.

“We believe this project represents a positive step for the neighborhood,” Gombach said. “This building has been underutilized for quite some time, and the applicant is proposing to bring it back into a productive use with a high-end, appointment-only barber shop and creative studio.”

“One of the mayor’s priorities is growing the city’s tax base by supporting people who choose to invest and build a business here in Reading, especially our entrepreneurs, when someone steps forward to improve property and create a new business,” Gombach added. “It strengthens the neighborhood and contributes to the city’s long-term growth.”

The zoning panel plans to render a decision on April 8.

Boarding house

In another case, Michael P. Bickel, a member of Mikae Holdings LLC, asked for a variance to use an existing building at 1216 Perkiomen Ave. as a boarding house with eight rooms and one basement apartment.

Bickel is also seeking a variance from off-street parking requirements, as the building is in an R-3 Residential zoning district and has no on-site parking.

Mikae Holdings LLC purchased the former Miller Personal Care home in April 2022.

Bickel’s attorney Joan London said the applicant had considered a single-family dwelling or an apartment building, but that wasn’t possible as the property is basically a house with eight bedrooms and five bathrooms, with the rooms measuring anywhere from 142 to 222 square feet.

Bickel testified that he is actively seeking to lease off-street parking in the neighborhood.

A decision is also expected on April 8.

Solar canopy and carport

From a previous hearing, the zoners granted a variance from the minimum rear yard setback requirements to the City Of Reading to install a solar canopy and carport on a parking lot adjacent to the public works building at 509 N. Sixth St.

Last month, the panel granted a similar variance for the same use on the city hall parking lot along Cedar Street.

The board continued the North Sixth Street decision until this month, citing some aesthetic concerns.

Planner Emily Diaz-Melendez explained the panels that will be visible from North Sixth Street are not part of the application because the zoning issue only dealt with the rear yard setback.