READING, Pa. – The Reading Planning Commission on Tuesday night reviewed a sketch plan for the redevelopment of an off-street parking lot.
Sketch plans are submitted by the applicants prior to the submission of a preliminary land development plan to allow planning commission members to make comments and recommendations before formal plans are submitted.
The plan was submitted by Alan Shuman Development for Cherry Street Plaza at 29 S. Fifth St.
Jerome Skrincosky, the city’s planning consultant from Hawk Valley Associates, explained the proposed development is located on 35,719 square feet and is currently an existing off-street parking area owned by the Reading Parking Authority.
Skrincosky said the applicant is considering either adding land onto the site to facilitate angled parking along Cherry Street or dedicating that off-street parking to the city.
The proposed building construction consists of commercial uses on the first floor and 24 apartment units on the second and third floors.
Skrincosky said he does not consider angled parking dangerous, but does have a concern about the three of four spaces located close to the intersection of South Sixth Street creating a potentially hazardous condition for someone in the left lane there.
Planner William Cinfici questioned why the Reading Parking Authority is wiling to give up the lot, which he said is well-used during events.
Alan Shuman said that in the city’s comprehensive plan and transit multimodal plan, it is recommended that all downtown surface parking lots be redeveloped with a desire to move parking activity to parking garages.
In June, the RPA announced that the lot at Cherry and Fifth streets would close. It directed drivers to use the city’s other nearby parking options at the Fourth and Cherry Garage and South Penn Garage.
Cinfici noted Tuesday that the site was once the location of the City Hotel, which was torn down in the 1960s, as well as the city stables, which eventually became an indoor parking area for the City Hotel.
The planners said they would like to hear some guidance from city officials to determine what they are thinking when it comes to parking on Cherry Street.
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