READING., Pa. – Reading City Council held a conditional use public hearing Monday night to consider a request to convert a property at 411 S. 14th St. from a one-unit to a two-unit apartment.
Mercedes Davis, a managing member of ILD Properties LLC, purchased the property which she believed was a two unit because it had a kitchen on the first floor as well as the second floor.
Davis has already appeared before the zoning hearing board where she received a zoning variance from off-street parking requirements, but a second variance to consider whether the two apartments may be smaller than the city’s minimum requirements had to be considered by council as a part of the conditional use conversion case.
The same property had been denied a conditional use request by City Council in 2023.
Council solicitor Michael Gombar said Davis has agreed to rent to only a single person or a couple per unit to prevent overcrowding.
The building is in the R-3 Residential zoning district which allows for multiple units.
Zoning Officer Emily Diaz-Melendez said it is common to find single-family homes divided into two units to accommodate for family member spaces, even though the properties remain on record as single unit dwellings.
Gombar said council can deliberate on the matter in a closed door executive session and should vote on a decision at either the May 12 or May 28 regular meeting.