Community Development

The Community Development Department is a team of skilled professionals striving to improve the quality of life in the City of Reading through the encouragement of community participation, effective administration of programs, efficient allocation of resources, judicious enforcement of regulations and sound planning practices.

Neighborhood Planning
Economic Development
Land Development and Subdivision Review
Zoning Administration
Historic Preservation
Admin of Federal funds from the Building Inspections Community Development Block Grant

The Department is responsible for the following specific functions that guide development and planning activity in the City:

· Review of proposed development activity to determine compliance with City regulations for subdivisions, land development, historic preservation, and zoning.

· Neighborhood target programs to identify planning objectives for neighborhoods throughout the City.

· Administration of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership (HOME), and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) programs. Activities funded by these programs include a variety of public improvements, public services, economic development actions, and housing and planning activity.

· Technical assistance provided through the Zoning Office to existing businesses and those that want to locate within the City.

· Technical assistance through the Division of Planning and Economic Development, Community Development Office and Reading Redevelopment Authority for the remediation and development of Brownfields sites.

· The administrative program which ensures that the program and activities are meeting the community’s needs and federal, state and local mandates.