Pittsburgh holds public hearing on enhanced inclusionary zoning; Planning Commission issued negative recommendation

Pittsburgh City Council on June 18 held a public hearing on Bill 20-24 (12-84), proposed amendments to Title 9 of the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances that would establish an Enhanced Inclusionary Zoning (EIZ) framework and change overlay, use and environmental standards in parts of the city.

The Department of City Planning told council the Planning Commission voted on Jan. 28 to forward a negative recommendation to council, citing concerns about neighborhood “opt in” procedures, funding mandates, code conflicts and drafting errors. Corey Lehman, zoning administrator, said the commission “had substantial concerns with the proposed legislation regarding opt in inclusionary zoning by neighborhood, adoption processes for the neighborhood opt in, funding mandates, conflicts within the code, some potential drafting errors, and unintended potential consequences of changes to approval processes and timelines.”

Supporters of mandatory, citywide inclusionary zoning urged council to move more quickly to adopt requirements that would attach affordable units to new development. Dave Branget, executive director of Lawrenceville…