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Council committee advances reduction to minimum lot sizes in zoning code after split vote
Summary
The Land Use and Economic Development Committee recommended passage of an ordinance (Bill 15‑79) reducing required minimum lot sizes in residential zoning. Supporters said the change would unlock vacant parcels for housing; opponents said the measure should be considered alongside inclusionary zoning and other housing reforms.
The Land Use and Economic Development Committee advanced an ordinance to reduce required minimum lot sizes in Pittsburgh’s zoning code (Bill 15‑79) after a divided roll-call vote.
Proponent Councilman Wilson said the change is a focused fix to "an outdated part of the zoning code" that reduces the square footage required to build on narrow parcels while leaving contextual setbacks, height limits and other protections in place. He argued the change would unlock vacant land held by the land bank and enable more housing production, particularly for working families.
Councilperson Warwick and Councilwoman Gross both said they supported the bill’s language but raised process concerns. Warwick urged pairing the lot-size change with measures to ensure affordable units — specifically inclusionary zoning (IZ) requirements and other components of a larger housing package — and said the council should not rush as the public expects a fuller package. Gross, speaking from an online connection, listed recent IZ projects and said developers already receive bonuses and tax abatements; she asked that the lot-size change be considered alongside broader housing reforms. Councilman Coghill said he supported the bill and argued zoning—rather than mandatory IZ—was the best way to increase housing supply.
Councilmember Warwick moved to hold the bill for two weeks; a 3‑5 vote failed. On the final roll call the committee recorded 5 ayes, 1 no and 2 abstentions, delivering an affirmative recommendation for the ordinance to proceed: 5 ayes, 1 no (Councilwoman Gross), 2 abstentions (Councilman Lavelle, Councilperson Warwick). Committee leadership said the measure will now proceed to the full council for consideration.
The ordinance would amend Title 9 (Zoning), Article 2, Chapter 903 (Residential zoning districts) to reduce required minimum lot sizes. Sponsors said the change is intended to ease development on narrow historic parcels while retaining other zoning protections. Opponents and some members urged that related policies (inclusionary zoning, parking and ADU reforms, and gap financing) be addressed in coordinated fashion.
