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Council amends, approves Hazlewood rezoning after public comments from railroads and businesses
Summary
Council amended and passed Ordinance (Bill 1993) to rezone parcels in Hazlewood from Riverfront General Industrial (RIVGI) to Riverfront Industrial Mixed Use (RIVMU); the meeting included public opposition from a recycling business and a call of spot-zoning by community representatives, while CSX and Allegheny Valley Railroad said the amended language preserves operations.
Pittsburgh City Council on June 2 voted to amend and adopt Ordinance Bill 1993, which rezones multiple parcels in the Hazlewood neighborhood from RIVGI (Riverfront General Industrial) to RIVMU (Riverfront Industrial Mixed Use). Councilwoman Warwick moved an amendment that removed two parcels from the rezoning; the amendment was approved and the ordinance passed on final action with unanimous recorded support.
The item drew multiple public comments. Lori Kchinsky, owner of BFIway Services of Pennsylvania in Hazlewood, told council she had recently purchased and invested in a local recycling center and criticized late revisions and last-minute "yellow sheet" changes to the bill. Kchinsky said the revisions create an "island" of rezoned parcels and asked council not to vote the changes without a site visit and more transparent review: "Don't vote this through today," she said.
Chris Voltz, representing BSI, urged council to reject what he called "spot zoning" after the most recent amendment removed most, but not all, parcels from the rezoning area. By contrast, representatives of rail operators said the amended ordinance addressed their concerns. Bill Sittig, speaking for CSX, said CSX "does not oppose the bill in its currently amended form" and described continued commitments to community engagement and trail easements. Brendan O'Donnell of the Allegheny Valley Railroad echoed that the changes preserved railroad operations.
Councilman Wilson introduced the ordinance as a proposed amendment to the city's zoning map (Title 9). After Councilwoman Warwick's amendment to remove two parcels, the clerk conducted a roll-call vote and the council chair announced the bill "passed finally." The transcript recorded the final tally as eight yes, zero no.
Next steps: The ordinance is adopted as amended and will be incorporated into the city zoning map; community members and affected property owners may pursue administrative or legal remedies within applicable timelines if they believe spot-zoning or other legal issues remain.
