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City Council

Council Expressed Support for the City to Own Proposed Solar Farm in Summerset at Frick.

A canceled housing site could become a large solar installation, with the rest joining Frick Park. The Summerset at Frick plan was dropped over its roughly $40 million infrastructure cost. This week, council voted to support ending the tax program meant to fund it. Members also discussed who should own the solar array and whether it could power nearby homes.

Written by Chris Maury

  • The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)'s proposed residential development, Summerset at Frick, was previously canceled due to the roughly $40 million price tag required to provide city infrastructure to the site.
  • With the cancellation of this development, the Council this week voted to support the termination of a special tax program established to fund the development.
  • Already collected funds will be used for the planned clean-up of the brown site where the development is located.
  • Instead of housing, the URA proposes a large solar installation on part of the site, with the remainder being designated as part of Frick Park.
  • Councilmembers discussed who should own the solar installation and whether the power generated from the installation could be directed to power homes in the neighborhood.

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Climate action
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City Council · October 22, 2024

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City Council

Council Is Ready to Suspend the Program Allowing for the Purchase of Neighboring Lots for $200.

Council is suspending the Side-Yard program, which let residents buy city-owned lots for $200 if they didn't build on them. Over several meetings, members couldn't agree on its future, so it's on hold until they settle on an alternative. One question was whether only adjoining property owners should qualify. For now, residents can still buy city property, just without the discount or the building limit.

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City Council

Public Hearing on Zoning Changes to Allow Very High-Density Housing on Negley Ave. in East Liberty.

A zoning change would allow 264 new housing units on Negley Avenue in East Liberty, north of Penn. At a council public hearing, housing affordability advocates backed the project. Nearby residents, however, raised serious concerns about the added cars. They worry the neighborhood's infrastructure can't support them.

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City Council

The Details.

About 1,000 traffic calming requests are waiting, and the city can only complete 10 a year. Now, council is considering spending $130,000 to unlock $1.3 million in federal funds. The grant would pay for three demonstration sites and a design guide for 10 high-need corridors. Projects are prioritized using crash data, nearby schools, and other factors.

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City Council

Special Session on Trash Can Fines.

Resolving a trash can complaint in the city takes about three months, and violations end up in magistrate court. This week, a council member led a meeting on proposed fines meant to speed up clean-up. They're also meant to end reliance on the court. Meanwhile, the mayor's draft budget includes money to hire more inspectors.

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