City Council
Councilmember Kail-Smith expresses frustration with City Planning and community input.
The Department of City Planning wants to apply for two $250,000 State grants to plan transit-oriented development. Council held the Sheraden Bus Station bill until after a public hearing, as Councilmember Kail-Smith requested. The South Hills Junction bill advanced, with her abstaining. She voiced frustration that City departments work with community groups without involving the relevant council member.
Written by Amy Whipple
- The Department of City Planning has asked to apply for two state grants for Transit Oriented Development planning. Each grant would be for $250,000. They each require their own bill and vote.
- Sheraden Bus Station:
- Councilmember Kail-Smith requested that the bill be held until after a public hearing for community input. Council granted the request.
- She pointed out that most development in Sheraden has been affordable housing. The saturation of Housing Authority properties in the neighborhood exceeds the legal limit.
- Residents would like developments such as a grocery store, a coffee shop, and a bank.
- Deputy Director Dash said the Sheraden rezoning process had been paused because of community disapproval. This grant would allow for better community engagement in the planning process.
- South Hills Junction:
- Councilmember Kail-Smith expressed concern that the Mt. Washington community was not asked for input for this project.
- Deputy Director Dash said that the project would not involve the part of the Junction that’s owned by Pittsburgh Regional Transit in Mt. Washington.
- The site related to the grant covers Beltzhoover and Allentown, which are in Councilmember Charland’s district.
- The bill was affirmatively recommended with Councilmember Kail-Smith abstaining.
- Grant applications are due June 30. No one asked how a July 1 final vote would allow DCP to meet the deadline.
- Councilmember Kail-Smith expressed frustration about communication between City departments and residents/community organizations without involving the relevant Councilmember.
- One of bills she introduced earlier this month included the creation of a Department of City Development.. She said that moving the Department of City Planning into the new Department would alleviate this problem.
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