City Council

“Tiny Lots” Approved After Spirited Debate.

Minimum lot sizes in Pittsburgh's residential zones range up to 8,000 square feet. This week, council advanced a change shrinking them in every zone, 5 to 1 with two abstentions. It would also drop the minimum unit size for apartments and condos. Still, some questioned voting right after the severe storm and whether zoning changes should come all at once.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • The amendment to the residential zoning ordinance reduces minimum lot sizes for all density levels and removes the minimum unit-size requirement for apartments and condos.
  • All other zoning rules remain unchanged.
  • While Council generally supported the text, some members raised concerns about:
  • Timing the vote right after this week’s severe storm
  • Whether zoning changes should be made individually or all at once
  • If minimum lot sizes were the most critical amendment among many under consideration
  • The bill received an affirmative recommendation, passing 5–1 with two abstentions. Councilperson Gross voted against with Councilpersons Lavelle and Warwick abstaining. Councilperson Mosley was absent.

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City Council

Riverlife Barge Venue to Dock at Allegheny Landing Park.

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Challenged Historic Designation for Former Gay Bar to Receive Public Hearing.

Donny's Place, a Polish Hill gay bar from 1972 to 2022, served as an AIDS-crisis outreach center. If approved, the site would become Pittsburgh's first LGBTQ+ historic landmark, and the nomination will get a public hearing. However, the Planning Commission voted against it, and the late owner's estate opposes it. For now, no hearing date has been set.

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$40,000 Contract with Law Firm for “Immigration Matters” Authorized.

Council discussed a $40,000 contract for immigration matters in an executive session closed to the public. It then authorized the deal with a global immigration law firm. The contract wasn't presented at a committee meeting before approval. Informup asked a council member's office and the firm for details, but neither had responded by publication.

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Bill to Allow Pollinator Gardens and Natural Landscapes Introduced.

Right now, city code bars native, pollinator, and rain gardens, along with any plant growth over 10 inches on residential properties. A new bill would exempt intentional plantings of native Pennsylvania plants. However, residents would have to register their gardens with the city before planting. A council committee will discuss the bill next week.

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Council Reopens Discussion of the Process to Purchase City Property After a Rescinded Sale.

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Untested Sexual Assault Kits to Be Processed.

Police have identified untested sexual assault kits tied to backlogged cases. Now, council has unanimously advanced a request for $37,000 from a 2023 grant, mostly for detective overtime on those cases. The request also sets aside $1,000 for a soft interview room for victims. Still, the number of untested kits wasn't mentioned.

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Proposed July 2024 Contract for Shelter Services Held Another Five Weeks.

A $1.5 million shelter services contract with Auberle has sat in committee since July 2024. It's fully funded by a federal program meant to reduce homelessness. Now, a council member said a federal housing official has reviewed an updated proposal giving preference to homeless families. Still, the amendment process includes a public hearing that hasn't been scheduled.

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Council Seeks State Assistance in Eliminating the City’s Litter and Illegal Dumpsites.

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14 Acre Bakery Square Expansion Moves Forward with Two Key Amendments Ready for Public Hearing.

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URA Reports to Council on 61 New and Renovated Affordable Units Created Through the 2023 Housing Bond.

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County Officials Report on Winter Services for Unhoused People and Share Plans for the Rest of the Year.

In 2024, the county and its partners helped house about 1,700 people, including some couch surfing or living in cars. Efforts to address camps along riverfront trails and in the Business District have moved 75 people into shelters. The county expects to hit its goal of 500 affordable units in 500 days this October, the human services director said.

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Council to Approve Funding for Recruitment Video Aimed at Addressing Police Shortages.

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Portable Restroom Back Payment Sparks Inquiries into the Prevalence of Closed Public Restrooms in City Parks.

The city has spent $219,000 on portable restrooms for parks without working permanent ones. Parks have 20 open public restrooms, but the public works director had no exact count of closed ones. Reopening them would take public approval and tax funding, the director said. Council members agreed there should be a plan to start tackling the long-standing issue.

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City Council

Open-Ended Professional Services Contracts Add 27 Unspecified New Vendors.

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Councilperson Kail-Smith Leads Sweeping Post-Agenda Meeting on Zoning and Housing Issues Currently Before Council.

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City Council

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