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Council to Consider Pollinator Gardens and Natural Landscaping; Public Hearing on Historic Designation for Closed Gay Bar in Polish Hill—City Council Week of April 21

City Council

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.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Bill would exempt intentional plantings of native Pennsylvania vegetation from code violations to enhance biodiversity and protect the City’s environment.
  • The exemption covers:
  • Native Gardens: A planned garden using plants that naturally grow in Pennsylvania and are suited to its climate and soil.
  • Pollinator Gardens: A garden designed to attract and support pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds by offering food, water, and shelter.
  • Rain Gardens: A shallow, landscaped area with native plants that captures and filters rainwater runoff.
  • Current City Code prohibits these landscapes and all plant and weed growth over 10 inches on residential properties.
  • Residents must register their gardens with the City before planting.
  • Violations incur a $15-per-day fine.
  • Bill will be discussed at next week’s Standing Committee meeting.

City Council

$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.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Council authorized a $40,000 contract with Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, a global immigration law firm.
  • The authorization was discussed in an executive session closed to the public and was not presented in Standing Committee before approval.
  • InformUp contacted both the Councilperson Lavelle's office and the law firm for additional information but received no response by publication time.

City Council

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.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Donny’s Place operated from 1972 to 2022 and served as an outreach center during the AIDS crisis.
  • If approved, the Polish Hill site would become Pittsburgh’s first LGBTQ+ historic landmark.
  • The estate of the late owner, Donald Thinnes, opposes the nomination; Thinnes entered a 2019 sales agreement to develop the property into townhouses.
  • The Planning Commission voted against the nomination, citing lack of owner support, fire damage, and testimony that the bar was not unique.
  • The historic designation is sought by two Polish Hill residents and Preservation Pittsburgh.
  • The date for the public hearing has yet to be scheduled.