Category: Responsible Growth

Inclusionary Zoning – March Update

by David Breingan

A robust community process was held in the fall of 2018 that included three well-attended community meetings discussing the state of housing in Lawrenceville and the prospect of inclusionary zoning as a way to ensure affordability as the neighborhood grows. (For all the presentations and notes from that process, click here.)

On February 19th, Councilwoman Gross introduced legislation for the Inclusionary Housing Interim Planning Overlay District (IPOD-6), which would create the first mandatory inclusionary zoning program in the City of Pittsburgh, requiring residential developments in Lawrenceville over 20 units to price 10% of units affordably for low/moderate-income folks.

The legislation has now been referred to the Planning Commission, which will make a recommendation to City Council after holding a public hearing on Tuesday, April 23rd at 2 p.m. at 200 Ross Street in the First Floor Hearing Room. Property owners in Lawrenceville should have received a mailing from the Department of City Planning notifying them of the proposed zoning change and the public hearing.

Lawrenceville United fully supports mandatory inclusionary zoning as a tool to create housing opportunities for all as the neighborhood grows. We encourage residents to come to the Planning Commission hearing on 4/23 to show their support. Residents can also show support by completing the “Response Form” that was part of the mailing from City Planning, or by emailing Andrew.McCray@pittsburghpa.gov with the following information:

  • Name
  • Mailing Address
  • In favor / opposed to this proposal
  • Tenant of / owner of / agent having power of attorney over property located at: _______________, Pittsburgh, PA 152__
  • Comments Regarding the Zoning Proposal
  • Signature
  • Date

For any questions or for support preparing your testimony for the Planning Commission, please call LU at 412-802-7220 or email Dave@LUnited.org.

Lawrenceville Tree Tenders Meet & Greet

by Darrell Kinsel

 

 

Look around Lawrenceville and you can see that this neighborhood is full of beautiful street trees and unique green spaces.  Many hands have supported the work of transforming Lawrenceville into a place with strong community gardens, beautiful parks, and a tree lined main street.

The Lawrenceville Tree Tenders (LVTT) is one of the groups that has been responsible for leading this work in Lawrenceville.  Join the LVTT on Wednesday February 6th, 2019 from 6pm-8pm at  Full Pint Wild Side Pub (5308 Butler Street) for the Tree Tenders Meet & Greet.  Meet your neighbors, learn about our work, get info on how to request a tree for your sidewalk, and sign up to volunteer with the LVTT.

Remember, we need your to help keep the neighborhood GREEN!

Questions?  Call LU @ 412.802.7220 or email Darrell@lunited.org

Lawrenceville Nomination to the National Register of Historic Places

by Darrell Kinsel

The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office, the Pittsburgh Department of City Planning and the Urban Redevelopment Authority have been working with the Lawrenceville community to see the neighborhood added to the National Register of Historic Places.  These groups recently held a meeting regarding updates around Lawrenceville’s nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

Please click the link(s) for more information regarding this process:   

THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES IN PENNSYLVANIA

The National Register of Historic Places: Lawrenceville Historic District

Lawrenceville Historic District National Registration Nomination Public Information Meeting

Community Meeting on Nomination to the National Register of Historic Places Meeting Notes

National Historic designation does not restrict property owners in any way or provide any additional restrictions or oversights. National Register designation creates exceptional marketing and promotional opportunities and is a way to raise public awareness about a community’s history.

Information about the National Register of Historic Places may be found on the State Historic Preservation Office’s website here: https://buff.ly/2rCdFSd; and on the National Park Service’s website: https://buff.ly/2Gewu81.

 

Questions? Contact your neighborhood planner, Andrea Lavin Kossis, at Andrea.LavinKossis@pittsburghpa.gov, or 412.255.2223.

 

 

Support “Housing for All”: a call to action for inclusionary zoning

by David Breingan

Lawrenceville United, Lawrenceville Corporation, Councilwoman Deb Gross, and the Department of City Planning co-hosted three “Housing For All” community meetings between September and November to discuss the state of housing and displacement in Lawrenceville and discuss a possible inclusionary zoning policy in Lawrenceville. Meeting notes are available here.

Now it’s time to make “housing for all” a reality! 

To support housing opportunities for all as the Lawrenceville neighborhood grows, please join us by:

  • Signing the petition to show your support for inclusionary zoning in Lawrenceville, and sharing with your neighbors: https://goo.gl/pzQqFf
  • Speaking at City Council on 11/27, 12/5, 12/11, or 12/19. All public comment periods are at 10 a.m. at City Council chambers on the 5th floor in the City County Building (414 Grant Street). To let us know you’ll be attending or help with preparing your comments, contact 412-802-7220 or info@LUnited.org.

Recap from Housing For All: Community Feedback & Call to Action

by David Breingan

Lawrenceville United, Lawrenceville Corporation, Councilwoman Deb Gross, and the Department of City Planning held the third and final “Housing For All” community meeting on Monday, November 5th from 6-8 p.m. at Goodwill of Southwestern PA’s Workforce Development Center. The meeting focused on the proposed Interim Planning Overlay District (IPOD) for Lawrenceville that would implement inclusionary zoning across the neighborhood. Please see below for materials and notes from the meeting:

Please follow the links below for recaps of the previous two meetings:

Next steps:

  • Sign the petition to support the Lawrenceville Inclusionary Zoning IPOD and share it with your neighbors!
  • Speak at an upcoming City Council standing meeting on 11/27, 12/5, 12/11, or 12/19 (all at 10 a.m. at City Council chambers) to voice your support for inclusionary zoning! Contact info@LUnited.org or 412-802-7220 for more information.