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Pittsburgh City Council

Councilmember Kail-Smith expresses frustration with City Planning and community input.

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.

Connections to this story

Topics:
Housing & Land Use
Governments:
Pittsburgh City Council
Public meetings:
City Council · June 24, 2025
Sources:
Resolution 2025-1943 — authorizing the Mayor, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Director of the Department of City…

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