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Pittsburgh City Council

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

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Over the last 18 months, Legislative Projects Manager Sean Carter reported that Council has worked on or considered numerous pieces of legislation—both stand-alone and in packages—covering zoning issues including:
  • Community homes
  • Institutional and group housing
  • Transit-oriented development (Polish Hill; Allentown; Sheraden)
  • Accessory dwelling units
  • Off-street parking
  • Reductions to minimum lot size requirements
  • Inclusionary zoning
  • Carter noted that the more public interest an issue generates, the longer it takes to pass a bill, regardless of the urgency of the need the bill addresses.
  • Council Member Takes:
  • Councilperson Warwick asserted that Council’s responsibility is to the city’s residents. She criticized those acting in bad faith during these discussions, including a prominent lawyer representing non-residents with a financial interest in blocking zoning changes.
  • Councilperson Wilson added that he believes every Council member is striving to make decisions that best serve their constituents, including how the city, as the largest property owner, could use that property to benefit residents in need.
  • Councilperson Kail-Smith reiterated that Council must continue to come together to resolve differences of opinion—especially when those differences impact multiple districts.

Connections to this story

Topics:
Housing & Land Use
Governments:
Pittsburgh City Council
Public meetings:
City Council · March 18, 2025

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