PITTSBURGH — Controversial and sweeping zoning changes in the city of Pittsburgh were on the planning commission’s agenda Tuesday afternoon. Dozens of people were there to make a public comment, and dozens more signed up to speak over Zoom.
A 70-year-old, fifth generation Sheraden woman says homes in her neighborhood are vacant and crumbling and businesses have left. She says they don’t need more development - they need to fix what’s already there.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she told the planning commission. “You think you’re going to put a multi-unit at the bottom of my street? You are going to destroy us further - I call this putting the nails in our coffin.”
Kim Salinetro is the Chief of Staff for Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith, who represents Sheraden.
She says the proposals to change zoning to allow development in areas walkable to public transit - like South Hills Junction, Herron Station and Sheraden Station need to be discussed with the public in more detail before any decisions are made.
“We should ask for a continuance until we have more time to discuss this with our communities,” Salinetro said.
But others like Dan Yablonski with Pittsburghers for Public Transit believe low and middle-income housing near transit makes Pittsburgh more accessible for everyone.
“The status quo, what’s happening right now, is not what we need to continue,” Yablonski said. “We need change.”
That said, Yablonski argued that these are sweeping proposals and he believes more detail needs to be provided to the public.
If passed by the planning commission, the proposals would then go to city council. They have 120 days to schedule a public hearing, then 90 days to make a decision.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
©2024 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
