Mayor’s proposed zoning overhaul gets first Planning Commission airing

Townhouses at 43rd and Summit streets in Lawrenceville beside the Holy Family Church on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Still under construction, the development will include five inclusionary units. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource) Mayor Ed Gainey’s proposal to loosen numerous housing zoning rules while demanding more affordable units citywide led one commissioner to ask for a holistic approach. “PublicSource is an independent nonprofit newsroom serving the Pittsburgh region.& Sign up for our free newsletters.” by Eric Jankiewicz, PublicSource Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration began the process of seeking approval for plans announced earlier this month to overhaul zoning codes to encourage affordable housing citywide. The mayor on Sept. 5 announced a push for several measures meant to address the affordability issues outlined in a 2022 housing needs study. Gainey looks to expand transit-oriented development, allow accessory dwelling units, remove some parking requirements and minimum lot sizes and expand inclusionary zoning throughout the city. The process of enacting those measures began Tuesday with a City Planning Commission briefing. The reforms will get a commission hearing and vote later this year and City Council will have final word.& The city currently has inclusionary zoning contained to the neighborhoods of Polish Hill, Bloomfield, Lawrenceville...