Unpacking inclusionary zoning and Pittsburgh’s two competing proposals

Townhouses at 43rd and Summit streets in Lawrenceville beside the Holy Family Church on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. The development includes five inclusionary units. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource) Mayor Ed Gainey and City Councilor Bob Charland have proposed conflicting approaches to inclusionary zoning, a tool for encouraging affordable housing. Confused? Here’s the breakdown as the Planning Commission prepares to vote. “PublicSource is an independent nonprofit newsroom serving the Pittsburgh region.& Sign up for our free newsletters.” by Eric Jankiewicz, PublicSource The City Planning Commission is set to hold hearings Tuesday, discuss and potentially vote on two competing approaches to inclusionary zoning. In September, Mayor Ed Gainey announced his inclusionary zoning expansion plans and in December the commission shelved those plans until the new year. Also in December, City Councilor Bob Charland drew up an alternative IZ bill.& Here are the basics on IZ, and on the proposals before the commission. What is inclusionary zoning? Inclusionary zoning is a mechanism that can be used to require developers of new housing to set aside units for households making less than the area median income.& Where and when was it pioneered? While inclusionary zoning is a relatively new concept for the Pittsburgh area,...