Friday, November 13, 2026
Pennsylvania Record
Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh · week of October 31, 2026

Council approves that this matter be Passed Finally, 8–0

Summarized from the official meeting transcript — every claim links to the moment it was said. How we make this

What changed in Pittsburgh

Development activity

  • Bill 714 Oakland UC-E Zoning Code Amendment

    Oakland UC-E District, Pittsburgh, PA

    A proposed ordinance amending the zoning code to add new use standards for multi-suite residential properties in the Oakland UC-E district.

    still pending

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  • Bill 714 — UC-E Zoning Code amendment (2026-0714)

    A zoning text amendment that would allow multi-suite residential projects to fill 50–100% of gross floor area on UC-E parcels within 100 feet of the EMI district, with monthly-or-longer rentals.

    still under-review

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  • Block 174-N land disposition (13th Ward, District 9)

    Block 174-N, Lots 190, 192, 194, 198, 296, and 298, 13th Ward, Pittsburgh, PA (Council District 9)

    A proposed contract to sell six city-owned lots to McCormack Baron Salazar through the Urban Redevelopment Authority for redevelopment, at no cost to the city.

    Discussed — no decision yet

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  • Block 174-N Disposition by Sale of Land

    Block 174-N, Lots 190, 192, 194, 198, 296 and 298, 13th Ward, Pittsburgh (Council District 9)

    The committee recommended the URA's sale of six Hill District lots to developer McCormack Baron Salazar at no cost to the city.

    approved · still approved

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  • Mount Washington rezone (873 Boggs Ave area)

    Mount Washington neighborhood (parcels 15-J-130 and 15-N-75)

    Council Member Salinetro introduced an ordinance rezoning two Mount Washington parcels from Park to Urban Industrial; it goes to the Planning Commission for a report and recommendation before any vote.

    Discussed — no decision yet

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Also discussed

  • Proposed unearned income tax

    Council formally advertised its intent to tax dividends, rents, capital gains, royalties and trust distributions at 2% for city residents, an estimated $51 million a year to balance the budget. No vote has happened yet, but this would directly hit many homeowners, retirees and investors if adopted.

    What it means: Estimated $51 million per year in new revenue from city residents' investment and rental income.

    Raised 2 times this week

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  • Complete Streets funding increase

    The city accepted $1.32 million in federal highway money for Complete Streets projects at no local cost.

    What it means: $1,322,540 at no cost to the city.

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  • Revived Side Yard Sale Program

    Council created the city's first formal side yard sale program, letting residents buy small city-owned lots next to their homes. Homeowners and community groups have long sought this as a tool to put vacant land back into productive use.

    What it means: Homeowners and community groups seeking to acquire adjacent vacant lots.

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  • Sale of Block 174-N lots for redevelopment

    Six parcels in the 13th Ward (District 9) would be sold through the URA to developer McCormack Baron Salazar at no cost to the city, setting the stage for redevelopment.

    What it means: District 9 residents and the developer, through new redevelopment activity.

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  • Home Rule Charter Referendums for May Primary

    Voters could decide in May 2026 whether to change charter rules so the city budget passes on time at the end of legislative sessions. Budget stalemates have real consequences for services and payrolls.

    What it means: All residents who depend on city services continuing without budget delays.

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  • North Shore lane controls, Fort Pitt Park, and riverfront trail grants

    Council accepted state grants for a $1 million Fort Pitt Park renovation and $100,000 for Allegheny Riverfront trail planning, each requiring a city match.

    What it means: Up to $550,000 in city matching funds toward $1.1 million in total projects.

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  • Inter-Municipal Liquor License Transfer for Adda Gelato

    Council signed off on moving a liquor license from TAVAP, Inc. to Adda Gelato, LLC in the Strip District, following an October 27 public hearing.

    What it means: The Strip District business and the new gelato establishment.

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  • Pittsburgh Land Bank Property Acquisitions

    The committee recommended the URA sell six lots on Block 174-N in the Hill District (District 9) to McCormack Baron Salazar at no cost to the city.

    What it means: Hill District residents and the developer pursuing redevelopment of the block.

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  • Affordable Housing Bonus Program reporting

    A new 'look back' bill requires the zoning administrator to report every six months on how many projects use the affordable housing bonus program, with a full two-year review.

    What it means: Residents and council members who want accountability on whether the housing bonus program actually produces affordable units.

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  • Street Resurfacing and ARPA Fund Reallocations

    Council moved roughly $1.75 million of leftover pandemic-era ARPA money into street resurfacing across several budget years, while also restoring about $1.59 million in 2026 to city facility and rec-center improvements. Your street's repaving schedule could be affected.

    What it means: Net movement of about $1.75 million into paving across 2021-2024 budgets and $1.59 million out of 2026 paving into facilities.

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  • Liberty Avenue and Bloomfield Bridge Traffic Improvements

    The committee recommended a $1.79 million PennDOT grant plus 100% reimbursable construction funding to upgrade signals and improve the Liberty Avenue at Main Street/Bloomfield Bridge intersection.

    What it means: Total project up to $2.33 million; the city match is $537,840.

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  • Housing Opportunity Fund Funding and Program Priorities

    A new ordinance would require the Planning department to file regular reports on the Affordable Housing Bonus Program, adding transparency to how affordable housing incentives perform.

    What it means: Residents and Council tracking whether affordable housing incentives are delivering.

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  • Bureau of Fire vehicle leasing

    A $20 million financing deal through JPMorgan will buy five ladder trucks and eight pumpers, paid largely from the Highmark donation plus fire budget funds over five years.

    What it means: About $18 million principal plus $2.07 million interest over five years; roughly $13,900 per year from the fire operating budget.

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  • Food Justice Fund Grant Program

    Council approved $250,000 in Food Justice Fund grants to community organizations working on food access across the city.

    What it means: $250,000 in grant funding.

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  • Gun violence post-agenda

    Council Member Warwick won approval for a public post-agenda hearing on gun violence in Allegheny County and Pittsburgh. It sets up a public airing of the region's most pressing public safety problem.

    What it means: Residents affected by gun violence, who will get a public forum.

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  • Charles Anderson Bridge Project Engineering

    Council advanced amended agreements boosting the Charles Anderson Bridge project by roughly $18 million total — including $11.8 million more to Mosites Construction — with federal dollars covering nearly all of it.

    What it means: Project costs rise to about $70 million, with most reimbursed by federal and state funds.

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  • Housing Opportunity Fund's future in the 2027 budget

    The city's $10-million-a-year affordable housing fund may be cut or zeroed out as Pittsburgh faces a budget crunch. Advocates say the fund has created or preserved 1,577 units, serves nearly 1,000 households a year, and that the 1% realty transfer tax increase that created it has actually returned surplus revenue to the city.

    What it means: The fund costs the city $10 million a year, but the transfer tax increase that created it has generated an estimated $44 million-plus in surplus revenue since 2020, per advocates — so cutting it could actually cost the city money.

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  • Eviction prevention and the eviction ecosystem

    The city faces about 4,200 eviction filings a year. The Housing Stabilization Program, lawyer of the day, and landlord-tenant mediation — funded jointly by HOF and Stop the Violence funds — produced a 60% positive outcome rate and 80% of clients staying housed.

    What it means: HOF and Stop the Violence funds support about 40 living-wage positions and leverage roughly $2 in other rental assistance for every city dollar.

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  • Oakland UC-E Zoning Code Amendment

    Bill 714 would let housing fill 50–100% of buildings on UC-E parcels within 100 feet of Oakland's hospitals and universities, as long as rooms are rented monthly or longer. Supporters see needed housing near campus; critics say it erodes space reserved for jobs and commercial development in the Forbes–Fifth corridor.

    What it means: Developers, students, and workers seeking housing near Oakland's hospitals and universities would gain new housing options.

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  • Kelly Street Affordable Housing Rezoning

    Pittsburgh still has a gap of roughly 8,200 affordable units for its lowest-income residents, down from 14,000 in 2016 — but partly because low-income renters have been displaced. Housing advocates and the URA both warned the crisis is growing, not shrinking.

    What it means: The draft 2027 allocation is estimated to create about 160 new affordable units and support roughly 1,877 households; cutting to $10 million could slash new-unit production by about three-quarters.

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What's coming, and the deadline

Published by Pennsylvania Record. 4 meetings covered.