Two Capital Budget Deliberative Forums will be held this year as part of the City’s Capital Budget development process. This year, the hearings will follow a new format that gives residents the chance to learn more about what goes into the Capital Budget, discuss needs and priorities in a small-group setting, and ask questions of an expert panel. Residents will also have the chance to let the City know of specific Capital work in their neighborhoods that they would like to see done in 2016.
    High resident participation is crucial to the success of the Capital Budget process, which is why we ask that all community-based groups commit to sending at least ONE representative from their neighborhood to one of our Capital Budget Deliberative Forums to ensure equal participation citywide.
  • Wednesday, June 3, 6-8:30 PM  Greenfield Senior Ctr 745 Greenfield Ave
  • Monday, June 22, 6-8:30 PM Southside Market House 1 Bedford Square
Each session will include:
  • A brief overview of the budgeting process.
  • Small-group discussions of budget priorities and resident’s needs.
  • An opportunity for residents to ask questions of an expert panel.
We ask all participants to commit to the entire 2.5 hours of the forum.  Food and refreshments will be provided.  While it is not mandatory, we would appreciate your pre-registration.

pdf icon FORBES_AVE_APTS_Planning-Commission_150525.pdf

Inline image 1
The developers of the proposed Campus Advantage building on Forbes Avenue shared the attached presentation with us. They will present this to the Planning Commission Meeting June 2nd.
 
There are a few notable changes to previous plans; now the top two floors of parking enter from Euler Way, with the first floor parking still entering from Forbes.  This change resulted in a small reduction in the proposed parking spaces, however the project still meets the parking requirements.  The designs also show additional greenery at the resident amenity space on the 4th floor facing Forbes and incorporate some color detail based on CDAP feedback.

The following cases will go before Magistrate Ricciardi (1700 E Carson Street, 3rd floor) on Thursday, May 14, at 10am:
  • 3295 Dawson Street (continuance): Violation: Overgrown weeds and grass (Overgrowth on property) Owners: Pradeed and Thespine Khosla
  • 3415 Bates Street (continuance): Violation: Garbage and debris throughout property Owners: Oakland Gateway Ventures LP
  • 3407 Bates Street: Violation: Garbage and debris throughout property Owners: Oakland Gateway Ventures LP
  • 3263 Parkview Avenue: Violation: Failure to remove couch from porch Owner: Michele Rice, Barbara Rotz and Elizabeth Zembower
  • 21 Hodge Street (continuance): Violation: 1. Failure to Maintain roof drains, gutters and downspouts and 2. Garbage and debris throughout property Owner: Rush Howe
Planning to attend? Call 412.621.7863 ext. 27.
The City of Pittsburgh is seeking public input on an action plan for transit improvements and community development in the corridor between Downtown and neighborhoods east.
Two public meetings are set for next week. They are:
  • Tuesday, May 5, 2015 Uptown/Downtown, Noon – 2:00 p.m., Duquesne University, Power Center Ballroom 1015 Forbes Avenue
  • Wednesday, May 6, 2015 Oakland, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., William Pitt Student Union, 3959 Fifth Avenue
At these upcoming public meetings, the City of Pittsburgh will provide an overview of coordinated planning efforts in the corridor along Fifth and Forbes avenues, including Downtown, Uptown, Oakland, and other East End neighborhoods. This will involve a review of ongoing planning for transit improvements, including bus rapid transit (BRT), and upcoming planning for an EcoInnovation District in the Uptown neighborhood.
3407 Forbes Avenue – Proposed Campus Advantage Development (next to Arby's)
Campus Advantage, a national student rental housing management company, is proposing to build a 13-story, 137-unit student housing building. Attached are some rough designs and details the developer shared with us.
They are on the ZBA agenda for April 23, 2015 at 9:20 pm. 
​THE CORRECTED TIME IS 9:20 AM, not PM.

South Oakland Neighborhood Group (SONG)

SouthOaklandPgh.org
Next Oakwatch meeting is Wednesday, April 15 at 6pm at the Oakland Career Center. In addition to our standard updates, the new Zone 4 Commander, Daniel Herrmann, is planning to attend and introduce himself. The University of Pittsburgh's Student Government Board President Graeme Meyer will also join to speak on student-community relations.
Oakwatch meeting minutes can be found online at opdc.org/oakwatch

pdf icon 3407-Forbes-Ave-Campus-Advantage-Development-Meeting.pdf
pdf icon First-draft-building-design-3407-Forbes-Ave.pdf
pdf icon Project-details-3407-Forbes-Ave.pdf

Inline image 13407 Forbes Avenue – Proposed Campus Advantage Development (next to Arby's)
Campus Advantage, a national student rental housing management company, is proposing to build a 13-story, 137-unit student housing building. Attached are some rough designs and details the developer shared with us.
They are on the ZBA agenda for April 23, 2015 at 9:20 pm. Currently they're planning to request a special exemption and a variance related to increasing floor area ratio* (FAR), a variance to increase the percentage of the lot covered by the building from the allowed 90% to 96%, as well as increasing the building height from the permitted 102 feet (with LEED bonus) to 140 feet.
Next week, OPDC will host a public meeting for community input on the project:
Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 6:00 pm – Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple Street
*Floor Area Ratio (FAR): The total square feet of a building divided by the total square feet of the lot the building is located

pdf icon 3407-Forbes-Ave-Campus-Advantage-Development-Meeting.pdf

Inline image 1Please see the attached flyer for a meeting Tuesday, 4/14, 6:00 pm at the Career Center building.  Please spread the word to your neighbors.
Key notes on the proposed development:
  • Specific to college students
  • Programming and resident assistants
  • 98 2 BR
  • 30 3 BR
  •  nine 1 BR
  • 137 units total for 295 beds
  •  Study room on each floor
  •  Will go for LEED Silver
  • Hope to break ground in Feb 2016, 18-month construction; open Fall 2017
  • Use allowed by right
  •  Zoning board variances requested for additional height and lot coverage, which equates to more units
  • Retail on first floor
Mayor William Peduto sent 36 nominations for seats on City boards, commissions and authorities to Pittsburgh City Council today.
The nominations will be officially introduced at the regular meeting of council Tuesday. Some, but not all, will be subject to council interviews and votes.

pdf icon 150312-STEM-Flyer.pdf

Inline image 1
Notice Of Community Meeting
Wednesday March 18, 6:30pm at Central Catholic Library
Central Catholic High School is planning on constructing a new S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Building expansion to its 4720 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA campus.
You are cordially invited to attend this community meeting.
Community groups, school representatives, City of Pittsburgh District 8 representatives and planners will be present to answer your questions.

pdf icon Urban-Ag-Changes.pdf

PUBLIC HEARING
Proposed Zoning Code Text Amendment
Land Use Control File No. C-782
Agriculture and Urban Agriculture
The Planning Commission has initiated a Zoning Code Text amendment related to Urban Agriculture. The amendment is proposing to:
  • expand the allowable zoning districts and use classifications for all types of
  • amend and supplement the use standards for all types of Agriculture and
  • add definitions to supplement Agriculture and Urban Agriculture
A copy of the proposed text amendment may be reviewed at the Zoning Office on the 3rd floor of 200 Ross St., Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. or online at  www.pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/notices
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed text amendments
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 @ 2:00 p.m.
John P. Robin Civic Building, 1st Floor
200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh PA
Testimony presented by individuals will be limited to three minutes each. In addition, any
person who intends to testify on behalf of an organization such as a chamber of commerce, community club, etc., shall provide a “Letter of Authorization” from the appropriate duly appointed officers before testifying. Prepared comments, statistics or
reports in printed form may be presented to the Commission to support testimony or in lieu of testimony. (Interpreters for the hearing impaired will be provided with 4 days notice by contacting Richard Meritzer at 412-255-2102.) You may call 412-255-2241 if

They are postponing the ZBA hearing regarding the WindNest project, pending the outcome of design revisions that will have an effect on the scale.

The project will no longer be on the March 5th agenda. We will continue to pass along any updates we receive regarding the project.

==================================

pdf icon WindNest-OnePager.pdf

Inline image 2
There is a renewable energy/public art installation planned for Schenley Plaza. They need setback and height approvals at zoning board – hearing is March 5 at 10 AM, 200 Ross Street 1st Floor.   Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is partnering with the artists on this project.
From the artists:
“Please encourage people to get in touch with us directly if they have any questions or would like to learn more.”