Pittsburgh City Council advances Oakland Crossings zoning legislation

Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday advanced zoning legislation that would allow the controversial Oakland Crossings Development to proceed.

The Planning Commission recommended the measure with conditions, though members of the Oakland community appear to be split on the matter.

Walnut Capital, the Shadyside developer that revitalized Bakery Square, needs City Council to approve the zoning changes in a portion of the Oakland neighborhood so it can move ahead with its proposed development. The plans include a grocery store, a 25% increase in urban green space and an elevated pedestrian bridge stretching over the Boulevard of the Allies.

Mayor Ed Gainey attempted to strike a compromise in an agreement with Walnut Capital that incorporated “narrower and more clearly defined zoning” and an affordable housing requirement.

There have been several tweaks to the measure, including a change Wednesday that clarified a previous amendment allowing building lengths to jump from 400 feet to 425 feet to apply only to grocery stores. The extra length allowance would make it possible for grocery stores to load trucks inside the facility, said Director of the Office of Management and Budget Jake Pawlak.

The amendment was unanimously approved Wednesday.

Even after changes and attempted compromises, some Oakland residents have continued to voice opposition to the development. Many questioned why the process moved ahead as the neighborhood finalized its Oakland Plan, which aims to guide development in the area. Others complained about the size of buildings and what they saw as a flawed public process.

The Planning Commission approved the Oakland Plan last week.

“Development needs to be done responsibly and with regard to the existing residential neighborhoods and residents,” said Elaina Zaitsoff of Oakcliffe Community Organization.

She said she felt the buildings would be “immensely out of scale” and raised concerns about a potential “loss of neighborhood character.”

Councilwoman Deb Gross also raised concerns about the legislation, which originated in former Mayor Bill Peduto’s office.

“This was a zoning map amendment sponsored by the mayor, and that is not allowed,” she said.

Gross said she also felt that substantive amendments should require that council send the proposal back to the Planning Commission to begin the public process anew. Because the measure before council does not meet the conditions recommended by the Planning Commission, including a recommendation that building lengths do not exceed 400 feet, Gross said she believed they should treat the measure as if it were not recommended by the Planning Commission and require a supermajority to pass it.

Councilwoman Erika Strassburger said she shared many of the same concerns, but added, “The main reason I’m supporting this is that the city desperately needs more dense housing along transit corridors. More housing for more different types of people is what’s needed — and a grocery store and other amenities. This is the exact right type of project for this area.”

Councilwoman Deb Gross was the lone opposition in a preliminary vote Wednesday. Council will likely take a final vote on the measure next week.