Historic Review Commission Meeting Summary - September 2, 2026
On September 2, 2026, the Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission held hearing and action on two Certificates of Appropriateness, plus three project briefings and a Title 11 historic preservation code update. Here’s what happened, by case. Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1hlj4EcME8
Hearing and Action
BDA-2026-05218 — 1307 Arch Street (Central Northside / Mexican War Streets Expansion)
Summary of Case
Certificate of Appropriateness for construction of a rear covered porch (replacing an existing uncovered deck) on a home in the Mexican War Streets Expansion Historic District. Owners Sarah Alexac and Jacob Robinson proposed Douglas fir decking, cedar accents, Italianate-inspired detailing, and a privacy screen facing the Allegheny Community Garden, with steps rotated to the south. Staff found the proposal consistent with district design guidelines and recommended approval with a condition that any requested changes be submitted to staff before issuance of the COA. Correspondence of support from Richard Johnson (on behalf of the community garden) and the Mexican War Streets Society was read into the record.
Discussion
No public testimony in the room or online. Commissioners briefly praised the design as thoughtful and in line with the guidelines; one noted the need for shade on the west-facing rear elevation.
Decision
Approved unanimously by voice vote, with the staff-review condition. Motion by K. Chase Patterson; second by Marti Isler.
DCP-ZDR-2023-03191 — 1441 Sheffield Street (Manchester)
Summary of Case
Certificate of Appropriateness for a roof addition: a gable roof with a shed dormer over a leaking flat roof on a non-contributing mid-century block building in the Manchester Historic District. Applicant Brett Craig said the work would not add square footage and would match Hardie shingle cladding previously approved on his adjacent residence (2012); staff noted Hardie lap siding would also be acceptable and could be approved administratively. Staff recommended approval with a condition that any requested changes go to staff before COA issuance.
Discussion
No public testimony. Commissioners asked about dormer window detailing (suggesting a wider center post more typical of historic context), box gutters, brackets on the front and dormer, and a fresh coat of paint on the façade. The applicant agreed to include brackets and said lap siding was acceptable if preferred over shingles.
Decision
Approved unanimously by voice vote, with small detailing changes included as conditions of approval. Motion by K. Chase Patterson; seconded and carried on voice vote.
Also on the Agenda
Minutes and Certificates of Appropriateness Report
August 5, 2026 minutes approved (motion Mongalo-Winston; second Patterson). Certificates of Appropriateness report approved (motion Isler; second Blauvelt).
Correspondence / Public Comment
Support letters noted for 1307 Arch Street (above). Correspondence from John Hullman regarding 1529 Sedgwick Street (not on the hearing agenda) was acknowledged. No public comment on non-hearing items.
Director’s Report
None.
Briefing — BDA-2026-06868 — 1100 Bingham Street (South Side Flats / East Carson Historic District)
Renovation of the existing corner building into two four-bedroom units and new construction of a three-unit building (two five-bedroom units and one three-bedroom) on the same parcel, with tandem parking and a mid-block stair/gate. Applicant Britney Peshel (Oakland Avenue Properties / Anthony Moranti), with Margetai Architects. Staff said the proposal appeared generally consistent with guidelines but needed more material and finish detail for hearing and action. Commissioners asked the applicant to preserve the garage-door opening character with historically appropriate glazing (not a split column/transom treatment), keep continuous metal beam/column elements on the new building rather than wrapping the historic corner, prefer vertical gate pickets, and return with colored or 3D elevation renderings including the fire-escape/parking midsection. Briefing only.
Briefing — BDA-2024-00653 — 1321 Columbus Avenue (Manchester)
Façade renovation by new owner Helena Procopio (presented with daughter Tatiana) to bring a previously vacant property into compliance after unpermitted work by a prior owner. Proposed Hardie lap siding over existing insul-brick, retained vinyl windows, new trim and handrail, and an entrance canopy. Staff and commissioners flagged oversized right-side front windows altered by the prior owner, a “ladder” of continuous vertical trim, a modern front door inconsistent with guidelines (prefer paneled), and a canopy height out of alignment with neighbors; they recommended matching window trim treatment across the façade, raising or restoring a transom/canopy relationship, and considering bracket restoration on the front. Staff offered follow-up before hearing and action (including an on-site or same-day meeting after a community DAM later that day). Briefing only.
Briefing — BDA-2026-07673 — 233 Carrington Street (Central Northside)
Renovations and rear addition to an 1890s masonry townhouse, incorporating an adjacent lot, with window and door replacements, synthetic slate on the mansard, a garage and cascading rear additions toward Alpine Street, and courtyard/terrace elements. Architect Bob Bombach; community DAM still pending. Commissioners called the massing generally successful and asked the applicant to simplify planter/railing/Corten treatments for consistency, continue a parapet-and-picket detail at the garage terrace in lieu of a visible Corten front edge, consider double-hung rather than casement windows on the rear addition, and return with material specifications (and clarity on whether front slate would be restored or replaced with synthetic). Briefing only.
Briefing — Title 11 Historic Preservation Code process updates
City Planning’s Katie Reid briefed the fourth HRC update on the Title 11 rewrite. Draft is in a second Law Department review and with the State Historic Preservation Office; staff expect hearing and action on the October HRC agenda, aiming for Council action and a January 1, 2027 effective date if timelines hold. Discussed change: demolition-delay after a PLI demolition order would shift from a flat 90-day delay to an initial 30-day delay (with up to two additional 30-day extensions) tied to submission of a plan for stabilization rather than vague “alternative plans.” Assistant Director walked through post-HRC legislative steps via the Mayor’s agenda and City Council. Summary prepared for Pro-Housing Pittsburgh from the public YouTube recording and the City’s September 2, 2026 HRC agenda. Commissioner name spellings checked against the City of Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission roster. Not an official City of Pittsburgh record.
