Planning Commission Meeting Summary - September 22, 2026
On September 22, 2026, Pittsburgh Planning Commission held hearing and action on three items, plus a briefing and officer votes. Here’s what happened, by case.
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtuRNsYxq_Q
Hearing and Action
DCP-ZDR-2022-11848 — 2329 Wharton Street (South Side)
Summary of Case
Project Development Plan for demolition of existing industrial buildings and construction of a five-story multi-unit residential building by Greyar Development East LLC. After a settlement that resolved lengthy appeals, the proposal is framed at about 365 units and 311 on-site parking spaces. Related conditions still under review include the traffic impact study, final plans, an alternative landscape / fee-in-lieu agreement, and a loading reduction from four spaces to two. Settlement terms discussed at the hearing include barring residents from Residential Parking Area KK and adding speed humps on Sydney Street between 23rd and 25th Streets.
Discussion
No public testimony in the room or online. Councilmember Charland spoke in support, emphasizing housing supply and community–developer collaboration after the appeals process. Commissioners, including David Vatz, Darrin Kelly, and Bob Reppe, praised the community engagement, CDAP responsiveness, and façade design that breaks up the long Wharton Street frontage.
Decision
Approved unanimously, with four conditions before final record of zoning approval: (1) traffic impact study reviewed and approved; (2) final construction plans reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator; (3) alternative landscape compliance agreement reviewed and approved; (4) loading reduction reviewed and approved. Roll call ayes: LaShawn Burton-Faulk, Justin Hunt, Darrin Kelly, Rachel O’Neill, Peter Quintanilla, Bob Reppe, and David Vatz.
DCP-ZDR-2026-03651 — 5620 Baum Boulevard (Friendship)
Summary of Case
Project Development Plan for complete demolition of the vacant commercial building in the Baum Center overlay. Prior uses included a gas station and restaurant; the building has been vacant for years. Friendship Community Group waived the Development Activities Meeting for demolition. A separate one-story restaurant PDP is under review and will return later.
Discussion
The applicant described controlled on-site demolition, slab and foundation removal, dust control, and perimeter fencing while keeping sidewalks open. A Friendship resident asked about contractor parking; the applicant said construction equipment and worker vehicles would stay on site. Vice Chair Rachel O’Neill sought a timeline for the follow-on development and proposed an extra condition so a cleared lot does not sit indefinitely without a new approval.
Decision
Approved unanimously, with conditions that (1) final construction plans be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator before record of zoning approval, and (2) the site be cleared and stabilized within one year of approval unless intervening development approvals are issued. Roll call ayes: Burton-Faulk, Hunt, Kelly, O’Neill, Quintanilla, Reppe, and Vatz.
Council Bill 2026-0714 — Multi-suite residential in UC-E near EMI (Oakland)
Summary of Case
Zoning text amendment for the Urban Center–Employment (UC-E) district (currently mapped in Oakland). It would allow a lot wholly or partly within 100 feet of an EMI district to have 50–100% of gross floor area as multi-suite residential (rooms rented monthly or longer; no private kitchens), outside UC-E’s usual residential limits (100% affordable, or mixed-use with residential under 50% of GFA). The bill does not expand multi-unit housing with full kitchens. Staff recommended a positive recommendation to City Council.
Discussion
Andrea Boykowycz of Oakland Planning and Development Corporation testified in opposition, arguing the change undercuts UC-E’s purpose of reserving scarce commercial parcels and that a fuller public rezoning process would be preferable. Commissioner Bob Reppe raised neighborhood-plan and precedent concerns. Several commissioners and discussion with Councilmember Lavelle’s framing emphasized that wet-lab / employment demand envisioned for UC-E has not materialized while Oakland faces a severe housing shortage. Zoning Administrator Carolyn Ristau clarified multi-suite versus multi-unit definitions.
Commissioner David Vatz supported the bill as a limited housing expansion consistent with staff’s plan-consistency finding and argued for a less prescriptive zoning code.
Decision
Positive recommendation to City Council. Rachel O’Neill recused. Bob Reppe abstained. Ayes included Burton-Faulk, Hunt, Quintanilla, and Vatz; Kelly dropped from the call near the end of the vote. Staff noted a positive Planning Commission recommendation means Council needs a majority to pass; a negative recommendation would require a Council supermajority to override.
Also on the Agenda
Briefing — DCP-MPZC-2026-0000219 — 1070 Banksville Avenue (Banksville)
Zoning map amendment to remove a split-zone parks (P) designation and place the entire parcel in Neighborhood Industrial (NDI). Briefing only; public hearing scheduled for October 6, 2026.
Leadership Vote
Commission reaffirmed officers for the remainder of the current term: Chair LaShawn Burton-Faulk (continued); Vice Chair Justin Hunt (new); Secretary Bob Reppe (continued).
Coming Up
Greater Hill District neighborhood plan briefing targeted for October 6.
Summary prepared for Pro-Housing Pittsburgh from the public YouTube recording. Commissioner name spellings checked against the City of Pittsburgh Planning Commission roster. Not an official City of Pittsburgh record.
