Title
Ordinance amending and supplementing the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title Nine, Zoning Code, Article V, Use Regulations, Chapter 911, Primary Uses, Section 911.02, Use Table, by adding a new use, “Interim Housing”, and supplementing Section 911.04, “Use Standards”, by adding standards for the same.
(Needs to be sent to the Planning Commission for a Report and Recommendation)
Body
Whereas, in September of 2022 then Pittsburgh City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith established a Committee of City Councilmembers including Councilmembers Coghill, Gross, Strassburger, and Wilson to investigate solutions to the burgeoning homelessness crisis in the City of Pittsburgh; and,
Whereas, in May of 2023 the Committee shared its proposals publicly; and,
Whereas, in November of 2023, Councilmembers Coghill and Gross introduced Resolution 2023-2197 to establish rules regulating the permitting and supervision of Temporary Managed Communities to help individuals at risk of, or experiencing homelessness; and,
Whereas, on February 20th 2024, Councilmembers Coghill and Gross requested a hold on 2023-2197 to allow for a collaborative revision process with Planning Commission Members, Planning Department Staff, Administration Officials and other stakeholders; and,
Whereas, that work proceeded, resulting in amendments that strengthened and clarified the intent and application of the original bill resulting in a new use category called “Interim Housing”; and,
Whereas, on August 28th, 2024 Council Bill 2023-2197 was ultimately withdrawn; and,
Whereas, The City faces the prospect of a 3rd winter since City Council’s Unhoused Committee was formed, and 2nd winter since its recommendations were made; and,
Whereas, this ordinance proposes changes to the Use Table and Use Standards which contains language that has already received a positive recommendation from the Planning Commission; and,
Whereas, City Council believes it is time to implement this critical portion of its Unhoused Committee’s recommendations; and,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code, Title Nine, Zoning Code, Article V, Use Regulations, Chapter 911, Primary Uses, Section 911.02, Use Table, is hereby supplemented as follows:
Interim Housing means facilities, in one or more structures, that provide housing for homeless or those facing homelessness, excluding the definition of Custodial Care Facility and Personal Care Residence. Shelter and support are provided for individuals to facilitate transition to more permanent housing. The Approving Body may provide a waiver of underlying zoning district standards to allow for flexibility so long as the use standards of 911.04.A.101 are met.
Local Neighborhood Commercial (LNC) - special exception
Neighborhood Industrial (NDI) - special exception
Urban Neighborhood Commercial (UNC) - special exception
Highway Commercial (HC) - special exception
Urban Industrial (UI) - special exception
Urban Center Mixed Use (UC-MU) - special exception
Urban Center Employment (UC-E) - special exception
Residential Mixed Use (R-MU) - special exception
Educational/Medical Institutional (EMI) - special exception
Golden Triangle (GT) - special exception
Riverfront Mixed Use (RIV-MU) - special exception
Riverfront North Shore (RIV-NS) - special exception
Riverfront Industrial Mixed Use (RIV-IMU) - special exception
Section 2. The Pittsburgh Code, Title Nine, Zoning Code, Article V, Use Regulations, is hereby amended at Chapter 911, Section 911.04, Use Standards, as follows:
911.04.A.101 Interim Housing
Interim Housing uses shall be subject to the following standards in all permitted Zoning Districts:
a. The applicant shall hold a Development Activities Meeting if the proposed project meets one or more of the criteria in Section 178E.08.
b. Applications for Interim Housing uses shall describe programs of operation and management including but not limited to:
i. Site layout and access;
ii. Location and type(s) of living arrangements;
iii. Bathroom and dining facilities; and
iv. Storage areas.
c. The Approving Body shall determine that the entity operating the Interim Housing use has the capability and plan to adequately address the items detailed in 911.04.A.101(b).
d. The Approving Body may waive underlying zoning to allow for exceptions to underlying zoning standards provided that the use standards of this 911.04.A.101 are adequately addressed.
e. Interim Housing Uses shall meet all applicable Fire, Building Code, Health Department, and Public Safety requirements.
f. Interim Housing Uses shall not exceed four (4) years at any one location and may only be used for additional Interim Housing Uses when a period of time equal to or greater than the length of the previous Interim Housing Use has passed.
Section 3. Any Ordinance or Resolution inconsistent with this Ordinance is hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict or inconsistency.